Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia,— What some have said concerning Pudens's being of the senatorial order, and Claudia's being a British lady who was converted by St. Paul, and sent the gospel first into England, does not seem sufficiently supported. Martial speaks of them as young persons at that time, lib. 4: epigr. 13. Linus is said by the ancients to have been afterwards the first bishop of Rome. When the apostle says, 2 Timothy 4:11 that Luke only was with him, he must be understood to speak of his companions and fellow-labourers in the gospel: for here is an intimation that there were Christian brethren still at Rome, and that the whole church there was not entirely dispersed and broken up. And when he says, 2 Timothy 4:16 that at his first apology they all forsook him, we are not to suppose that all the Christians then left the city,but that none of them stood by him, or appeared with him before the praefect.
Inferences drawn from 2 Timothy 4:13. The sacred writings, being penned by holy persons, immediately inspired by the Divine Spirit in what they wrote, have nothing in them frivolous or useless; nothing but what may yield us profitable matter of instruction, if rightly understood: so that the seemingly very little things in them are many times, upon farther search and consideration, found to be of no little use.
Such is the portion of scripture now before us; whence we may naturally deduce the following observations, no less pleasing perhaps than edifying to the attentive reader.
1. And first we may remark the poverty and mean estate of the apostle St. Paul. "Behold, (says Erasmus on the place,) behold the apostle's goods and moveables;—a poor cloak to keep him from the weather, and a few books;" hence he himself often takes notice of his own poverty, as 1 Corinthians 4:11-12. Acts 20:34 and in various other places. This was a singular design of Divine Providence toward the apostles in general, who were all of them kept in a poor and mean, yea, in a most afflicted and miserable condition, as St. Paul observes, 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 hereby fully to convince the world of their sincerity in preaching the gospel, that they sought not themselves, or their own ease or advantage; but were content, for the propagation of the sacred ministry, to endure the greatest extremities; and that their only aim was the advancement of that truth, which with so great a loss and hazard to themselves they constantly published to the world.
2. From the passage in question we may observe, secondly, "that even the infallibly inspired ministers of God did not so wholly depend upon divine inspiration, but that they made use also of the ordinary helps and means,—such as reading of books, with study and meditation on them, for their assistance in the discharge of their office."
St. Paul, the pupil of Gamaliel, had his books, which he had read, and his parchments—his peculiar manuscripts too,—his collections of notes, most probably,—which he found to be useful to him; and therefore gives Timothy a special charge to convey them safely to him.
Nay, and he elsewhere exhorts this his son Timothy to the same course of reading and study: Till I come, says he, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine: neglect not the gift that is in thee, &c.—meditate upon these things: give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. 1 Timothy 4:13-15. Whence it is very remarkable, (1.) that the exhortation is to Timothy;—a man placed by the apostle as bishop at Ephesus, the metropolis of Asia Minor;—a man especially beloved of the great apostle;—a man marked out long before by prophesy as one who would prove a very eminent and excellent person; (1 Timothy 1:18.)—nay more,—a man endowed with extraordinary gifts and abilities, conferred on him in his ordination. This man St. Paul exhorts to reading and meditation, for the better discharge of his office. (2.) The order of the apostle's admonition is observable: Give attendance to reading, &c.—to reading, before exhortation or doctrine: he is advised to be himself first a well-read divine, that he might be the better able to instruct others. (3.) The emphatical words used by the apostle are very striking; he advises Timothy not only to read and study, that he might be able to exhort and teach with effect, but presses him to give attendance to reading;—not to neglect the supernatural gift bestowed on him; to meditate on what he read and learned, and to give himself wholly to these things. All which phrases plainly signify the greatest industry and diligence to be used by him in reading and study, and the other exercises there mentioned.
The same thing is evidently intended by our apostle, 2 Timothy 1:6 where he admonishes Timothy to stir up the gift of God within him;—to rekindle and cherish that divine fire by prayer, reading, meditation, &c. which would be answered by a further supply of divine fuel,—of the Holy Ghost and of fire.
And thus the gifts of God in men,—even the extraordinary gifts, such as Timothy had, demand, in the order of God, the improvement of every means provided of God in his providence, particularly diligent reading, study, and prayer; and (we may add) a charitable use and exercise of those gifts for the good of others.
This is sufficient to shew us the practice of the divinely inspired persons under the New Testament; and we may further remark, that the holy prophets under the Old Testament took the same course, not depending so wholly upon immediate revelation and inspiration from God, as to think all endeavour on their own part needless; for we read of schools, and societies, consisting of prophets and their sons, scholars, and disciples, the one receiving instructions from the other. See 1 Samuel 10:10; 1 Samuel 19:20. 2 Kings 7:15; Exodus 4:38 and compare Deuteronomy 33:3 with Acts 22:3.
3. These considerations may amply serve to expose their folly, who renounce all books and book-learning, as needless and of no use to them, and bid defiance to study and reading. Such would do well to consider, that the Spirit of God never was given to the slothful or lazy. The divine assistance and human industry always went together hand in hand; and the doctrine that aims to separate and divide them, merits the severest censure.
4. Hence likewise all ministers of the gospel may learn their duty,—diligently to read and study the holy scriptures in the first place, and next to them the books of learned and good men, who have exerted their abilities in explaining them; and whatever other books they can procure, that may be in any way useful to them in their ministry. The learned and judicious Estius has a note upon the text in question very applicable to this purpose: "Let bishops and elders (says he,) learn from hence, what great need they have of continual reading and study, how great soever their proficiency may already be; seeing St. Paul, who had been taught the mysteries of religion by our Lord Christ himself, and had now for a long time exercised the office of an apostle, had still occasion to make use of books."—And indeed, when we consider how strict a charge he here gives Timothy, and that the inspired prophets under the Old Testament thought the same exercises necessary for themselves, how can we venture (weak and feeble, the best of us, compared with them) either through pride to scorn and reject, or out of sloth and indolence to wave and neglect, those helps? Let us therefore give all attention to reading and study, and addict ourselves assiduously to these exercises, with daily prayer to God for his blessing on them, that our proficiency may appear unto all men, to his glory and the general good.
Lastly, This may serve also to instruct lay Christians of every rank in their duty, diligently to consult the sacred scriptures, and those other good works with which the providence of God has furnished them, in order to their instruction in matters of religion. It is the peculiar happiness of our nation to be amply supplied with these helps to divine knowledge: and if the prophets of old, if the ministers of Christ,—nay, if the apostles themselves have thought reading and study useful to them, can any serious private Christian conceive that he has no need at all of it? It is true, more time and pains in those exercises are required of the ministers of religion than of others; but none are exempted and excused from the duty, because all men are bound by every means, in dependance upon the grace and blessing of God, to be wise unto salvation. Ministers are to read, that they may be able to teach; and the people are to read, that they may be capable of learning, or being taught; for unless there be a concurrent industry in the teacher and the disciple, the one teacheth in vain, because the other will never learn.
It becomes the part therefore of every good man daily to read the holy scriptures, and those other good books which he has, or can procure, that may help him to understand the volumes of truth; and if any cannot read himself, to get some relation, friend, or neighbour to read to him; and they must be very uncharitable indeed, who will deny that assistance. They who cannot read, are concerned to double their diligence in hearing; in a more careful attendance on all the means and opportunities of instruction that shall be offered them in public; and in asking and seeking after instruction from their ministers in private; adding their daily and most earnest prayers to God for the assistance of his Holy Spirit in the use of those means, and encouraging themselves with that divine promise, James 1:5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
[See Lardner, Michaelis, Benson, Doddridge, Heylin, Calmet, Raphelius, Mintert, Grotius, Whitby, Bishop Sherlock, Parry, Wetstein, Barrington, Archbishop Tillotson, Clement, West, Bowyer, Hallet, Archbishop Leighton, Parkhurst, Clarke, Piscator, Bengelius, Vitringa, Pliny, Eusebius, Mill, Diodati, Evans, Slater, Blackwall, Gataker, Morris, L'Enfant, Pearson, and Echard.]
REFLECTIONS.—1st, The apostle, being now ready to conclude his epistle, gives Timothy,
1. His solemn charge. I charge thee before the great heart-searching God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom, in the last great day, when he shall come in his glory, and give to every man according to his works; preach the word, proclaiming, as a herald aloud, the blessed gospel; be instant in season, and, as some may think, out of season; earnest to inculcate the truth upon men's consciences, both on the Lord's day, and every other opportunity, not only in time of peace, but amidst all opposition and persecution; reprove, rebuke gainsayers, backsliders, sinners; exhort and encourage the faithful, with all long-suffering, unwearied in the service, not discouraged at any difficulties in the way, and with that doctrine, which is according to the scriptures, and profitable for the souls of men. Note; (1.) Ministers must not only preach, but be instant; frozen discourses, languidly delivered, will never fire the hearer's soul. (2.) They who have the work of Christ at heart, will be perhaps often thought very unseasonable in the frequency of their public ministrations, or the freedom of their private rebukes; but they have here a divine warrant.
2. He warns him how difficult it will prove to be faithful amid the abounding errors. For the time will come, and the mystery of iniquity already begins to operate, when they will not endure sound doctrine, the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, but after their own depraved lusts and passions, shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, desiring to have their fancies entertained, and their corruptions flattered, instead of the free, honest, and faithful rebukes which the true gospel ministers deliver. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, averse from it, and refusing to obey it, and shall be turned unto fables, listening to the seducing teachers, who with idle tales amuse, and with falsehoods lull their consciences asleep. Note; They who like to be flattered in their sins, rather than to hear faithful reproof, are given up to their own delusions; and the blind are then suffered to follow the blind, till both fall into the pit of hell.
3. He admonishes Timothy to guard against these deceivers, and to caution the people that they be not imposed upon. But watch thou in all things, over thy own heart, and over the church committed to thy care, guarding against the first appearances of evil and error; endure afflictions with fortitude and patience: do the work of an evangelist with all fidelity and zeal; make full proof of thy ministry, that gainsayers may be silenced, and believers comforted and edified.
4. He informs Timothy of his approaching dissolution and glorious hope, for his encouragement to follow his steps. For I am now ready to be offered up, and to pour out my blood as a libation in the service of the gospel; and the time of my departure is at hand, when my disembodied soul shall go to the bosom of my Lord. I have fought a good fight, and through grace can look back with satisfaction on my warfare; I have finished my course, and am near the glorious prize; I have kept the faith, maintaining the purity of the doctrines of Christ, and adorning them by unimpeached fidelity in my own conversation. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, the rewarder of all his faithful saints, shall give me at that day of his appearing and glory; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing, and live under its influence, and in the prospect and earnest expectation of it. Note; (1.) The fidelity of others should be a quickening motive to excite our diligence; and their dying testimony to the blessedness of Christ's ways, should comfort and encourage us to persevere in them. (2.) The day of our departure will be the brightest that ever dawned upon us, if we then enjoy the sure hope of the crown of righteousness. (3.) They who are faithful unto death, may with delight look back; and while they ascribe all to their Master's grace, they cannot but rejoice in the evidence which the review affords of their approved sincerity before him. (4.) Whatever difficulties are in our way, we have a good cause to bear us out, and should comfortably and courageously persevere: and, in that case, whatever we lose for Christ here, we shall, at least in eternity, be unspeakable gainers by him. (5.) There is an aweful day at hand, and a righteous judge expected. Blessed and happy are they who truly love the day of his appearing, and can say with confidence, and real desire, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.
2nd, Several directions are given to Timothy:
1. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me, as I especially need thy company at this time. For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and now, in this trying season, has shamefully deserted me, pursuing his own base and worldly interests, and is departed unto Thessalonica, to be out of the danger to which here he might, as my companion, have been exposed: Crescens is gone, on affairs of the church, to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia; so that I am almost left alone. Only Luke is with me, my true and faithful fellow-labourer; and Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. Note; The love of this present world has fatally warped multitudes from their fidelity to Christ.
2. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. Whatever just cause of displeasure the apostle might have had formerly against him, he was now returned to his duty, and therewith to St. Paul's favour and regard.
3. The cloke, or, as some render it, the desk, that I left at Troas, with Carpus my host, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. What these writings contained, of which the apostle was so careful, is uncertain: some have thought it was the roll of his freedom; others, the copies of his epistles, which had been sent to the several churches: these they might include; but I believe they also referred to other things. See the Inferences on this chapter.
4. He admonishes him to beware of a bitter enemy to Christianity. Alexander the Coppersmith did me much evil, (Acts 19:33.) and still bears all implacable enmity to me. The Lord reward him according to his works, to whose righteous judgment I leave him: Of whom be thou aware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words, and endeavoured to prejudice both Jews and Gentiles against that gospel which we preach. Note; Though no private revenge must dictate a thought or wish of resentment, yet obstinate and incorrigible enemies of truth and godliness are to be delivered up to an avenging God.
3rdly, The apostle,
1. Informs Timothy of his present circumstances. At my first answer, when I was called to defend myself before the emperor, no man stood with me, but all men, who could be of any service by their countenance or presence, forsook me, through fear and cowardice: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge, but that he would pardon this unfaithfulness, and bring them to repentance. Notwithstanding, though deserted by men, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me to plead with boldness, freedom, and fidelity, the cause of his gospel; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear, who were present at my trial, or to whom the substance of it should be related, and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion, from the cruel Nero, or his praefect, and the jaws of death, which seemed to yawn for me. And I am fully confident, from long experience, that the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, that I shall never speak nor act unbecoming the character I bear, intimidated by any fear of sufferings; and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, giving me the inheritance in glory which he hath promised: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen! Note; (1.) In trying times we are not to be surprized, if many desert us, who promised very fair. (2.) If the Lord stand by us, we want no other support.
2. He sends his own and others' salutations, and hastens Timothy to come to him. Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus, the chamberlain, abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum, sick, not having any suggestion from the Lord, or power, miraculously to restore him. Do thy diligence to come before winter.
Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren, in these parts.
3. He concludes with his hearty benediction and prayer for him. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit, to quicken, teach, guide, preserve thee. Grace be with you, and all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.