The Meaning of 2 Timothy 4:20 Explained

2 Timothy 4:20

KJV: Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

YLT: Erastus did remain in Corinth, and Trophimus I left in Miletus infirm;

Darby: Erastus remained in Corinth, but Trophimus I left behind in Miletus sick.

ASV: Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Erastus  abode  at  Corinth:  but  Trophimus  have I left  at  Miletum  sick. 

What does 2 Timothy 4:20 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Erastus and Trophimus were old associates of Timothy ( Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4; Acts 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 ( Ephesians 2:20; Hebrews 2:3-4). [1] 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 ( Luke 5:17; Acts 3:12-13). Evidently it was not God"s will for Trophimus to experience miraculous healing then (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

Context Summary

2 Timothy 4:13-22 - "the Lord Stood By Me"
The winter was approaching, and the Apostle would be glad of his cloak amid the damp of the Mamertine prison. Evidently his arrest under Nero's orders had been so sudden and peremptory that he was not allowed to go into his lodgings for this and other possessions, such as the books mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:13.
He had made his first appearance before Nero, and was expecting a further appearance to receive his sentence. But the Lord was with him, and his comfort was that he had proclaimed the gospel to the highest audience in the world of his time. His one thought always was that the gospel should be heard by men, whether they would hear or forbear. If that were secured, he did not count the cost to himself. The lion may stand for Nero or Satan. See Luke 22:31; 1 Peter 5:8. From 2 Timothy 4:20 we gather that miraculous gifts of healing, of which Paul was possessed, may not be used merely for friendship's sake, but only where the progress of the gospel requires them [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Timothy 4

1  He exhorts him to preach the Word with all care and diligence;
6  certifies him of the nearness of his death;
9  wills him to come speedily unto him, and to bring Marcus with him;
14  warns him to beware of Alexander the metalworker
16  informs him what had befallen him at his first answering;
19  and soon after he concludes

Greek Commentary for 2 Timothy 4:20

Erastus [Εραστος]
See note on Acts 19:22 and note on Romans 16:23. [source]
Trophimus [Τροπιμον]
A native of Ephesus and with Paul in Jerusalem (Acts 20:4; Acts 21:29). At Miletus sick (εν Μιλητωι αστενουντα — en Milētōi asthenounta). Present active participle of αστενεω — astheneō to be weak. Probably on Paul‘s return from Crete. [source]
At Miletus sick [εν Μιλητωι αστενουντα]
Present active participle of αστενεω — astheneō to be weak. Probably on Paul‘s return from Crete. [source]
Erastus []
In Acts 19:22, sent by Paul with Timothy to Macedonia from Ephesus. Romans 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. [source]
Trophimus []
See Acts 22:4; Acts 21:9. [source]
Sick [ἀσθενοῦντα]
By Paul mostly in a moral sense, as weak in the faith, Romans 4:19; the law was weak, Romans 8:3; the weak brother, 1 Corinthians 8:11. Of bodily sickness, Philemon 2:26, Philemon 2:27. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Timothy 4:20

Acts 20:4 Tychicus and Trophimus []
See Colossians 4:7, Colossians 4:8; Ephesians 6:21, Ephesians 6:22; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12; Acts 21:29; 2 Timothy 4:20. [source]
Acts 19:22 Timothy and Erastus [Τιμοτεον και Εραστον]
Paul had sent Timothy to Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:17) and had requested kindly treatment of this young minister in his difficult task of placating the divided church (1 Corinthians 16:10-11) that he might return to Paul as he evidently had before Paul leaves Ephesus. He then despatched Titus to Corinth to finish what Timothy had not quite succeeded in doing with instructions to meet him in Troas. Now Timothy and Erastus (cf. Romans 16:23; 2 Timothy 4:20) go on to Macedonia to prepare the way for Paul who will come on later. [source]
Acts 20:25 I know [εγω]
Emphasis on υμεις παντες — egō which is expressed. Ye all (οπσεστε — humeis pantes). In very emphatic position after the verb εν οις διηλτον — opsesthe (shall see) and the object (my face). Twice Paul will write from Rome (Philemon 2:24; Philemon 1:22) the hope of coming east again; but that is in the future, and here Paul is expressing his personal conviction and his fears. The Pastoral Epistles show Paul did come to Ephesus again (1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 3:14; 1 Timothy 4:13) and Troas (2 Timothy 4:13) and Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). There need be no surprise that Paul‘s fears turned out otherwise. He had reason enough for them. Among whom I went about Apparently Paul here has in mind others beside the ministers. They represented the church in Ephesus and the whole region where Paul laboured. [source]
Acts 20:25 Ye all [οπσεστε]
In very emphatic position after the verb εν οις διηλτον — opsesthe (shall see) and the object (my face). Twice Paul will write from Rome (Philemon 2:24; Philemon 1:22) the hope of coming east again; but that is in the future, and here Paul is expressing his personal conviction and his fears. The Pastoral Epistles show Paul did come to Ephesus again (1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 3:14; 1 Timothy 4:13) and Troas (2 Timothy 4:13) and Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). There need be no surprise that Paul‘s fears turned out otherwise. He had reason enough for them. [source]
Acts 24:27 Was succeeded by [Διαδοχος]
Literally, “received as successor.” διαδεχομαι — Diadochos is an old word from δια δυο — diadechomai to receive in succession Luke does not tell why Felix “received” a successor. The explanation is that during these two years the Jews and the Gentiles had an open fight in the market-place in Caesarea. Felix put the soldiers on the mob and many Jews were killed. The Jews made formal complaint to the Emperor with the result that Felix was recalled and Porcius Festus sent in his stead. Porcius Festus (κατατεσται — Porkion Phēston). We know very little about this man. He is usually considered a worthier man than Felix, but Paul fared no better at his hands and he exhibits the same insincerity and eagerness to please the Jews. Josephus (Ant. XX. 8, 9) says that “Porcius Festus was sent as a successor to Felix.” The precise year when this change occurred is not clear. Albinus succeeded Festus by a.d. 62, so that it is probable that Festus came a.d. 58 (or 59). Death cut short his career in a couple of years though he did more than Felix to rid the country of robbers and sicarii. Some scholars argue for an earlier date for the recall of Felix. Nero became Emperor Oct. 13, a.d. 54. Poppaea, his Jewish mistress and finally wife, may have had something to do with the recall of Felix at the request of the Jews. Desiring to gain favour with the Jews Reason for his conduct. Note second aorist (ingressive) middle infinitive κατελιπε τον Παυλον δεδεμενον — katathesthai from καταλειπω — katatithēmi old verb to place down, to make a deposit, to deposit a favour with, to do something to win favour. Only here and Acts 25:9 in N.T., though in some MSS. in Mark 15:46. It is a banking figure. Left Paul in bonds (δεδεμενον — katelipe ton Paulon dedemenon). Effective aorist active indicative of δεω — kataleipō to leave behind. Paul “in bonds” (κατατεσται — dedemenon perfect passive participle of δια Δρουσιλλαν — deō to bind) was the “deposit” (katathesthai) for their favour. Codex Bezae adds that Felix left Paul in custody “because of Drusilla” (dia Drousillan). She disliked Paul as much as Herodias did John the Baptist. So Pilate surrendered to the Jews about the death of Jesus when they threatened to report him to Caesar. Some critics would date the third group of Paul‘s Epistles (Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians) to the imprisonment here in Caesarea, some even to one in Ephesus. But the arguments for either of these two views are more specious than convincing. Furneaux would even put 2 Timothy 4:9-22 here in spite of the flat contradiction with Acts 21:29 about Trophimus being in Jerusalem instead of Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20), a “mistake” which he attributes to Luke! That sort of criticism can prove anything. [source]
Acts 24:27 Desiring to gain favour with the Jews [κατατιτημι]
Reason for his conduct. Note second aorist (ingressive) middle infinitive κατελιπε τον Παυλον δεδεμενον — katathesthai from καταλειπω — katatithēmi old verb to place down, to make a deposit, to deposit a favour with, to do something to win favour. Only here and Acts 25:9 in N.T., though in some MSS. in Mark 15:46. It is a banking figure. Left Paul in bonds (δεδεμενον — katelipe ton Paulon dedemenon). Effective aorist active indicative of δεω — kataleipō to leave behind. Paul “in bonds” (κατατεσται — dedemenon perfect passive participle of δια Δρουσιλλαν — deō to bind) was the “deposit” (katathesthai) for their favour. Codex Bezae adds that Felix left Paul in custody “because of Drusilla” (dia Drousillan). She disliked Paul as much as Herodias did John the Baptist. So Pilate surrendered to the Jews about the death of Jesus when they threatened to report him to Caesar. Some critics would date the third group of Paul‘s Epistles (Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians) to the imprisonment here in Caesarea, some even to one in Ephesus. But the arguments for either of these two views are more specious than convincing. Furneaux would even put 2 Timothy 4:9-22 here in spite of the flat contradiction with Acts 21:29 about Trophimus being in Jerusalem instead of Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20), a “mistake” which he attributes to Luke! That sort of criticism can prove anything. [source]
Acts 24:27 Left Paul in bonds [δεδεμενον]
Effective aorist active indicative of δεω — kataleipō to leave behind. Paul “in bonds” She disliked Paul as much as Herodias did John the Baptist. So Pilate surrendered to the Jews about the death of Jesus when they threatened to report him to Caesar. Some critics would date the third group of Paul‘s Epistles (Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians) to the imprisonment here in Caesarea, some even to one in Ephesus. But the arguments for either of these two views are more specious than convincing. Furneaux would even put 2 Timothy 4:9-22 here in spite of the flat contradiction with Acts 21:29 about Trophimus being in Jerusalem instead of Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20), a “mistake” which he attributes to Luke! That sort of criticism can prove anything. [source]
Romans 16:23 Gaius my host [Γαιος ο χενος μου]
Perhaps the same Gaius of 1 Corinthians 1:14 (Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4), but whether the one of 3 John 1:1 we do not know. Χενος — Xenos was a guest friend, and then either a stranger (Matthew 25:35) or a host of strangers as here. This Gaius was plainly a man of some means as he was the host of all the church. Erastus (2 Timothy 4:20) was “the treasurer of the city” (ο οικονομος της πολεως — ho oikonomos tēs poleōs), one of the outstanding men of Corinth, the “steward” (house-manager) or city manager. See note on Luke 12:42 and note on Luke 16:1. He is probably the administrator of the city‘s property. [source]
Jude 1:6 Kept not [μη τηρησαντας]
First aorist active participle with negative μη — mē with play on “kept not” and “he hath kept.”Principality (αρχην — archēn). Literally, “beginning,” “rule,” (first place of power as in 1 Corinthians 15:24; Romans 8:38). In Acts 10:11 it is used for “corners” (beginnings) of the sheet. In Ephesians 6:12 the word is used for evil angels. See Deuteronomy 32:8. Both Enoch and Philo (and Milton) discuss the fallen angels.But left Second aorist active participle of απολειπω — apoleipō old verb, to leave behind (2 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 4:20).Their own proper habitation (το ιδιον οικητηριον — to idion oikētērion). Old word for dwelling-place (from οικητηρ — oikētēr dweller at home, from οικος — oikos), in N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 5:2 (the body as the abode of the spirit).In everlasting bonds Either locative (in) or instrumental (by, with). Αιδιος — Aidios (from αει — aei always), old adjective, in N.T. only here and Romans 1:20 (of God‘s power and deity). It is synonymous with αιωνιος — aiōnios (Matthew 25:46). Mayor terms αιδιος — aidios an Aristotelian word, while αιωνιος — aiōnios is Platonic.Under darkness (υπο ζοπον — hupo zophon). See 2 Peter 2:4 for ζοπος — zophos In Wisdom 17:2 we find δεσμιοι σκοτους — desmioi skotous (prisoners of darkness).Great Not in 2 Peter 2:9, which see note for discussion. [source]
Jude 1:6 But left [αλλα απολιποντας]
Second aorist active participle of απολειπω — apoleipō old verb, to leave behind (2 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 4:20).Their own proper habitation (το ιδιον οικητηριον — to idion oikētērion). Old word for dwelling-place (from οικητηρ — oikētēr dweller at home, from οικος — oikos), in N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 5:2 (the body as the abode of the spirit).In everlasting bonds Either locative (in) or instrumental (by, with). Αιδιος — Aidios (from αει — aei always), old adjective, in N.T. only here and Romans 1:20 (of God‘s power and deity). It is synonymous with αιωνιος — aiōnios (Matthew 25:46). Mayor terms αιδιος — aidios an Aristotelian word, while αιωνιος — aiōnios is Platonic.Under darkness (υπο ζοπον — hupo zophon). See 2 Peter 2:4 for ζοπος — zophos In Wisdom 17:2 we find δεσμιοι σκοτους — desmioi skotous (prisoners of darkness).Great Not in 2 Peter 2:9, which see note for discussion. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Timothy 4:20 mean?

Erastus remained in Corinth Trophimus however I left Miletus ailing
Ἔραστος ἔμεινεν ἐν Κορίνθῳ Τρόφιμον δὲ ἀπέλιπον Μιλήτῳ ἀσθενοῦντα

Ἔραστος  Erastus 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἔραστος  
Sense: a companion of the apostle Paul.
ἔμεινεν  remained 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: μένω  
Sense: to remain, abide.
Κορίνθῳ  Corinth 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: Κόρινθος  
Sense: an ancient and famous city of Greece, on the Isthmus of Corinth, and about 40 miles (65 km) west of Athens.
Τρόφιμον  Trophimus 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Τρόφιμος  
Sense: an Ephesian Christian, and friend of the apostle Paul.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἀπέλιπον  I  left 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀπολείπω  
Sense: to leave, to leave behind.
Μιλήτῳ  Miletus 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: Μίλητος  
Sense: a maritime city, now nearly 0 miles (6 km), from the coast of Caria or Ionia, near the mouth of the Maeander and 35 miles (55 km) from Ephesus.
ἀσθενοῦντα  ailing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀσθενέω  
Sense: to be weak, feeble, to be without strength, powerless.