2 Timothy 4:20

20 Erastus stayed behind in Corinth. I had to leave Trophimus sick in Miletus.

2 Timothy 4:20 Meaning and Commentary

2 Timothy 4:20

Erastus abode at Corinth
He was chamberlain of that city, ( Romans 16:23 ) who being sent along with Timothy into Macedonia, ( Acts 19:22 ) very probably went from thence into Achaia, to Corinth, his native place, where he stayed.

But Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Trophimus was an Asian, of the city of Ephesus, the same that is spoken of in ( Acts 20:4 ) ( 21:29 ) . Some say he suffered martyrdom the same day the Apostle Paul did; but others say, that after that time he was bishop of Arles in France. This man went with the apostle into Asia, and from thence to Jerusalem, and came along with him in his voyage to Rome, but falling sick by the way, was left at Miletum. Some, instead of Miletum, would read Melita, that being the island Paul, and the ship's company, escaped to, when they were shipwrecked, ( Acts 28:1 ) here it is supposed Trophimus was left sick. Others have observed, that there was a city called Miletus in the island of Crete, under which Paul sailed, ( Acts 27:7 ) , see footnote {j}, and is the place intended; but there is no need to suppose either of these; no doubt Miletum, near to Ephesus, is meant; and as the apostle sailed by the coast of Asia, ( Acts 27:7 ) , on which shore Miletum was, there is no difficulty in supposing him put ashore there. The Alexandrian copy reads "Melotus".


FOOTNOTES:

F10 Plin. l. 4. c. 12.

2 Timothy 4:20 In-Context

18 God's looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!
19 Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila; also, the family of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus stayed behind in Corinth. I had to leave Trophimus sick in Miletus.
21 Try hard to get here before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all your friends here send greetings.
22 God be with you. Grace be with you.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.