Second Timothy

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Authenticity
DR. JOHN KITTO.—The second epistle to Timothy unites not fewer proofs in favor of its Pauline origin than the first epistle.—Introduction to Epist.
Life and Immortality Revealed
REV. ALBERT BARNES.—It is not meant that there were no intimations of this truth before; but that Christ removed all doubt and ambiguity on the subject. The ideas of the wisest of the heathen respecting a future life were very obscure, and their hopes very faint. Seneca says of it, “that which our wise men do promise, but do not prove." (Epist., 102.) And Cicero alluding to the different sentiments of philosophers concerning the matter, says, “Which of these opinions is true, some god must tell us; which is most like to truth, is a great question." Of the resurrection and future life of the body, they had no conception whatever. With what propriety, then, may it be said that these doctrines were brought to light through the Gospel.—Notes, In loco.
The True Soldier
GROTIUS.—Roman soldiers were not allowed to marry, or to engage in any husbandry or trade; and they were forbidden to act as tutors to any person, or curators to any man's estate, or proctors in the cause of other men: and all this, lest such engagements and relations should divert their minds from that which was to be the sole object of pursuit.—In loco.
Striving Lawfully
2 Tim. 2:55And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (2 Timothy 2:5).—And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully.
PAUSANIAS.—Every competitor in the athletic contests, before he was entered upon the list, was obliged to take an oath that he would violate none of the regulations, and if afterward he did violate any one regulation, it debarred him from the prize, even though victorious.—Eliaca.
Gentleness and Patience
2 Tim. 2:24, 2524And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (2 Timothy 2:24‑25).—And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
PLATO.—How can one in mild terms admonish and teach those who deny that the gods have any existence, and that too without a single sufficient reason?
‘Let us however make the attempt: for there is no reason why they should be mad after pleasure, and we should be so too with anger against them. Let our addresses to persons of this kind, therefore, be kind and passionless, and let us speak, mildly, repressing our anger, conversing with them thus—" My child, you are young: but time, as it advances, will cause you to change your opinions, etc."—De Leg., X., 3.
2 Tim. 3:11This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)—This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
See 2 Thess. 2:1-121Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:1‑12), and 1 Tim. 4:1-31Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:1‑3).
Inspiration of Scripture
2 Tim. 3:16, 1716All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16‑17).—All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
REV. ALBERT BARNES.—This properly refers to the Old Testament; and it is the solemn testimony of Paul that it was all inspired.—Note, In loco.
PRINCIPAL J. W. DAWSON, LL. D., F. R. S.—And, finally, I may state, as the conclusion of the whole matter, that the Bible contains within itself all that under God is required to account for and dispose of all forms of infidelity, and to turn to the best and highest uses all that man can learn of, nature; if only its truths can be presented in an intelligent and loving manner, and by the lips of men themselves animated by the Divine Spirit, whose inspiration speaks in the Sacred Scriptures.— Nature and the Bible, p. 221.
Ready to Be Offered
2 Tim. 4:66For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (2 Timothy 4:6).—I am now ready to be offered up, and the time of my departure is at hand.
LUCAN.—In war, in dangers, oft it has been known, That fear has driven the headlong coward on; Give me the man, whose cooler soul can wait With patience for the proper hour of fate.— Phars., VII., 103.
The Faith Kept
2 Tim. 4:77I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2 Timothy 4:7).—I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
EPICTETUS. —The champions in this greatest of combats must not grow 'weary, but be content to bear suffering. For this is no combat of wrestling or boxing, where both he who succeeds and he who succeeds not may be equal in worth, or equal in misery; but a combat for good fortune and for happiness itself.—Epict., lib. 25.
SENECA. —Life is a warfare.: such men therefore who are ordered from place, who undergo all manner of difficulties in the execution of the most dangerous commissions, are the brave men and chiefs in the army.—Epist., 94.
The Crown of Righteousness
PLUTARCH. —To Lycurgus whose performances were so illustrious, the conclusion of life was the crown of happiness.—Lycurg., c. 29.
DR. JOHN KITTO. —The soldiers and officers of the Roman army received various rewards, proportionate to their merit. The greatest of all rewards was the civic crown of oak-leaves, given to one who had saved the life of a citizen. The honorary crowns were usually conferred by the general in the presence of the army, and such as received them, after a public eulogium on their valor, were placed next to his person, All this seems strikingly illustrative' of the comparison used by the apostle, and points its applications.—Pict. Bib. In loco.