2 Timothy 4:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Indeed, no small part of the whole administration of affairs has fallen to the wife, namely the household. Without it, public affairs could never be maintained.

If household affairs were in confusion and disorder, each citizen would have to sit at home, and public affairs would be in poor condition.

Thus she participates no less than the man in these matters, and also in spiritual ones. She can die a thousand times for Christ if she wishes. Many of them have indeed become martyrs.

She can excel in chastity, even more than men, because the flame of the passions does not act so strongly in her.

She can have modesty, honor, and holiness, without which "no one will see the Lord" (Heb 12:14). She can have contempt for riches, if only she wishes, and everything else in general.

"Do your diligence," he says, "to come before winter." How he urges him! Yet nowhere does he say anything grievous.

He does not say, "Come before my death," lest he grieve him, but "before winter," lest difficulties meet you.

"Eubulus greets you," he says, "and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren." He does not name the latter. Do you see that the former were more fervent in the faith?

In spiritual matters they can even surpass men, in chastity, holiness, modesty, and fasting. In general, the female sex has no obstacle to virtue, if women desire it.

"And all the brethren." He no longer mentions them by name, since there were so many believers. He names only the more renowned, because they had already detached themselves from worldly affairs and were more fervent in spirit.

This present greeting was no small consolation for them. It served as proof of his honor and love, and brought them great grace.

For even a single greeting from such a holy and blessed man could fill with great grace the one who was deemed worthy of that greeting.

Onesiphorus was with the Apostle in Rome (1:16). By this greeting he makes his household still more zealous for deeds like those of Onesiphorus."

According to Saint Demetrius of Rostov, Onesiphorus later became bishop in Colophon and Cyrene. His martyr's memory is honored on September 7.

In the house of Onesiphorus, the holy virgin Thecla heard the preaching of the Apostle Paul. She became the first female martyr for faith in Christ. Her memory is honored on September 24.

"Though she had a betrothed, she found Paul, who turned her away from her betrothed. Thus the holy virgin renounced all earthly goods, that she might be counted worthy of the heavenly," says Saint Epiphanius.

Concerning Erastus, Bishop Theophan observes that he was sent with Saint Timothy to Macedonia, at the end of Saint Paul's three-year stay in Ephesus (Acts 19:22).

He was supposed to go with Paul to Rome, but remained in Corinth, perhaps because of necessity, as treasurer (Rom 16:23), with the Apostle's consent. Perhaps it was even against the Apostle's wish.

Erastus is an Apostle from among the Seventy. His memory is November 10.

Trophimus was also among the companions of the Apostle Paul (Acts 20:4; 21:29). He was beheaded in Rome under Nero, together with Aristarchus and Pudens. Their memory is April 15.

Eubulus and the other persons from whom greetings are sent have Roman names. These persons could have become acquainted with Saint Timothy during his first visit to Rome.

It may be thought that the Apostle, in conveying their greetings, also indicates them as persons who could guide Timothy in Rome when his arrival there was soon expected.

Linus was the first bishop of Rome, according to Saint Irenaeus. Pudens was a senator, and Claudia was his wife. Their daughters Praxedis and Pudentiana were martyrs.

"Truly, it is the work of God's grace," says Saint John Chrysostom, "that persons of this sex, if they wish, can die a thousand times. Many of them have become martyrs.

They can have modesty, holiness, purity, contempt for riches, and everything else."

Thus the preaching of the Gospel was fulfilled. Proclaimed in the world city, before representatives of world authority, it reached, so to speak, its culminating point, from which it would illumine all pagan lands.

At the same time, the Apostle expresses hope that the Lord, who delivered him from grave danger at the first interrogation, will not permit him to commit any evil deed at later interrogations, such as betrayal of the faith. He hopes that the Lord will safely bring him, through a worthy acceptance of death, into His heavenly Kingdom.

"Eubulus greets you," and so forth. All the persons from whom the greeting is sent bear Roman names, and therefore were believers from among the Romans.

They could have become acquainted with Saint Timothy during Saint Paul's first imprisonment, when Saint Timothy was also with him.

That there are no greetings from Jewish believers suggests that they were not present. Some had been tortured to death, and others had fled.

No tradition about Eubulus has been preserved. It is enough for his glory that Saint Paul mentions him.

Pudens was from the senators, and in his house he received the holy apostles Peter and Paul. His house was turned into a church, called the Shepherd's Church.

According to the Roman Martyrology, he was the father of the holy martyrs Praxedes and Pudentiana. According to the Bollandists, Claudia was his wife. He was beheaded together with Trophimus and Aristarchus. He was one of the Seventy Apostles. His memory is April 15.

Linus was the first bishop of Rome after the holy Apostles, as Saint Irenaeus and Eusebius testify. He was one of the Seventy. His memory is November 5.

Claudia. "Do you see how women also were zealous and aflame in the faith? Such was Priscilla, and such was this Claudia. They had already crucified themselves by their will and were ready for martyr's struggles.

The female sex is no hindrance to appearing courageous. Truly, it is the work of God's grace that persons of this sex can die a thousand times for Christ if they wish.

Many of them in fact became martyrs. They can excel in chastity, even more than men. They can have modesty, honor, and holiness, 'without which no one will see the Lord' (Heb 12:14).

They can have contempt for riches, and everything else in general" (Saint Chrysostom).

"And all the brethren." "He does not name the latter. Do you see that the others were more fervent?" (Saint Chrysostom). "He listed the more zealous by name, but called the others by a common name" (Blessed Theodoret).