2 Timothy 4:1–8

Verse 1. I charge thee (lit. testify to thee) before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead; that is all those that have been dead for so many ages since the beginning of the world; and the living, that is those who shall be found living at the end of the world, but who shall die, and be presently raised again. See 1 Corinthians 15:52.—By his coming. [1] The sense by the Greek seems to be, who shall judge them at or by his coming, rather than I charge thee by his coming, as others translate. Witham.

Verse 2. In season, [2] out of season; that is whether the hearers are willing to hearken to thee or not. Or, as others understand it, whether it be convenient or inconvenient for thee to signify that the ministers of God must not desist from preaching, whatever troubles they are under. Witham.

Verse 3. Having itching ears; [3] that is the hearers have such ears, running after novelties and such doctrine as favours their passions. Witham.

Verse 5. Be thou vigilant, and so forth It may either be expounded, watch in all things; or, take pains in all things. The latter seems the true construction. Witham.—An evangelist; a diligent preacher of the gospel. Challoner.—Fulfil thy ministry. [4] So even Dr. Wells, in his amendments to the Prot. translation, which hath, make full proof of thy ministry. See Luke 1:1. See also Saint John Chrysostom on this place.—Be sober. There is nothing for this in the Greek, nor in S. Chrysostom. The Latin interpreter seems to have added it, as being contained in the other Greek words in this verse. Witham.

Verse 6. I am even now ready to be sacrificed. [5] Lit. to be immolated. See Philip. 2:17.—The time of my dissolution (lit. resolution) is at hand. This makes many judge that this letter was written during his last imprisonment; but the sense perhaps may be, that being old and worn out with labours, he could not live long. Witham.

Verse 7. I have fought a good fight, or strived a good strife. [6] The Latin and Greek may signify any kind of striving for a prize.—I have kept the faith, not only the Christian faith, but been faithful in my office. Witham.

Verse 8. A crown of justice, which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me. These words confirm the Catholic doctrine, that good works performed with the assistance of God’s grace, deserve and are meritorious of a reward in heaven: it is what is signified, 1. by a crown of justice, 2. from a just judge, 3. which he will render or give as a reward. Yet we own with Saint Augustine that we have no merit, but what is also a gift of God from his grace and mercy, and grounded on his promises. Witham.—“A crown of justice,” which the Protestants translate, of righteousness; but let us see how the learned Saint Augustine, 1400 years ago, expounds the apostle’s meaning: “How should he repay as a just judge, unless he had first given as a merciful Father?” De grat. et lib. arb. c. vi. See Hebrews 6:10. God is not unjust, that he should forget your works; this the Protestants change into, God is not unrighteous.