返回Preface
Preface
Preface
Why does the apostle write this second epistle to Timothy? In the first epistle he said: "I hope to come to you shortly" (1 Tim. 3:14). But this was not fulfilled, for he was detained by Nero. Therefore, instead of his arrival, he consoles him by an epistle, because Timothy was grieving both on account of the apostle's absence and equally from the burden of episcopal authority. For even great men find difficulty in steering the ship of the Church, being flooded on all sides by great waves, especially at that time when there were wars everywhere. At the same time, the apostle calls him to himself, for he was already near death.
Why does the apostle write this second epistle to Timothy? In the first epistle he said: "I hope to come to you shortly" (1 Tim. 3:14). But this was not fulfilled, for he was detained by Nero. Therefore, instead of his arrival, he consoles him by an epistle, because Timothy was grieving both on account of the apostle's absence and equally from the burden of episcopal authority. For even great men find difficulty in steering the ship of the Church, being flooded on all sides by great waves, especially at that time when there were wars everywhere. At the same time, the apostle calls him to himself, for he was already near death.