2 Timothy 2 · Robertson's Word Pictures
1Be strengthened (endunamou). Present passive imperative of endunamoo. See already 1Ti 1:12; Ro 4:20; Php 4:13; Eph 6:10 . "Keep on being empowered," "keep in touch with the power."
In the grace that is in Christ Jesus (en te charit te en Christo Iesou). Where the power is located. Christ is the dynamo for power only when and while we keep in touch with him.
2From me (par' emou). As in 1:13. Paul was Timothy's chief teacher of Christ.
Among many witnesses (dia pollon marturon). Plutarch has dia in this sense and Field (Ot. Norv.) suggests that it is a legal phrase "supported by many witnesses." Not mere spectators, but testifiers. See Paul's use of dia 1Th 4:2; 2Co 2:4; Ro 2:27; 14:20 . Paul in 1Co 15:1-8 gives many witnesses of the resurrection of Christ.
Commit thou (parathou). Second aorist middle imperative of paratithem (1Ti 1:18 ) to deposit, same metaphor as paratheke in 1:12,14 . "Deposit thou."
Faithful (pistois). "Trustworthy," "reliable," as in 1Ti 1:12 of Paul himself.
Able (ikano). Capable, qualified, as in 1Co 15:9; 2Co 2:16; 3:5 .
Others also (ka eterous). Not necessarily "different," but "others in addition." This is the way to pass on the torch of the light of the knowledge of God in Christ. Paul taught Timothy who will teach others who will teach still others, an endless chain of teacher-training and gospel propaganda.
3Suffer hardship with me (sunkakopatheson). See 1:8 for this verb. The old preacher challenges the young one to share hardship with him for Christ.
As a good soldier (os kalos stratiotes). Paul does not hesitate to use this military metaphor (this word only here for a servant of Christ) with which he is so familiar. He had already used the metaphor in 1Co 9:7; 2Co 10:3f.; 1Ti 1:18 . In Php 2:25 he called Epaphroditus "my fellow-soldier" (sunstratioten mou) as he did Archippus in Phm 1:2 .
4No soldier on service (oudeis strateuomenos). "No one serving as a soldier." See 1Co 9:7 for this old verb and 2Co 10:3; 1Ti 1:18 for the metaphorical use.
Entangleth himself (empleketa). Old compound, to inweave (see Mt 27:29 for pleko), in N.T. only here and 2 Peter 2:20 . Present middle (direct) indicative.
In the affairs (tais pragmateiais). Old word (from pragmateuoma, Lu 19:13 ), business, occupation, only here in N.T.
Of this life (tou biou). No "this" in the Greek, "of life" (course of life as in 1Ti 2:2 , not existence zoe).
Him who enrolled him as a soldier (to stratologesant). Dative case after arese (first aorist active subjunctive of aresko, to please, 1Th 2:4 , purpose clause with ina) of the articular first aorist active participle of stratologeo, literary Koine word (stratologos, from stratos and lego), only here in N.T.
5If also a man contend in the games (ean de ka athle tis). Condition of third class with present (linear) active subjunctive of athleo, old and common verb (from athlos, a contest), only this verse in N.T., but sunathleo in Php 1:27 . Note sharp distinction between athle (present subjunctive, engage in a contest in general) and athlese (first aorist active subjunctive, engage in a particular contest). Not "except he have contended," but simply "unless he contend" (in any given case) "lawfully" (nomimos). Old adverb, agreeably to the law, in N.T. only here and 1Ti 1:8 .
Is not crowned (ou stephanouta). Present passive indicative of stephanoo, old verb (from stephanos, crown), in N.T. only here and Heb 2:7,9 . One apodosis for two protases. The victor in the athletic contests was crowned with a garland.
6The husbandman that laboureth (ton kopionta georgon). "The toiling tiller of the soil" (georgon, from ge and ergo, worker of the earth). See georgion (field) in 1Co 3:9 and also 1Co 9:7 .
First (proton). As is natural and right.
To partake (metalambanein). Old word as in Ac 2:46 to share in. Paul elsewhere uses metecho as in 1Co 9:12 .
7Consider (noe). Present active imperative of noeo, old verb, to put your mind (nous) on. See Eph 3:4 and like command in 1Co 10:15 .
Understanding (sunesin). "Comprehension" (from suniem, to send together, to grasp). See Col 1:9; 2:2 . This is a blessed promise that calls for application.
8Risen from the dead (egegermenon ek nekron). Perfect passive participle of egeiro, still risen as the perfect tense shows in 1Co 15:4,12-20 . Predicate accusative. "Remember Jesus Christ as risen from the dead." This is the cardinal fact about Christ that proves his claim to be the Messiah, the Son of God. Christ is central for Paul here as in Php 2:5-11 .
Of the seed of David (ek spermatos Daueid). The humanity of Christ as in Ro 1:3; Php 2:7f .
According to my gospel (kata to euangelion mou). Paul's very phrase in Ro 2:16; 16:25 . Not a written gospel, but my message. See also 1Co 15:1; 2Co 11:7; Ga 1:11; 2:2; 1Ti 1:11 .
9Wherein (en o). In my gospel.
I suffer hardship (kakopatho). "I suffer evil." Old compound (kakon, pascho), elsewhere in N.T., 4:5; Jas 5:13 .
Unto bonds (mechr desmon). "Up to bonds." A common experience with Paul (2Co 11:23; Php 1:7,13,14; Col 4:18 ).
As a malefactor (os kakourgos), old compound (kakon, ergo, doer of evil), in N.T. only here and Lu 23:32ff. (of the robbers). One of the charges made against Paul.
Is not bound (ou dedeta). Perfect passive indicative of deo, to bind. Old verb. See 1Co 7:27,39; Ro 7:2 . I am bound with a chain, but no fetters are on the word of God (Pauline phrase; 1Th 2:13; 1Co 14:36; 2Co 2:17; Php 1:14; Tit 2:5 ).
10For the elect's sake (dia tous eklektous). "Because of the elect." God's elect (Ro 8:33; Col 3:12; Tit 1:1 ) for whom Paul suffered so much (Col 1:6; 12:15; Php 2:17; Eph 3:1,13 ).
That they also may obtain (ina ka auto tuchosin). Purpose clause with second aorist (effective) active subjunctive of tunchano with genitive. "They as well as I," Paul means.
The salvation (tes soterias). The final salvation "with eternal glory" (meta doxes aioniou). This phrase only here and 1Pe 5:10 , but in 2Co 4:17 we have "eternal weight of glory."
11Faithful is the saying (pistos o logos). The saying which follows here though it can refer to the preceding as in 1Ti 4:9 . See 1Ti 1:15 . It is possible that from here to the end of 13 we have the fragment of an early hymn. There are four conditions in these verses ( 11-13), all of the first class, assumed to be true. Parallels to the ideas here expressed are found in 2Th 1:5; 1Co 4:8; 2Co 7:3; Ro 6:3-8; Col 3:1-4 . Note the compounds with sun (sunapethanomen,
we died with , from sunapothnesko as in 2Co 7:3 ; sunzesomen,
we shall live with , from sunzao as in 2Co 7:3 ; sumbasileusomen,
we shall reign with , from sumbasileuo as in 1Co 4:8 ). For upomenomen (we endure) see 1Co 13:7 and for apistoumen (we are faithless) see Ro 3:3 . The verb arneoma, to deny (arnesometha, we shall deny, arneseta, he will deny, arnesastha, deny, first aorist middle infinitive) is an old word, common in the Gospels in the sayings of Jesus (Mt 10:33; Lu 12:9 ), used of Peter (Mr 14:70 ), and is common in the Pastorals (1Ti 5:8; Tit 2:12; 2Ti 3:5 ). Here in verse 13 it has the notion of proving false to oneself, a thing that Christ "cannot" (ou dunata) do.
14That they strive not about words (me logomachein). Word apparently coined by Paul from logomachia (1Ti 6:4 which see), a back formation in that case. A mere war of words displeases Paul. (Tit 3:9 ).
Useful (chresimon). Late and rare word from chraoma, here only in N.T.
To the subverting (ep katastrophe). Old word (from katastrepho, to turn down or over), here only in N.T. (except 2 Peter 2:6 in some MSS., not in Westcott and Hort)." Because of the overthrow" (result ep, not aim), useless for this reason. Such war of words merely upsets the hearers.
15Give diligence (spoudason). First aorist active imperative of spoudazo, old word, as in 1Th 2:17; Ga 2:10 .
To present (parastesa). First aorist active infinitive of paristem as in Col 1:22,28 .
Approved unto God (dokimon to theo). Dative case theo with dokimon, predicate accusative, old adjective (from dechoma), for which see 1Co 11:19; 2Co 10:18 .
A workman (ergaten). See 2Co 11:3; Php 3:2 .
That needeth not to be ashamed (anepaischunton). Late double compound verbal adjective (a privative, epaischuno), in Josephus and here alone.
Handling aright (orthotomounta). Present active participle of orthotomeo, late and rare compound (orthotomos), cutting straight, orthos and temno), here only in N.T. It occurs in Pr 3:6; 11:5 for making straight paths (odous) with which compare Heb 12:13 and "the Way" in Ac 9:2 . Theodoret explains it to mean ploughing a straight furrow. Parry argues that the metaphor is the stone mason cutting the stones straight since temno and orthos are so used. Since Paul was a tent-maker and knew how to cut straight the rough camel-hair cloth, why not let that be the metaphor? Certainly plenty of exegesis is crooked enough (crazy-quilt patterns) to call for careful cutting to set it straight.
16Shun (periistaso). See Tit 3:9 .
Babblings (kenophonias). See 1Ti 6:20 .
Will proceed (prokopsousin). Future active of prokopto, "will cut forward." See Ga 1:14; Ro 13:12 .
Further in ungodliness (ep pleion asebeias). "To more of ungodliness." See Ro 1:18; 1Ti 2:2 .
17Will eat (nomen exe). "Will have (future active of echo) pasturage or increase" (nome, old word from nemo, to pasture, in N.T. only here and Joh 10:9 ).
As doth gangrene (os gangraina). Late word (medical writers and Plutarch), only here in N.T. From grao or graino, to gnaw, to eat, an eating, spreading disease. Hymenaeus is probably the one mentioned in 1Ti 1:20 . Nothing is known of Philetus.
18Men who (oitines). "The very ones who."
Have erred (estochesan). "Missed the mark." First aorist active indicative of astocheo, for which see 1Ti 1:6; 6:21 .
That the resurrection is past already (anastasin ede gegonena). Second perfect active infinitive of ginoma in indirect assertion after legontes (saying) with the accusative of general reference (anastasin).
Overthrow (anatrepousin). See Tit 1:11 .
19Howbeit (mento). Strong adversative, "however."
Firm (stereos). Old adjective, solid, compact, in N.T. only here, 1Pe 5:9; Heb 5:12,14 . See stereoma in Col 2:5 . For themelios see 1Co 3:11; Rom 15:20; 1Ti 6:19 . Cf. edraioma in 1Ti 3:15 .
Seal (sphragis). See 1Co 9:2; Ro 4:11 .
Knoweth (egno). Timeless aorist active indicative of ginosko. Quotation from Nu 16:5 .
Let every one depart (aposteto pas). Paraphrase of Nu 16:27; Isa 26:13; 52:11; Jer 20:9 . Second aorist active imperative of aphistem (intransitive use), "Let every one stand off from." Probably another echo of the rebellion of Korah.
20In a great house (en megale oikia). Metaphor of a palace. He doubtless has the Kingdom of God in mind, but he works out the metaphor of a great house of the rich and mighty.
Vessels (skeue). Old word skeuos. See Ro 9:21 for the same double use as here.
Of gold (chrusa). Old contracted adjective chruseos, only here by Paul.
Of silver (argura). Old contracted adjective argureos, in N.T. here, Ac 19:24; Re 9:20 .
Of wood (xulina). Old adjective, in N.T. only here and Re 9:20 .
Of earth (ostrakina). Late adjective, from ostrakon, baked clay, in LXX, in N.T. only here and 2Co 4:7 .
21If a man purge himself (ean tis ekkathare). Paul drops the metaphor of the house and takes up the individual as one of the "vessels." Condition of third class with first aorist active subjunctive of ekkathairo, old verb, to cleanse out, in LXX, in N.T. only here and 1Co 5:7 .
From these (apo touton). From the vessels for dishonour of verse 20.
Sanctified (egiasmenon). Perfect passive participle of agiazo, for which verb see 1Co 6:11 .
Meet for the master's use (euchreston to despoto). Dative case despote (for which word see 1Ti 6:1 ) with euchreston, neuter singular like egiasmenon agreeing with skeuos. Old verbal adjective (eu and chraoma, to use well), useful or usable for the master. In N.T. only here and 4:11. See achreston in Phm 11 .
Prepared (etoimasmenon). Perfect passive participle of etoimazo, in a state of readiness, old and common word, elsewhere by Paul only 1Co 2:9 (LXX).
22Youthful (neoterikas). Literary Koine word (Polybius, Josephus), only here in N.T. There are lusts peculiar to flaming youth.
Flee (pheuge). Present active imperative of pheugo, old and common verb. In this sense see 1Co 6:18 .
Follow after (dioke). Present active imperative of dioko as if in a chase for which sense see 1Th 5:15 . Steady pursuit of these virtues like those in Ga 5:22 .
Call on the Lord (epikaloumenon ton kurion). See 1Co 1:2; Ro 10:12-14 .
23Ignorant (apaideutous). Old verbal, here only in N.T. (a privative and paideuo). Untrained, uneducated, "speculations of a half-educated mind" (Parry).
Refuse (paraitou). See 1Ti 4:7 .
They gender strifes (gennosin machas). Present active indicative of old and common verb gennao (Ro 9:11 ). "They beget battles." See 2:14.
24Must not strive (ou de machestha). Rather, "it is not necessary for him to fight" (in such verbal quibbles). The negative ou goes with de, not with the infinitive machestha.
Gentle (epion). Old word (from epos, speech), affable, mild, in N.T. only here (and 1Th 2:7 in some MSS.; W. H. have nepios).
Teachable (didaktikon). See 1Ti 3:2 .
Forbearing (anexikakon). Late compound (from future of anecho, anexo, and kakon, putting up with evil). Here only in N.T.
25Correcting (paideuonta). See Tit 2:12 . "Schooling" (Parry).
Oppose themselves (antidiatithemenous). Present middle (direct) participle of antidiatithem, late double compound (Diodorus, Philo) to place oneself in opposition, here only in N.T.
If peradventure God may give (me pote doie o theos). Here Westcott and Hort read the late form of the second aorist active optative of didom for the usual doie as they do in 1:18. But there it is a wish for the future and so regular, while here the optative with me pote in a sort of indirect question is used with a primary tense de (present) and parallel with an undoubted subjunctive ananepsosin, while in Lu 3:15 me pote eie is with a secondary tense. Examples of such an optative do occur in the papyri (Robertson, Grammar, p. 989) so that we cannot go as far as Moulton does and say that we "must" read the subjunctive doe here (Prolegomena, pp. 55, 193).
Repentance (metanoian). "Change of mind" (2Co 7:10; Ro 2:4 ).
Unto the knowledge of the truth (eis epignosin aletheias). Paul's word "full knowledge" (Co 1:9 ).
26They may recover themselves (ananepsosin). First aorist active subjunctive of ananepho, late and rare word, to be sober again, only here in N.T., though nepho is in 1Th 5:6 .
Out of the snare of the devil (ek tes tou diabolou pagidos). They have been caught while mentally intoxicated in the devil's snare (1Ti 3:7 ). See Ro 11:9 for pagis.
Taken captive (ezogremeno). Perfect passive participle of zogreo, old verb, to take alive (zoos, agreo), in N.T. only here and Lu 5:10 (of Peter). "Taken captive alive."
By him unto his will (up' autou eis to ekeinou thelema). This difficult phrase is understood variously. One way is to take both autou and ekeinou, to refer to the devil. Another way is to take both of them to refer to God. Another way is to take autou of the devil and ekeinou, of God. This is probably best, "taken captive by the devil" "that they may come back to soberness to do the will of God." There are difficulties in either view.
2 Timothy 3