Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 4:15
Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
15. hath greatly withstood ] The aorist should be read for the perfect, he withstood. There is apparently an antithesis intended between Alexander’s ‘works’ of mischief and the Apostle’s ‘words.’ It does not seem to be false teaching that is referred to therefore, but (we may conjecture) evil action, by stirring up opposition to St Paul’s preaching from Ephesus perhaps to Troas, scheming to bring him into trouble, finally rousing the Roman authority, which since the Roman fire no longer regarded Christianity as a religio licita, so as to bring about his arrest. There might be thus a special point in the warning given to Timothy, lest Alexander should be on his track as he set out for Rome.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Of whom be thou ware also – It would seem from this that Alexander was still a public teacher, and that his discourses were plausible and artful. The best and the wisest of men need to be on their guard against the efforts of the advocates of error.
For he hath greatly withstood our words – Margin, preachings. The Greek is, words; but the reference is doubtless to the public teachings of Paul. This verse makes it clear that it was no private wrong that Paul referred to, but the injury which he was doing to the cause of truth as a professed public teacher.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 15. Of whom be thou ware also] It seems that this rabbin travelled about from place to place for the purpose of opposing the Gospel, the Jews putting him forward, as it is said, Ac 19:33.
He hath greatly withstood our words.] Has been a constant opposer of the Christian doctrines.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
15. our wordsthe arguments ofus Christians for our common faith. Believers have a common cause.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Of whom be thou ware also,…. For he was now at Ephesus; and since he was such a malicious, ill natured, and troublesome person, as well as a blasphemer, an heretic, and had been delivered up to Satan, it was very advisable to shun his company, and have no conversation with him, and be upon the guard against him, that he might have no opportunity of doing hurt to him, or to the church at Ephesus:
for he hath greatly withstood our words: or doctrines; the truths of the Gospel preached by Paul and Timothy, which he opposed himself to, and resisted with all his might, and endeavoured to confute and overthrow; and wherein he was deficient in argument, he made up with railing and blasphemy; and this was the true reason of the apostle’s imprecations on him, and why he would have Timothy beware of him, and avoid him, and not the personal injury he had done him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Be thou ware also ( ). Present middle (direct) imperative of , “from whom keep thyself away.”
Withstood (). Second aorist active indicative of , “stood against my words.” See 2Tim 3:8; Gal 2:11.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Greatly withstood [ ] . Comp. chapter 2Ti 3:8, and Gal 2:11. This may refer to the occurrences at Ephesus (Act 19:33), or to Alexander ‘s attitude during Paul ‘s trial. The former is more probable. Lian greatly, not in Paul, except in the compound uJperlian, 2Co 11:5; 2Co 12:11. Only here in Pastorals. Mostly in Synoptic Gospels.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Of whom be thou ware also” (hon kai su pulassou) Against whom also be thou on guard,” cautious. The inference is that Alexander was in Timothy’s vicinity, to be avoided, or watched as a wild beast or poisonous snake; Mat 7:15.
2) “For he hath greatly withstood our words” (lian gar aneste tois hemeterois logois) “For he stood up against (opposed) our words of doctrine greatly,” with argument, zeal, and perhaps threats and instigation of violence;
a) as the Prince of Persia withstood Daniel, Dan 10:13;
b) as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, 2Ti 3:8; and
c) as Elymas the sorcerer withstood Paul, Act 13:8.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(15) Of whom be thou ware also.This Alexander was evidently then at Ephesus. That he had been at Rome, and had given evidence against St. Paul, and had argued against the defence of the Apostle, is probable. Our words some understand as especially referring to St. Pauls defence before the imperial tribunal. If we identify him with the Alexander of Act. 19:33-34, then he was a Jew, one of those bitter, life-long antagonists of the Gentile Apostle who crossed his path at every step, and not improbably brought about, in the end, his death. It is an interesting suggestion which refers the connection between St. Paul and Alexander back to those days when Saul and Alexander were both reckoned as belonging to the strictest Pharisee party, determined foes to the Nazarenes. Saulif we adopt this suppositionbecame the Apostle St. Paul of the Gentiles; Alexander remained a fanatic Jewhence the enmity.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. Be thou ware Do thou beware. The words imply treachery in Alexander, perhaps the use and perversion of facts, documents, or doctrines confidentially intrusted to him. This disclosure of his treason may preserve Timothy from a similar betrayal.
Withstood our words Our doctrines; the doctrines of the gospel; which, as appears by 2Ti 4:17, Paul boldly stated and maintained in his defence at his arraignment.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Of whom do you also beware; for he greatly withstood our words.’
But he warns Timothy to beware of him because he was a troublemaker, and had testified against Paul, or had spoken contrary to his proclamation at his trial. Or perhaps had generally become a rival in opposition to his ministry.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
Ver. 15. He hath greatly resisted our words ] Or, our preachings, not our persons only. This was a foul fault. See1Th 4:81Th 4:8 ; Exo 16:8 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ti 4:15 . : For this sense of with a direct object, see reff. We infer that Alexander was in Timothy’s vicinity.
: The were expressions of doctrine common to all Christians with St. Paul; hence .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
ware also = also ware.
withstood. See 2Ti 3:8.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2Ti 4:15
of whom do thou also beware;-The opposition to the gospel which led him to withstand Paul would lead him also to oppose Timothy, and he gives this warning against him as a man not to be trusted. He was to be watched and avoided.
for he greatly withstood our words.-He violently opposed the teaching of Paul. Evidently he was an enemy of the gospel, and yet seemingly one who was disguised, for Timothy is put upon his guard against him.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
be: Mat 10:16, Mat 10:17, Phi 3:2
withstood: 2Ti 3:8
words: or, preachings
Reciprocal: Neh 6:14 – think thou Mat 7:6 – turn Mat 23:13 – for ye shut Luk 20:46 – Beware Act 13:8 – withstood 1Ti 1:20 – Alexander 2Pe 3:17 – beware
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ti 4:15. Alexander evidently was going about since Paul warns Timothy about him. This verse indicates that the “evil” he was doing against Paul was .to oppose his teaching; he was doubtless a Judaizer.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Ti 4:15. He greatly withstood our words. The words point to some discussion ending (if we assume identity with 1Ti 1:20) in St. Pauls delivering him to Satan.