2 Timothy 1:15

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Timothy 1:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “This thou knowest, that all that are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

This thou knowest, that all that are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
2 Timothy 1:15 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Timothy 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15This thou knowest, that all that are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia, etc.] Either those that followed the apostle from Asia to Rome; or who came from thence thither, upon business, and were upon the spot when the apostle was in his greatest troubles, and yet all forsook him and no man stood by him; or else the churches and ministers in Asia, that is, a great number of them; for it cannot be said of every minister and church, and of all the members of churches there, what follows, be turned away from me; were ashamed of him, because of his chain, and despised him under his afflictions, and had him in abhorrence and contempt, and revolted from his doctrine; though the defection was very general, and the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“all they which are in Asia--Proconsular Asia; "all who are there now, when they were in Rome (not 'be' or 'are,' but) turned from me" then; were "ashamed of my chain," in contrast to ONESIPHORUS; did not stand with me but forsook me (Ti2 4:16). It is possible that the occasion of their turning from him was at his apprehension in Nicopolis, whither they had escorted him on his way to Rome, but from which they turned back to Asia. A hint to Timothy, now in Asia, not to be like them, but to imitate rather ONESIPHORUS, and to come to him (Ti2 4:21). Phygellus and Hermogenes--specified perhaps, as being persons from whom such pusillanimous conduct could least be expected; or, as being well known…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me - That is, in that part of Asia Minor of which Ephesus was the capital. The name Asia was often given particularly to that part of Asia Minor; see the notes at Acts 2:9; Acts 16:6. This passage proves that Timothy was somewhere in that region when this Epistle was written to him, for otherwise he could not be supposed to Know what is here said. When Paul says that “all” were turned away from him, he must use the word in a general sense, for he immediately specifies one who had been faithful and kind to him. Of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes - We know nothing of these individuals but what is here mentioned. It would…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“All who are in Asia - Who had attended me at Rome for a while. Are turned away from me - What, from Paul the aged, the faithful soldier, and now prisoner of Christ! This was a glorious trial, and wisely reserved for that time, when he was on the borders of immortality. Perhaps a little measure of the same spirit might remain with him under whose picture are those affecting words, "The true effigy of Francis Xavier, apostle of the Indies, forsaken of all men, dying in a cottage." 2 Timothy 1:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:15-18 Using the examples of others, both negative and positive, Paul continues urging Timothy to be faithful and to come to Rome without fear. 1:15 everyone . . . has deserted me: The desertion took place either in Rome or in the province of Asia when Paul was arrested. Paul might have seen this as another way his life followed the pattern of Christ’s (see Matt 26:31, 56). • Phygelus and Hermogenes are otherwise unknown. The context (2 Tim 1:11-14) might imply that they were church leaders who sided with Paul’s opponents.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that: Act 16:6, Act 19:10, Act 19:27, Act 19:31, Act 20:16; Co1 16:19 be: Ti2 4:10, Ti2 4:16; Phi 2:21 2 Timothy 1:16”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification