Oecumenius

For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present age, and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.

having loved this present age. Having become safe and secure, as he thought. For Demas preferred to indulge in luxury at home rather than suffer hardships with me. But Paul does not want to slander this man, rather to support us so that we do not become weak.

Crescens to Galatia. They had left of their own accord, therefore he does not say, "The rest." Moreover, Titus was among the distinguished to whom the bishopric of Crete had been entrusted.

Only Luke is with me. This Luke is the one who wrote the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. And since he was eager to learn, holy and committed, he was never separated from Paul.

Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me. Paul said, "Not for my comfort, but for the ministry of the Gospel." Indeed, Paul also called Timothy for this reason, so that after his death the brothers might be comforted.

for ministry. Of the Gospel, Paul says.

I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and the books, especially the parchments.

I have sent Tychicus. See the unity through all things.

Bring the cloak that I left. Here Paul mentions a certain garment. However, he seeks to ensure that he is not a burden to anyone in need. For this is of the greatest concern to him everywhere.

— [CHRYSOSTOM] In another way. Here the type of clothing is mentioned. Some indeed want it to signify a case in which little books were kept. But what necessity was there for the little books themselves, for one who was soon to depart to God? Certainly, then it was especially necessary to entrust them to the faithful, and for them to have those as their own teaching. Indeed, he was seeking a case so that he would not need to receive it from others. [end of the excerpt by Chrysostom] —

— [THEODORET] especially the parchments. The term "parchments," more commonly known in Roman usage as "scrolls" [εἶλητα], was used moderately according to the custom in Rome, from which Paul was indeed writing the Epistle. For the ancient Scriptures were contained in scrolls, just as the Jews still mostly possess them up to the present day. [end of the excerpt by Theodoret] —

He referred to books [βιβλία] in a general sense, so that Paul might also have books in another form or format.

especially the parchments. Perhaps, however, these contained certain more useful things within themselves. Nevertheless, those worthy of laughter are those who think that the Apostle here meant a cloak rather than a type of booklet, who did not pay attention to the sequence of letters. For it would have been needless to say: "And books," even if that had been a type of booklet, since it could have been indicated together with others.

In my first defense, no one came to my support, but all deserted me (may it not be counted against them). But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the preaching might be fully accomplished and all the Gentiles might hear it. I was rescued from the lion's mouth.

In my first defense. Paul already appeared before Nero and escaped. But when he instructed his cupbearer, then he was beheaded. For Nero did not have such zeal towards idols; he was thus relentless in all things.

but all deserted me. The Jews, Paul says, the brothers.

may it not be counted against them. Do you see that Paul not only does not wish to be avenged, but also prays for their forgiveness? And yet he suffered terrible things. For it is not the same to be betrayed by strangers as by one's own people.

But the Lord stood by me. For the Lord does not abandon the one forsaken by men. He strengthened me, Paul says; that is, the Lord granted boldness and did not allow me to fall. Do you see a counsel to the disciple, and again another comfort?

so that through me the preaching. See the humility. For I was helped not as worthy of assistance, but because of the preaching, so that it might be fully accomplished and come to an end.

and all the Gentiles might hear it, Paul says. "So that the power of the preaching and the care concerning me may become evident to all."

from the lion's mouth. It refers to the lion, that is Nero, because of his cruelty and beastliness.

Priscilla and Aquila greet you, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth. I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus and Pudens and Linus greet you, as does Claudia, and all the brothers.

These are the ones whom Paul continually remembers among the tentmakers, from among whom he also stayed with and often mention. But he first remembers the woman, as more trustworthy and earnest. For she also instructed Apollo. He offers a greeting, both comforting at the same time, and also showing honor and love through this, and the greater things, having been filled with much grace, the one being addressed.

and the household of Onesiphorus. For Onesiphorus was in Rome. Therefore, Paul greets those in his house, stirring up zeal similar to that of Onesiphorus.

Erastus stayed in Corinth. Since Paul did not remember these things before, now he remembers, in order to show that he is isolated on all sides and needs Timothy.

I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. Miletus is near Ephesus. Therefore, when he sailed to Judea, Paul left him in Miletus, or after arriving in Rome, again in these parts, we do not have information to say.

sick. Why then did he not heal him, but let him be? Because the saints did not do everything, so that they would not be considered better than human nature.

Make every effort to come before winter. "Until then," Paul says, "while I live, so that you do not see me having been delayed by the winter."

and Linus. They say that this Linus became the second bishop of Rome after Peter.

as does Claudia. Do you see how even women have been fierce and passionate, crucified to the world? Indeed, this kind is in no way inferior to men, provided they desire it.

and all the brothers. Those mentioned by name were more fervent in faith.