Of whom be thou ware also - It seems that this rabbin traveled about from place to place for the purpose of opposing the Gospel, the Jews putting him forward, as it is said, Acts 19:33 . He hath greatly withstood our words - Has been a constant opposer of the Christian doctrines. read more
At my first answer - Εν τῃ τρωτῃ μου απολογιᾳ· At my first apology; this word properly signifies a defense or vindication. To his is the meaning of what we call the apologies of the primitive fathers; they were vindications or defences of Christianity. It is generally allowed that, when St. Paul had been taken this second time by the Romans, he was examined immediately, and required to account for his conduct; and that, so odious was Christianity through the tyranny of Nero, he could... read more
The Lord stood with me - When all human help failed, God, in a more remarkable manner, interposed; and thus the excellency plainly appeared to be of God, and not of man. That by me the preaching might be fully known - When called on to make his defense he took occasion to preach the Gospel, and to show that the great God of heaven and earth had designed to illuminate the Gentile world with the rays of his light and glory. This must have endeared him to some, while others might consider... read more
Verse 17 17But the Lord assisted me He adds this, in order to remove the scandal which he saw might arise from that base desertion of his cause. (206) Though the church at Rome had failed to perform its duty, he affirms that the gospel had suffered no loss by it, because, leaning on heavenly power, he was himself fully able to bear the whole burden, and was so far from being discouraged by the influence of that fear which seized on all, that it became only the more evident that the grace of God... read more
"Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave unto her." In this little social incident of some three thousand years ago, which may have passed at the time with little observation, we have a pithy and pregnant example set before us, with the usual searching wisdom of Holy Scripture, of the difference between friendship and friendship, religion and religion, according as they lie deep in the roots of the heart or merely lie on the surface. The contrast between Demas and Luke affords... read more
Personal. I. TIMOTHY . 1 . Requested to come to Rome. "Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me." His formerly expressed longing to see him ( 2 Timothy 1:4 ) is now turned into a formal request to come, and to come shortly, unto him. In the diligence he was to show in this there is not the idea of pure haste, but of the utmost haste that was compatible with the interests of Christ at Ephesus. Certain arrangements would require to be made, not merely for his journey, but for the... read more
The warning against Alexander the coppersmith. I. THE CHARACTER OF THIS MAN . "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil… for he greatly withstood our words." This implies that he had been at Rome, and was still an enemy to the gospel ( 1 Timothy 1:20 ), as in the day when the apostle delivered him and Hymenaeus over to Satan at Ephesus. Probably trade interests may have inspired the fierceness of his hatred to the apostle, for he may have been an idol maker. He was insulting... read more
Withstood for hath withstood, A.V. Of whom be thou ware ( ὃν φυλάσσου ) . This is the proper construction in classical Greek, the accusative of the person or thing, after φυλάσσομαι . But it is only found in Acts 21:25 . In Luke 12:15 the equally correct phrase, φυλάσσεσθε ἀπὸ τῆς πλεονεξιας , is used. The inference from this caution to Timothy is that Alexander had left Rome and returned to his native Ephesus. The Jews were always on the move. He greatly withstood... read more
Detente for answer, A.V.; no one took my part for no man stood with me, A.V.; all for all men, A.V.; may it not for I pray God it may not, A.V.; account for charge, A.V. Defence ( ἀπολογίᾳ ) . "The technical word in classical Greek for a defence in answer to an accusation;" as Acts 22:1 (where see note for further illustration), and Philippians 1:7 . Took my part; παρεγένετο R.T., for συμπαρεγένετο T.R., which occurs elsewhere in the New Testament... read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:17
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me ,.... Either personally appearing to him, as in Acts 23:11 or by the ministry of an angel, Acts 27:23 or else by granting him his gracious presence, which was what Christ had not when he was forsaken by his disciples: the presence of God or Christ is more than all friends whatever, and is often enjoyed by the believer, when they drop him; and is a bulwark against all enemies and fears of them; if God is with him, and on his side, though friends... read more