Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Timothy 4:20
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
20. Erastus abode ] ‘Stayed at his post’; the verb suggests certainly that he had been commissioned by St Paul for some duty which he courageously fulfilled; if therefore it is unlikely that the Erastus who was chamberlain or treasurer (Oeconomus) of Corinth could be a fellow minister with Timothy to Macedonia (Act 19:22), it is equally unlikely that he could have been set on duty at Corinth, as is implied here. In which case we may identify the Erastus of Act 19:22 with the Erastus here, and regard the ‘chamberlain’ as a different person. See sketch of last journeys of St Paul and his companions in the Introduction, p. 43.
Trophimus ] An Ephesian and Gentile, who was with St Paul at Troas on the third missionary journey (Act 20:4) and accompanied him to Jerusalem, causing a disturbance there because he was a Gentile (Act 21:29). The only natural way of placing this event is at some visit to Miletus after the close of the Acts, see Introduction, p. 43. Miletum must be a misprint of A.V. as there is no authority anywhere for a neuter form.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Erastus – see the notes on Rom 16:23.
Abode at Corinth – This was his home, where he filled an important office; see the notes at Rom 16:23. It would seem that when Paul went to Rome, there was some expectation that he would accompany him, but that reasons had occurred for his remaining in Corinth. His doing so is referred to without blame.
But Trophimus – see Act 20:4. He was a native of Asia Minor.
Have I left at Miletum sick – Probably he designed to accompany him to Rome, as he had been often with him in his journeys. On the situation of Miletus, or Miletum, see the notes on Act 20:15.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
2Ti 4:20
Trophimus sick.
Unaccomplished aims
How many broken-down servants of God are there to-day, Christian men and women, who have proved their sincerity, who do prove their sincerity, but whose thin hand can do little or nothing in raising the stones of the shrine they so passionately desire to build? As in the busiest thoroughfares of great cities we behold wistful faces looking down from hospital windows, longing to share in the strong life of the streets; so are there frail, broken-down watchers of the work of God who long to share the toil and sacrifice of Gods workmen. (W. L. Watkinson.)
Use of sickness
Hannah More made the following entry in her journal (Jan. 21, 1798): Many temptations this week to vanity. My picture asked for two publications. Dedications–flattery without end. God be praised, I was not flattered, but tired–twenty-four hours headache makes me see the vanity of all this. (J. F. B. Tinling, B. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 20. Erastus abode at Corinth] He was treasurer of that city, as we learn from Ro 16:23. See the note there. The apostle had sent him and Timothy on a mission to Macedonia, Ac 19:22, whence it is probable he returned to Corinth, and there became finally settled.
Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.] Even the apostles could not work miracles when they pleased; that power was but rarely given, and that for very special purposes. Trophimus was an Ephesian. See Ac 20:4, and the note there.
Miletus was a maritime town of Ionia, not far from Ephesus; but there was another Miletus, in Crete, which some learned men think to be intended here. It appears that St. Paul went from Macedonia to Corinth, where he left Erastus; from Corinth he proceeded to Troas, where he lodged with Carpus: from Troas he went to Ephesus, where he visited Timothy; from Ephesus he went to Miletus, where he left Trophimus sick; and having embarked at Miletus, he went by sea to Rome. See Calmet. It is most likely, therefore, that the Miletus of Ionia is the place intended.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Erastus abode at Corinth; of this Erastus see Rom 16:23. He was the chamberlain of Corith, so he abode there. Paul sent him into Macedonia, Act 19:22.
But Tropimus have I left at Miletus sick; Trophimus was an Ephesian, Act 21:29, one of Pauls companions, Act 20:4; he was left at Miletum, a city in Asia, not far from Ephesus.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
20. In order to depict hisdesertion, he informs Timothy that Erastus, one of his usualcompanions (Ac 19:22, possiblythe same Erastus as in Ro 16:23,though how he could leave his official duties for missionary journeysis not clear), stayed behind at Corinth, his native place, or usualresidence, of which city he was “chamberlain,” or citysteward and treasurer (Ro 16:23);and Trophimus he left behind at Miletus sick. (On his former history,see on Ac 20:4; Ac21:29). This verse is irreconcilable with the imprisonment fromwhich he writes being the first: for he did not pass byCorinth or Miletus on his way to Rome when about to be imprisoned forthe first time. As Miletus was near Ephesus, there is a presumptionthat Timothy was not at Ephesus when Paul wrote, or he wouldnot need to inform Timothy of Trophimus lying sick in his immediateneighborhood. However, Trophimus may not have been still at Miletusat the time when Paul wrote, though he had left him there on his wayto Rome. Prisca and Aquila were most likely to be at Ephesus(2Ti 4:19), and he desiresTimothy to salute them: so also Onesiphorus’ household (2Ti1:18). Paul had not the power of healing at will (Ac19:12), but as the Lord allowed him.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Erastus abode at Corinth,…. He was chamberlain of that city, Ro 16:23 who being sent along with Timothy into Macedonia, Ac 19:22 very probably went from thence into Achaia, to Corinth, his native place, where he stayed.
But Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. Trophimus was an Asian, of the city of Ephesus, the same that is spoken of in Ac 20:4. Some say he suffered martyrdom the same day the Apostle Paul did; but others say, that after that time he was bishop of Arles in France. This man went with the apostle into Asia, and from thence to Jerusalem, and came along with him in his voyage to Rome, but falling sick by the way, was left at Miletum. Some, instead of Miletum, would read Melita, that being the island Paul, and the ship’s company, escaped to, when they were shipwrecked, Ac 28:1 here it is supposed Trophimus was left sick. Others have observed, that there was a city called Miletus in the island of Crete, under which Paul sailed, Ac 27:7, see footnote j, and is the place intended; but there is no need to suppose either of these; no doubt Miletum, near to Ephesus, is meant; and as the apostle sailed by the coast of Asia, Ac 27:7, on which shore Miletum was, there is no difficulty in supposing him put ashore there. The Alexandrian copy reads “Melotus”.
j Plin. l. 4. c. 12.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Erastus (). See Acts 19:22; Rom 16:23.
Trophimus (). A native of Ephesus and with Paul in Jerusalem (Acts 20:4; Acts 21:29).
At Miletus sick ( ). Present active participle of , to be weak. Probably on Paul’s return from Crete.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Erastus. In Act 19:22, sent by Paul with Timothy to Macedonia from Ephesus. Rom 16:23, the city – treasurer who sends salutations. He cannot be certainly identified with the one mentioned here. The writer merely selects names of well – known companions of Paul.
Trophimus. See Act 22:4; Act 21:9.
Sick [] . By Paul mostly in a moral sense, as weak in the faith, Rom 4:19; the law was weak, Rom 8:3; the weak brother, 1Co 8:11. Of bodily sickness, Phi 2:26, 27.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Erastus abode at Corinth” (Erastos emeinen en Korintho) “Erastus remained, stayed at his post in Corinth;” To depict the occasion of his loneliness, Paul informed Timothy that Erastus had stayed behind at Corinth, his residence, the city where he was chamberlain or city treasurer, Rom 16:23.
2) “But Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick” (trophimon de apelipon en mileto asthenounta) “However, Trophimus I left ailing in Miletus,” an Ephesian and Gentile who had once gone with Paul to Troas, Act 20:4. He also went to Jerusalem where his presence as a Gentile caused a disturbance, . Paul did not heal Trophimus or perform any miracle promiscuously, loosely, at his own will, Act 19:11-12. Miracles were primarily designed as credentials of New Testament Christians, to convince the unsaved, not for the mere help of believers, Mar 2:9-11; Joh 3:2; 1Co 14:21-22.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(20) Erastus abode at Corinth.Better rendered, remained at Corinth. An Erastus is mentioned in Rom. 16:23, the chamberlain of Corinth, one of the Christian congregation of that city. This man was probably identical with him.
Another Eastus appears among those who ministered to St. Paul at Ephesus (Act. 19:22). Him St. Paul sent on missionary work into Macedonia. There were, therefore, among St. Pauls friends two men of this name: the one a resident official personage at Corinth; the other one of that band who journeyed hither and thither for the propagation of the faith.
But Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.Trophimus, a Gentile Christian, who was with St. Paul on his third missionary journey, and whom the Apostle was accused of taking into the Temple at Jerusalem. It was this accusation on the part of the Jews which led to St. Pauls arrest which preceded his first long imprisonment. The event here alluded to must have taken place some time after the Apostles release from the first imprisonment, A.D. 63, and, probably, in the course of his last journey, shortly before his second arrest and imprisonment at Rome, about A.D. 66.
Miletus (not Miletum), a seaport of Caria, about thirty miles from Ephesus, once a city of great renown, whence, it is said, eighty colonies had proceeded; but in the days of St. Paul its glories were already on the wane. It is now famous only for its vast ruined theatre. (See Act. 20:15.)
It has been suggested that this mention of Trophimus was intended to clear him of any neglect. Erastus, wrote the Apostle, remained at Corinth; but Trophimus reason for not coming to Rome was his sickness.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
20. Erastus Mentioned as city treasurer of Corinth in Rom 16:23; as going by commission from St. Paul to Corinth from Ephesus with Timothy, (Act 19:22,) and here as being with Timothy at Ephesus. He probably ceased from the treasurership when he took up the gospel.
Trophimus Known only as mentioned in Act 20:4; Act 21:29; where see notes. Trophimus could not have been left at Miletus on Paul’s journey to his first imprisonment at Rome, of which we have a full narrative in Acts 28. Paul, therefore, writes this from a second and last imprisonment.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.’
Erastus is mentioned in Act 19:22 as a co-worker with Timothy, and his whereabouts would thus have been of interest to him. It may be that he had taken up an independent ministry in Corinth as he is not mentioned in the list of lieutenants in 10-12/14. Trophimus was out of action. He was an Ephesian. Compare for his relationship with Paul, Act 20:4; Act 21:29. He was one of those who had helped to bring the collection to Jerusalem, and had seemingly been subsequently with Paul. It is interesting that with Paul the wonder worker there he had had to be left at Miletus, clearly very sick. The early days when all were healed have been left behind.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2Ti 4:20. Trophimusleft at Miletum sick. It has been very justly argued from this text, that a power of working miracles did not always reside in the apostles; and indeed if it had, onecan hardly imagine that any good or useful man would have been sick, and have died under their notice, which wouldhave been quite inconsistent with the scheme of Divine Providence. Timothy’s frequent infirmities afford a farther argument to the same purpose. But such good men as these, did not need the miraculous cure of their own distempers, to confirm their faith in the gospel.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Ti 4:20 . ] While on his third journey, the apostle sent forward a certain. Erastus from Ephesus to Macedonia along with Timothy (Act 19:22 ). It can hardly be doubted that it is the same man who is mentioned here. It is more uncertain if the one alluded to in Rom 16:23 is also the same (as Otto thinks); still it does favour the identity that the latter dwelt in Corinth as , and that the Erastus here mentioned remained in Corinth . Meyer, however (see on Rom 16:23 ), and Wiesinger think it improbable. Hofmann holds that the Erastus mentioned in Act 19:22 , and the city chamberlain in Rom 16:23 , are two different men, and that the one mentioned here is identical with the latter.
] i.e. “he remained in Corinth, viz. when I left it;” the tense favours this view. Paul notices the fact because he thought that Timothy believed that Erastus had left Corinth with the apostle. Hug explains it: “Erastus, whom I expected in Rome, remained behind in Corinth;” but this would suit better with the perfect. Besides, there is nothing to indicate such an expectation.
] Trophimus, an Asiatic, accompanied Paul on his third journey, and went before him from Greece to Troas (Act 20:4 ). His presence in Jerusalem was the occasion of the tumult against Paul (Act 21:29 ).
From this passage it would appear that Trophimus had wished to accompany the apostle on his journey, but had been left behind at Miletus sick. The apostle cannot have been in Miletus with Trophimus before the first imprisonment in Rome; hence the expositors who deny that Paul was twice imprisoned in Rome, and admit the genuineness of the epistle, are driven to great straits in interpreting this passage. Thus Hug, Hemsen, and Kling hold to be the third person plural. Wieseler does not give the proper force to , which as de Wette rightly remarks presupposes that they had been previously together in Miletus. Regarding the views of Wieseler and Otto, comp. Introduction, 3, pp. 19, 20. It is altogether arbitrary to read , or to suppose that Miletus in Crete is meant.
The reason for speaking about Erastus and Trophimus appears in 2Ti 4:21 ; comp. 2Ti 4:9-10 . He did not mention them in 2Ti 4:10 , because “there he was speaking only of those who had already been with him in Rome and had left him” (Wiesinger). Hofmann thinks that Paul mentions them in reply to a question from Timothy regarding the two who might serve as witnesses for his defence; but this is mere conjecture, for which no good grounds can be given. [74]
[74] Hofmann regards them as suitable witnesses for the defence, assuming that the charge against the apostle rested on this, that his preaching of the gospel was contrary to the constitution of the state. Erastus was present in Corinth on the occasion mentioned in Act 18:12 , and Trophimus when Paul was made a prisoner at Jerusalem. Both might therefore testify that Paul was not to blame for these tumults.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Ver. 20. At Miletum sick ] See Trapp on “ Php 2:27 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ti 4:20 . : The name Erastus is too common to make probable the identification of this companion of St. Paul’s and the , treasurer, of Corinth, who joins in the apostle’s salutation in Rom 16:23 . It is not antecedently likely that a city official could travel about as a missionary. On the other hand, it is probable that this Erastus is the same as the companion of Timothy mentioned in Act 19:22 . It is to be observed that St. Paul here resumes from 2Ti 4:12 his explanation of the absence from Rome of members of his company whose presence with their master at this crisis would have been natural. It is possible that Erastus and Trophimus were with St. Paul when he was arrested the second time, and that they remained in his company as far as Miletus and Corinth respectively.
: See Act 20:4 ; Act 21:29 , and the art. in Hastings’ D. B .
: Paley’s remark is never out of date, “Forgery, upon such an occasion, would not have spared a miracle” ( Horae Paul . Phi 2 ). Chrys. notes, “The apostles could not do everything, or they did not dispense miraculous gifts upon all occasions, lest more should be ascribed to them than was right”.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Erastus. See Act 19:22. Rom 18:23.
Trophimus. Act 20:4; Act 21:29.
sick. Paul’s authority to heal had ceased. Compare Php 1:2, Php 1:25-27. 1Ti 5:23.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2Ti 4:20. -, Erastus-Trophimus) The reason why these do not send salutations, is by implication indicated.-, remained) while I was prosecuting my journey. The second imprisonment of Paul was not long; for he wrote these things a short time after his journey, a little before his death.- , at Corinth) his native country, Rom 16:23.-[19] , at Miletus) Miletus was near Ephesus. Whether Timothy knew of the sickness of Trophimus or was ignorant of it, still Paul might have mentioned it. And perhaps Trophimus accompanied Timothy afterwards to Rome. The Scholiast on this passage in Pricus says: Trophimus, Aristarchus, and Pudens, after they had suffered severely with the apostle in the persecutions, were at last beheaded along with him.
[19] , I left) Therefore Paul had returned from Asia to Rome not very long before.-V. g.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
2Ti 4:20
Erastus remained at Corinth:-Erastus had been a teaching companion of Paul and Timothy. He and Timothy were sent by Paul into Macedonia, while Paul remained in Asia. (Act 19:22.) After teaching with Paul and Timothy for a time, he settled down at Corinth. Paul tells this as interesting to Timothy.
but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.-Trophimus went with Paul to Jerusalem, was a Greek of Ephesus, and Paul was accused of leading him into the temple and profaning it, which brought on the tumult against him. He seems to have been sent as a messenger between the churches and Paul. [That he was left there in a state of sickness shows that Pauls gift of healing was not permitted by God to be employed for private needs, even for the purpose of securing to him the services of his closest friends, but was only to be used when there was some clear intimation of the Spirit that it was fitting.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Erastus: Act 19:22, Rom 16:23
Trophimus: Act 20:4, Act 21:29
Miletum: Act 20:15, Act 20:17, Miletus
sick: Phi 2:26, Phi 2:27
Reciprocal: Joh 11:3 – he Act 17:15 – receiving Act 18:1 – Corinth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ti 4:20. Erastus had been with Paul (Act 19:22), but later came to Corinth to reside (Rom 16:23). On his way back to Rome, Paul left Trophimus at Miletum because of his being sick. Not that the apostle was unable to heal him miraculously, but neither Christ nor his disciples were to perform miracles when there was no question of testimony at stake.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Ti 4:20. Erastus. Probably the same as the steward or chamberlain of Corinth mentioned in Rom 16:23, or possibly also, as the messenger sent into Macedonia from Ephesus (Act 19:22).
Trophismus, One of St. Pauls companions on the last journey to Jerusalem (Act 20:4), and described as an Ephesian.
Miletum ought, of course, to be Miletus. This again indicates St. Pauls route, from Ephesus to Miletus, from Miletus to Troas, thence to Macedonia.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Erastus is mentioned, Rom 16:23 as chamberlain of the city of Corinth, one that shewed kindness to Paul; he was a great man, the treasurer of the city of Corinth; yet neither his riches, nor his great place, could keep him from loving the apostle and the afflicted church of God. Rarely are great men good, and as rarely are good men great; yet some great men are good, and some good men are great. Lot and Abraham, Job and David were full of riches, yet full of piety, under the Old Testament: So was Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, and Zaccheus, under the New. Thus God magnifies the power of converting grace. – Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. This man was a citizen at Ephesus, a disciple and companion of St. Paul, whom he was forced to leave sick at Miletum. Act 20:4
Note, Strength of grace cannot prevail against bodily weaknesses and diseases; sickness may seize even the best men.
Note also, That the apostles had not the gift of healing, when they pleased, but only when God gave it them.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Verse 20
Erastus; mentioned, Romans 16:23, as the chamberlain of the city. He was afterwards sent by Paul into Macedonia. (Acts 19:22.) Trophimus is also mentioned elsewhere as an Ephesian. (Acts 20:4,21:29.)
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
Erastus and Trophimus were old associates of Timothy (Act 19:22; Act 20:4; Act 21:29). Paul sent news of them. Some authorities believe that Paul’s ability to heal people physically had ended. Many of them believe that God gave the gift of healing to the church only in its infancy to help authenticate the apostles as they ministered to the Jews (Eph 2:20; Heb 2:3-4). [Note: See Gary W. Derickson, "The Decline of Miracles in the New Testament Era," Th.M. thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1986; idem, "The Cessation of Healing Miracles in Paul’s Ministry," Bibliotheca Sacra 155:619 (July-September 1998):299-315.] A better explanation, I think, is that, though the gift of healing did decline, Jesus’ and the apostles’ ability to heal always depended on the sovereign will of God (Luk 5:17; Act 3:12-13). Evidently it was not God’s will for Trophimus to experience miraculous healing then (cf. 2Co 12:7-9).