Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

write I . . . hoping--that is, "though I hope to come unto thee shortly" (Ti1 4:13). As his hope was not very confident (Ti1 3:15), he provides for Timothy's lengthened superintendence by giving him the preceding rules to guide him. He now proceeds to give more general instructions to him as an evangelist, having a "gift" committed to him (Ti1 4:14). shortly--Greek, "sooner," namely, than is presupposed in the preceding directions given to him. See my Introduction on this verse. This verse best suits the theory that this First Epistle was not written after Paul's visit and departure from Ephesus (Acts 19:1-20:38) when he had resolved to winter at Corinth after passing the summer in Macedonia (Co1 16:6), but after his first imprisonment at Rome (Act 28:17-31); probably at Corinth, where he might have some thoughts of going on to Epirus before returning to Ephesus [BIRKS].