The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:9-22
"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
The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:9-12
The apostle's loneliness and need of assistance and comfort. The longing for sympathy and help in his hour of trial was natural. "Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me." There were several reasons for his desire to see Timothy, apart from the natural anxiety to see the most attached of his faithful disciples. I. THE APOSTLE HAD BEEN DESERTED BY DEMAS . "Demas hath forsaken me." 1 . This brought great distress to the apostle: 2 . The cause of the desertion... read more