Fathers

2 Timothy 4

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I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 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. 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. 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. Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

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What the Fathers say

2 Timothy 4:16

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"At my first answer," he says, "no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge." Do you see how he spares his friends, notwithstanding it was a grievous thing they had done? For it is not the same thing to be despised by aliens, as by our own friends. Do you see his intense dejection? It cannot be said, that I was assailed by those without, but had comfort in the attention and support of my friends; for these also betrayed me. …

Homily on 2 Timothy 10 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Again the apostle recounts other trials in order to further encourage his disciple. But what first defense is he speaking of? He had previously been brought before Nero and escaped death, so that from that time he continued to preach; but when he converted his cupbearer, then Nero, burning with anger, cut off his head. The apostle expresses his grief with the words: "all forsook me." As if he is saying: even my own betrayed me, and I was deprived of all consolation. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

In my first defense, no one came to my support, but all deserted me (may it not be counted against them). But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the preaching might be fully accomplished and all the Gentiles might hear it. I was rescued from the lion's mouth. In my first defense. Paul already appeared before Nero and escaped. But when he instructed his cupbearer, then he was beheaded. For Nero did not have such zeal towards idols; he was thus relentless in all things. but all deserted me. …

Commentary On 2 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

For we owe "fruits" to those who minister spiritual doctrine to us through their understanding of the divine mysteries. We owe these to them as men. We owe these fruits also to "the living souls" since they offer themselves as examples for us in their own continence.

Confessions 13.25.38 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then he mentions the negligence of those who failed to help him: first, he reproaches their guilt; second, he begs for their pardon: "may it not be laid to their charge." He says, therefore, "at my first answer no man stood by me." A Gloss says that the Apostle frequently resisted the wicked teachings of Alexander, but no one withstood him in person. But this does not seem to be the Apostle's meaning, because this Alexander was not such a genius that the Apostle would need others to debate with him. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗