PAUL draws up a roll of honour and of dishonour of his friends.  Some are only names to us; of some, as we read the Acts of the Apostles as well as the Epistles, we get the occasional revealing glimpse. If we are allowed to use our imagination, we can reconstruct some of the stories. ~Barclay commentary

Now to the rest of the commentaries. One might ask, just how can we speak for an hour on this short verse. Let's see. We will begin with the general commentaries and move to the specific.

The Matthew Henry Main covers verses 9-15. I will give you what it has for verse 9.

Here are divers particular matters which Paul mentions to Timothy, now at the closing of the epistle. 1. He bids him hasten to him, if possible (2 Timothy 4:9): So thy diligence to come shortly to me. For Timothy was an evangelist, one who was not a fixed pastor of any one place, but attended the motions of the apostles, to build upon their foundation. Paul wanted Timothy's company and help. ~Matthew Henry Main

Now to the Matthew Henry concise which covers verses 9-13.

The love of this world, is often the cause of turning back from the truths and ways of Jesus Christ. Paul was guided by Divine inspiration, yet he would have his books. As long as we live, we must still learn. The apostles did not neglect human means, in seeking the necessaries of life, or their own instruction. Let us thank the Divine goodness in having given us so many writings of wise and pious men in all ages; and let us seek that by reading them our profiting may appear to all. ~Matthew Henry Concise

Note:  Of course, we understand that the entire Word of God is by His inspiration and that He inspired various men, such as Paul to write the words they did.  We see in the Matthew Henry Concise the admonition to immerse ourselves in this Word of God.  We are blessed by being able to do so.  And how do we immerse ourselves into His Word?  With all diligence.

Here are several items from the Biblical Illustrator.  Note that the term "men" is used throughout the commentary.  Clearly we are referring ultimately to all males and females in the Body of Christ here.

Come shortly unto me.
Companionship
I. Human companionships are very necessary. The ear thirsts for a friend’s voice; the heart hungers for a friend’s love.

II. Human companionships are very changing. Changes are caused by distance, death, depravity.

III. Human companionships are often great blessings. Luke was with Paul. Mark was to be brought to him. Timothy was coming to him.

IV. Human companionships sometimes prove great afflictions. Demas, Alexander. Men suffer most when “wounded in the house of their friends.”

V. Human companionships must sometimes fail us. Friends are sometimes scared by poverty, failure, shame. Besides, companionship can do little in our intense bodily pain, mental anguish, spiritual conflict, throes of death.


The society of good men desirable

Note: "Good men" for our purposes is defined as fellow firstfruits in the salvation process.  We are not necessarily speaking of the goodness of Christ.  Firstfruits are attaining to that kind of goodness.  Be clear on the distinction of and use of the term.

1. Personal presence is to be preferred before writing.
2. The society and help of good men is much to be desired. There is much comfort and good to be gained thereby.
3. The strongest Christians sometimes may be helped by weaker. A Paul may stand in need of a Timothy.
4. A minister upon weighty and just occasions may lawfully be absent from his flock for a time.
5. We may love one friend more than another. Timothy was Paul’s beloved son in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2).

Quoted verse:
1 Timothy 1:2 [see lesson]
Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.


Best men—lessons from their life
I. The best men, in the presence of death, are not disregardful of human sympathy. Even Christ took three disciples with Him to Gethsemane.
II. The best men are sometimes exposed to great social trials. All of us are constantly losing friends, from one cause or another.
III. The best men are subject to common needs. Men, if they are to be clothed, must procure their own garments; if they are to be educated and informed, must use their own faculties.
IV. The best men are sometimes troubled by their inferiors. “Alexander the coppersmith.” It requires no greatness to do mischief. The most contemptible characters are always the most successful in this work. Lessons—

---1. Value true friends.
---2. Anticipate social desertions.
---3. Do not look for miraculous interpositions to supply your needs. Do not be painfully surprised if you have enemies.

Note: In item IV above and the phrase "troubled by their inferiors" is speaking to the unconverted, fallen away and/or crept in unawares.


Friends in adversity  ...and this commentator likes to use a story line to make his point
To-day Colonel C. came to dine with us, and in the midst of our meal we were entertained with a most agreeable sight. It was a shark, about the length of a man, which followed our ship, attended with five smaller fishes, called pilot-fish, much like our mackerel, but larger. These, I am told, always keep the shark company, and, what is more surprising, though the shark is so ravenous a creature, yet, let it be never so hungry, it will not touch one of them. Nor are they less faithful to him; for, as I am informed, if the shark is hooked, very often these little creatures will cleave close to his fins, and are often taken up with him.

Go to the pilot-fish, thou that forsakest a friend in adversity, consider his ways, and be ashamed.

Man’s craving for society
Man is a social being. He is made to feel for, and with, his fellow-men. Sociality is a joy, a strength, a light to him. He is revealed, regaled, renewed, by fellowship. When there is community of views, sympathy of feelings, it causes a wonderful development of his nature, and gives it wonderful power. It is a lamp, a feast, a buttress of his being. It is everything whereby he can be ministered unto, or help to minister. God is social: “The God of the spirits of all flesh.” Christ is social: “The Head of the body, the Church.” Christianity is social: “The fellowship of the gospel.” Man is social: “Come shortly unto Me.”


Isolation undesirable
“One man is no man.” True, there are some cold, misanthropic [unfriendly] souls that shun their fellows, like some plants that shrink and shrivel at a touch, and that even take an awful pride in solitude and isolation; but this is disease, or sin, or both. The finest natures are furthest removed from it. ~Biblical Illustrator

Notice this from the Cambridge Bible

Do thy diligence -The same verb as in Titus 3:12 and below 2 Timothy 4:21. ‘Make an earnest effort,’ ‘do thy best.’ Compare the use in Galatians 2:10, ‘this was my own heartfelt desire.’ ~Cambridge Bible

Quoted verses:
Titus 3:12
When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

2 Timothy 4:21
Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

Galatians 2:10
Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Note: the word, "forward" here is the Greek 4704 which is the word, "diligent" in Titus 3:12 and, "diligence" 2 Timothy 4:12

spoudazō
spoo-dad'-zo
From G4710; to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: - do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.

Now to the Jamieson, Fausset, Brown:

(2 Timothy 4:21; 2 Timothy 1:4, 2 Timothy 1:8.) Timothy is asked to come to be a comfort to Paul, and also to be strengthened by Paul, for carrying on the Gospel work after Paul’s decease. ~ Jamieson, Fausset, Brown

Quoted verses:
2 Timothy 4:21 [see lesson]
Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

2 Timothy 1:4 [see lesson]
Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

2 Timothy 1:8 [see lesson]
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

The John Wesley follows this thought:

Come to me - Both that he might comfort him, and be strengthened by him. [Timothy] himself is said to have suffered at Ephesus. ~John Wesley Explanatory Notes

Let us go now to the Pulpit Bible:

Do thy diligence (σπούδασον); see 2 Timothy 2:15, note. Paul’s affectionate longing for Timothy’s company in present danger and desertion is very touching. ~Pulpit Bible

Quoted verse:
2 Timothy 2:15 [see lesson]
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.


Note: The word, "Study" is the same Greek 4704 for "diligence."

Now to the specific commentaries beginning with the Barnes Notes. There is only one part to this short verse and clearly, as we have seen in abundance, the key subject is "diligence."

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me - As soon as possible. Timothy had been Paul’s traveling companion, and was his intimate friend. The apostle was now nearly forsaken, and was about to pass through severe trials. It is not certainly known for what purpose he wished him to come to him, but perhaps he desired to give him some parting counsels; perhaps he wished him to be near him when he died. It is evident from this that he did not regard him as the prelatical [high ranking] “bishop of the church of the Ephesians,” or consider that he was so confined to that place in his labors, that he was not also to go to other places if he was called in the providence of God. It is probable that Timothy would obey such a summons. ~Barnes Notes

Look at the Adam Clarke:

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me - He appears to have wished Timothy to be present at his death, that he might have his faith confirmed by seeing how a Christian could die; and, as he had but a short time to live, he begs Timothy to hasten his visit, and particularly so as he had scarcely now any companions. ~Adam Clarke

And now the John Gill:

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me - From Ephesus, where Timothy was, to Rome, where the apostle was; and this request did not arise purely from a desire of seeing Timothy, as in 2 Timothy 1:4 [mentioned above] but rather because he had some things to say to him, relating to the care of the churches and the good of the interest of Christ, which he chose not to write with ink and paper; and he desires the rather that he would use diligence, and hasten his coming to him; partly because winter was coming on, when travelling would not be so safe and comfortable, 2 Timothy 4:21[mentioned above] and partly because the time of his death was at hand, 2 Timothy 4:7 and also because he was almost alone. ~John Gill

Quoted verse
2 Timothy 4:7 [See Lesson]
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

None of you are in wonderment about how I feel about Fervency, Zeal and Diligence. This verse and much of Paul's attitude and encouragement is about Diligence. Let me say a few words on this subject.

From the dictionary:

Diligence:
1] Constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.
2] Steady and careful application.
3] Proper attention or care.

The word, "diligence" is very closely related to our word, "Assiduity" as in Assiduity Praying [giving close attention to putting everything into the hands of God].

Assiduity:
1] constant or close application or effort; diligence; industry.
2] devoted or solicitous [eager] attentions.

As stated, "diligence" in our verse tonight is Greek 4704.

Notice how it is rendered in the Word of God.

Galatians 2:10--"forward"
Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward [G4704] to do.

Ephesians 4:3--"endeavoring"
Endeavouring [G4704] to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

1 Thessalonians 2:17--"endeavorured"
But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured [G4704] the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

2 Timothy 2:15--"Study"
Study [G4704] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Titus 3:12--"diligent"
When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent [G4704] to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

Hebrews 4:11--"labour"
Let us labour [G4704] therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

2 Peter 1:10--"diligence"
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence [G4704] to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

2 Peter 1:15--"endeavour"
Moreover I will endeavour [G4704] that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

2 Peter 3:14--"diligent"
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent [G4704] that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Quotes on Diligence
"Diligence is the mother of good luck." ~Benjamin Franklin

"Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence."

"The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools."

"Everything yields to diligence."

"What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence."

"Patience and Diligence, like faith, remove mountains." ~William Penn

"He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor."

Diligence: This is the lesson of verse 9.


Reference: Sermon: F.D.Z.P.