2 Tim. 4 2 Tim. 4:1–5 Paul giveth Timothy a solemn charge to do his duty with all care and diligence, 2 Tim. 4:6–8 certifieth him of his approaching end, and of the glorious prospect he had in view. 2 Tim.

I charge thee therefore before God, who seeth and observeth what thou doest, and will one day call thee to account for thy discharge of thy ministry. And the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead; and before the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, whom thou hast more reason to…

Preach; proclaim like a herald, cry like a common crier in the hearing of a multitude. Thus God to Isaiah, Isa. 58:1; Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet. The word; the word of truth, Isa. 2:15, or the gospel, called the word by way of emphasis: see Matt. 4:23, Matt.

For the time will come; this time always was, (as appears by the writings of the prophets), but it will come more and more; as the world grows older, it will grow more mad.

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth; either in contempt, or scorn of it, as being delivered in too plain notions or style; or through impatience, not enduring their lusts should be touched, and the evil of their ways showed them.

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions: watching implieth: 1. A negation of sleep. 2. An industrious keeping ourselves awake for some end. Keep thyself from all sin, and from all idleness and laziness, and do this industriously, that thou mayst honour God in thy work.

For I am now ready to be offered; spendomai, the word properly signifieth to be offered as a drink-offering, which was offered by being poured out. Some say that σπενδομαι is only used to signify such offerings whereby some covenant was confirmed; so as it not only signifieth that Paul was sensible…

I have fought a good fight; my life hath been a military life, but I have not fought the evil fights of ambitious or quarrelsome men: my fighting hath been the good and noble fight of faith, a fight with the world, the flesh, and the devil, a contending for the faith delivered to the saints, a…

Henceforth there is laid up for me; as to what remains for me, (so the word λοιπον signifies, not henceforth, as we translate it), there is prepared, and in safe keeping for me, Col. 1:5; or, there is appointed for me: see Heb. 9:27.

To Rome, where Paul was at this time a prisoner. It appears from Phil. 2:19, that Timothy did go to Paul at Rome, according to this desire of his, and was with him while a prisoner there.

He showeth the reason why he desired Timothy to come to him, because most of those who were with him were gone. For Demas hath forsaken me; some think this Demas is Demetrius, mentioned 3 John 12, the name being only shortened. He was at Rome with Paul some time, Col. 4:14.

Only Luke is with me; of whom we also read Col. 4:14. He was a physician, Paul’s fellow labourer, Philem. 24. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; of Mark we read Acts 12:12, Acts 15:37. He was kinsman to Barnabas, Col. 4:10.

I have given order to Tychius to come to Ephesus in thy absence.

Troas was a city in Asia, where we find Paul more than once, Acts 16:8, Acts 20:5; he preached Christ there, 2 Cor. 2:12. There Paul left an upper garment with one Carpus, which probably (having no great wardrobe) he might want, being a prisoner.

Alesander the coppersmith did me much evil; we read of three Alexanders; one Mark 15:21, the son of him that bare Christ’s cross; another Acts 4:6, akin to Annas the High Priest; a third, Acts 19:33, probably the person here meant, for he was an Ephesian; but he at that time was a disciple of…

At my first answer, at my first appearing before Nero, and the court of Rome, no man stood with me; none of the Christians stood by me, or owned me; but all men forsook me; but all, being frighted at my danger, left me alone to speak for myself.

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me; that is, did not leave me. It is opened by the next word, and strengthened me; he gave me courage and inward ability, so as I was able to plead, and to defend my cause.

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work; faith riseth upon experiences, 1 Sam. 17:37, 1 Sam. 17:46, 2 Cor. 1:10. By evil work may be understood any sin into which Paul might fall through temptation; or the evil works of others, designing mischief to the apostle.

Salute Prisca and Aquila; by this Prisca and Aquila it is mor than probable he means that Priscilla and Aquila mentioned 1 Cor. 16:19. And the household of Onesiphorus; it cannot be concluded from hence that Onesiphorus was now dead, but probably he was. It is the same man mentioned 2 Tim. 1:16.

Erastus abode at Corinth; of this Erastus see Rom. 16:23. He was the chamberlain of Corith, so he abode there. Paul sent him into Macedonia, Acts 19:22.

Do thy diligence to come before winter; that is, to come to Rome to me before winter, either because sailing in the winter time would be more dangerous, or because in the winter time he might have more need of assistance.

The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit; se the like, Gal. 6:18, Philem. 25. Grace be with you; the free grace of God, it its various emanations, suited to all your necessities, be with you. Amen.