and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appcaring and his kingdom.

2 Preach the word; be

instant in season, out of season 5 reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-surfering and doctrine.

3 For the time will

Κυρίου Ιησου Χριςου του μελ λοντος κρινειν ζώντας και νεκρους, κατα την επιφανειαν αυτου και την βασιλειαν

αυτου

2 Κηριξον τον λογον, επιςηθι ευκαίρως, ακαίρως ελεγξον, επιτιμησον, παρακαλεσον εν παση μακροθυμια και διδαχῃ.

3 Εςαι γαρ καιρος, ότε

come when they will not της υγιαινούσης διδασκαλιας ουκ ανέξονται αλλα κατα

endure sound doctrine;

but after their own lusts

διδασ

shall they heap to them. τας επιθυμιας τας ιδιας selves teachers, having αυτοις επισωρεύσουσι itching ears; καλους, κνηθόμενοι την ακο

ην

Ver. 1.-1. In the presence of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ. The persons in whose presence the apostle gave this charge, Timothy could not but exceedingly revere, as they were always present with him beholding his conduct, and were to be his judges at the last day.-This solemn charge the apostle gave to Timothy, not because he suspected him of any unfaithfulness, but to shew his own extreme solicitude for the preservation of the true doctrine, and for the prosperity of the church of Christ; also to leave on record an injunction to the ministers of Christ in succeeding ages, to be faithful and diligent in all the duties of their function. They ought therefore to consider it with attention, and should make a due application of it to themselves.

Ver. 2.1. With all long-suffering. This virtue the apostle often recommended to Timothy 2 Tim, ii. 20. iii. 16.; whereas in directing Titus how to teach, he does not mention long-suffering or patience. Perhaps Timothy being younger than Titus, was of a more ardent spirit which needed to be restrained: Or, as Benson suspects, the obstinacy of the persons with whom Titus had to do, might occasion this difference in the apostle's exhortations.

Ver. 3.-1. For there will be a time. The apostle means the time in which the apostasy would work more effectually than it was then doing. He therefore desired Timothy to be diligent in preaching, while he might be heard.

2. When they will not endure wholesome teaching. This prophetic descrip tion of the temper of Christians during the apostasy, hath been verified to

presence of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living, (1 Thess. iv. 15.) and the dead, (zara) at his appearing and his kingdom:

2 Preach the word; Be instant in season, out of season; Confute, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering, 1 (xa didan, 210. 39.) when teaching.

3 For there will be a time, when they will not endure wholesome teaching, but having itching ears, they will according to their own lusts heap up to themselves teachers; 3

art well acquainted with the Jewish scriptures, in which the gospel is both explained and confirmed; I charge thee therefore in the presence of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his second appearing, when his kingdom shall be displayed in all its glory:

2 Preach the gospel doctrine in purity; Be constant and earnest in preaching it, whether it be seasonable or unseasonable to thyself; Confute false teachers, rebuke sinners, exhort all under thy care, with the greatest patience when teaching them.

very

3 Thou oughtest to be faithful and diligent in these duties now, For there will be a time when the people will not endure wholesome teaching, but having itching ears, which must be tickled, they will, by the motions of their own peculiar lusts, multiply to themselves teachers, who to gain their favour will sooth them in their vices.

an astonishing degree. For then the generality of the people nauseated the wholesome doctrines of true piety and sound morality, inculcated in the gospel: Then the monks and friars, in all their sermons, spake of nothing but of miracles performed at the tombs of martyrs and confessors, or, by their relicts: And then the people delighted to hear nothing from their teachers but fables of that sort, as the apostle foretold, ver. 4. because by these they were confirmed in the belief that the superstitious practices which their teachers recommended, would procure them the pardon of their sins, however atrocious, and admission into heaven, notwithstanding they continued in sin to the end of their lives. See 1 Tim. iv. 2. note 1.

3. According to their own lusts, heap up to themselves teachers. Some have quoted this text as a proof that the people ought not to have the choice of their own ministers. And it must be acknowledged, that when the people are of the character here described, such a power would be most hurtful to them. In the expression, beap up to themselves teachers according to their lusts, it is insinuated, 1. That the people would choose those teachers whose 42

VOL. IV.

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the

truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith :

8 Henceforth there is

laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

4 Και απο μεν της αληSειας την ακοην αποςρεψου σιν, επι δε τους μύθους εκτραπήσονται.

5 Συ δε νηφε εν πασι, κακοπαθησον, έργον ποιησον ευαγγελίζου, την διακονιαν σου πληροφορησον.

6 Εγω γαρ ηδη σπένδομαι, και καιρος της εμης αναλυσεως εφέςηκε.

7 Τον αγώνα τον καλον ηγώνισμαι, τον δρομον τετελεκα, την πιςιν τετήρηκα

doctrines rendered the gratification of their lusts consistent with their hope of salvation. 2. That there would be a great number of this sort of corrupt teachers in the church, in the time of the apostasy.

Ver. 6.—1. I am already poured out. This the apostle said, because, as he told the Philippians, chap. ii. 17. he considered the shedding of his blood as necessary to the completing the sacrifice and service of the faith of the Gentiles. Some think the word σπενδομαι may be translated I am poured upon; in allusion to the custom of pouring wine on the head of the animal to be sacrificed, immediately before it was slain: So that by this expression the apostle intimated, that he was soon to be put to death.

Ver. 7.-1. I have finished the race. The apostle likens his labour in the gospel, not only to the combat of wrestling, but to that of the race, which also was one of the Olympic exercises.

Ver. 8.-1. A crown of righteousness. Having compared his labours as an apostle, to the exertions of the combatants in the games, he represents his reward under the idea of a crown; because that was the reward bestowed on the victors in these combats. See 1. Cor. ix. 25. note 2. It was not how

ever a crown of leaves, like theirs, but of righteousness, which Christ was to bestow on him, by counting his faith to him for righteousness.-According to the apostle's representation, this crown, though laid aside for him, was not to be bestowed on him, even at death. It was to be given him at the day of Christ's appearing to judge the world; and in consequence of his being judged and acquitted by Christ.

9 Σπουδασον ελθειν προς με ταχέως

10 Δημας γαρ με εγ κατελιπεν, αγαπησας τον νυν αιώνα, και επορεύθη εις Θεσσαλονικην Κρήσκης εις Γαλατίαν, Τιτος εις Δαλ ματίαν.

11 Λουκας εςι μονος μετ' έμου. Μαρκον αναλαβων αγε μετα σεαυτου εζι γαρ μοι ευχρηςος εις διακονιαν.

12 Τυχικον δε απέςειλα

εις Εφεσον.

Ver 9.-1. Make haste to come to me soon. The apostle, now about to leave the world, wished to enjoy Timothy's company and conversation for a little while. He desired this visit likewise on Timothy's own account, that he might give him his dying advice and blessing; and that by his example, Timothy might be strengthened to suffer death courageously, when called to do so. Accordingly it is said by some that Timothy actually suffered martyrdom at Ephesus.

Ver. 10 –1. Demas having loved the present world bath forsaken me, and is gone to Thessalonica. By calling the departure of Demas to Thessalonica, a forsaking him, the apostle intimates that he departed without his permission. This person is generally supposed to have been the Demas, who sent his salutation to the Colossians, chap. iv. 14. And, because in mentioning that salutation the apostle did not accompany it with any mark of his esteem, as he did in mentioning the salutation of Luke, which was sent at the same time, Col. iv. 14. Bengelius conjectures, that Demas was the apostle's amanuensis in writing his epistle to the Colossians. But he may have avoided commending Demas to the Colossians, if at that time he observed something in his character which he did not approve. His behaviour during the apostle's second imprisonment justifies such a supposition. For when he found the apostle was to be condemned, becoming afraid of losing his own life, he forsook him in the hour of danger, and retired to Thessalonica, on pretence of taking care of his worldly affairs; but in reality, because he hoped to remain there in greater safety than in Rome. This the apostle justly termed his loving the present world.—Whether Demas afterwards returned to his duty, is not known. Gregory in his edition of the Greek new testament, printed at Oxford an. 1703, quotes an ancien Scholiast, who saith Demas apostatized to heathenism, and became an Idol