4:1 I 1 charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus
Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his
appearing and his kingdom;
(1) The principal and chief of all admonitions, being therefore
proposed with a most earnest charge, is this: that the word
of God is explained and set forth with a certain holy
urgent exhorting, as necessity requires: but in such a way
that a good and true ground of the doctrine is laid, and
the vehemency is tempered with all holy meekness.
4:32 For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to
themselves teachers, having itching ears;
(2) Faithful pastors in times past took all occasions they
could, because men were very prompt and ready to return to
their fables.
4:4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and
shall be turned unto a fables.
(a) To false and unprofitable doctrines which the world is
now so bewitched with, that it would rather have the
open light of the truth completely put out, than it
would come out of darkness.
4:53 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the
work of an evangelist, b make full proof of thy ministry.
(3) The wickedness and falling away of the world ought to cause
faithful ministers to be so much the more careful.
(b) Prove and show by good and substantial proof, that you
are the true minister of God.
4:64 For I am now ready to be c offered, and the time of my
departure is at hand.
(4) He foretells his death to be at hand, and sets before them
an excellent example, both of invincible constancy, and
sure hope.
(c) To be offered for a drink offering: and he alludes to
the pouring out of blood or wine which was used in
sacrifices.
4:95 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
(5) The last part of the epistle, setting forth grievous
complaints against certain ones, and examples of singular
godliness in every place, and of a mind never wearied.
4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having d loved this present
world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to
Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
(d) Contented himself with this world.
4:17 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 e lion.
(e) Of Nero.
4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every f evil work, and
will preserve [me] unto his g heavenly kingdom: to whom
[be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
(f) Preserve me pure from committing anything unworthy of
my apostleship.
(g) To make me partaker of his kingdom.
