2 Timothy 1:15

3. Maintained amid apostasies of many, with rare exception, 2 Timothy 1:15-18.

15. This The sad desertion of Paul by his friends in Asia Minor. If we accepted our English translation of the words we should be inclined to adopt the conclusions of Renan, that all Asia went over to the Judaists, adopting the “Petrine gospel;” that Paul was, during the first age, forgotten; and that it was not until the Church, taught by advancing time, dismissed the expectation of an approaching advent, and made search for documents to form her future canon, that St. Paul’s numerous epistles came into Scripture, and renewed his fame in the Church. But the Greek aorist requires that be turned should be rendered simply turned, pointing to a particular time, namely, the crisis of his trial; the same period as that in which Onesiphorus was so faithful. The idea, then, is, that the Christians in Asia deserted Paul at his moment of need; those who came to Rome, Phygellus and Hermogenes, by as strictly avoiding him, and the rest in Asia by inaction through fear, shame, or negligence, endorsing the avoidance. This, however, involves no permanent rejection of Paul or Pauline doctrine. Wiesinger thinks, that the all in Asia were those who had been at Rome during Paul’s crisis, but had now returned to Asia. Huther suggests the construction: All they in Asia belonging to Phygellus and Hermogenes.

This thou knowest For thou art thyself in Asia, and knowest how they in Asia behave.

Asia See note, Acts 6:9. This Asia included the great provinces of Mysia, Lydia, and Caria, bordering on the AEgean. Timothy’s residence was at its capital, Ephesus.

Turned from me Stood aloof from, deserted me.

Phygellus and Hermogenes Mentioned only here, as flagrant specimens of those who deserted him in his trial, in contrast with the earnest adherence of Onesiphorus and the firmness of Luke. 2 Timothy 4:11.