2 Timothy 4:20

2Ti_4:20

Trophimus sick.

Unaccomplished aims

How many broken-down servants of God are there to-day, Christian men and women, who have proved their sincerity, who do prove their sincerity, but whose thin hand can do little or nothing in raising the stones of the shrine they so passionately desire to build? As in the busiest thoroughfares of great cities we behold wistful faces looking down from hospital windows, longing to share in the strong life of the streets; so are there frail, broken-down watchers of the work of God who long to share the toil and sacrifice of Gods workmen. (W. L. Watkinson.)

Use of sickness

Hannah More made the following entry in her journal (Jan. 21, 1798): Many temptations this week to vanity. My picture asked for two publications. Dedications--flattery without end. God be praised, I was not flattered, but tired--twenty-four hours headache makes me see the vanity of all this. (J. F. B. Tinling, B. A.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

4:20 Erastus was a resident of Corinth (Acts 19:22; Rom 16:23). Modern excavations have found an inscription at Corinth mentioning an Erastus who was the city treasurer; he was probably the same man. • Trophimus (Acts 20:4; 21:29) was an Ephesian associated with Tychicus (2 Tim 4:12).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

2Ti 4:20. Ἔραστος—Τρόφιμον, Erastus—Trophimus) The reason why these do not send salutations, is by implication indicated.—ἔμεινεν, remained) while I was prosecuting my journey. The second imprisonment of Paul was not long; for he wrote these things a short time after his journey, a little before his death.—ἐν Κορίνθῳ, at Corinth) his native country, Rom 16:23.—[19]ἐν Μιλήτῳ, at Miletus) Miletus was near Ephesus. Whether Timothy knew of the sickness of Trophimus or was ignorant of it, still Paul might have mentioned it. And perhaps Trophimus accompanied Timothy afterwards to Rome. The Scholiast on this passage in Pricæus says: “Trophimus, Aristarchus, and Pudens, after they had suffered severely with the apostle in the persecutions, were at last beheaded along with him.”

[19] Ἀπέλιπον, I left) Therefore Paul had returned from Asia to Rome not very long before.—V. g.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Ti_4:20. Ἒραστος ἔμεινεν ἐν Κορίνθῳ] While on his third journey, the apostle sent forward a certain. Erastus from Ephesus to Macedonia along with Timothy (Act_19:22). It can hardly be doubted that it is the same man who is mentioned here. It is more uncertain if the one alluded to in Rom_16:23 is also the same (as Otto thinks); still it does favour the identity that the latter dwelt in Corinth as ὁ οἰκόνομος τῆς πόλεως, and that the Erastus here mentioned remained in Corinth. Meyer, however (see on Rom_16:23), and Wiesinger think it improbable. Hofmann holds that the Erastus mentioned in Act_19:22, and the city chamberlain in Rom_16:23, are two different men, and that the one mentioned here is identical with the latter.

ἔμεινε] i.e. he remained in Corinth, viz. when I left it; the tense favours this view. Paul notices the fact because he thought that Timothy believed that Erastus had left Corinth with the apostle. Hug explains it: Erastus, whom I expected in Rome, remained behind in Corinth; but this would suit better with the perfect. Besides, there is nothing to indicate such an expectation.

Τρόφιμον δὲ ἀπέλιπον ἐν Μιλήτῳ ἀσθενοῦντα] Trophimus, an Asiatic, accompanied Paul on his third journey, and went before him from Greece to Troas (Act_20:4). His presence in Jerusalem was the occasion of the tumult against Paul (Act_21:29).

From this passage it would appear that Trophimus had wished to accompany the apostle on his journey, but had been left behind at Miletus sick. The apostle cannot have been in Miletus with Trophimus before the first imprisonment in Rome; hence the expositors who deny that Paul was twice imprisoned in Rome, and admit the genuineness of the epistle, are driven to great straits in interpreting this passage. Thus Hug, Hemsen, and Kling hold ἀπέλιπον to be the third person plural. Wieseler does not give the proper force to ἀπέλιπον, whichas de Wette rightly remarkspresupposes that they had been previously together in Miletus. Regarding the views of Wieseler and Otto, comp. Introduction, § 3, pp. 19, 20. It is altogether arbitrary to read ἐν Μελίτῃ, or to suppose that Miletus in Crete is meant.

The reason for speaking about Erastus and Trophimus appears in 2Ti_4:21; comp. 2Ti_4:9-10. He did not mention them in 2Ti_4:10, because there he was speaking only of those who had already been with him in Rome and had left him (Wiesinger). Hofmann thinks that Paul mentions them in reply to a question from Timothy regarding the two who might serve as witnesses for his defence; but this is mere conjecture, for which no good grounds can be given.[74]

[74] Hofmann regards them as suitable witnesses for the defence, assuming that the charge against the apostle rested on this, that his preaching of the gospel was contrary to the constitution of the state. Erastus was present in Corinth on the occasion mentioned in Act_18:12, and Trophimus when Paul was made a prisoner at Jerusalem. Both might therefore testify that Paul was not to blame for these tumults.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Ti 4:20 . Ἔραστος ἔμεινεν : The name Erastus is too common to make probable the identification of this companion of St. Paul’s and the οἰκονόμος , treasurer, of Corinth, who joins in the apostle’s salutation in Rom 16:23 . It is not antecedently likely that a city official could travel about as a missionary. On the other hand, it is probable that this Erastus is the same as the companion of Timothy mentioned in Act 19:22 . It is to be observed that St. Paul here resumes from 2Ti 4:12 his explanation of the absence from Rome of members of his company whose presence with their master at this crisis would have been natural. It is possible that Erastus and Trophimus were with St. Paul when he was arrested the second time, and that they remained in his company as far as Miletus and Corinth respectively.

Τρόφιμον : See Act 20:4 ; Act 21:29 , and the art. in Hastings’ D. B .

ἀσθενοῦντα : Paley’s remark is never out of date, “Forgery, upon such an occasion, would not have spared a miracle” ( Horae Paul . Phi 2 ). Chrys. notes, “The apostles could not do everything, or they did not dispense miraculous gifts upon all occasions, lest more should be ascribed to them than was right”.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

In order to depict his desertion, he informs Timothy that Erastus, one of his usual companions (Act 19:22, possibly the same Erastus as in Rom 16:23, though how he could leave his official duties for missionary journeys is not clear), stayed behind at Corinth, his native place, or usual residence, of which city he was "chamberlain," or city steward and treasurer (Rom 16:23); and Trophimus he left behind at Miletus sick. (On his former history, see on Act 20:4; Act 21:29). This verse is irreconcilable with the imprisonment from which he writes being the first: for he did not pass by Corinth or Miletus on his way to Rome when about to be imprisoned for the first time. As Miletus was near Ephesus, there is a presumption that Timothy was not at Ephesus when Paul wrote, or he would not need to inform Timothy of Trophimus lying sick in his immediate neighborhood. However, Trophimus may not have been still at Miletus at the time when Paul wrote, though he had left him there on his way to Rome. Prisca and Aquila were most likely to be at Ephesus (Ti2 4:19), and he desires Timothy to salute them: so also Onesiphorus' household (Ti2 1:18). Paul had not the power of healing at will (Act 19:12), but as the Lord allowed him.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 20. Erastus abode at Corinth] He was treasurer of that city, as we learn from Ro 16:23. See the note there. The apostle had sent him and Timothy on a mission to Macedonia, Ac 19:22, whence it is probable he returned to Corinth, and there became finally settled.

Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.] Even the apostles could not work miracles when they pleased; that power was but rarely given, and that for very special purposes. Trophimus was an Ephesian. See Ac 20:4, and the note there.

Miletus was a maritime town of Ionia, not far from Ephesus; but there was another Miletus, in Crete, which some learned men think to be intended here. It appears that St. Paul went from Macedonia to Corinth, where he left Erastus; from Corinth he proceeded to Troas, where he lodged with Carpus: from Troas he went to Ephesus, where he visited Timothy; from Ephesus he went to Miletus, where he left Trophimus sick; and having embarked at Miletus, he went by sea to Rome. See Calmet. It is most likely, therefore, that the Miletus of Ionia is the place intended.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(20) Erastus abode at Corinth.—Better rendered, remained at Corinth. An Erastus is mentioned in Rom_16:23, the “chamberlain” of Corinth, one of the Christian congregation of that city. This man was probably identical with him.

Another “Eastus” appears among those who ministered to St. Paul at Ephesus (Act_19:22). Him St. Paul sent on missionary work into Macedonia. There were, therefore, among St. Paul’s friends two men of this name: the one a resident official personage at Corinth; the other one of that band who journeyed hither and thither for the propagation of the faith.

But Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.—Trophimus, a Gentile Christian, who was with St. Paul on his third missionary journey, and whom the Apostle was accused of taking into the Temple at Jerusalem. It was this accusation on the part of the Jews which led to St. Paul’s arrest which preceded his first long imprisonment. The event here alluded to must have taken place some time after the Apostle’s release from the first imprisonment, A.D. 63, and, probably, in the course of his last journey, shortly before his second arrest and imprisonment at Rome, about A.D. 66.

Miletus (not “Miletum”), a seaport of Caria, about thirty miles from Ephesus, once a city of great renown, whence, it is said, eighty colonies had proceeded; but in the days of St. Paul its glories were already on the wane. It is now famous only for its vast ruined theatre. (See Act_20:15.)

It has been suggested that this mention of Trophimus was intended to clear him of any neglect. “Erastus,” wrote the Apostle, “remained at Corinth; but Trophimus’ reason for not coming to Rome was his sickness.”

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

20. Erastus abode] ‘Stayed at his post’; the verb suggests certainly that he had been commissioned by St Paul for some duty which he courageously fulfilled; if therefore it is unlikely that the Erastus who was chamberlain or treasurer (Oeconomus) of Corinth could be a fellow minister with Timothy to Macedonia (Act_19:22), it is equally unlikely that he could have been set on duty at Corinth, as is implied here. In which case we may identify the Erastus of Act_19:22 with the Erastus here, and regard the ‘chamberlain’ as a different person. See sketch of last journeys of St Paul and his companions in the Introduction, p. 43.

Trophimus] An Ephesian and Gentile, who was with St Paul at Troas on the third missionary journey (Act_20:4) and accompanied him to Jerusalem, causing a disturbance there because he was a Gentile (Act_21:29). The only natural way of placing this event is at some visit to Miletus after the close of the Acts, see Introduction, p. 43. Miletum must be a misprint of A.V. as there is no authority anywhere for a neuter form.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit,.... To counsel and advise in every difficult matter; to comfort under every distress; to supply with all grace in every time of need; and to strengthen and fit for every part and branch of duty.

Grace be with you, Amen: which is the apostle's common salutation in all epistles. The Syriac version renders it, "grace be with thee"; but the Greek copies read in the plural, "with you"; which shows that the epistle was designed for the use of the whole church, as well as of Timothy. The subscription follows, which is not in many ancient copies, and is not to be depended on.

The second epistle unto Timotheus; so far is right; this is certainly the second epistle to Timothy:

ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians: this is omitted in the Syriac version; nor is it likely, much less certain, that he ever was bishop of Ephesus, or ordained as a bishop of any place, but was rather an evangelist, Ti2 4:5,

was written from Rome: this is evident from his being a prisoner when he wrote it, Ti2 1:8. And yet in the Alexandrian copy it is said to be written from Laodicea:

when Paul was brought before Nero the second time; but whether he was before Nero at all is a question, or only before a Roman governor or judge.

Next: Titus Introduction

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

Ver. 20. At Miletum sick] {See Trapp on "Php 2:27"}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Erastus - see the notes on Rom 16:23.

Abode at Corinth - This was his home, where he filled an important office; see the notes at Rom 16:23. It would seem that when Paul went to Rome, there was some expectation that he would accompany him, but that reasons had occurred for his remaining in Corinth. His doing so is referred to without blame.

But Trophimus - see Act 20:4. He was a native of Asia Minor.

Have I left at Miletum sick - Probably he designed to accompany him to Rome, as he had been often with him in his journeys. On the situation of Miletus, or Miletum, see the notes on Act 20:15.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Erastus abode at Corinth; of this Erastus see Rom 16:23. He was the chamberlain of Corith, so he abode there. Paul sent him into Macedonia, Act 19:22.

But Tropimus have I left at Miletus sick; Trophimus was an Ephesian, Act 21:29, one of Paul’s companions, Act 20:4; he was left at Miletum, a city in Asia, not far from Ephesus.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

20. Erastus—Mentioned as city treasurer of Corinth in Rom_16:23; as going by commission from St. Paul to Corinth from Ephesus with Timothy, (Act_19:22,) and here as being with Timothy at Ephesus. He probably ceased from the treasurership when he took up the gospel.

Trophimus—Known only as mentioned in Act_20:4; Act_21:29; where see notes. Trophimus could not have been left at Miletus on Paul’s journey to his first imprisonment at Rome, of which we have a full narrative in Acts 28. Paul, therefore, writes this from a second and last imprisonment.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

I left for have I left, A.V; Miletus for Miletum, A.V Erastus abode at Corinth. We learn from Rom_16:3 that Erastus was the chamberlain of Corinth, which accounts for his abiding there, lie was one of St. Paul"s companions in his missionary journey, and we learn from Act_19:22 that he was sent by St. Paul with Timothy into Macedonia just before the great riot at Ephesus. The mention of him here clearly indicates that St. Paul had gone from Troas, where he left his cloke, to Corinth on his way to Rome. Trophimus is first mentioned in Act_20:4, where we learn that he was an Asiatic, and more definitely in Act_21:29, that he was an Ephesian. He had travelled with St. Paul"s party from Macedonia to Troas, and thence to Miletus and Jerusalem, where we lose sight of him till we find him again in this passage journeying towards Rome with St. Paul and others, but stopped at Miletus by sickness. Miletus, not Miletum, is the correct form.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

When I came on, Erastus abode at Corinth - Being chamberlain of the city, Rom. xvi, 23. But Trophimus I have left sick - Not having power (as neither had any of the apostles) to work miracles when he pleased, but only when God pleased.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

Ver. 20. Erastus abode at Corinth, but Trophimus I left behind at Miletus sick. It was shown in the Introduction that these notices could not refer to anything recorded in the history of the Acts, and that they must be understood of later, and indeed quite recent events. On his last visit to Asia Minor and Jerusalem, as related in the Acts, Trophimus, so far from having been left at Miletus sick, went with Paul to Jerusalem, and his appearance there with the apostle gave occasion to the disturbance and accusation that were raised by the Jews (Act 20:4, Act 21:29).

Patrick Fairbairn — An Exposition of Ezekiel (1851), Jonah (1849), and The Pastoral Epistles (1874) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Erastus is mentioned, Rom 16:23 as chamberlain of the city of Corinth, one that shewed kindness to Paul; he was a great man, the treasurer of the city of Corinth; yet neither his riches, nor his great place, could keep him from loving the apostle and the afflicted church of God. Rarely are great men good, and as rarely are good men great; yet some great men are good, and some good men are great. Lot and Abraham, Job and David were full of riches, yet full of piety, under the Old Testament: So was Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, and Zaccheus, under the New. Thus God magnifies the power of converting grace. - Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. This man was a citizen at Ephesus, a disciple and companion of St. Paul, whom he was forced to leave sick at Miletum. Act 20:4

Note, Strength of grace cannot prevail against bodily weaknesses and diseases; sickness may seize even the best men.

Note also, That the apostles had not the gift of healing, when they pleased, but only when God gave it them.

William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

20. Erastus abode at Corinth. Probably his old home (Rom. 16:23). Trophimus. He was an Ephesian (Acts 21:29). These personal details were better understood by Timothy than by us, but I suppose this statement is made to explain why Trophimus was not in Rome. This verse proves that this letter does not belong to the date of Paul's first imprisonment, since years have passed between Paul's last visit to Miletus and the first Roman imprisonment.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

20. ἀπέλιπον. See on 2Ti 4:10.

20. Ἔραστος ἔμεινεν ἐν Κορίνθῳ, Erastus abode in Corinth, sc. at some epoch in the interval between the first and second imprisonments, of which we have no information. Erastus was the name of the treasurer (οἰκονόμος) of Corinth, when St Paul wrote to the Romans (Rom 16:23); and also of an emissary sent with Timothy from Ephesus to Macedonia (Act 19:22). We cannot be sure whether we have here notices of different persons or of one and the same man. It seems however unlikely that the Erastus, whose abiding in Corinth is communicated here to Timothy as a piece of information, was a permanent official of that city; it is more probable that he was Timothy’s companion on the journey mentioned in Act 19:22.

Τρόφιμον δὲ ἀπέλιπον ἐν Μιλήτῳ ἀσθενοῦντα, but Trophimus I left (not ‘they left,’ as some have rendered) at Miletus sick. Of Trophimus we know only what is told here and at Acts 20, 21. He was a Gentile Christian of Ephesus, who, in company with Tychicus (Act 20:5, cp. 2Ti 4:12 above), preceded Paul to Troas. He was seen at Jerusalem in St Paul’s society, which led to the riot, in consequence of which Paul was apprehended (Act 21:29). The episode mentioned in this verse must be referred to St Paul’s journey in the Levant between his first and second imprisonments (see above 2Ti 4:12-13).

The motive for this mention of Erastus and Trophimus, both of whom had connexions with Ephesus, may possibly have been that the Apostle wished to explain that their absence from his side at this juncture was not due to unfaithfulness.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

20. Ἔραστος] probably the same as in Rom 16:23, and perhaps also as in Act 19:22.

Τρόφιμον] Act 20:4, Act 21:29. These facts would naturally have been mentioned in 10 or 13: they are perhaps added here to explain why no greeting is sent to or by them.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Erastus. In Act 19:22, sent by Paul with Timothy to Macedonia from Ephesus. Rom 16:23, the city - treasurer who sends salutations. He cannot be certainly identified with the one mentioned here. The writer merely selects names of well - known companions of Paul.

Trophimus. See Act 22:4; Act 21:9.

Sick [ασθενουντα] . By Paul mostly in a moral sense, as weak in the faith, Rom 4:19; the law was weak, Rom 8:3; the weak brother, 1Co 8:11. Of bodily sickness, Phi 2:26, 27.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.