2 Timothy 4:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

One may ask: how does Paul call Timothy to himself when a Church and a whole people had been entrusted to him? The Apostle does not do this out of pride.

He himself was ready to go to him. Listen to what he says: "If I am delayed, you may know how one ought to conduct oneself in the house of God" (1 Tim 3:15).

Why, then? Because he was in extremity. He could no longer travel according to his own will. He lived in prison, having been confined there by Nero, and was preparing to die soon.

Therefore, lest this happen before he had seen his disciple, he calls him to himself. He wished to see him before his end and, perhaps, to hand many things over to him.

"Make haste," he says, "to come before winter" (2 Tim 4:21).

Why does the Apostle summon Timothy to himself, when the Church in Ephesus and a whole people had been entrusted to him? Because Paul was in bonds, imprisoned by Nero, and could not himself come to Timothy. Therefore he summons him to Rome, perhaps wishing to entrust many things to him before his death.

This was said to lighten Timothy’s heavy grief, and likewise, probably, so that Paul might communicate certain mysteries to him.

The Apostle Paul, informing Timothy of his own approaching death, asks him to come to him quickly. He says how all except Luke have abandoned him. He gives Timothy certain instructions for the journey, tells of the help from God that was shown to him after his first interrogation in court, and commands him to greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. He also sends greetings from certain Roman brethren.

The epilogue of the Epistle shows with what heartfelt simplicity and intimacy the holy Apostle Paul treated his disciple, to whom he tells all his circumstances.

He earnestly calls Timothy to himself, saying that almost all have left him: Demas, Crescens, and Titus. Only Luke remained with him.

According to Chrysostom's explanation, "Paul was in extremity. He could no longer travel according to his own will. He lived in prison, having been confined there by Nero, and was preparing to die soon.

Therefore, lest this happen before he had seen his disciple, the Apostle calls him to himself, wishing to see him before his end and perhaps to hand many things over to him.

In the following reports about himself and his work, the Apostle appears to us as one who has in no way lost courage, even in view of his approaching death.

For example, he remembers the cloak left in Troas and some books that he needed. Speaking of his first appearance at trial or interrogation, he observes that no acquaintances or friends were visible around him.

According to Roman custom, they would have supported the accused by their voices. Yet the Lord helped him instead, having promised to give His Apostles the power of the Holy Spirit in order to stand firm at trial (Mt 10:19-20).

He expresses the invitation briefly, fully confident that Saint Timothy, who always wished to be inseparable from his father and teacher, needs only a hint about this. Yet he uses urgent words: "Make haste," and "quickly."

Perhaps by this he meant: do not allow any obstacle to detain you. "Quickly" is replaced in verse 21 by "before winter." By this he indicated either the final limit of delay, or his fear that winter might overtake Timothy on the road.

Against his will, it could detain him for a long time on the journey and even expose him to extreme dangers.

Chrysostom says: "One may ask why Paul calls Timothy to himself, when a Church and a whole people had been entrusted to him. The Apostle does not do this out of pride.