2 Timothy 4:14-22 | |
14. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil, the Lord reward him according to his works: | 14. Alexander faber aerarius multis me malis affecit: reddat illi Dominus juxta facta ipsius. |
15. Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. | 15. Quem et tu cave; vehementer enim restitit verbis nostris. |
16. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. | 16. In prima defensione nemo mihi affuit, sed omnes me deseruerunt: ne illis imputetur. |
17. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. | 17. Sed dominus mihi affit, et corroboravit me, ut per me praeconium confirmaretur, et qudirent omnes Gentes. |
18. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. | 18. Et ereptus fui ex ore leonis, et eripiet me Dominus ex omni facto (vel, opere) malo, servabitquie in regnum suum caeleste, cui gloria in saecula saeculorum. Amen. |
19. Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. | 19. Saluta Priscam et Aquilam et familiam Onesiphori. |
20. Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. | 20. Erastus mansit Corinthi: Trophimum autem reliqui in Mileti languentem. |
21. Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. | 21. Da operam, ut ante hyemem venias. Salutat to Eubulus et Pudens et Linus et Claudia et fratres omnes. |
22. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. | 22. Dominus Iesus Christus cum spiritu tuo. Gratia vobiscum. Amen. |
The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time. | Scripta e Roma secunda ad Timotheum, qui primus Ephesi ordinatus fuit Episcopus, quum, Paulus iterum sisteretur Caesari Neroni. |
14.
From Paul's words, (1 Timothy 4:15,)
"The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up." (Psalm 69:9.)
And this is also the reason of the stern imprecation into which he breaks out, that
We must not imagine, therefore, that Paul was moved by excessive warmth of temper, when he broke out into this imprecation; for it was from the Spirit of God, and through a well regulated zeal, that he wished eternal perdition to Alexander, and mercy to the others. Seeing that it is by the guidance of the Spirit that Paul pronounces a heavenly judgment from on high, we may infer from this passage, how dear to God is his truth, for attacking which he punishes so severely. Especially it ought to be observed how detestable a crime it is, to fight with deliberate malice against the true religion
But lest any person, by falsely imitating the Apostle, should rashly utter similar imprecations, there are three things here that deserve notice. First, let us not avenge the injuries done to ourselves, lest self-love and a regard to our private advantage should move us violently, as frequently happens. Secondly, while we maintain the glory of God, let us not mingle with it our own passions, which always disturb good order. Thirdly, let us not pronounce sentence against every person without discrimination, but only against reprobates, who, by their impiety, give evidence that such is their true character; and thus our wishes will agree with God's own judgment otherwise there is ground to fear that the same reply may be made to us that Christ made to the disciples who thundered indiscriminately against all who did not comply with their views,
"Ye know not of what spirit ye are." (Luke 9:55.)
They thought that they had Elijah as their supporter, (2 Kings 1:10,) who prayed to the Lord in the same manner; but because they differed widely from the spirit of Elijah, the imitation was absurd. It is therefore necessary, that the Lord should reveal his judgment before we burst forth into such imprecations; and wish that by his Spirit he should restrain and guide our zeal. And whenever we call to our remembrance the vehemence of Paul against a single individual, let us also recollect his amazing meekness towards those who had so basely forsaken him, that we may learn, by his example, to have compassion on the weakness of our brethren.
Here I wish to put a question to those who pretend that Peter presided over the church at Rome. Where was he at that time? According to their opinion, he was not dead; for they tell us, that exactly a year intervened between his death and that of Paul. Besides, they extend his pontificate to seven years. Here Paul mentions his first defense: his second appearance before the court would not be quite so soon. In order that Peter may not lose the title of Pope, must he endure to be charged with the guilt of so shameful a revolt? Certainly, when the whole matter has been duly examined, we shall find that everything that has been believed about his Popedom is fabulous.
17.
He now describes the manner of the confirmation,
18.
This is a remarkable passage for maintaining the uninterrupted communication of the grace of God, in opposition to the Papists. After having confessed that the beginning of salvation is from God, they ascribe the continuation of it to freewill; so that in this way perseverance is not a heavenly gift, but a virtue of man. And Paul, by ascribing to God this work of "preserving us to his kingdom," openly affirms that we are guided by his hand during the whole course of our life, till, having discharged the whole of our warfare, we obtain the victory. And we have a memorable instance of this in Demas, whom he mentioned a little before, because, from being a noble champion of Christ, he had become a base deserter. All that follows has been seen by us formerly, and therefore does not need additional exposition.
END OF THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY.
1 "De ce que plusieurs L'avoyent ainsi lachement abandonne en la defense de sa cause." "From many having so basely deserted them in the defense of his cause."
2 "Le mot Grec signifie proprement une publication et proclamation qui se fait solennellement et comme a son de trompe." "The Greek word properly denotes a publication or proclamation which is made solemnly, and, as it were, with the sound of a trumpet."
Back to BibleStudyGuide.org. These files are public domain. This electronic edition was downloaded from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library. |