The interpretation timeline

2Tim 4:9

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

3 Patristic · 1 Orthodox · 1 Catholic

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Patristic before A.D. 750
407
A.D.
John Chrysostom
A.D. 347–407
“It is worth while to enquire why he calls Timothy to him, inasmuch as he was intrusted with a Church, and a whole nation. It was not from arrogance. For Paul was ready to come to him; for we find him saying, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God." (1 Tim. iii. 15.) But he was withholden by a strong necessity. He was no longer matter of his own movements. He was in prison, and had been confined by Nero, and was all but on the point of death. That this might not happen before he saw his disciple, he therefore sends for him, desiring to see him before he dies, and perhaps to deliver much in charge to him. Wherefore he says, "Hasten to come to me before the winter."”
342 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
749
A.D.
377 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500
1126
A.D.
Theophylact of Ohrid
c. 1055–1107
“Why does the apostle call Timothy to himself, when he had been entrusted with the Church in Ephesus and an entire people? Because he was in bonds, having been imprisoned by Nero, and could not come to him himself; therefore he calls him to Rome, wishing, perhaps, to pass on many things to him before his death.”
1274
A.D.
Thomas Aquinas
1225–1274
“He asks for a visit: first, he summons Timothy; second, he describes his condition, at "Alexander"; third, he concludes the epistolary greeting, at "Eubulus and Pudens salute you." In regard to the first he does three things: first, he asks him to come; second, he suggests a companion, at "take Mark"; third, he tells him what to bring, at "the cloak that I left." In regard to the first he does two things: first, he summons him; second, he tells why he should come, at "for Demas." He says, therefore: because I shall be leaving the world soon, "make haste to come to me quickly," so that we may console each other and that I may help you in preaching the Gospel, for which I am anxious even in my chains: "a brother that is helped by a brother is like a strong city" (Prov 18:19).”
Undated date unknown
Oecumenius
c. A.D. 550
“I urged you to come to me quickly. For what reason does Paul call Timothy to himself to whom the Church of Ephesus had been entrusted? Since Paul being in prison, he was not able to leave. Therefore, he wishes Timothy to come to him, both because he is alone, and because he had given him certain instructions. come to me quickly. Paul did not say: Meanwhile, while I am still alive: for he did not want to sadden Timothy.”
Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.