A.T. Robertson Commentary 2 Timothy 4
A.T. Robertson Commentary
2 Timothy 4
A.T. Robertson Commentary
2 Timothy 4
"I charge [thee] in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:" — 2 Timothy 4:1 (ASV)
I charge thee (διαμαρτυρομα). Rather, "I testify." See 1 Thessalonians 4:6. See 1 Timothy 5:21 for this verb and appeal to God and Christ.
Who shall judge (του μελλοντος κρινειν). "The one going or about to judge" (regular idiom with μελλω). The quick and the dead (ζωντας κα νεκρους). "Living and dead." See 1 Thessalonians 4:16f.
And by his appearing (κα την επιφανειαν). Accusative of conjuration (verbs of swearing), after διαμαρτυρομα as is βασιλειαν (by his kingdom). See 1 Thessalonians 5:27. For επιφανειαν, see 1:10; Titus 2:13; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
"preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." — 2 Timothy 4:2 (ASV)
Preach the word (κηρυξον τον λογον). First aorist active imperative of κηρυσσω. For "the word" used absolutely, see 1 Thessalonians 1:6; Galatians 6:6.
Be instant in season, out of season (επιστηθ ευκαιρως ακαιρως). Second aorist (ingressive) active imperative of εφιστημ (intransitive use), "take a stand," "stand upon it or up to it," "carry on," "stick to it." The Vulgate has "insta." The two adverbs are like a proverb or a play (pun) on the word καιρος. There are all sorts of seasons (καιρο), some difficult (χαλεπο, 3:1), some easy (ευκαιρη, 1 Corinthians 16:12).
Reprove (ελεγξον). First aorist active imperative of ελεγχω. "Bring to proof."Ephesians 5:11.
Rebuke (επιτιμησον). First aorist active imperative of επιτιμαω, to give honour (or blame) to, to chide. Common in the Gospels (Luke 17:3).
Exhort (παρακαλεσον). First aorist active imperative of παρακαλεω, common Pauline word.
"For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;" — 2 Timothy 4:3 (ASV)
A time when (καιρος οτε). One of the ακαιρως (out of season) times.
Will not endure (ουκ ανεξοντα). Future middle (direct) of ανεχω. "Will not hold themselves back from" (Col. 3:13). Having itching ears (κνηθομενο την ακοην). Present middle (causative) participle of κνηθω, late and rare form of the Attic κναω, to scratch, to tickle, here only in N.T. "Getting the ears (the hearing, την ακοην) tickled." The Vulgate has πρυριεντες. Cf. the Athenians (Acts 17:21). Clement of Alexandria tells of speakers tickling (κνηθοντες) the ears of those who want to be tickled. This is the temptation of the merely "popular" preacher, to furnish the latest tickle.
"and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables." — 2 Timothy 4:4 (ASV)
Will turn away their ears (την ακοην αποστρεψουσιν). Future active of old verb αποστρεφω. See 1 Corinthians 12:17 for this use of ακοη. The people stopped their ears and rushed at Stephen in Ac 7:57.
Will turn aside (εκτραπησοντα). Second future passive of εκτρεπω. They prefer "myths" to "the truth" as some today turn away to "humanism," "bolshevism," "new thought" or any other fad that will give a new momentary thrill to their itching ears and morbid minds.
"But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry." — 2 Timothy 4:5 (ASV)
But be thou sober (συ δε νηφε). Present active imperative of νηφω, for which see 1 Thessalonians 5:6,8. "Be sober in thy head."
Suffer hardship (κακοπαθησον). See 2:9.
Do the work of an evangelist (εργον ποιησον ευαγγελιστου). See 1 Corinthians 1:17; Ephesians 4:11 for ευαγγελιστης, gospelizer.
Fulfil (πληροφορησον). First aorist active imperative of πληροφορεω, for which see Col 4:12. In Col 4:17 Paul uses πληροω to Archippus about his ministry as he here employs πληροφορεω. Both verbs mean to fill full.
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