out of a curiosity alwaies to hear some new thing, they will seek for such as gently claw their itching ears, in the mean time making no small shew how much they are desirous to promote the Christian Doctrine and Religion.
Vers. 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the Truth, and shall bee turned unto Fables.
(5) The fift degree of their defection is this, They will openly profess their impatience of hearing those strict Teachers of the Truth, who produce nothing before them, but what they have learned from the holy Scrip∣tures, and shall turn themselves to hear those who urge in their preaching, the inventions of men, their own dreams, histories, humane fictions, fables and legends.
Vers. 5. But watch thou in all things, endure affli∣ctions, do the work of an Evangelist, make full proof of thy Ministery.
Hence hee infers and repeats his Exhortation, That Timothy bee so much the more vigilant, and execute all the parts of his office, inuring himself to labours and afflictions, not yeelding for any adversaries or dangers.
Of an Evangelist] To the repetition of his Exhortation hee adjoyns another Reason, Because it became him to act the part of an Evangelist, i. e. more than an ordinary Teacher, and to omit nothing of those things which may lawfully bee executed by a faithful Evangelist.
Vers. 6. For I am ready now to bee offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
The third Reason of his Exhortation is this, Because it is, as it were, a testamentary Exhortation of Paul, now old, whose fellowship Timothy was not long to enjoy, (for hee speaks this, as one that was to dye for the Gospel of Christ, and shortly to be loosed out of the prison of the world and his body, that hee might freely soar up to God) Therefore this Exhortation was to take the deeper im∣pression in the mind of Timothy.
Vers. 7. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the Faith.
Reas. 4. From the experience of Paul that exhorted him, who had now almost finished the course of his Mi∣nistery, and had found by experience in the running of it, not onely not a troublesome conflict▪ but even full of consolation and good hope, and that part of it which yet remained of his race, hee was fully perswaded it would bee glorious. Hee explains this Argument with its five Branches.
Branch 1. The fight which hee had undertaken in his Apostleship, and now almost accomplished, hee calls a good fight, that Timothy might know that hee was not a∣shamed of the labours, afflictions and persecutions which hee had under-went.
Branch 2. Hee pleases himself in the consummation of his race, as now having his desire, and almost obtain∣ing the prize.
Branch 3. Hee rejoyces that hee had shewed himself a faithful souldier to his Captain Christ, through the Grace of God, both in Doctrine and life, observing his Military oath.
Vers. 8. Henceforth there is laid up for mee a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall give mee at that day, and not to mee onely, but unto them also that love his appearing.
Branch 4. As for the future hee professes his confi∣dence of a free reward, which God hath graciously pro∣mised to all the faithful; and as a just Judge, justly and also of Grace will reward, not out of any merit of ours, but by accumulating his former gracious gifts freely up∣on his latter.
Branch 5. Wherein the Apostle presents his example for Timothy's use and all the faithful, that the Crown of Righteousness was not to bee set upon his head alone, but upon the heads of all, who endeavouring to do those things which are pleasing to the Lord, declare that they expect and love his appearance.
The Second Part.
Vers. 9. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto mee.
The second part of the Chapter follows, wherein hee treats of his private affairs, which concerned Timothy and himself, and which it appertained to Timothy to bee ac∣quainted with: The Articles of this part are seven.
Artic. 1. Of the comming of Timothy, whom (if hee was then at Ephesus) hee calls from thence, after hee seemed to have stayed there long enough.
Vers. 10. For Demas hath forsaken mee, having lo∣ved this present world, and is departed unto Thes∣salonica, Cresens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalma∣tia.
11. Onely Luke is with mee. Take Mark and bring him with thee: For hee is profitable to mee for the Ministery.
Hee gives three Reasons why Timothy should hasten his comming.
Reas. 1. From the fewness of his companions, and helpers, whereof hee was now destitute: For Demas not liking the dangers and afflictions, which were incident to Pauls companions, and wherewith they were often exercised (being led by the love of ease, security, and the commodities of this life) undervalues the care of Paul, and the Gospel now openly defended by him, in comparison with his own private advantages, hee went to Thessalonica, where hee might live more securely. Crescens was sent into Galatia, and Titus was gone to Dalmatia, to propagate the Gospel. So that hee onely had Luke the Physician to accompany him: Hee wills Timothy also when hee comes to bring with him Mark, Barnabas Sisters Son, who might bee useful to the A∣postle.
Vers. 12. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
Reas. 2. Because hee had sent Tychicus to Ephesus, which is spoken without any reference to Timothy's abi∣ding in that place, whereupon it may bee questioned, whether Timothy was at Ephesus at that time, when these were written.
Vers. 13. The Cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou commest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
Lastly giving the third Reason of his comming, hee wills Timothy when hee came, to bring with him the Cloak or the Chest wherein his books or parchments were kept, whereof hee had then need; It is not much ma∣terial whether wee understand a Cloak, or a Chest, so long as wee know that God disdains not to regard the meanest matters of his servants, nor to refuse the place, wherein mention of them is made in his book.
Vers. 14. Alexander the Copper-Smith did mee much evil, the Lord reward him according to his works.
15. Of whom bee thou ware also, for hee hath greatly withstood our words.
Artic. 2. It relates to Alexander the Copper-Smith, an enemy to the Gospel, who earnestly withstood the A∣postle in his preaching, and was very troublesome to him, to whom (out of well-tempered zeal) in the Spi∣rit of God, hee wishes divine revenge; as to a malicious and obstinate enemy, and hee warns Timothy to take heed of him, lest hee receive the like injuries from him.
Vers. 16. At my first answer no man stood with mee. But all men forsooke mee; I pray God that it may not bee laid to their charge.
Artic. 3. Hee mentions four remarkeable things, which befell him at his first defence, when hee first pleaded his cause before Neroes judgement seat; The first is, that none in the Church at Rome assisted him, or became any waies helpful to him (which is an Ar∣gument that hee did not succeed Peter there, nor that hee was Bishop of Rome) which desertion of him, hee imputes to the infirmity of the Saints at Rome: There∣fore