2 Timothy 1 · Robertson's Word Pictures
1According to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus (kat' epangelian zoes tes en Christo Iesou). "With a view to the fulfilment of the promise." See Tit 1:1 for this same use of kata. For kat' epangelian see Ga 3:29 . See 1Ti 4:8 for the phrase "promise of life." Here or there "life that in Christ Jesus" includes the present as well as the future.
2Beloved (agapeto). Instead of gnesio (genuine) in 1Ti 1:2 . He had already called Timothy agapeton (verbal adjective of agapao) in 1Co 4:17 , an incidental and strong proof that it is Paul who is writing here. This argument applies to each of the Pastorals for Paul is known by other sources (Acts and previous Pauline Epistles) to sustain precisely the affectionate relation toward Timothy and Titus shown in the Pastorals.
3I thank (charin echo). "I have gratitude." As in 1Ti 1:12 . Robinson cites examples of this phrase from the papyri. It occurs also in Lu 17:9; Ac 2:47 . Charis in doxologies Paul uses (1Co 15:57; 2:14; 8:16; 9:15; Ro 6:17; 7:25 ). His usual idiom is eucharisto (1Co 1:4; Ro 1:8; Phm 1:4; Php 1:3 ) or eucharistoumen (1Th 1:2; Col 1:3 ) or ou pauoma euchariston (Eph 1:16 ) or eucharistein opheilomen (2Th 1:3 ).
Whom I serve from my forefathers (o latreuo apo progonon). The relative o is the dative case with latreuo (see Ro 1:9 for this verb), progressive present (I have been serving). For progonon (forefathers) see 1Ti 5:4 . Paul claims a pious ancestry as in Ac 24:14; Ac 26:5; Ga 2:14; Php 3:4-7 .
In a pure conscience (en kathara suneidese). See 1Ti 1:5; Ac 23:1 .
Unceasing (adialeipton). Late and rare compound, in N.T. only here and Ro 9:2 which see. The adverb adialeiptos is more frequent (in the papyri, literary Koine, 1Th 1:2; Ro 1:9 ). The adjective here is the predicate accusative, "how I hold the memory concerning thee unceasing." The use of adialeiptos (adverb) is a sort of epistolary formula (papyri, 1Th 1:2; 2:13; 5:17; Ro 1:9 ).
Remembrance (mneian). Old word, in N.T. only Pauline (seven times, 1Th 1:2; Ro 1:9; Php 1:3 ).
4Night and day (nuktos ka emeras). Genitive of time, "by night and by day." As in 1Th 2:9; 3:10 .
Longing (epipothon). Present active participle of epipotheo, old word, eight times in Paul (1Th 3:6; Php 1:8 , etc.).
Remembering thy tears (memnemenos sou ton dakruon). Perfect middle participle of mimnesko, old and common verb with the genitive, only here in the Pastorals and elsewhere by Paul only in 1Co 11:2 . Probably an allusion to the scene at Miletus (Ac 20:37 ). Cf. Ac 20:19 .
That I may be filled with joy (ina charas plerotho). Final clause with ina and first aorist passive subjunctive of pleroo (with genitive case charas), a verb common with Paul (Ro 8:4; 13:8 ).
5Having been reminded (upomnesin labon). "Having received (second aorist active participle of lambano) a reminder" (old word from upomimnesko, to remind, in N.T. only here and 1Pe 1:13 ). For the idiom see Ro 7:8,11 . A reminder by another while anamnesis remembrance (1Co 11:24f. ) is rather a recalling by oneself (Vincent).
Of the unfeigned faith (tes anupokritou pisteos). Late compound for which see 2Co 6:6; Ro 12:9 .
Dwelt (enoikesen). First aorist active indicative of enoikeo, old verb, in N.T. only in Paul (Ro 8:11; Col 3:16 ).
First (proton). Adverb, not adjective (prote).
In thy grandmother Lois (en te mamme Loid). Old word, originally the infantile word for meter (mother), then extended by writers to grandmother as here. Common for grandmother in the papyri. Lois is the mother of Eunice, Timothy's mother, since Timothy's father was a Greek (Ac 16:1 ). Probably both grandmother and mother became Christians.
I am persuaded (pepeisma). Perfect passive indicative of peitho, "I stand persuaded." In the Pastorals only here and verse 12, common in Paul's other writings (Ro 8:38 , etc.).
6For the which cause (di' en aitian). "For which cause," stronger than dio. So in verse 12; Tit 1:13 . Only example of aitia by Paul save in Ac 28:20 .
I put thee in remembrance (anamimnesko). Old compound to remind (1Co 4:17; 2Co 7:15 ).
That thou stir up (se anazopurein). Present active infinitive of anazopureo, old double compound (ana and zopuron, live coal, zoos and pur, then the bellows for kindling), to rekindle, to stir into flame, to keep blazing (continuous action, present time), only here in N.T. See 1Th 5:19 for the figure of fire concerning the Holy Spirit. See anapto in Lu 12:49 .
The gift of God (to charisma tou theou). See 1Ti 4:14 . Here Paul says mou (my), there he mentions the presbytery. Paul felt a deep personal interest in Timothy. See 1Co 7:7; Ro 6:23; 11:29 for the gift of God.
7A spirit of fearfulness (pneuma deilias). Here pneuma is the charisma of verse 6, the human spirit as endowed by the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:15 ). Deilia is an old word (deilos, deido) and always in a bad sense of cowardice, only here in N.T.
Of power (dunameos). One of Paul's characteristic words (Ro 1:16 ).
Of love (agapes). One of the gifts of the Spirit (Ga 5:22 ). "Which drives out fear" (Lock) as in 1Jo 4:18 .
Of discipline (sophronismou). Late Koine word (from sophronizo, to control), self-control, here only in N.T. See 1Ti 2:9 for sophrosune.
8Be not ashamed of (me epaischuntheis). First aorist (ingressive) passive subjunctive (in prohibition) of epaischunoma, old word, to be ashamed. Again in verse 16 without augment (epaischunthen), transitive use of the passive voice as often in the Koine (Robertson, Grammar, p. 818). See Ro 1:16; 6:21 . "Do not become ashamed" (as he had not).
The testimony of our Lord (to marturion tou kuriou). For the old word marturion see 1Co 1:6; 2:1 . Paul probably has in mind the saying of Jesus preserved in Mr 8:38 (Lu 9:26 ). See also 2:12.
His prisoner (ton desmion autou). As in Php 1:12; Phm 1:1,9; Eph 3:1; 4:1 (the first Roman captivity). Paul is in his last captivity and refers to it again in verse 16; 2:9 .
Suffer hardship with (sunkakopatheson). First aorist active imperative of the double compound sunkakopatheo, first known use and in N.T. only here and 2:3 (in eccles. writers). But kakopatheo, to suffer evil, is old verb (2:9; 4:5 ). Paul is fond of compounds of sun. Paul challenges Timothy by this verb which he apparently coins for the purpose to a joint (sun) suffering with the Lord Jesus and Paul "for the gospel" (to euangelio, dative case rather than associative instrumental "with").
According to the power of God (kata dunamin theou). Given by God (2Co 6:7 ).
9Called us with a holy calling (kalesantos klese agia). Probably dative, "to a holy calling." Klesis here apparently not the invitation, but the consecrated service, "the upward calling" (Php 3:14 ). See 1Co 7:20; Eph 4:1,4 for the use of kaleo with klesis. Paul often uses kaleo of God's calling men (1Th 2:12; 1Co 1:9; Ga 1:6; Ro 8:20; 9:11 ).
Purpose (prothesin). See Ro 9:11; Eph 1:11 for prothesin.
Which was given (ten dotheisan). First aorist passive articular participle agreeing with charis (grace), a thoroughly Pauline expression (1Co 3:10; Ro 12:3,6 , etc.), only here in Pastoral Epistles.
Before times eternal (pro chronon aionion). See Tit 1:2 .
10But hath now been manifested (phanerotheisan de nun). First aorist passive participle of phaneroo agreeing with charin. See Tit 1:3; Col 1:26; 3:4 for phaneroo and the contrast made.
By the appearing (dia tes epiphaneias). Only here of the Incarnation (except the verb, Tit 2:11; 3:4 ), but for the second coming see Tit 2:13 .
Who abolished death (katargesantos men ton thanaton). First aorist active participle of katargeo, the very phrase in 1Co 15:26; Heb 2:14 .
Brought to light (photisantos de). First aorist active participle of photizo, literary Koine word for which see 1Co 4:5; Eph 1:18 , to turn the light on.
Life and incorruption (zoen ka aphtharsian). The opposite of thanatos, "life and immortality" (unchangeable life).
11For which (eis o). For the gospel. See 1Ti 2:7 for this verse.
12These things (tauta). His imprisonment in Rome.
Yet I am not ashamed (all' ouk epaischunoma). Plain reference to the exhortation to Timothy in verse 8.
Him whom I have believed (o pepisteuka). Dative case of the relative (o) with the perfect active of pisteuo, the antecedent to the relative not expressed. It is not an indirect question. Paul knows Jesus Christ whom he has trusted.
I am persuaded (pepeisma). See verse 5.
To guard (phulaxa). First aorist active infinitive of phulasso, the very word used in 1Ti 6:20 with paratheken as here, to guard against robbery or any loss.
That which I have committed unto him (ten paratheken mou). Literally, "my deposit," as in a bank, the bank of heaven which no burglar can break (Mt 6:19f. ). See this word also in verse 14. Some MSS. have the more common parakatatheke (a sort of double deposit, para, beside, down, kata).
Against that day (eis ekeinen ten emeran). The day of Christ's second coming. See also 1:18; 4:8; 2Th 1:10 , and often in the Gospels. Elsewhere, the day of the Lord (1Th 5:2; 2Th 2:2; 1Co 1:8; 2Co 1:14 ), the day of Christ or Jesus Christ (Php 1:6,10; 2:16 ), the day (1Th 5:4; 1Co 3:13; Ro 13:12 ), the day of redemption (Eph 4:20 ), the day of judgment (Ro 2:5,16 ).
13The pattern of sound words (upotuposin ugiainonton logon). See 1Ti 1:16 for upotuposin and 1Ti 1:10 for ugiaino.
Which (on). Genitive plural with ekousas (didst hear) or attracted to case of logon (akouo is used either with the accusative or the genitive).
14That good thing which was committed unto thee (ten kalen paratheken). Simply, "the good deposit."
Guard (phulaxon). As in 1Ti 6:20 . God has also made an investment in Timothy (cf. verse 12). Timothy must not let that fail.
Which dwelleth in us (tou enoikountos en emin). It is only through the Holy Spirit that Timothy or any of us can guard God's deposit with us.
15Are turned away from me (apestraphesan me). Second aorist passive (still transitive here with me) of apostrepho, for which verb see Tit 1:14 . For the accusative with these passive deponents see Robertson, Grammar, p. 484. It is not known to what incident Paul refers, whether the refusal of the Christians in the Roman province of Asia to help Paul on his arrest (or in response to an appeal from Rome) or whether the Asian Christians in Rome deserted Paul in the first stage of the trial ( 4:16). Two of these Asian deserters are mentioned by name, perhaps for reasons known to Timothy. Nothing else is known of Phygelus and Hermogenes except this shameful item.
16Grant mercy (doie eleos). The phrase nowhere else in the N.T. Second aorist active optative of didom, the usual form being doie. This is the usual construction in a wish about the future.
Unto the house of Onesiphorus (to Onesiphorou oiko). The same phrase in 4:19. Apparently Onesiphorus is now dead as is implied by the wish in 1:18.
For he oft refreshed me (ot pollakis me anepsuxen). First aorist active indicative of anapsucho, old verb, to cool again, in LXX and Koine often, here only in N.T., but anapsuxis in Ac 3:20 . In the first imprisonment or the second. If he lost his life for coming to see Paul, it was probably recently during this imprisonment.
Was not ashamed of my chain (alusin mou ouk epaischunthe). Passive deponent again (first aorist indicative) with accusative as in 1:8. For alusin (chain) see Eph 6:20 . Note absence of augment in epaischunthe.
17When he was in Rome (genomenos en Rome). Second aorist middle participle of ginoma (coming to Rome, happening in Rome).
He sought me diligently and found me (spoudaios ezetesen me ka euren). Effective aorists both of them (first of zeteo, second of eurisko). He did it at the risk of his own life apparently.
18Grant to him to and mercy (doie auto eurein eleos). Second aorist active optative in wish for the future again as in verse 16. Find mercy from the Lord (Jesus) as he found me.
Thou knowest very well (beltion su ginoskeis). Literally, "thou knowest better (than I)," for he did those things in Ephesus where thou art. Only N.T. example of beltion, in D text of Ac 10:28 .
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