telligence, to hear at Philippi, that Tychicus, evidently no common person, (deemed worthy as he was to relieve Titus in the spiritual government of Crete, TIT. iii. 12.) was actually sent to Ephesus, iv. 12., and commissioned (we may well believe) to act with permanent authority in that city.

If Timothy had been already at Ephesus, he would have known of the arrival of Tychicus (as Michaelis justly remarks) without being thus informed of it by Paul. Tychicus would have carried the letter.

iii. Of Trophimus's sickness, Timothy at Philippi would know nothing, in the common course of things. By Paul he is made aware that their old and faithful companion had been by him left sick at Miletus, iv. 20. Vide H. P. 177.

iv. Nor again would Timothy know any thing of Erastus, and of his staying behind at Corinth when Paul returned from Nicopolis; unless he had been informed of it by the apostle, v. 20. Vide H. P. 177.

Both names, indeed, that of Erastus and that of Trophimus, are perhaps mentioned, to account for those persons not being with the apostle at the time: their names might have duely appeared else in the salutation.

v. Then too, the notice of "Crescens" being gone "to Galatia," and "Titus unto Dalmatia, v. 10., each on a sacred errand from the apostle, would be peculiarly interesting to the mind of Timothy.

In Paul's first visit to Galatia, Timothy bore him company, A. xvi. 6. p. 36. : and when the apostle revisited Galatia, A. xviii. 23. p. 56., he was his companion again.

On the apostle's reaching the confines of Illyricum, A. xx. 2. p. 67., the same faithful attendant ministered to him (vide TIMOTHY, Index, s. v.) in that first planting of the gospel in those parts; which was afterwards

carried on by Paul in person, with the aid of Titus, and now lastly committed to the care of Titus as the dying charge of the apostle.

vi. When Paul and Timothy were last at Ephesus together, they both of them enjoyed the kind ministrations of Onesiphorus, i. 18. The apostle had now to relate the recent tokens of his affectionate anxiety experienced at Rome, where Onesiphorus himself was yet staying when he wrote, vv. 16, 17. His household is separately saluted as being at Ephesus, iv. 19.

vii. We have seen that after Timothy was besought to abide in Ephesus when Paul for the last time went into Macedonia, 1 TIM. i. 3., the apostle undertook more extensive designs to the westward of Philippi, than he had previously, perhaps, contemplated. We have seen also in that First Epistle, iii. 14, 15., iv. 13., very strong intimations given, that he might not return by any means so soon as Timothy expected. And the various circumstances (if they have been here truely developed) of his wintering at Nicopolis, of his returning, not by Philippi, where Timothy then was, but by Corinth, and thence after visiting Ephesus, to Rome, clearly show that a long separation had divided those Christian friends, when Paul wrote the Second Epistle.

Well might the apostle, therefore, remember the natural tears shed by Timothy, i. 4., when now so long a time had elapsed since that "dearly beloved son" and he last parted at Ephesus. Timothy's misgivings, at their parting then from each other, seem to have been verified by the event. In this world, most probably, they never met again.

Let us now return to the epistle, and see what farther can be collected from it towards completing the sacred narrative.

The apostle, when writing to the Philippians, PHIL. i. 23...6., was in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better" nevertheless, as it was more needful for them that he should abide in the flesh, so "having this confidence," he says, "I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith: that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again." And we have seen, where Paul is recorded for the fourth time at Philippi, that he did shortly come unto them, as he trusted in the Lord he should be enabled to do. ii. 24.

If such was the tone of his feelings and expectations in the epistle written during his first imprisonment, which then indeed was drawing to its close; we shall find a different state of things with a different style of language in the epistle now before us.

It is very true, that he there exhorts Timothy, iv. 9...21. "Do thy diligence to come shortly to me," and again, "to come before winter:" an exhortation which implies his hope at least that it might be accomplished. Nor would he so earnestly request Timothy to bring with him, iv. 13., "the books, especially the parchments;" but in the expectation that he might be spared, whatever they were, to reap some advantage from having them in his possession. And when his remembrance of the tears shed by Timothy at their last meeting inspires the apostle with a longing to see him once more, that he might be filled with joy, i. 4., a wish like this would hardly have been declared by him, unless with some likelihood of hope that it might be realised.

And yet, if on the one hand, in writing thus, the apostle appears to anticipate his longer continuance on

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earth; the leading scope of the epistle agrees well with his apprehension of that different issue of things, for which it is calculated to provide. Thus, in his anxiety for Timothy's early coming "before winter," and in the desire that Mark should be brought with him, iv. 11., we may see the foresight of the apostle exercised: that they should receive his last instructions and assist him in the ministry during the few months that he might yet have to live.

The very particularity also with which he states the circumstances of several persons as connected with him in the care of all the churches, taken along with the matters of solemn charge and personal instruction to Timothy himself, altogether leave a presentiment upon the mind, that the apostle, if not addressing his last farewell to one so dearly beloved, was at all events providing against the occurrence of his own martyrdom; if it should take place before Timothy, situated as he was, could arrive in Rome, and find him there yet alive.

If ever of one holy man upon earth on the eve of his departure from it, we may believe that a clear assurance of heaven was vouchsafed to him, we may without scruple so believe of St. Paul; who had already in beatific vision enjoyed a foretaste of what was to come. And after so many trying scenes of faith, charity, and patient endurance divinely exercised in the service of his Great Master for the salvation of souls, what is it that we read when the close of such a life draws nigh? Solemn declarations like these of his own sure and certain hope of future blessedness; as his last bequest of consolation and joy to all those who after his bright example of patience and faith, however otherwise inferior, yet do seek to inherit the promises.

2 TIM. iv. 6. I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing.

16. At my first answer (i. e. defence) no man stood with me, but all men forsook me:

that is, all who by their countenance or testimony could have served him at such a time; perhaps, some like those at an earlier day (PHIL. iv. 22.) that were "of Cæsar's household."

I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

17. Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

18. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

In that day of atrocious tyranny under Nero, we cannot wonder at the apostle's being forsaken by false or timid friends on the first hearing of his cause: nor can we doubt that on his second defence that spirit of malignity which sought his life, at length gained its object.

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