2 Timothy 4:20
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Erastus {G2037} abode {G3306} at {G1722} Corinth {G2882}: but {G1161} Trophimus {G5161} have I left {G620} at {G1722} Miletum {G3399} sick {G770}.
Erastus has remained in Corinth, and Trophimus I left ill at Miletus.
Erastus has remained at Corinth, and Trophimus I left sick in Miletus.
Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.
Cross-References
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Acts 20:4 (5 votes)
And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. -
Acts 21:29 (4 votes)
(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) -
Philippians 2:26 (4 votes)
For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. -
Philippians 2:27 (4 votes)
For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. -
Acts 19:22 (4 votes)
So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. -
Romans 16:23 (3 votes)
Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. -
Acts 20:15 (3 votes)
And we sailed thence, and came the next [day] over against Chios; and the next [day] we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next [day] we came to Miletus.
Commentary
2 Timothy 4:20 is a brief, personal update from the Apostle Paul to his beloved disciple Timothy, found in Paul's final letter. It offers a glimpse into the practical realities and challenges of early Christian ministry, highlighting the movements and circumstances of two of Paul's companions.
Context
This verse is part of the concluding remarks of Paul's Second Epistle to Timothy, a deeply personal and poignant letter written from a Roman prison, likely shortly before Paul's martyrdom. Paul is giving Timothy final instructions, warnings, and personal requests, and these brief mentions of Erastus and Trophimus serve as practical updates, demonstrating Paul's ongoing concern for his fellow workers even in his dire circumstances. These seemingly minor details underscore the authenticity and personal nature of Paul's correspondence, showing that even apostles faced everyday human challenges like illness and travel logistics.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word translated "abode" for Erastus is menō (μένω), which simply means "remained" or "stayed." It implies that Erastus's presence in Corinth was a settled arrangement, perhaps for ministry or personal reasons, and not due to an imposed circumstance like illness. For Trophimus, "left" comes from apolipon (ἀπολιπών), meaning "having left behind" or "forsaken." This suggests Paul had to leave Trophimus due to his sickness, indicating a necessity rather than a choice to abandon him. The term "sick" is asthenounta (ἀσθενοῦντα), meaning "being weak" or "ill," clearly stating his physical condition.
Historical and Geographical Notes
Practical Application
This verse, though brief, offers several practical takeaways for believers today:
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