Fathers

2 Timothy 4

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I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching. For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts, and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables. But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry. For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing. Be diligent to come to me soon, for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds, of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words. At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick. Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your 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 ↗