Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Timothy 4:20

"Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick." — 2 Timothy 4:20 (ASV)

Erastus abode at Corinth.—This is better translated, remained at Corinth. An Erastus is mentioned in Romans 16:23, the “chamberlain” of Corinth, one of the Christian congregation of that city. This man was probably identical with him.

Another “Erastus” appears among those who ministered to St. Paul at Ephesus (Acts 19:22). St. Paul sent him on missionary work into Macedonia. Therefore, there were two men of this name among St. Paul’s friends: one a resident official at Corinth, and the other a member of the group who journeyed here and there for the propagation of the faith.

But Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.—Trophimus was a Gentile Christian who was with St. Paul on his third missionary journey. The Apostle was accused of taking him into the Temple at Jerusalem.

It was this accusation by the Jews that led to St. Paul’s arrest, which preceded his first long imprisonment. The event alluded to here must have taken place some time after the Apostle’s release from the first imprisonment in A.D. 63, and probably during his last journey, shortly before his second arrest and imprisonment at Rome, around A.D. 66.

Miletus (not “Miletum”) was a seaport of Caria, about thirty miles from Ephesus. It was once a city of great renown, from which, it is said, eighty colonies had proceeded; but in the days of St. Paul, its glories were already on the wane. It is now famous only for its vast ruined theatre. (See Acts 20:15.)

It has been suggested that this mention of Trophimus was intended to clear him of any neglect. “Erastus,” wrote the Apostle, “remained at Corinth; but Trophimus’ reason for not coming to Rome was his sickness.”