ACC ~ 2 Timothy 2 v2a

PAUL HAS TESTIFIED BEFORE MANY WITNESSES. TERTULLIAN: Now what is this commandment, and what is this charge? From the preceding and the succeeding contexts, it will be manifest that there is no mysterious hint darkly suggested in this expression about some farfetched doctrine. A warning is rather being given against receiving any other doctrine than that which Timothy had heard from Paul, as I take it, publicly: “Before many witnesses” is his phrase. ON PRESCRIPTION AGAINST HERETICS 25.

NOT IN SECRET. CHRYSOSTOM: As if he had said: You have not heard in secret, nor apart, but in the presence of many, with all openness of speech. HOMILIES ON 2 TIMOTHY 4.

THE ANGELS ALSO ARE WITNESSES. BASIL THE GREAT: One does not speak of the Spirit and of angels as if they were equals. The Spirit is the Lord of life. The angels are our helpers, our fellow servants, faithful witnesses of the truth. It is customary for the saints to deliver God’s commandments in the presence of witnesses. St. Paul says to Timothy: “what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men.” He asks the angels to testify with him, because he knows that angels will be present when the Lord comes in the glory of his father to judge the world in righteousness. ON THE HOLY SPIRIT 13.29.

BEFORE OR WITH MANY WITNESSES. PELAGIUS: Either “with many persons present I gave you mandates such as you should teach,” or “what I said I have confirmed with many examples and testimonies from the prophets.” PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY.

2 Tim