1. This Epistle is the last testament and swan-like death song of
Paul [BENGEL].
according to the promise of life . . . in Christ--Paul's
apostleship is in order to carry into effect this promise.
Compare "according to the faith . . . in hope of eternal life . . .
promise," &c. (@Tit 1:1,2). This "promise of life in Christ"
(compare @2Ti 1:10 2Ti 2:8) was needed to nerve Timothy to fortitude
amidst trials, and to boldness in undertaking the journey to Rome, which
would be attended with much risk (@2Ti 1:8).
2. my dearly beloved son--In @1Ti 1:2, and @Tit 1:4, written at an earlier period than this Epistle, the expression used is in the Greek, "my genuine son." ALFORD sees in the change of expression an intimation of an altered tone as to Timothy, more of mere love, and less of confidence, as though Paul saw m him a want of firmness, whence arose the need of his stirring up afresh the faith and grace in Him (@2Ti 1:6). But this seems to me not justified by the Greek word agapetos, which implies the attachment of reasoning and choice, on the ground of merit in the one "beloved," not of merely instinctive love. See TRENCH [Greek Synonyms of the New Testament].
3. I thank--Greek, "I feel gratitude to God."
whom I serve from my forefathers--whom I serve (@Ro 1:9)
as did my forefathers. He does not mean to put on the same footing
the Jewish and Christian service of God; but simply to assert his own
conscientious service of God as he had received it from his
progenitors (not Abraham, Isaac, &c., whom he calls "the fathers,"
not "progenitors" as the Greek is here; @Ro 9:5). The memory of
those who had gone before to whom he is about to be gathered, is now, on
the eve of death, pleasant to him; hence also, he calls to mind the
faith of the mother and grandmother of Timothy; as he walks in the faith
of his forefathers (@Ac 23:1 24:14 26:6,7 28:20), so Timothy should
persevere firmly in the faith of his parent and grandparent. Not only
Paul, but the Jews who reject Christ, forsake the faith of their
forefathers, who looked for Christ; when they accept Him, the hearts of
the children shall only be returning to the faith of their forefathers
(@Mal 4:6 Lu 1:17 Ro 11:23,24,28). Probably Paul had, in his recent
defense, dwelt on this topic, namely, that he was, in being a Christian,
only following his hereditary faith.
that . . . I have remembrance of thee--"how unceasing I
make my mention concerning thee" (compare @Phm 1:4). The cause
of Paul's feeling thankful is, not that he remembers Timothy unceasingly
in his prayers, but for what Timothy is in faith (@2Ti 1:5) and
graces; compare @Ro 1:8,9, from which supply the elliptical sentence
thus, "I thank God (for thee, for God is my witness) whom I serve . . .
that (or how) without ceasing I have remembrance (or make mention)
of thee," &c.
night and
day--(See on 1Ti 5:5).
4. desiring--Greek, "with yearning as for one much missed."
mindful of thy tears--not only at our parting (@Ac 20:37), but
also often when under pious feelings.
that I may be filled with joy--to be joined with "desiring to see
thee" (@Ro 1:11,12 15:32).
5. When I call to remembrance--This increased his "desire to see"
Timothy. The oldest manuscripts read, "When I called to
remembrance"; implying that some recent incident (perhaps the contrasted
cowardice of the hypocrite Demas, who forsook him) had reminded him of
the sincerity of Timothy's faith.
faith that is in thee--ALFORD translates, "that was in thee." He
remembers Timothy's faith in the past as a fact; its present existence in him is only matter of his confident persuasion or hope.
which--Greek, "such as."
dwelt--"made its dwelling" or abode (@Joh 14:23). The past tense
implies they were now dead.
first--before it dwelt in thee. She was the furthest back of the
progenitors of Timothy whom Paul knew.
mother Eunice--a believing Jewess; but his father was a Greek,
that is, a heathen (@Ac 16:1). The faith of the one parent sanctified
the child (@2Ti 3:15 1Co 7:14). She was probably converted at Paul's
first visit to Lystra (@Ac 14:6). It is an undesigned coincidence,
and so a mark of truth, that in @Ac 16:1 the belief of the mother
alone is mentioned, just as here praise is bestowed on the faith of
the mother, while no notice is taken of the father [PALEY,
Horæ Paulinæ].
and--Greek, "but," that is, notwithstanding appearances
[ALFORD].
persuaded that--it dwells, or it shall dwell "in thee also."
The mention of the faith of his mother and grandmother is designed as an
incentive to stir up his faith.
6. Wherefore--Greek, "For which cause," namely, because thou
hast inherited, didst once possess, and I trust ("am persuaded") still
dost possess, such unfeigned faith [ALFORD].
stir up--literally, "rekindle," "revive the spark of"; the opposite
of "quench" or "extinguish" (@1Th 5:19). Paul does not doubt the
existence of real faith in Timothy, but he desires it to be put into
active exercise. Timothy seems to have become somewhat remiss from being
so long without Paul (@2Ti 2:22).
gift of God--the spiritual grace received for his ministerial
office, either at his original ordination, or at his consecration to the
particular office of superintending the Ephesian Church
(see on 1Ti 4:14), imparting
fearlessness, power, love, and a sound mind (@2Ti 1:7).
by the putting on of my hands--In @1Ti 4:14, it is "with
[not by] the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." The apostle
was chief in the ordination, and to him "BY" is applied. The presbytery
were his assistants; so "with," implying merely accompaniment, is
said of them. Paul was the instrument in Timothy's ordination and
reception of the grace then conferred; the presbyters were the
concurrent participants in the act of ordination; so the Greek, "dia" and "meta." So in ordinations by a bishop in our days, he
does the principal act; they join in laying on hands with him.
7. For, &c.--implying that Timothy needed the exhortation "to stir
up the gift of God in him," being constitutionally "timid": "For God
did not give us (so the Greek, namely, at our ordination or
consecration) the spirit of fear." The spirit which He gave us, was
not the spirit of timidity (literally, "cowardice," which is weakness),
but of "power" (exhibited in a fearless "testimony" for Christ,
@2Ti 1:8). "Power is the invariable accompaniment of the gift of
the Holy Ghost. @Lu 24:49 Ac 1:8; compare @Ac 6:6, "full of
faith and of the Holy Ghost," with @2Ti 1:8, "full of faith and
power." Fear is the result of "the spirit of bondage" (@Ro 8:15).
Fear within exaggerates the causes of fear without. "The spirit
of power" is the spirit of man dwelt in by the Spirit of God imparting
power; this power "casteth out fear" from ourselves, and stimulates
us to try to cast it out of others (@1Jo 4:18).
love--which moves the believer while "speaking the truth" with
power, when giving his testimony for Christ (@2Ti 1:8), at the
same time to do so "in love" (@Eph 4:15).
a sound mind--The Greek, is rather, "the bringing of men to a
sound mind" [WAHL].
BENGEL supports English Version, "a sound
mind," or "sober-mindedness"; a duty to which a young man like Timothy
especially needed to be exhorted (@2Ti 2:22 1Ti 4:12 Tit 2:4,6). So
Paul urges him, in @2Ti 2:4, to give up worldly entanglements, which
as thorns (@Lu 8:14) choke the word. These three gifts are
preferable to any miraculous powers whatever.
8. therefore--seeing that God hath given us such a spirit, not that
of fear.
Be not thou . . . ashamed--I agree with
ELLICOTT, in opposition to
ALFORD, that the Greek subjunctive here, with the negative, implies
action completed at one time, not continued action, which the
present imperative would express; thus implying that Timothy had not decidedly yet evinced such feeling of shame; though I think,
Paul, amidst the desertion of others who once promised fair, and from
being aware of Timothy's constitutional timidity
(see on 2Ti 1:7), felt it necessary to stir him up and guard
him against the possibility of unchristian dereliction of duty as to
bold confession of Christ. Shame (@2Ti 1:8) is the companion of
fear (@2Ti 1:7); if fear be overcome, false shame flees
[BENGEL].
Paul himself (@2Ti 1:12), and Onesiphorus (@2Ti 1:16), were
instances of fearless profession removing false shame. He presents in
contrast sad instances of fear and shame (@2Ti 1:15).
of the testimony of our Lord--of the testimony which thou art
bound to give in the cause of our Lord; he says "our," to connect
Timothy and himself together in the testimony which both should give for
their common Lord. The testimony which Christ gave before Pilate (@1Ti 6:12,13), is an incentive to the believer that he should,
after His Lord's example, witness a good testimony or
confession.
nor of me his prisoner--The cause of God's servants is the cause of
God Himself (@Eph 4:1). Timothy might easily be tempted to be
ashamed of one in prison, especially as not only worldly shame, but
great risk, attended any recognition of Paul the prisoner.
be thou partaker--with me.
of the gospel--rather, as Greek, "for the Gospel," that is,
suffered for the Gospel (@2Ti 2:3-5 Phm 1:13).
according to the power of God--exhibited in having saved and
called us (@2Ti 1:9). God who has done the greater act of power
(that is, saved us), will surely do the less
(carry us safe through afflictions borne for the Gospel).
"Think not that thou hast to
bear these afflictions by thine own power; nay, it is by the power of
God. It was a greater exercise of power than His making the heaven, His
persuading the world to embrace salvation" [CHRYSOSTOM].
9. Who . . . called us--namely, God the Father (@Ga 1:6). The
having "saved us" in His eternal purpose of "grace, given us in Christ
before the world began," precedes his actual "calling" of us in due time
with a call made effective to us by the Holy Spirit; therefore, "saved
us" comes before "called us" (@Ro 8:28-30).
holy calling--the actual call to a life of holiness.
@Heb 3:1, "heavenly calling" [TITTMANN,
Greek Synonyms of the New Testament]; whereas we were sinners
and enemies (@Eph 1:18 4:1). The call comes wholly from God
and claims us wholly for God. "Holy" implies the separation of
believers from the rest of the world unto God.
not according to--not having regard to our works in His election and
calling of grace (@Ro 9:11 Eph 2:8,9).
his own purpose--The origination of salvation was of
His own purpose, flowing from His own goodness, not for works of
ours coming first, but wholly because of His own gratuitous, electing
love [THEODORET and
CALVIN].
grace . . . given us--in His everlasting purpose, regarded as the same
as when actually accomplished in due time.
in Christ--believers being regarded by God as IN HIM, with whom the
Father makes the covenant of salvation (@Eph 1:4 3:11).
before the world began--Greek, "before the times (periods) of
ages"; the enduring ages of which no end is contemplated
(@1Co 2:7 Eph 3:11).
10. But . . . now . . . manifest--in contrast to its concealment
heretofore in the eternal purpose of God "before the world began"
(@2Ti 1:9 Col 1:16 Tit 1:2,3).
appearing--the visible manifestation in the flesh.
abolished death--Greek, "taken away the power from death"
[TITTMANN]. The Greek article before "death" implies that Christ
abolished death, not only in some particular instance, but in its very
essence, being, and idea, as well as in all its aspects and consequences
(@Joh 11:26 Ro 8:2,38 1Co 15:26,55 Heb 2:14). The carrying out of
the abolition of death into full effect is to be at the resurrection
(@Re 20:14). The death of the body meanwhile is but temporary, and
is made no account of by Christ and the apostles.
brought . . . to light--making visible by the Gospel what was before
hidden in God's purpose.
life--of the Spirit, acting first on the soul here, about to act on
the body also at the resurrection.
immortality--Greek, "incorruptibility" of the new life, not
merely of the risen body [ALFORD], (@Ro 8:11).
through--by means of the Gospel, which
brings to light the life and immortality purposed by God from
eternity, but manifested now first to man by Christ, who in His own
resurrection has given the pledge of His people's final triumph over
death through Him. Before the Gospel revelation from God, man, by the
light of nature, under the most favorable circumstances, had but a
glimmering idea of the possibility of a future being of the soul, but not the faintest idea of the resurrection of the body
(@Ac 17:18,32). If Christ were not "the life," the dead could never
live; if He were not the resurrection, they could never rise; had He not
the keys of hell and death (@Re 1:18), we could never break through
the bars of death or gates of hell [BISHOP
PEARSON].
11. Whereunto--For the publication of which Gospel.
I am appointed--Greek, "I was appointed."
preacher--Greek, "herald."
teacher of the Gentiles--(@1Ti 2:7). He brings forward his own
example in this verse and @2Ti 1:12, as a pattern for Timothy, as a
public "preacher," an "apostle," or missionary from place to
place, and a "teacher" in private instructing His flock with
patient perseverance.
12. For the which cause--For the Gospel cause of which I was appointed
a preacher (@2Ti 1:10,11).
I also suffer--besides my active work as a missionary.
ELLICOTT
translates, "I suffer even these things"; the sufferings attendant on my
being a prisoner (@2Ti 1:8,15).
I am not ashamed--neither be thou (@2Ti 1:8).
for--Confidence as to the future drives away shame
[BENGEL].
I know--though the world knows Him not (@Joh 10:14 17:25).
whom--I know what a faithful, promise-keeping God He is
(@2Ti 2:13). It is not, I know how I have believed, but, I know
WHOM I have believed; a feeble faith may clasp a strong Saviour.
believed--rather, "trusted"; carrying out the metaphor of a depositor
depositing his pledge with one whom he trusts.
am persuaded--(@Ro 8:38).
he is able--in spite of so many foes around me.
that which I have committed unto him--Greek, "my deposit"; the
body, soul, and spirit, which I have deposited in God's safe keeping
(@1Th 5:23 1Pe 4:19). So Christ Himself in dying (@Lu 23:46).
"God deposits with us His word; we deposit with God our spirit"
[GROTIUS]. There is one deposit (His revelation) committed by God to us,
which we ought to keep (@2Ti 1:13,14) and transmit to others
(@2Ti 2:2); there is another committed by God to us, which we should
commit to His keeping, namely, ourselves and our heavenly portion.
that day--the day of His appearing (@2Ti 1:18 2Ti 4:8).
13. Hold fast the form--rather as Greek, "Have
(that is, keep) a pattern of sound
(Greek, 'healthy') words which thou
hast heard from me, in faith and love." "Keep" suits the reference to a
deposit in the context. The secondary position of the verb in the
Greek forbids our taking it so strongly as English Version, "Hold fast." The Greek for "form" is translated "pattern" in
@1Ti 1:16, the only other passage where it occurs. Have such a
pattern drawn from my sound words, in opposition to the
unsound doctrines so current at Ephesus, vividly impressed
(WAHL
translates it "delineation"; the verb implies "to make
a lively and lasting impress") on thy mind.
in faith and love--the element IN which my sound words had place,
and in which thou art to have the vivid impression of them as thy
inwardly delineated pattern, moulding conformably thy outward
profession. So nearly BENGEL explains,
@1Ti 3:9.
14. Translate as Greek, "That goodly deposit keep through the
Holy Ghost," namely, "the sound words which I have committed to thee"
(@2Ti 1:13 2Ti 2:2).
in us--in all believers, not merely in you and me. The indwelling
Spirit enables us to keep from the robbers of the soul the deposit of
His word committed to us by God.
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 (@2Ti 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
(@2Ti 4:21).
Phygellus and Hermogenes--specified perhaps, as being persons from
whom such pusillanimous conduct could least be expected; or, as being
well known to Timothy, and spoken of before in conversations between him
and Paul, when the latter was in Asia Minor.
16. The Lord give mercy--even as ONESIPHORUS had abounded in works
of mercy.
the house of Onesiphorus--He himself was then absent from Ephesus,
which accounts for the form of expression (@2Ti 4:19). His
household would hardly retain his name after the master was dead, as
BENGEL supposes him to have been. Nowhere has Paul prayers for the dead,
which is fatal to the theory, favored by ALFORD also, that he was dead.
God blesses not only the righteous man himself, but all his household.
my chain--Paul in the second, as in his first imprisonment, was
bound by a chain to the soldier who guarded him.
17. found me--in the crowded metropolis. So in turn "may he find mercy of the Lord in that day" when the whole universe shall be assembled.
18. grant unto him--as well as "unto his house" (@2Ti 1:16).
the Lord--who rewards a kindness done to His disciples as if done to
Himself (@Mt 25:45).
of--from the Lord; "the Lord" is emphatically put instead of
"from Himself," for solemnity and emphasis (@2Th 3:5).
in how many things--"how many acts of ministry he rendered."
unto me--omitted in the oldest manuscripts, so that the "ministered"
may include services rendered to others as well as to Paul.
very well--rather as Greek, "Thou knowest better" (than I can
tell thee, seeing that thou art more of a regular resident at Ephesus).