2 Timothy 4:15

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Timothy 4:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words.
2 Timothy 4:15 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Timothy 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Of whom be thou ware also, etc.] For he was now at Ephesus; and since he was such a malicious, ill natured, and troublesome person, as well as a blasphemer, an heretic, and had been delivered up to Satan, it was very advisable to shun his company, and have no conversation with him, and be upon the guard against him, that he might have no opportunity of doing hurt to him, or to the church at Ephesus: for he hath greatly withstood our words: or doctrines; the truths of the Gospel preached by Paul and Timothy, which he opposed himself to, and resisted with all his might, and endeavoured to confute and overthrow; and wherein he was deficient in argument, he made up with railing and blasphemy;…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“our words--the arguments of us Christians for our common faith. Believers have a common cause.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Of whom be thou ware also - It would seem from this that Alexander was still a public teacher, and that his discourses were plausible and artful. The best and the wisest of men need to be on their guard against the efforts of the advocates of error. For he hath greatly withstood our words - Margin, “preachings.” The Greek is, “words;” but the reference is doubtless to the public teachings of Paul. This verse makes it clear that it was no private wrong that Paul referred to, but the injury which he was doing to the cause of truth as a professed public teacher. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“be: Mat 10:16, Mat 10:17; Phi 3:2 withstood: Ti2 3:8 words: or, preachings 2 Timothy 4:16”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification