John Wesley's notes
on the Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:5-13
5. Watch - An earnest, constant, persevering exercise. The scripture
watching, or waiting,
implies steadfast faith, patient hope, labouring love, unceasing prayer;
yea, the mighty exertion of
all the affections of the soul that a man is capable of. In all things -
Whatever you are doing, yet in
that, and in all things, watch. Do the work of an evangelist - Which was
next to that of an apostle.
6. The time of my departure is at hand - So undoubtedly God had shown him. I
am ready to be
offered up - Literally, to be poured out, as the wine and oil were on the
ancient sacrifices.
8. The crown of that righteousness - Which God has imputed to me and wrought
in me. Will
render to all - This increases the joy of Paul, and encourages Timotheus.
Many of these St. Paul
himself had gained. That have loved his appearing - Which only a real
Christian can do. I say a
real Christian, to comply with the mode of the times: else they would not
understand, although the
word Christian necessarily implies whatsoever is holy, as God is holy.
Strictly speaking, to join
real or sincere to a word of so complete an import, is grievously to debase
its noble signification,
and is like adding long to eternity or wide to immensity.
9. Come to me - Both that he might comfort him, and be strengthened by him.
Timotheus himself
is said to have suffered at Ephesus.
10. Demas - Once my fellow labourer, Phil. i, 24. Hath forsaken me. Crescens,
probably a
preacher also, is gone, with my consent, to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia,
having now left Crete. These either went with him to Rome, or visited him
there.
11. Only Luke - Of my fellow labourers, is with me - But God is with me; and
it is enough. Take
Mark - Who, though he once "departed from the work," is now again profitable
to me.
13. The cloak - Either the toga, which belonged to him as a Roman citizen,
or an upper garment,
which might be needful as winter came on. Which I left at Troas with Carpus
- Who was probably his host there. Especially the parchments - The books
written on parchment.
