Keep in mind that Book 3, chapter 1 (section 2) of Ireneaus' Against Heresies has only survived in Latin translation.Irish1975 wrote: ↑Mon May 13, 2019 10:05 am 2 Timothy 4:6 (Polycarp's Pauline forgery per Trobisch) has a minimal statement about Paul's end:
One can read into that various things, as was probably the author's intent: that Paul was executed for preaching the gospel; that he was simply ill and on the verge of death; or (to suit the plan in Romans) that he "departed" Rome for Spain or somewhere else.For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure[tes analuseos mou] is near.
Interestingly, Irenaeus takes exactly the same evasive and ambiguous tack:
Irenaeus AH 3.1:If anyone has the Greek of Irenaeus maybe they could check to see if the same verb is used....while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome, and laying the foundations of the Church. After their departure, Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, did also hand down to us...
Post vero horum
Thereafter, indeed, of these,
excessum Marcus discipulus et interpres Petri,
flourished Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter
et ipse quae a Petro annuntiata erant,
and they were the same things preached by Peter,
per scripta nobis tradidit.
given to us in writing.
DCH