Parchments (weuSpavas). N.T.°. Manuscripts written on parchment or vellum. Strictly speaking, veilum was made from the skins of young calves, and the common parchment from those of sheep, goats, or antelopes. It was a more dur- able material than papyrus and more expensive. The Latin name was membrana, and also pergamena or pergamina, from Pergamum in Mysia where it was extensively manufactured, and from which it was introduced into Greece. As to the character and contents of these documents which Timothy is requested to bring, we are of course entirely ignorant.*
14. Alexander the coppersmith. Comp. 1 Tim. i. 20, and Acts xix. 83. The same person is probably meant in all three cases.
Did me much evil (aoAAd poe xaxad evedeiEato). Lit. shewed me much ill-treatment. Comp. 1 Tim. i. 16.
May the Lord reward (azrodace). More correctly shall reward. A. V. follows the reading azrod¢én.
15. Greatly withstood (A/av avréorn). Comp. ch. iii. 8, and Gal. ii. 11. This may refer to the occurrences at Ephe- sus (Acts xix. 33), or to Alexander’s attitude during Paul’s trial. The former is more probable. <Adéav greatly, not in Paul, except in the compound d7repAéay, 2 Cor. xi. 5; xii. 11. Only here in Pastorals. Mostly in Synoptic Gospels.
* Much curious and useful information on the subject of ancient book- making is contained in Theodor Birt’s Das antike Buchwesen in seinem Ver- haltniss zur Litteratur, Berlin, 1882.
328 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cz. IV.
16. At my first answer (év 77 mpaTn pov amodoyia). "Amronoyla defence in a judicial trial. Comp. Acts xxv. 16. Also against private persons, as 1 Cor. ix. 8; 2 Cor. vii. 11. Defence of the gospel against its adversaries, as Philip. i. T, 16; comp. 1 Pet. iii. 15 (note). It is impossible to decide to what this refers. On the assumption of a second imprison- ment of Paul (see Introduction) it would probably refer to a preliminary hearing before the main trial. It is not improb- able that the writer had before his mind the situation of Paul as described in Philip. i, since this Epistle shows at many points the influence of the Philippian letter. It should be noted, however, that azrodXoyia in Philip. i. 7, 16, has no specific reference to Paul’s trial, but refers to the defence of the gospel under any and all circumstances. In any case, the first Roman imprisonment cannot be alluded to here. On that supposition, the omission of all reference to Timothy’s presence and personal ministry at that time, and the words about his first defence, which must have taken place before Timothy left Rome (Philip. ii. 19-23) and which is here related as a piece of news, are quite inexplicable.
Stood with me (zapeyévero). Asa patron or an advocate. The verb mostly in Luke and Acts: once in Paul, 1 Cor. xvi. 8: cnly here in Pastorals. It means to place one’s self beside ; hence, to come to, and this latter sense is almost universal in N. T. In the sense of coming to or standing by one as a friend, only here.
Be laid to their charge (avrois XoyioGen). Mostly in Paul: only here in Pastorals. See on Rom. iv. 8, 5; 1-Cor. xiii. 5.
17. Strengthened (éveduvvdwwoev). See on 1 Tim. i. 12.
The preaching (76 «jpuvyya). Better, the message (par excellence), the gospel message. Usually with a defining word, as of Jonah; of Jesus Christ; my preaching; our preaching. Absolutely, as here, 1 Cor. i. 21; Tit. i. 8.
Cu. IV.] THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. 329
Might be fully known (aAnpodopnOy). See on ver. 5. Lit. might be fulfilled ; fully carried out by being proclaimed before rulers in the capital of the world. Comp. Rom. xv. 19; Acts xxiii. 11; xxviii. 31; Philip. i. 12-14.
Out of the mouth of the lion (é« ordéuatos Aéovtos). Figurative expression for danger of death. Comp. 1 Cor. xv. 32. As usual, all manner of special references have been imagined : the lions of the amphitheatre; Nero; the chief accuser; the Jews; the Devil.