Julian Pe- snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his Rome, will.
riod, 4778, or 4779. Vulgar Æra,
65 or 66.
The Apostle here alludes to the grand Apostacy predicted
(2 Thess. ii. 3-12.; 1 Tim. iv. 1-5.), and describes
the pernicious Influence of corrupt Doctrines on the Mo-
rals and Hearts of Men.
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times
shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
St. Paul describes the Character of the Judaizing Teachers,
who by their Doctrines were preparing the way for this
Apostacy, and compares them to Jannes and Jambres, two
of Pharaoh's principal Magicians, who opposed Moses by
false Miracles (Exod. vii. 10-22.) in the same way as
the former did the Gospel-But the Apostle predicts they
shall not be permitted to prevail, or to proceed much
further, for their Folly, or Imposture, shall become as
evident as that of the Magicians of Egypt.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses,
and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away
with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.
§ 9. 2 TIM. iii. 10, to the end.
The Apostle having shewn the Character of the wicked Ju-
daizers-declares his own Example and Doctrine, by
which the true Doctrine may be as easily ascertained, as in
the preceding Case of Moses and the Magicians-He
mentions his Persecutions and Dangers (Acts xiii. 50-
52.; xiv. 5, 6. 19-21.) from which he had been mira-
culously preserved-and asserts that all in the apostolic
Age, who live according to the pure Christian Doctrine,
Julian Period, 4778, or 4779. Vulgar Era, 65 or 66.
will be persecuted-The false Teachers will escape by Rome.
living ungodly, increasing in Wickedness; deceiving
others and themselves willingly-Timothy is entreated to
adhere stedfastly to the Christian Doctrines, knowing
that he has been instructed in them by an inspired Apos-
tle, and from his earliest Infancy had been acquainted
with the Writings of Moses and the Prophets (Matt. xx.
29.; John v. 39. x. 35.) which typifying and predicting
the great Truths of the Gospel, were able to make him
wise unto Salvation, by confirming him in the Faith of
Jesus Christ-For the Old Testament is divinely inspired
-profitable for teaching the Doctrines of the Gospel-
for confuting those who should deny them for correcting
erroneous Opinions, and for instructing Mankind in the
Nature of the Gospel Dispensation, (Luke xxiv. 27.;
John v. 39-46.)-The Christian Minister is made per-
fect in his religious Knowledge and Duties, and qualified
for his important Office of teaching, by rightly under-
standing the Jewish Scriptures.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of
life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra: what persecutions I endured; but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The Apostle having reminded Timothy of the great Advan-
tages he enjoyed, and the Duties of the Christian Minis-
ter, charges him, in the Presence of God, and as he
hopes to appear before the Tribunal of Jesus Christ, to
be diligent and faithful in his Office-to proclaim the
Doctrine of Christ crucified at all Times and Seasons;
patiently confuting, rebuking, and comforting, as Oc-
casion requires for in the Time of the Apostacy they
will not endure the practical Truths of the Gospel,
Julian Period, 4778, or 4779.
Vulgar Era, 65 or 66.
but will multiply to themselves Teachers after their own Rome.
Desires and Lusts, turning from the Christian Doctrines,
to listen to Fables and Delusions-St. Paul entreats Ti-
mothy to be vigilant in opposing the beginnings of these
Corruptions-Patiently to submit to Persecution, and
faithfully to discharge all the Duties of his Ministry, as
he himself is soon to be put to death, (Philip. ii. 17.)
He is not discouraged, for he has kept the Faith of Christ
uncorrupted and expresses his strong Confidence that
he shall receive the glorious Reward on the Day of
Judgment.
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord
Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his
appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing.
The Apostle desires Timothy to come to him, accompanied
by Mark the Evangelist-perhaps that they might wit-
ness his Death, and be confirmed in the Faith-He
shews that he is now left with only Luke, as Demas
hath forsaken him in his Extremity, from the Fear of
Persecution-He sends Tychicus to Ephesus, to release
Timothy, and desires him to call at Troas-He mentions
the Opposition of Alexander the Coppersmith, (Acts xix.
33.) and cautions Timothy against him, as a constant
and incorrigible Opposer of Christianity, (1 Tim. i. 20.)
9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this
present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Cres-
cens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him Rome. riod, 4778, with thee; for he is profitable to me for the ministry. ulgar Æra, 12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 65 or 66.
* Rom. xvi. 23.
+Acts xx. 4.
13 The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
The Apostle acquaints Timothy that in his first Defence he
was forsaken by his Fellow-Labourers through Fear-He
prays for their Forgiveness-But the Lord stood by him,
and strengthened him, (Luke xxi. 15.) that the Gospel
might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might
hear the Boldness with which their Privileges had been
asserted-He was delivered from that great Danger,
(Psalm xxii. 21.)-He does not expect to be delivered
on the present Occasion-but he feels assured he shall be
preserved from betraying his Faith and Constancy, and
that the Lord will bring him into his heavenly Kingdom
-His Doxology is addressed to the Lord Jesus, as a
divine Being.
16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all
men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to
their charge.
17. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
§ 13. 2 TIM. iv. 19, to the end.
The Apostle sends his Salutations, and repeats his Desire
that Timothy should come to him speedily-He prays
that Jesus Christ may be with his Spirit, and ends with
his usual Benediction.
19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of
Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus + have I left at Miletum sick.
21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace Rome. riod, 4778, be with you. Amen.
or 4779. Vulgar Æra, 65 or 66.
St. Peter writes his first Epistle to the Jews, who, in the
time of Persecution, had taken Refuge in the Heathen
24 St. Peter, the apostle, was born at Bethsaida, in Upper Ga-
lilee. He was the son of Jonas, Jonah, or John, and was a fish-
erman upon the lake of Gennesareth, following in all probabi-
lity the trade of his father. His call to the apostleship by our
Saviour, with his brother Andrew, a disciple of John the Bap-
tist, who heard him point out Jesus as the Lamb of God, is re-
corded by three of the Evangelists. Macknight observes, about
that time Peter had left Bethsaida, and had gone to Capernaum,
with his wife, who is thought to have been of that town. From
Andrew's accompanying his brother thither, and living with
him in the same house, it may be conjectured that their father
was dead. With them Jesus also abode, after he took up his
ordinary residence at Capernaum; for he seems to have been
pleased with the disposition and manners of all the members of
that family. Thus, as Lardner observes, it appears that before
Peter became an apostle, he had a wife, was the head of a family,
had a boat, and nets, and a furnished house, and maintained
himself by an honest occupation. (Matt. xix. 27.) The apostle
St. Paul seems to insinuate, that Peter's wife attended him in
his travels, after our Lord's ascension. (1 Cor. ix. 5.) He was
the most zealous of all the apostles, and was conspicuous for the
strength of his faith. He was more forward than the rest of the
disciples, and was the first to answer the questions put to them
by our Saviour. On the confession of his faith (Matt. xvi.
13-16.) it is supposed by some that our Lord invested Peter
with privileges and powers superior to the rest of his disciples;
but the following clause, "Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth,
shall be bound in heaven," &c. mentions privileges, which are
declared to belong to all the apostles. (Matt. xviii. 18. John xx.
21-23.) It cannot be said that the Church of Christ was built
on Peter alone, for it is expressly asserted by divine revelation
to have been built on the foundation of all the apostles and pro-
phets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. Peter,
in delivering his own sentiments, expressed those of all the apos-
tles; and our Lord, in addressing his reply to Peter, intended
that it should be equally extended to them all. Lardner re-
marks on the Canon, p. 102, that Cassian, supposing Peter to be
older than Andrew, makes his age the ground of his precedence
among the apostles: and that Jerome himself says, "The keys
were given to all the apostles alike, and the Church was built
on all of them equally. But for preventing dissension precc-
dence was given to one. And John might have been the person,
but he was too young: and Peter was preferred on account of
his age." The only peculiar distinction conferred on St. Peter
was, that after the descent of the Holy Ghost he should be the
first to declare the Gospel to the Jews, and then to the Gen-
tiles. That he received no superior power of pre-eminence
over the other disciples is evident from our Lord's declaration
"One is your master, even Christ, and all ye are bre-
thren."
The first Epistle of Peter has been ever considered as authentic-it was referred to by Polycarp, Clemens, Romanus, and the Martyrs of Lyons-it was acknowledged by Theophilus, Bishop
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