THERE is evidence in the historical records of the early church, that Paul, after having been liberated from his first confinement at Rome, was imprisoned again, and that this second imprisonment terminated in his martyrdom. Some have supposed that the Second Epistle to Timothy was written during this second imprisonment, and just before the apostle's death, to which approaching event they consider the expressions, 4:6, 8, as alluding. Others maintain that it was written during his first imprisonment, and at an early period of it, since he sends for Timothy to join him, (4:21;) and Timothy is spoken of as with him in several of the Epistles written from Rome. It is not important, however, in regard to the interpretation of the Epistle, to determine this question; for, though commentators are divided in respect to the date to which it is to be referred, all agree that, like the other, it is a letter of instructions in respect to the administration of the affairs of the church, sent to Timothy at Ephesus, from Paul at Rome; and this is all that seems to be necessary to a proper understanding of it.

      1. The promise of life; of eternal life and salvation.

      3. From my forefathers; as his forefathers had done. The God whom he was serving was the same God that the patriarchs had worshipped in ancient times.

      4. Of thy tears; referring, perhaps, to the occasion when he bade farewell to the elders at Ephesus, as narrated Acts 20:37, 38, where Timothy, it in [471] not improbable, had taken leave of him.

      5. Eunice. She was a Jewess, as is stated Acts 16:1.

      6. Stir up the gift of God; be diligent and active in the exercise of the gift, that is, the office of the ministry.--The putting on of my hands. His ordination to the work of the ministry was stated, in 1 Tim. 4:14, to be by the presbytery, that is, the elders. But the ceremony of laying on of hands was often performed in token of any special consecration, as well as in cases of original induction to the ministerial office. For an example, see Acts 13:2, 3. So Paul appears to have consecrated Timothy for the particular work to which he called him.

      7. The spirit of fear; meaning, perhaps, fear of difficulty or danger, by which they might be deterred from activity and faithfulness in their work.

      9. Not according to; not in consequence of.--Given us; designed for us, appropriated to us.

      10. Hath abolished death; hath taken away its power and sting.

      12. These things; the hardships of his imprisonment.

      13. Of sound words; of sound doctrine.

      14. That good thing; the sacred trust of the ministry.

      16. The house; the family. It would seem that this family resided in Ephesus, as a salutation is sent to the members of it at the close of the Epistle, (4:19,) and there Onesiphorus had himself shown Paul kindness. (v. 16.) He had, however, now been at Rome. From the message being only to his family, it would seem that Onesiphorus was still absent from Ephesus, or dead. [472]

      2. To faithful men; as ministers of the gospel.

      3. Hardness; hardship.

      5. For masteries; in the athletic games common in those days as public amusements.--Lawfully; according to the rules and conditions established for the regulation of the game.

      6. The meaning is, that the husbandman must labor before he can partake of the fruits; and so the toils and sufferings of Christ's service here must precede the rest and rewards of heaven.

      8. My gospel; the gospel which has been intrusted to me.

      9. Wherein; in preaching which.

      11. Dead with him; dead to sin with him.

      17. Their word; their influence.--Will eat as doth a canker; corrupting and destroying the spirit of piety.

      19. The foundation of God; the foundation which God has laid,--meaning that portion of the professing [473] church which he had established, as is indicated by what follows.--Let every one, &c.; that is, there was a test to determine the genuineness of discipleship, in the personal holiness which was manifested as the fruits of a religious profession.

      20. A great house; here representing the house of God, namely, the church.

      21. Purge himself from these; from the errors and follies above named.

      24. Must not strive; must not dispute and contend.

      5. A form of godliness; an outward pretension to godliness.

      8. Jannes and Jambres; names handed down by tradition, though not mentioned in the Old Testament, as those of the magicians who resisted the claims of Moses to be received as the messenger of God in the palace of Pharaoh.

      9. As theirs; that is, the folly of the magicians as recorded in the account in Exodus. [474]

      3. Heap to themselves teachers; by listening to every teacher that offers instruction, however false his pretensions.

      6. Is at hand. This passage (6-8) has been by some considered as indicating that Paul wrote this Epistle when very near the close of his life, during a second imprisonment, which tradition teaches that he suffered at Rome, and which terminated in his martyrdom The directions, however, which follow, (11-13, 21,) seem to imply that he did not consider his work as yet absolutely ended. If the latter supposition is correct, this passage must mean only that he felt that he was gradually drawing towards the close of his labors. In either case, it is interesting to observe that the faith and hope which had given him activity and guidance during his long life of suffering and danger, now became his solace and support when he found himself near its end.

      8. That love his appearing; that desire it looking forward to it with joyful anticipations.

      10. Demas is mentioned as with the apostle when he wrote his Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon. (Col. 4:14. Philem. 24.) [475]

      11. Luke had accompanied Paul to Rome, and remained there with him, as he is repeatedly alluded to in Epistles written by Paul from that city.

      12. Tychicus. He is mentioned, Acts 20:4, as belonging in Asia. He was sent once to Asia from Rome as the bearer of Epistles from Paul. (Ephes. 6:21. Col. 4:7.)

      13. At Troas. Paul had stopped at Troas on his last journey to Jerusalem. (Acts 20:6.)

      14. Alexander. An Alexander of Ephesus is mentioned, Acts 19:33, as taking a part in the disturbances created by Demetrius. One of this name is also referred to in 1 Tim. 1:20.

      16. At my first answer; before the tribunal at Rome.

      19. Prisca; Priscilla. (Acts 18:1-3, 18, 19.)

      20. Erastus; mentioned, Rom. 16:23, as the chamberlain of the city. He was afterwards sent by Paul into Macedonia. (Acts 19:22.) Trophimus is also mentioned elsewhere as an Ephesian. (Acts 20:4. 21:29.)

      21. Before winter; when the navigation would be no longer safe. [476]

[AINT 471-476]