personal security is not obscurely promised to him. — -rapa , with Carpus) The man must have been very faithful, to whom the apostle would entrust this most precious deposit.
14. 'Ei/sds/garo, exhibited towards or occasioned me [did me]) at Ephesus, or even at Rome. — «<rodul?j, reward) The apostle knew that he would not be unavenged ; he therefore [does not hereby indulge in revenge, but] expresses his acquiescence in the judgment of the Lord. — X/av, greatly} Therefore he will not discontinue. — Jifterepoig, our) Believers have a common cause and interest : and Timothy already at that time was the companion of Paul. This adversary was there, where Timothy was, and where Paul had been, viz. at Ephesus, and Timothy must there fore be on his guard against him.
16. upury, in the first) (defence). It was now therefore the second ; and at it he wishes Timothy to be present with him, and is confident that the Lord will stand by him, that he may overcome. — ffvpnupvyeviro) The <n)v indicates that they were in no great danger. — ^zarsX/vroi/, forsook) from fear. — ^ avroT$ Xoyiff- 6eiri, may it not be laid to their charge) The greatness of the sin is hereby implied, as well as the wish of Paul : the auro%, to them (to their charge), as being put before the verb, intimates, that it will be laid to the charge of those who had deterred the godly from standing by him.2
17. 'O Sz Kvpios, but the Lord) the more on this account. — KapsffTvi, stood by me) This is more than Trapa^mo^a/, to be pre sent. — ivsdwapurt, strengthened me) The opposite is, forsook. — i vet di s/xoD, that by me) One single occasion is often of the greatest moment. — cravra raedv?), all the Gentiles) of whom Rome was the capital. — sppvffdqv e% ffrof^aroc Xsovroj, / was delivered out of the mouth of the lion) Ps. xxii. 22, ffwffov ps k-/. ffr6/.^aros Xeovroc. We may suppose that Paul had seen a vision under the form of a lion. The lion signifies either Nero, or some one who threat ened danger. It is at all events a figurative expression ; for he would have said, from the mouth of the lions, if he intended
g, all) Lamentable to hear. — V. g. 2 That is to say, the eturofs is emphatic, being put first, " May it not be laid to their charge," to the charge of the godly who were intimidated : im plying, that will be sure to be laid to the charge of those who intimidated them. — ED.