Personal Requests and Personal News.
Timothy's summons to Rome seems inconsistent with the discharge of the duties just enforced. If the letter is a unity, its main instructions may concern his conduct after, as well as before, his visit to Rome and Paul's death (Ramsay). For the significance of the historical allusions that follow, see Introduction, at end of § 1. Others being absent on different missions, only Luke, of Paul's immediate circle, is now with him (2 Timothy 4:21 names merely local acquaintances). Let Timothy bring Mark, reconciled to Paul since Acts 15:38 (Colossians 4:10), and able, in Tychicus-' absence, to render needed personal service (contrast AV); and also Paul's travelling-cloak, with certain papyrus and vellum documents, left, perhaps at his sudden arrest, in Troas. The identity of Alexander (1 Timothy 1:20 *) and the nature and occasion of his opposition are alike unknown. At the first hearing of Paul's case, the prima actio the allusion is not to his first Roman trial no fellow-Christian appeared in the court to support him. Luke and Tychicus were probably prevented, not being Roman citizens (Ramsay), but all local Christians failed him. Howbeit Christ supported him: hence, through his self-defence, since he who addresses Rome addresses the world, the gospel proclamation reached its consummation (not as AV). On this occasion, then, he secured a remand, though he only narrowly escaped death (2 Timothy 4:17 b); and, while he cannot expect to gain the final verdict (2 Timothy 4:6 ff.), of eternal deliverance he is assured. The circumstances underlying 2 Timothy 4:20 are unknown. 2 Timothy 4:21 mentions prominent Roman Christians.
2 Timothy 4:10. Demas: would a forger invent the contrast with Philemon 1:24; Colossians 4:14? Galatia: might mean either Asiatic Galatia or Gaul.
2 Timothy 4:11. ministry: for a different interpretation cf. Zahn, INT, ii. 430.
2 Timothy 4:12. Tychicus: Acts 20:4; Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21.
2 Timothy 4:13. Troas: clearly later than Acts 20:6.
2 Timothy 4:14. will render: AV is based on a mistaken text.
2 Timothy 4:16. took my part: as above, not as my advocate. Paul's language indicates not indifference on the part of strange pleaders, but the desertion of friends.
2 Timothy 4:21. Irenæ us (c. 190) says Linus became the first Bishop of Rome after the apostle's death.