Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hebrews 13:23
Know ye that [our] brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
23. Know ye ] Or perhaps “ Ye know,” or “know.”
is set at liberty ] The word probably means (as in Act 3:13; Act 4:21) “has been set free from prison.” It is intrinsically likely that Timothy at once obeyed the earnest and repeated entreaty of St Paul, shortly before his martyrdom, to come to him at Rome (2Ti 4:9; 2Ti 4:21), and that, arriving before the Neronian persecution had spent its force, he had been thrown into prison. His comparative youth, and the unoffending gentleness of his character, together with the absence of any definite charge against him, may have led to his liberation. All this however is nothing more than reasonable conjecture. The word apolelumenos may mean no more than official, or even ordinary, “sending forth” on some mission or otherwise, as in Act 13:3; Act 15:30; Act 19:41; Act 23:22.
if he come shortly, I will see you ] Lit. “if he come sooner,” i.e. earlier than I now expect (comp. , Act 25:10; , 2Ti 1:18).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty – Or, is sent away. So it is rendered by Prof. Stuart and others. On the meaning of this, and its importance in determining who was the author of the Epistle, see the Introduction section 3, (5) 4, and Prof. Stuarts Introduction, section 19. This is a strong circumstance showing that Paul was the author of the Epistle, for from the first acquaintance of Timothy with Paul he is represented as his constant companion, and spoken of as a brother; 2Co 1:1 note; Phi 1:1 note; Col 1:1 note; Phil. 1 note. There is no other one of the apostles who would so naturally have used this term respecting Timothy, and this kind mention is made of him here because he was so dear to the heart of the writer, and because he felt that they to whom he wrote would also feel an interest in his circumstances. As to the meaning of the word rendered set at liberty – apolelumenon – there has been much difference of opinion whether it means set at liberty from confinement, or, sent away on some message to some other place. That the latter is the meaning of the expression appears probable from these considerations.
(1) The connection seems to demand it. The writer speaks of him as if he were now away, and as if he hoped that he might soon return. With whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. This is language which would be used rather of one who had been sent on some embassy than of one who was just released from prison. At all events, he was at this time away, and there was some expectation that he might soon return. But on the supposition that the expression relates to release from imprisonment, there would be an entire incongruity in the language. It is not, as we should then suppose, our brother Timothy is now released from prison, and therefore I will come soon with him and see you; but, our brother Timothy is now sent away, and if he return soon I will come with him to you.
(2) In Phi 2:19, Phi 2:23, Paul, then a prisoner at Rome, speaks of the hope which he entertained that he would be able to send Timothy to them as soon as he should know how it would go with him. He designed to retain him until that point was settled, as his presence with him would be important until then, and then to send him to give consolation to the Philippians, and to look into the condition of the church. Now the passage before us agrees well with the supposition that that event had occurred – that Paul had ascertained with sufficient clearness that he would be released, so that he might be permitted yet to visit the Hebrew Christians, that he had sent Timothy to Philippi and was waiting for his return; that as soon as he should return he would be prepared to visit them; and that in the mean time while Timothy was absent, he wrote to them this Epistle.
(3) The supposition agrees well with the meaning of the word used here – apoluo. It denotes properly, to let loose from: to loosen; to unbind; to release; to let go free; to put away or divorce; to dismiss simply, or let go, or send away; see Mat 14:15, Mat 14:22-23; Mat 15:32, Mat 15:39; Luk 9:12, et al.; compare Robinsons Lexicon and Stuarts Introduction, section 19. The meaning, then, I take to be this, that Timothy was then sent away on some important embassage; that the apostle expected his speedy return; and that then he trusted that he would be able with him to visit those to whom this Epistle was written.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 23. Know ye that our brother Timothy] The word , our, which is supplied by our translators, is very probably genuine, as it is found in ACD*, ten others, the Syriac, Erpen’s Arabic, the Coptic, Armenian, Slavonic, and Vulgate.
Is set at liberty] . Is sent away; for there is no evidence that Timothy had been imprisoned. It is probable that the apostle refers here to his being sent into Macedonia, Php 2:19-24, in order that he might bring the apostle an account of the affairs of the Church in that country. In none of St. Paul’s epistles, written during his confinement in Rome, does he give any intimation of Timothy’s imprisonment, although it appears from Php 1:1; Col 1:1; Phm 1:1; that he was with Paul during the greatest part of the time.
With whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.] Therefore Paul himself, or the writer of this epistle, was now at liberty, as he had the disposal of his person and time in his own power. Some suppose that Timothy did actually visit Paul about this time, and that both together visited the Churches in Judea.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He acquaints them with the good news of his dismissing Timothy to them, to acquaint them how it fared with him, as he dismissed and sent Tychicus to the Colossians, Col 4:7,8, Epaphroditus to the Philippians, Phi 2:25,28, as he intended to have sent Timothy with them, Heb 13:19,23,24, but he stopped him to see the issue of his appearance before Nero Caesar; which being over, he despatched him with an account of it to these Hebrews, and the rest of the churches, and signifieth his purpose, that if he quickly returns from them again, then he would visit them together with him. That the word noteth, or signifieth, the dismission of a person about business, is seen, Act 13:3. To which interpretation the subscription of the Epistle inclines; and the Scripture is silent of any troubles or restraint of Timothy at all, Phi 2:19,20.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23. our brother TimothySoPaul, 1Co 4:17; 2Co 1:1;Col 1:1; 1Th 3:2.
is set at libertyfromprison. So Aristarchus was imprisoned with Paul. BIRKStranslates, “dismissed,” “sent away,” namely, ona mission to Greece, as Paul promised (Php2:19). However, some kind of previous detention is impliedbefore his being let go to Philippi. Paul, though now atlarge, was still in Italy, whence he sends the salutations ofItalian Christians (Heb 13:24),waiting for Timothy to join him, so as to start for Jerusalem: weknow from 1Ti 1:3, he andTimothy were together at Ephesus after his departing from Italyeastward. He probably left Timothy there and went to Philippi as hehad promised. Paul implies that if Timothy shall not come shortly,he will start on his journey to the Hebrews at once.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Know ye that [our] brother Timothy is set at liberty,…. This is the same person to whom the Apostle Paul wrote two epistles, and whom he often calls his son, though sometimes his brother, as here, Col 1:1 of him he says, that he was set at liberty, or “dismissed”; either by the apostle, by whom he was sent into some parts, upon some business; or rather was loosed from his bonds, having been a prisoner for the sake of Christ and the Gospel; and, it may be; a fellow prisoner with the apostle, at Rome, as Aristarchus and others were; and this very great and useful person being known, very likely, to the Hebrews, since his mother was a Jewess, and he himself was well reported of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium, Ac 16:1 it was a piece of good news to them to hear of his release:
with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you; by which it seems that Timothy was now absent from the apostle, but that he expected him to come in a short time; when, if he should, they would both come together, and visit the Hebrews; which looks as if the apostle was at liberty himself, or at least had some hopes of his deliverance from prison; but whether he ever had his liberty after this, and saw the Hebrews any more, cannot be said; the contrary seems most probable.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Hath been set at liberty (). Perfect passive participle of , to set free, in indirect discourse after . Possibly from prison if he came to Rome at Paul’s request (2Tim 4:11; 2Tim 4:21).
Shortly (). Same comparative as in verse 19, “sooner” than I expect (?).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Our brother Timothy [ ] . Paul ‘s habit, when using oJ aJudelfov brother with a proper name, is to put the proper name first. See Rom 16:23; 1Co 1:1; 1Co 16:12; 2Co 1:1; 2Co 2:13; Phi 2:25.
Set at liberty [] . Nothing is known of the fact referred to. Apoluein of releasing from confinement, Mt 27:15; Joh 19:10; Act 3:13; Act 4:21, 23; Act 5:40.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Know ye that our brother Timothy,” (ginoskete ton adelphon hemon Timotheon) “You all know that Timothy our brother; a minister and companion in missionary labors with Paul, Rom 16:21; 1Co 16:10-11; 2Co 1:19; Whose mother was a Jewess and father a Greek, but who himself was circumcised, to be a guest among the Jews in witnessing without offence, Act 16:1-4.
2) “Is set at liberty; (apolelumenon) “Who is having been released,” 1Ti 6:12; or set out at liberty. Where, when, or for what offence he had been under arrested or detained by civil authorities is not known, but the Hebrew brethren, to whom the letter was written, would be interested in learning of his release, Rom 12:15.
3) “With whom if he comes shortly,” (meth hou ean tachion erchetai) “If I (he) come shortly; Paul evidently expected Timothy to go to these Hebrew brethren, immediately upon his release from arrest; and he speaks, writes, as one himself free, or immediately expecting to be free, to travel of his own accord wherever he chose.
4) “I will see you,” (opsomai humas) “I will see all (of) you,” a promise, a pledge, a strong desire of concern to be with, strike hands with, and see these Hebrew church brethren, face to face, similar to the desire he had once expressed to the church brethren in Rome, Rom 15:30-33.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
23. Know ye that our brother, etc. Since the termination of the Greek verb γινώσκετε, will admit of either renderings, we may read, “Ye know,” or, “Know ye;” but I prefer the latter reading, though I do not reject the other. (293) The probability is, that he was informing the Jews on the other side of the sea of what they did not know. Now, if this Timothy was the renowned companion of Paul, which I am inclined to think, it is very probable that either Luke or Clement was the author of this Epistle. Paul, indeed, more usually calls him his son; and then what immediately follows does not apply to Paul; for it appears that the writer was at liberty and at his own disposal; and besides, that he was then anywhere rather than at Rome; nay, it is very probable, that he was going round through various cities, and was then preparing to pass over the sea. Now all these particulars might have been suitable to the circumstances either of Luke or of Clement after the death of Paul. (294)
(293) The Vulgate Beza and almost all expounders, render it as an imperative, “Know ye.” — Ed.
(294) The words ἀπολελυμένον in this verse, has been rendered by Macknight and some others, “sent away.” It is no doubt used in the sense of dismissing, dissolving, or sending away an assembly or a multitude, but not of sending away a person on a message. The two things are wholly distinct. The verb means to set loose, to loosen to release and hence to dismiss, to set at liberty, to make free, and never in the sense of sending a person to a place on business, or with an errand or message. The objection that we do not read elsewhere of Timothy’s imprisonment is of no weight for the history we have of those times is very brief; and if we judge from the state of things at that period, there is nothing more probable than that Timothy shared the lot of Paul and of others. It is also probable that he was not imprisoned at Rome, where Paul was, but at some other place, for Paul says he expected him soon; and he does not say “If he returns quickly,” but “if he come quickly.” — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
G.
Information concerning Timothy Heb. 13:23-24.
Text
Heb. 13:23-24
Heb. 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy hath been set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
Heb. 13:24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
Paraphrase
Heb. 13:23 Know that my much respected brother Timothy is sent away by me into Macedonia, with whom, if he come back soon, I will pay you a visit: For I have ordered him to return to this place.
Heb. 13:24 In my name, wish health to all your spiritual guides, and to all the Christians in Judea. The Christians of Italy, in token of their communion with you, wish you health.
Comment
Know ye that our brother Timothy hath been set at liberty
Know ye or ye know is a problem of language here.
a.
Calvin prefers the latter, feeling that Paul was informing them of Timothys liberty.
b.
Evidently he was not where the author was.
Set at liberty may suggest freedom from prison or sent away on an errand, says Milligan.
a.
In Php. 2:19-24 we see Paul sending him on an errand.
b.
Timothy was never pictured in prison by Pauls writings.
with whom if he come shortly I will see you
This verse definitely encourages the theory of Pauline authorship, although Pauls freedom discourages it unless he had been set free, Calvin says if this Timothy was the renowned champion of Paul it is very probable that either Luke or Clement was the author of the epistle.
H.
Salutation. Heb. 13:24.
Salute all them that have the rule over you and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
What is salute?
a.
Just as though he had said, Give my kindest regards.
b.
Christianity rejoins common and. proper courtesies.
Were they to salute the rulers, or was Paul (the author) saluting them?
a.
They were to salute their leaders for Paul.
b.
Why didnt Paul salute them directly if this be the case?
c.
Calvin thinks he has singled out the rulers as a mark of honor to conciliate them.
All of Italy suggests that the author was there, and those who hold to Pauline authorship say that this proves it.
a.
Observe, the footnote says, the brethren of Italy.
b.
Some hold that he was elsewhere and meant the brethren from Italy.
Study Questions
2944.
What is meant by the word salute in Heb. 13:24?
2945.
Why didnt Paul salute the rulers?
2946.
Does Heb. 13:24 indicate where the author was?
2947.
What does Paul mean by, Grace be with you?
2948.
How can grace be with us?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(23) It is clear that the Hebrew Christians knew of the imprisonment of Timothy, but had not heard the news of his release. In 2Co. 1:1; Col. 1:1; Phm. 1:1, Timothy is spoken of as the brother; in 1Th. 3:2, and here, as our brother (for the word our printed in italics in the Authorised version, belongs to the true text). With him, the writer adds, if he come shortly [sooner than the date at which he himself must depart], I will see you.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. Know ye The Greek form may be either indicative or imperative. But it is clear that our writer introduces this remark here to inform the Hebrews that he hopes that Timothy will visit them with himself, and that requires the imperative. The words are very conclusive proof that the writer is Paul. For, 1. They accord with the relations of Paul with Timothy, appearing in every mention of Timothy, and with no other. 2. The terms in which Timothy is mentioned as , “the brother,” are precisely the terms in which Timothy is designated in 2Co 1:1; Col 1:1; 1Th 3:2; and Phm 1:1. The words is set at liberty, Delitzsch acknowledges are as well rendered sent on an official mission, (Act 13:3; Act 15:30😉 and what that mission was we learn from Php 2:19: “I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you.” This was written shortly before the epistle to the Hebrews, and fits with our present text so perfectly as to form a strong probability of unity. 3. If Timothy returns soon enough for Paul’s visit to the Hebrews, then they will come together; if not, Paul comes alone. Delitzsch says, that there is no apparent subordination of Timothy here; but assuredly there is. Paul’s visit to them is the main fact, Timothy’s is the incidental. Timothy is as subordinate in being an attendant on Paul’s visit, as he is in being sent on a mission by Paul to Philippi. 4. The words in regard to Timothy’s quick return curiously correspond with Paul’s words in Php 2:19; Php 2:24, where the same Greek word for shortly is used. In all this is an accumulation of coincidences not to be set aside.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Know that our brother Timothy has been set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.’
This may indicate a personal note added at the end of the letter, commencing here in true Pauline fashion as though he had taken up his pen himself. It is clear that Timothy had recently been in prison but has now been released, and that he expects to meet up with him, and then come to see them. This might be seen as supporting Pauline authorship, but it could equally refer to one of his band of fellow-workers who along with Timothy and others is carrying on Paul’s work. It could, for example, be seen as supporting Lucan authorship.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Heb 13:23 . Communication of the intelligence that Timothy has been set free, and the promise, if the arrival of Timothy is not long delayed, in company with him to visit the readers.
] is imperative (Peshito, Vulgate, Faber Stapulensis, Luther, Calvin, Beza, Junius, Owen, Bengel, Bhme, Stuart, Bleek, I. p. 278; Stein, Ebrard, Bisping, Delitzsch, Alford, Maier, Kluge, Moll, Kurtz, Ewald, M‘Caul, Hofmann, Woerner, and others), not indicative (Vatablus, Nsselt, Opusc . I. p. 256; Morus, Schulz, Bleek ad loc. , and Einl. in d. N. T. , 3 Aufl. p. 583; de Wette, al .). For, that the author would be obliged to communicate further details concerning the liberation of Timothy in the case that the readers had not yet known of it, cannot be maintained; while, on the other hand, upon the supposition of the indicative, the whole notice would become superfluous.
] know as one released, i.e. know that he has been released. Comp. Winer, Gramm. , 7 Aufl. p. 324. Wrongly will Storr, Schleussner, Bretschneider, Paulus have taken in the sense: hold in honour , or: receive with kindness , against which, equally as against the interpretation of Schulz: “ye know the brother Timothy, who has been set at liberty,” the non-repetition of the article before the participle is in itself decisive.
] is to be understood of liberation from imprisonment . So Chrysostom, Oecumenius, and Theophylact (all three, however, with hesitation), then Beza, Grotius, Er. Schmid, Seb. Schmidt, Hammond, Wolf, Bengel, Sykes, Chr. Fr. Schmid, Bhme, Bleek, de Wette, Stengel, Ebrard, Bisping, Delitzsch, Maier, Kurtz, Ewald, M‘Caul, Hofmann, and others. Of an imprisonment of Timothy nothing is known to us, it is true, from other sources, but the possibility of the same cannot be disputed. The suppositions, that signifies: sent away to the Hebrews with our epistle (Theodoret, subscription of the epistle in many cursives: ; Faber Stapulensis, al .), or: sent away somewhither, and consequently absent from the author (Estius, Jac. Cappellus, Limborch, Carpzov, Stuart, and others), have the simple signification of the word against them.
] if he very speedily (earlier, sooner than I leave my present abode) comes to me (incorrectly Grotius, Heinrichs, Stuart, al .: returns).
] Oecumenius: .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
Ver. 23. Know ye that our brother ] Good news should be spread abroad, and are a fit matter for Christian epistles, as one well observeth from these words.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
23 .] Know ( can hardly but be imperative, standing as it does at the beginning of the sentence. In , Phi 2:22 , it is otherwise arranged. When the knowledge already exists, the fact is the prominent thing: when the knowledge is first conveyed, the information ) that our brother Timotheus is dismissed (the construction is good Greek: Del. gives as instances , Xen. Anab. v. 5. 7: , Thuc. iv. 50: , ib. vii. 77. It is in fact the original government of the accus. and inf. with a participial predicate substituted for the infinitive: ‘Know him being,’ for ‘know him to be.’ , on which see Prolegg. ii. 24, does not occur in St. Paul, but is frequent in St. Luke; e. g. Luk 22:68 ; Luk 23:16 ff.: Act 3:13 ; Act 4:21 , of dismissal from prison or custody; Act 13:3 ; Act 15:30 , of official sending away; Act 15:33 , of solemn dismissal, and Act 19:41 ; Act 23:22 , of simple dismissal), with whom, if he come ( , , . c.) soon (Luther, Schulz, al. take this in the Attic sense of or , “as soon as,” “simul atque:” but such can hardly be the sense here), I will see you ( . c.).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Heb 13:23 . . “Know that our brother Timothy has been released” ( , for example of this use of the participle, see Winer, sec. 45, 4 b). Evidently Timothy had been under arrest; where, when, or why is not known. The information is given because it would interest these Hebrew Christians, who were therefore friends of his, not Judaizers. “with whom, if he come soon, I will see you”. He takes for granted that Timothy would at once go to them; and he speaks as one who is himself free or is immediately to be free to determine his own movements. [ , = , a comparative in the sense of a positive; a classical usage; and cf. Joh 13:27 , .] The usual greetings are added. Epistolary form required this (see the Egyptian papyri) but in view of what the writer has said regarding the rulers, and in view of the here expressed, it may be supposed that the formula was here filled with significant contents. Who was to convey the salutations? Or, in other words, who was directly to receive the letter? Probably one or two of the leading men representing the Church. This would account for the . The greetings were not on the writer’s part only. , “they of Italy” joined in them. The form of expression is that which is ordinarily used to denote natives of a place, as in Luk 23:50 ; Joh 1:44 ; Joh 11:1 ; Act 17:13 , etc. Winer says (p. 785): “a critical argument as to the place at which the Epistle was written should never have been founded on these words”. Vaughan is certainly wrong in saying that the more natural suggestion of the words would be that the writer is himself in Italy and speaks of the Italian Christians surrounding him. The more natural suggestion, on the contrary, is that the writer is absent from Italy and is writing to it and that therefore the native Italians who happen to be with him join him in the salutations he sends to their compatriots.
The Epistle closes with one of the usual formulae, “Grace be with you all”.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Know ye. May be imperative, or indicative, present tense. Greek. ginosko. App-132.
is set at liberty = has been released, dismissed: or sent away on some special mission (as in 1Co 4:17). Greek. apoluo. App-174. Compare Act 13:3; Act 15:30, Act 15:33; Act 19:41; Act 23:22; Act 28:25 (departed), &c. See Introductory Notes(5) and App-180.
if. Greek. ean. App-118.
see. App-133.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
23.] Know ( can hardly but be imperative, standing as it does at the beginning of the sentence. In , Php 2:22, it is otherwise arranged. When the knowledge already exists, the fact is the prominent thing: when the knowledge is first conveyed, the information) that our brother Timotheus is dismissed (the construction is good Greek: Del. gives as instances , Xen. Anab. v. 5. 7: , Thuc. iv. 50: , ib. vii. 77. It is in fact the original government of the accus. and inf. with a participial predicate substituted for the infinitive: Know him being, for know him to be. , on which see Prolegg. ii. 24, does not occur in St. Paul, but is frequent in St. Luke; e. g. Luk 22:68; Luk 23:16 ff.: Act 3:13; Act 4:21, of dismissal from prison or custody; Act 13:3; Act 15:30, of official sending away; Act 15:33, of solemn dismissal, and Act 19:41; Act 23:22, of simple dismissal), with whom, if he come ( , , . c.) soon (Luther, Schulz, al. take this in the Attic sense of or , as soon as, simul atque: but such can hardly be the sense here), I will see you ( . c.).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Heb 13:23. ) know ye, with joy.- , our brother) So Timothy is called by Paul: see note on 1Co 4:17.-, set at liberty) He had therefore been in prison.-, if he come) to me. Therefore they had been in different places.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
brother: Act 16:1-3, 1Th 3:2, Phm 1:1
is set: 1Ti 6:12, 2Ti 1:8, Rev 7:14
I will: Rom 15:25, Rom 15:28, Phm 1:22
Reciprocal: Rom 16:21 – Timotheus 2Co 1:1 – Timothy 2Co 6:5 – imprisonments Gal 3:7 – Know Phi 1:1 – Timotheus 1Th 1:1 – Timotheus 1Ti 3:14 – hoping 2Jo 1:12 – I trust
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Heb 13:23. This is the only place I have found that mentions the imprisonment of Timothy. Paul’s confidence in the prospect of his own release (verse 19) was so strong that he planned on joining Timothy soon in going to meet with these brethren.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Heb 13:23. Know ye (imperative rather than indicative, as a matter of joy, one of the prisoners whose bonds you shared in spirit is now free) that our brother Timothy is set at liberty (the most natural rendering. The word is used for entering on some official work, Act 13:3; Act 15:30; but a fuller description would have been necessary if that had been the meaning here); with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. This language does not prove that Paul wrote the Epistle, but it intimates that the readers knew the writer, and it is certain that no one stood in closer relation to Paul than Timothy, especially towards the close of the apostles life (see Php 2:19).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 23
Set at liberty. There has been much discussion in respect to the proper meaning of the words here rendered set at liberty. They might have been translated sent away. To what circumstances in the life of Timothy they allude, on either supposition, is not known.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
The writer obviously composed this epistle during the lifetime of Timothy and after some confinement that Timothy had experienced. Evidently the writer and Timothy were close associates in the Lord’s work. This is almost certainly a reference to the Timothy referred to elsewhere in the New Testament. This is the only Christian that the writer mentioned by name in the entire epistle.