And we think we have suffered and been rejected?!! I never closely read this one scripture or even correctly. Tonight this really choked me up…
2 Timothy
1:15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
Kings Commentary
2Ti_1:15 . You shouldn’t count much on the support of others in your fight “for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jud_1:3 ). Paul points Timothy to the believers in Asia. Timothy knew that all in Asia have turned away from the apostle, while he has intensively preached the gospel in that area. It was he who taught God’s thoughts to the many who had come to faith there.
You can for example read in the letters to the Thessalonians and in the letter to the Ephesians how he served the believers there. The elders of Ephesus were all in tears when he left them. What made them most sad was that they wouldn’t see him ever again (Act_20:37-38 ). Now some years have passed. And how is the situation there? The good memories of Paul have faded. They have even turned away from him!
The man to whom they owe a lot is rejected by all of them and not only by an individual or a few. Why? They are possibly ashamed of him, the poor prisoner who fell into disgrace with the government. Of course they haven’t given up Christendom, but as far as they are concerned, Paul’s emphasis on being a Christian is too strong. You shouldn’t make efforts to create enemies, should you? That is true, but a faithful witness cannot help but make enemies. He doesn’t do that purposely, but being faithful to the Lord and His truth exposes hostility.
Paul is imprisoned for testifying to the truth. Therefore turning away from Paul is in fact turning away from the truth that Paul preaches. That has made his imprisonment much heavier. He mentions two of those who have turned away from him by their names. It must have been necessary to mention these names. It is not unlikely that these are leading brothers with great influence who are misusing their influence and the exclusion of Paul to deceive the church. By mentioning their names Paul exposes them.
What Apostle Paul went through is beyond anything I have ever known! I thought having my family, best friend, even daughter and grandchildren forsaking me for a couple of years was horrible! It was nothing compared to what he went through! He had an entire nation that he knew well, he preached, he loved that loved him, one time even wept when he left! Yet, turned away from him!!
Turning away from Apostle Paul was turning away from the TRUTH!
Think about that!
I have had family, friends, Christian brothers and sisters reject me, block me, ignore me and shun me over the Word of God. But nothing compared to this!!!
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