Phygelus and Hermogenes' Apostasy in Asia Minor
Phygelus and Hermogenes are two individuals mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:15 as having turned away from the Apostle Paul [1, 2]. This verse states, "This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes" [1]. The context of this statement is Paul's imprisonment, and it suggests a defection or abandonment of Paul during a time of peril [3].
The geographical reference to "Asia" in 2 Timothy 1:15 refers to Proconsular Asia, a Roman province in Asia Minor [5, 7]. This region included areas like Ionia, Aeolia, and Lydia, and was distinct from the broader geographical area of Asia Minor which encompassed provinces like Galatia, Phrygia, Pisidia, and Pamphylia, where Paul had previously preached [7, 8, 9]. The churches in this Proconsular Asia included the seven churches mentioned in Revelation [7].
Commentators offer various interpretations of what it means for "all who are in Asia" to have turned away from Paul. One view suggests that this refers to Asiatic Christians who were present in Rome at the time of Paul's imprisonment [6]. These individuals, upon seeing Paul in disgrace and perceiving danger in associating with him or his cause, chose not to visit him or acknowledge their Christian faith [6]. This interpretation posits that Paul was not speaking of a general apostasy among all the churches in Asia, but rather a specific group of Asiatics who had previously shown him particular friendship [6].
Another perspective suggests that "all they which are in Asia" could refer to those who had followed Paul from Asia to Rome, or who had come from Asia to Rome on business and were present during Paul's troubles [4]. These individuals are understood to have forsaken him, perhaps being ashamed of his imprisonment [4]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary suggests that these individuals, when they were in Rome, "turned from me" then, being "ashamed of my chain," in contrast to Onesiphorus who remained loyal [5]. This commentary also speculates that their turning away might have occurred at Paul's apprehension in Nicopolis, where they had escorted him before he was taken to Rome, and from which they then returned to Asia [5]. This interpretation implies a hint to Timothy, who was in Asia, to not follow their example but to imitate Onesiphorus [5].
John Gill, in his commentary, considers that "all they which are in Asia" could refer to churches and ministers in Asia, or a significant number of them, who were ashamed of Paul because of his imprisonment and despised him in his affliction [4]. However, he clarifies that this cannot be understood as every minister, church, or member in Asia, but rather a substantial portion [4].
Phygelus and Hermogenes are specifically named as examples of those who turned away [1, 2]. Easton's Bible Dictionary identifies Hermogenes as "Mercury-born" and states that he was at one time Paul's fellow-laborer in Asia Minor [3]. However, he, along with Phygelus, later abandoned Paul, likely due to the dangers and perils they faced [3]. The specific reasons for their defection are not detailed in the biblical text, but the context implies a lack of steadfastness in the face of adversity [1, 3].
The mention of "Asia" in other New Testament contexts helps to clarify the geographical scope. For instance, in Acts 16:6, the Holy Spirit forbids Paul and his companions from preaching the word in "Asia," which Adam Clarke interprets as Proconsular Asia, not Asia Minor in general [7]. Paul later preached successfully in this region, where the seven churches of Revelation were located [7]. Similarly, Paul mentions "the Churches of Asia" in 1 Corinthians 16:19, referring to the churches in Asia Minor [10]. This demonstrates Paul's extensive ministry in the broader region, making the specific defection of individuals from Proconsular Asia particularly noteworthy in 2 Timothy.
Sources
- 2 Timothy “This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. -- 2 Timothy 1:15”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 1:15 (Rotherham) — Thou knowest this—that all they who are in Asia have turned away from me,—of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hermogenes — Mercury-born, at one time Paul's fellow-labourer in Asia Minor, who, however, afterwards abandoned him, along with one Phygellus, probably on account of the perils by which they were beset (2 Tim. 1:15).”
- 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 1:15: This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia,.... Either those that followed the apostle from Asia to Rome; or who came from thence thither, upon business, and were upon the spot when the apostle was in his greatest troubles, and yet all forsook him and no man stood by him; or else the churches and ministers in Asia, that is, a great number of them; for it cannot be said of every minister and church, and of all the members of churches there, what follows, be turned away from me; were ashamed of him, because of his chain, and despised him under his afflictio”
- 2 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 1:15: all they which are in Asia--Proconsular Asia; "all who are there now, when they were in Rome (not 'be' or 'are,' but) turned from me" then; were "ashamed of my chain," in contrast to ONESIPHORUS; did not stand with me but forsook me (Ti2 4:16). It is possible that the occasion of their turning from him was at his apprehension in Nicopolis, whither they had escorted him on his way to Rome, but from which they turned back to Asia. A hint to Timothy, now in Asia, not to be like them, but to imitate rather ONESIPHORUS, and to come to him (Ti2 4:21). P”
- 2 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Timothy 1:15: All they which are in Asia - It seems as if the apostle must refer to the Asiatic Christians which were then at Rome, or had been lately there. Finding the apostle in disgrace, and thinking it dangerous to own him or his cause, they neither visited him, or confessed Christianity. He cannot be speaking of any general defection of the Asiatic Churches, but of those Asiatics who had professed a particular friendship for him. Phygellus and Hermogenes - These were two of the persons of whom he complains; but who they were, or what office they held, or whether they wer”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 16:6: Were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia - The Asia mentioned here could not be Asia Minor in general, for Galatia, Phrygia, Pisidia, Lycaonia, and Pamphylia, were provinces of it, and in these the apostles preached; but it was what was called Proconsular Asia, which included only Ionia, Aeolia, and Lydia. The apostles were not suffered to visit these places at this time; but they afterwards went thither, and preached the Gospel with success; for it was in this Proconsular Asia that the seven Churches were situated. God chose to send his servants to”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 2:10: Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt,.... Phrygia was a country in Asia, and had part of Galatia on the north, Lycaonia, Pisidia, and Mygdonia on the south, and on the east Cappadocia (x); here the Apostle Paul afterwards travelled, and strengthened the Christians; see Act 16:6. Pamphylia, now called Setilia, is another country in Asia, formerly called Mopsopia (y); which had on the west Lycia, and part of Asia, on the north Galatia, on the east Cilicia, and part of Cappadocia, and on the south the sea of Pamphylia (z), of which mention is made in Act 27:5. The chief city i”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 16:6: THEY BREAK NEW GROUND IN PHRYGIA AND GALATIA--THEIR COURSE IN THAT DIRECTION BEING MYSTERIOUSLY HEDGED UP, THEY TRAVEL WESTWARD TO TROAS, WHERE THEY ARE DIVINELY DIRECTED TO MACEDONIA--THE HISTORIAN HIMSELF HERE JOINING THE MISSIONARY PARTY, THEY EMBARK FOR NEAPOLIS, AND REACH PHILIPPI. (Act 16:6-12) Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia--proceeding in a northwesterly direction. At this time must have been formed "the churches of Galatia" (Gal 1:2; Co1 16:1); founded, as we learn from the Epistle to the Galatians (particula”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 16:19: The Churches of Asia salute you - i.e. The Churches in Asia Minor. Ephesus was in this Asia, and it is clear from this that the apostle was not at Philippi; had he been at Philippi, as the subscription states, he would have said, The Churches of Macedonia, not the Churches of Asia, salute you. How these places lay, in reference to each other, the reader will at once perceive by consulting the map in Acts. Aquila and Priscilla - Of these eminent persons we have heard before: see Act 18:2, Act 18:18, Act 18:26; and Rom 16:3. With the Church that is in their ho”