3 Hee commendeth Timothies faith, 6 and exhorteth him to go on faithfully in the charge committed vnto him: 8 And that neither for his bonds, 15 nor the reuolting of others, be faint. 11 He triumpheth of his Apostleship. 14 Hee willeth him to haue care of the thing committed vnto him, 16 and praiseth Onesiphorus.

¹ Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ, by the will of God, [Note: [a] Sent of God to preach that life, which he promised in Christ Iesus. ] according to the promesse of life which is in Christ Iesus,

² To Timotheus my beloued sonne: Grace, mercie and peace from God the Father, and from Iesus Christ our Lorde.

³ [Note: [1] The chiefest marke that hee shooteth at in this Epistle, is to confirme Timothie to continue constantly and manfully euen to the ende, setting first before him the great good wil he beareth him, and then reckoning vp the excellent gifts which God would as it were haue to be by inheritance in Timothie, and his ancestors, which might so much the more make him bounde to God. ] I thanke God, [Note: Act.22.3. ] whom I serue from mine [Note: [b] From Abraham, Isaac and Iacob: for hee speaketh not of Pharisaisme, but of Christianisme. ] elders with pure conscience, that without ceasing I haue remembraunce of thee in my praiers night and day,

⁴ Desiring to see thee, mindefull of thy teares, that I may be filled with ioy:

⁵ When I call to remembrance the vnfained faith yt is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice, and am assured that it dwelleth in thee also.

⁶ [Note: [2] He warneth vs to set the inuincible power of the Spirit, which God hath giuen vs, against those stormes which may and do come vpon vs. ] Wherefore, I put thee in remembrance that thou [Note: [c] The gift of God is as it were a certaine liuely flame kindled in our hearts, which the flesh and the deuill goe about to put out: and therefore we on the contrary side must labour as much as we can to foster and keepe it burning. ] stirre vp the gift of God which is in thee, by the putting on of mine hands.

⁷ For God hath not giuen to vs the Spirite of [Note: [d] To pearce vs through, & terrifie vs, as men whom the Lorde will destroy. ] feare, but of power, and of loue, & of a sound minde.

⁸ [Note: [3] Hee prooueth that the ignominie or shame of the crosse is not onely not to bee ashamed of, but also that it is glorious and most honourable: first because the Gospell wherefore the godly are afflicted, is the testimonie of Christ: and secondly, because at length the great vertue and power of God appeareth in them. ] Be not therefore ashamed of the testimonie

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of our Lord, neither of me [Note: [e] For his sake. ] his prisoner: but be partaker of the afflictions of the [Note: [f] The Gospel after a sort is said to be afflicted in them that preache it. ] Gospel, according to the [Note: [g] Through the power of God. ] power of God,
⁹ [Note: [4] He sheweth with howe great benefites God hath bound vs to mainteine boldely and constantly his glorie which is ioyned with our saluation, and reckoneth vp the causes of our saluation, to wit, that free and eternall purpose of God to saue vs in Christ which was to come, whereby it should come to passe, that we should at length be freely called of God by the preaching of the Gospel, to Christ the destroyer of death and authour of immortalitie. ] Who hath saued vs, and called vs with an [Note: 1.Cor.1.2. ] holy calling, not according to our [Note: Titus 3.5. ] workes, but according to his owne purpose and grace, which was [Note: [h] He saith that that grace was giuen vs from euerlasting, vnto which we were predestinate from euerlasting. So that the doctrine of foreseene faith and foreseene workes, is cleane contrary to the doctrine which preacheth and teacheth the grace of God. ] giuen to vs through Christ Iesus [Note: [i] Before that course of yeeres, which hath runne on euer since the beginning of the world. ] before the [Note: Rom.16.25. ephes.1.4. col.1.26. titus 1.2. ] world was,

¹⁰ But is nowe made manifest by that appearing of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortalitie vnto [Note: [k] Hath caused life and immortalitie to appeare. ] light through the Gospel.

¹¹ [Note: 1.Tim.2.7. ] [Note: [5] That is, the Gospel which the Apostle preached. ] Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and Apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

¹² [Note: [6] He confirmeth his Apostleship by a strange argument, to wit, because the world could not abide it, and therefore it persecuted him that preached it. ] For the which cause I also suffer these things, [Note: [7] By setting his owne example before vs, he sheweth vs how it may be, that we shall not be ashamed of the crosse of Christ, to wit, if we be sure that God both can and will keepe the saluation which he hath as it were layed vp in store by himselfe for vs against that day. ] but I am not ashamed: for I knowe whom I haue beleeued, and I am persuaded that he is able to keepe that which I haue committed to him against that day.

¹³ [Note: [8] He sheweth wherein he ought to be most constant, to wit, both in ye doctrine it selfe, the abbridgement whereof is faith and charitie, and next in the maner of teaching it, a liuely paterne and shape whereof Timothie knewe in the Apostle. ] Keepe the true paterne of the wholesome wordes, which thou hast heard of me in faith and loue which is in Christ Iesus.

¹⁴ [Note: [9] An amplification, taken of the dignitie of so great a benefite committed to the ministers. ] That worthie thing, which was committed to thee, keepe [Note: [10] The taking away of an obiection. It is an hard thing to doe it, but the Spirit of God is mightie, who hath inwardly indued vs with his vertue. ] through the holy Ghost, which dwelleth in vs.

¹⁵ [Note: [11] He preuenteth an offence which arose by the meanes of certaine that fell from God and the religion, and vttereth also their names that they might be knowen of all men. But he setteth against them the singular faith of one man, that one only good example might counterpoyse and weygh downe all euill examples. ] This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia, be turned from me: of which sort are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

¹⁶ The Lord giue mercie vnto the house of Onesiphorus: for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chaine,

¹⁷ But when he was at Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

¹⁸ The Lord graunt vnto him, that he may finde mercie with the Lorde at that day, and in howe many things he hath ministred vnto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

2 The better to set out perseuerance in the Christian warfare, 3 he taketh similitudes 4 from souldiers, 6 and from husbandmen. 10 He sheweth that his bondes are for the profite of the Saintes: 15 Then he warneth Timothie to deuide the worde of trueth aright, 17 to beware of the examples of the wicked, 22 and to doe all things modestly.

¹ Thou [Note: [1] The conclusion of the former exhortation, which hath also added vnto it a declaration, howe that they do not keepe that worthy thing that is committed vnto them, which keepe it to themselues, but they rather which doe most freely communicate it with other, to the ende that many may be partakers of it, without any mans losse or hinderance. ] therefore, my sonne, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Iesus.

² And what things thou hast heard of me, by [Note: [a] When many were by, which can beare witnesse of these things. ] many witnesses, ye same deliuer to faithfull men, which shalbe able to teache other also.

³ [Note: [2] Another admonition: That the Ministerie of the word is a spiritual warfare, which no man can so trauaile in, yt he may please his captaine, rules he forgoe and part wt all hinderances which might draw him away from it. ] Thou therefore suffer affliction as a good

souldier of Iesus Christ.

⁴ No man that warreth, entangleth himselfe with the affaires of [Note: [b] With affaires of housholde, or other things that belong to other ordinarie busineßes. ] this life, because he woulde please him that hath chosen him to be a souldier.

⁵ [Note: [3] The third admonition: The ministerie is like to a game or iusting, wherein men striue for the victorie, and no man is crowned, vnlesse he striue according to the lawes which are prescribed, be they neuer so hard and painefull. ] And if any man also striue for a Masterie, he is not crowned, except he striue as he ought to doe.

⁶ [Note: [4] Another similitude tending to the same ende, no man may looke for the haruest, vnlesse he first take paines to plowe and sowe his grounde. ] The husbandman must labour before he receiue the fruites.

⁷ [Note: [5] All these things cannot be vnderstoode, and much lesse practised, vnlesse we aske of God and he giue vs vnderstanding. ] Consider what I say: and the Lord giue thee vnderstanding in all things:

⁸ [Note: [6] He confirmeth plainely two principles of our faith, which are alwayes assaulted of heretikes, the one whereof (to wit, that Christ is the true Messias, made man of the seede of Dauid) is the ground of our saluation: and the other is the highest part of it, to wit, that he is risen againe from the dead. ] Remember that Iesus Christ, made of the seede of Dauid, was raysed againe from the dead according to my Gospel,

⁹ [Note: [7] The taking away of an obiection: Trueth it is, that he is kept in prison as an euill doer, yet there is no cause, why therefore some should goe about to derogate credit from his Gospel, seeing that notwithstanding God did blesse his ministerie, nay rather, that example of this his captiuitie and patience did sundry wayes confirme the Church in the hope of a better life. ] Wherein I suffer trouble as an euill doer, euen vnto bondes: but the worde of God is not bounde.

¹⁰ Therefore I suffer all things, for the elects sake, that they might also obtaine the saluation which is in Christ Iesus, with eternall glorie.

¹¹ [Note: [8] The fourth admonition: we ought not to contend vpon wordes and questions, which are not onely vnprofitable, but also for the most part hurtfull: but rather vpon this, how we may frame ourselues to all maner of patience, and to die also with Christ (that is to say, for Christes Name) because that is the plaine way to the most glorious life: as contrariwise the falling away of men can diminish no part of the trueth of God, although by such meanes they procure most certaine destruction to themselues. ] It is a true saying, For if we be [Note: Rom 6.5. ] [Note: [c] If we be afflicted with Christ, and for Christes sake. ] dead together with him, we also shall liue together with him.

¹² If we suffer, we shall also reigne together with him: [Note: Matth.10.33. mar 8.38. ] if we denie him, he also will denie vs.

¹³ If [Note: Rom.3.3. and 5.6. ] we beleeue not, yet abideth he faithfull: he cannot denie himselfe.

¹⁴ Of these things put them in remembrance, and [Note: [d] Call God to witnesse, or as a Iudge: as Moses, Ioshua, Samuel, and Paul himselfe did, actes 20. ] protest before the Lord, that they striue not about wordes, which is to no profit, but to the peruerting of the hearers.

¹⁵ [Note: [9] The fifth admonition: A minister must not be an idle disputer, but a faithfull steward in deuiding aright the word of trueth, in so much that he must stoppe the mouthes of other vaine babblers. ] Studie to shewe thy selfe approued vnto God, a workeman that needeth not to be ashamed, diuiding the worde of trueth [Note: [e] By adding nothing to it, neither ouerslipping any thing, neither mangling it, nor renting it in sunder, nor wresting of it: but marking diligently what his hearers are able to beare, and what is fit to edifying. ] aright.

¹⁶ [Note: [f] Marke and watch, & see they creepe not on further. ] Stay prophane, and vaine babblings: [Note: [10] He discouereth the subtiltie of Satan, who beginning with these principles, draweth vs by litle and litle to vngodlines through the meanes of that wicked and prophane babbling, still creeping on: which he proueth by the horrible example of them that taught, that the resurrection was already past. ] for they shall encrease vnto more vngodlinesse.

¹⁷ And their worde shall fret as a canker: of which sort is Hymeneus and Philetus,

¹⁸ Which as concerning ye trueth haue erred from the marke, saying that the resurrection is past alreadie, and do destroy the faith of certaine.

¹⁹ [Note: [11] A digression, wherein he saluteth that offence which rose by their falling away: shewing first, that the elect are out of all danger of any such falling away: secondly, that they are knowen to God, and not to vs: and therefore it is no marueile if we count hypocrites oftentimes for true brethren: but we must take heede yt we be not like them, but rather that we be in deede, such as we are saide to be. ] But the foundation of God remaineth sure, and hath this seale, The Lord knoweth who are his: and, Let euery one that [Note: [g] That serueth and worshippeth him, and is as it were named of him, a faithfull man or Christian. ] calleth on the Name of Christ, depart from iniquitie.
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²⁰ [Note: [12] The taking away of an obiection: it is no dishonour to the good man of the house, that he hath not in a great house all vessels of one sort and for one seruice, but we must looke to this that we be found vessels prepared to honour. ] Notwithstanding in a great house are not onely vessels of gold & of siluer, but also of wood and of earth, [Note: Rom.9.21. ] and some for honour, and some vnto dishonour.

²¹ If any man therefore [Note: [h] By these wordes is meant the execution of the matter, and not the cause: for in that we purge our selues, it is not to be attributed to any free will that is in vs, but to God, who freely and wholy worketh in vs, a good and an effectuall will. ] purge him selfe from these, he shalbe a vessell vnto honour, sanctified, and meete for the Lord, and prepared vnto euery good worke.

²² [Note: [13] Returning to the matter from whence he disgressed verse 16, he warneth him to exercise himselfe in waightie matters, and such as perteyne to godlinesse. ] Flee also from the lustes of youth, and follow after righteousnes, faith, loue, and [Note: [14] The sixt admonition: We must aboue all things eschewe all bitternesse of mind both in teaching all men, and also in calling them backe which haue gone out of the way. ] peace, with them that [Note: 1.Cor.1.2. ] call on the Lorde with pure heart,

²³ [Note: 1.Tim.1.4. and 4.7. tit 3 9. ] And put away foolish and vnlearned questions, knowing that they ingender strife.

²⁴ But the seruant of ye Lord must not striue, but must be gentle toward all men, apt to teache, [Note: [i] To winne them through our patient bearing with them, but not to please them or excuse them in their wickednesse. ] suffering the euill,

²⁵ Instructing them with meekenesse that are [Note: [k] He meaneth such as doe not yet see the trueth. ] contrary minded, prouing if God at any time will giue them repentance, that they may acknowledge the trueth,

²⁶ And come to amendement out of that snare of the deuil, of whom they are taken prisoners, to doe his will.

1 He foretelleth the dangerous times that are to insue: 9 but with the certaine hope of victorie, 10 he encourageth him to the combat, 14 setting out especially the tryall of sounde doctrine.

¹ This [Note: [1] The seuenth admonition: we may not hope for a Church in this worlde without corruption: but there shalbe rather great aboundance of most wicked men euen in the very bosome of the Church, which notwithstanding shall make a shewe and countenance of great holinesse and charitie. ] knowe also, that in the [Note: 1.Tim.4.1. 2.peter 3.3. iude 18. ] last dayes shall come perilous times.

² For men shalbe louers of their owne selues, couetous, boasters, proud, cursed speakers, disobedient to parents, vnthankefull, [Note: [a] Which make no account, either of right or honestie. ] vnholy,

³ Without naturall affection, truce breakers, false accusers, intemperate, fierce, no louers at all of them which are good,

⁴ Traitours, headie, high minded, louers of pleasures more then louers of God,

⁵ Hauing a shewe of godlinesse, but haue denied the power thereof: [Note: [2] We must not dally with such men as resist the trueth not of simple ignorance, but of a peruerse mind, (which thing appeareth by their fruites which he painteth out here liuely) but we must rather turne away from them. ] turne away therefore from such.

⁶ For of this sort are they which creepe into houses, and leade captiue simple women laden with sinnes, and led with diuers lustes,

⁷ Which women are euer learning, and are neuer able to come to the acknowledging of the trueth.

⁸ [Note: Exod.7.11. ] And as Iannes and Iambres withstoode Moses, so doe these also resist the trueth, men of corrupt mindes, reprobate concerning the faith.

⁹ [Note: [3] He addeth a comfort: The Lord will at length plucke off all their visards. ] But they shall preuaile no longer: for their madnesse shalbe euident vnto all men, as theirs also was.

¹⁰ [Note: [4] That we be not deceiued by such hypocrites, we must set before vs the vertues of the holy seruants of God, and we must not be afraid of persecution which they suffered willingly, and which alwayes foloweth true godlinesse. But we must especially holde fast the doctrine of the Apostles, the summe whereof is this, that we are saued through faith in Christ Iesus. ] ¶ But thou hast [Note: [b] Thou knowest throughly not onely what I taught and did, but also howe I was minded and disposed. ] fully knowen my doctrine, maner of liuing, purpose, faith, long suffering, loue, patience,

¹¹ Persecutions, and afflictions which came vnto me at [Note: [c] Which is in Pisidia. ] Antiochia, at Iconium, and at Lystri,

which persecutions I suffered: but from them all the Lord deliuered me.

¹² Yea, and all that will liue godly in Christ Iesus, shall suffer persecution.

¹³ But the euill men and deceiuers, shall waxe [Note: [d] Their wickednes shall daily encrease. ] worse and worse, deceiuing, and being deceiued.

¹⁴ But continue thou in the thinges which thou hast learned, and which are committed vnto thee, knowing of who thou hast learned them:

¹⁵ And that thou hast knowen the holy Scriptures of a childe, which are able to make thee wise vnto saluation, through the faith which is in Christ Iesus.

¹⁶ [Note: 2.Peter 1.20. ] [Note: [5] The eight admonition which is most precious: A Pastour must be wise by the worde of God only: wherein we haue perfectly deliuered vnto vs, whatsoeuer perteyneth either to discerne, knowe and establish true opinions, and to confute false: and furthermore, to correct euill manners, and to frame good. ] For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God, and is profitable to teache, to conuince, to correct, and to instruct in righteousnesse,

¹⁷ That the [Note: [e] The Prophets and expounders of Gods will, are properly and peculiarly called, Men of God. ] man of God may be absolute, being made perfect vnto all good workes.

1 He chargeth him to preach the Gospel with all diligence, 3 in that so miserable time: 6 That his death is hard at hand, 8 yet so, that as a conquerour, he maketh haste to a glorious triumph. 10 He sheweth the cause why he sendeth for Timothie, 11 euen by reason of his present state.

¹ [Note: [1] The principall and chiefe of all admonitions, being therefore proposed with a most earnest charge, is this: that the worde of God be propounded with a certaine holy importunitie, as necessitie requireth: but so, that a good and true ground of the doctrine be laid, and the vehemencie be tempered with all holy meekenes. ] I charge thee therefore before God, and before the Lorde Iesus Christ, which shall iudge the quicke and dead at that his appearing, and in his kingdome,

² Preach the worde: be instant, in season and out of season: improue, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

³ [Note: [2] Faithfull pastours in times past tooke all occasions they could, because men were very prompt and readie to returne to their fables. ] For the time will come, when they will not suffer wholesome doctrine: but hauing their eares itching, shal after their owne lustes get them an heape of teachers,

⁴ And shall turne their eares from the trueth, and shalbe giuen vnto [Note: [a] To false and vnprofitable doctrines, which the world is nowe so be witched withall, that is bad rather the open light of the trueth were vtterly put out, then it would come out of darkenesse. ] fables.

⁵ [Note: [3] The wickednes and falling away of the worlde, ought to cause faithfull ministers to be so much the more carefull. ] But watch thou in all thinges: suffer aduersitie: doe the worke of an Euangelist: [Note: [b] Proue and shew by good and substantiall proofe, that thou art the true minister of God. ] cause thy ministerie to be throughly liked of.

⁶ [Note: [4] He foretelleth his death to be at hand, and setteth before them an excellent example, both of inuincible constancie, and sure hope. ] For I am nowe readie to be [Note: [c] To be offered for a drinke offering: and he alludeth to the powring out of blood or wine which was vsed in sacrifices. ] offered, and the time of my departing is at hand.

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

⁸ For hence foorth is laide vp for me the crowne of righteousnesse, which the Lorde the righteous iudge shall giue me at that day: and not to me onely, but vnto all them also that loue that his appearing.

⁹ [Note: [5] The last part of the epistle, setting foorth grieuous complaints against certaine, and examples of singular godlinesse in euery place, and of a minde neuer wearied. ] Make speede to come vnto me at once:

¹⁰ For Demas hath forsaken me, and hath [Note: [d] Contented himselfe with this world. ] embraced this present world, & is departed vnto Thessalonica. Crescens is gone to Galatia, Titus vnto Dalmatia.

¹¹ [Note: Col.4.10,14. ] Onely Luke is with me. Take Marke and bring him with thee: for he is profitable vnto me to minister.

¹² And Tychicus haue I sent to Ephesus.

¹³ The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou commest, bring with thee, and the bookes, but specially the parchments.

¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith hath done me much euill: the Lorde rewarde him according to his workes.


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¹⁵ Of whome be thou ware also: for he withstoode our preaching sore.

¹⁶ At my first answering no man assisted me, but all forsooke me: I pray God, that it may not be laide to their charge.

¹⁷ Notwithstanding the Lord assisted me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching might be fully beleeued, and that al the Gentiles should heare: and I was deliuered out of the mouth of the [Note: [e] Of Nero. ] lion.

¹⁸ And the Lorde will deliuer me from euery [Note: [f] Preserue mee pure from committing any thing vnworthie my Apostleship. ] euil worke, and will preserue me vnto his [Note: [g] To make me partaker of his kingdome. ] heauenly kingdome: to whome be praise for euer and euer, Amen.

¹⁹ Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the [Note: Chap.1.16. ] householde of Onesiphorus.

²⁰ Erastus abode at Corinthus: Trophimus I left at Miletum sicke.

²¹ Make speede to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, & Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

²² The Lorde Iesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you, Amen.