\\INTRODUCTION TO 2 TIMOTHY\\

That this epistle was written to Timothy, while he was at Ephesus,
where the apostle in his former epistle had desired him to stay, is
evident from his making mention of some persons in it, who were
Ephesians; as Onesiphorus, whom he commends, and Alexander the
coppersmith, of whom he complains: and that this epistle was written
by the apostle, when he was at Rome, is no less evident; for he
expressly calls himself a prisoner, \\#2Ti 1:8\\ and speaks of
being then in trouble, and in bonds, \\#2Ti 2:9,10\\ and the
persons that send their salutations in it to Timothy were Romans,
\\#2Ti 4:21\\ but at what time it was written is not so certain: it
seems by \\#2Ti 4:7\\ that it was but a little time before his
martyrdom; though those words may only signify, that he was now very
much on the decline of life, was now grown an old man, and in
continual expectation of death, and was in a constant readiness for
it, come when it would; having faithfully discharged his duty, and
his warfare being as good as accomplished, and his race almost run
out; for he afterwards presses Timothy to come to him, and that
before winter; and desires him to bring with him his cloak, books,
and parchments, which one would think he would have little occasion
for, if just upon his martyrdom: besides, he says he was delivered
out of the mouth of the lion, that by him the preaching of the Gospel
might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear it; and
expresses his confidence, that he should be again delivered,
\\#2Ti 4:9,13,17,18\\. And it looks as if this epistle was written
before the epistles to the Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, since
it appears that Timothy did come to him at Rome; as here desired, and is
joined with the apostle in those epistles. Some, therefore, have
placed this epistle in the year 58, or 59, about the fourth or fifth
of Nero's reign. The design of it is to stir up Timothy to the
faithful and diligent discharge of his duty, as a minister of the
Gospel; to abide constantly by the truths of it, and to animate him
to suffer patiently, cheerfully, and courageously for the sake of it;
and to warn him against false teachers, and their errors, who were
already risen, and would afterwards arise, and be followed by such
who had itching ears, and could not bear sound doctrine; but this
should be no discouragement to him in the prosecution of his work;
and lastly to desire his presence with him at Rome, being now
destitute of his several assistants.

\\INTRODUCTION TO 2 TIMOTHY 1\\

In this chapter, after the inscription and salutation, the apostle
expresses his great affection for Timothy, and highly commends him;
exhorts him to various things relating to his office, as a preacher
of the Gospel; and concludes with taking notice of the kindness shown
him by Onesiphorus. The inscription and salutation are in
\\#2Ti 1:1,2\\ and then follows the preface to the epistle, in which the
apostle testifies his great love to Timothy, and commends him; by
declaring his thankfulness to God, that he had reason always to
remember him in his prayers; by his desire to see him again, who had
shed so many tears for him, that his joy might be filled; and by
taking notice of his unfeigned faith, the same with that which had
dwelt in his ancestors, \\#2Ti 1:3-5\\. And then he proceeds to
exhort him to the exercise and improvement of his ministerial gift;
to show a fortitude of mind, and a manly spirit in the cause of
Christ; and to suffer cheerfully for the sake of it, \\#2Ti 1:6-8\\
and in order to animate and encourage him to the same, he gives a
summary of the Gospel, as containing in it the great doctrines of
salvation, and eternal life, according to the free grace of God
through Jesus Christ, \\#2Ti 1:9,10\\ and observes, that he himself
was appointed a preacher of it to the Gentiles, \\#2Ti 1:11\\ and
instances in himself, as suffering for it, without being ashamed; and
as having a strong confidence in Christ, as able to keep him, and
what he had committed to him, \\#2Ti 1:12\\ and then returns to his
exhortation to Timothy to hold fast the Gospel of Christ; to which he
urges him from the consideration of the nature and value of it,
being a form of sound words, and that famous good thing, and of the
means and manner in which he came to the knowledge of it; and chiefly
from its being committed to him by the Holy Ghost, that dwelt in him;
and also because of the general defection of the Asian professors
from it, \\#2Ti 1:13-15\\ but he excepts one person, Onesiphorus
by name, whom he commends for his kindness to him both at Ephesus and
at Rome; and therefore entreats of the Lord mercy, both for him and
his house, at the great day, \\#2Ti 1:16-18\\.