1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
1 Thou G4771 therefore, G3767 my G3450 son, G5043 be strong G1743 in G1722 the grace G5485 that is in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus. G2424
2 And G2532 the things G3739 that thou hast heard G191 of G3844 me G1700 among G1223 many G4183 witnesses, G3144 the same G5023 commit thou G3908 to faithful G4103 men, G444 who G3748 shall be G2071 able G2425 to teach G1321 others G2087 also. G2532
3 Thou G4771 therefore G3767 endure hardness, G2553 as G5613 a good G2570 soldier G4757 of Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547
4 No man G3762 that warreth G4754 entangleth himself G1707 with the affairs G4230 of this life; G979 that G2443 he may please G700 him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. G4758
5 And G1161 if G1437 a man G5100 also G2532 strive G118 for masteries, yet is he G4737 not G3756 crowned, G4737 except G3362 he strive G118 lawfully. G3545
6 The husbandman G1092 that laboureth G2872 must be G1163 first G4413 partaker G3335 of the fruits. G2590
7 Consider G3539 what G3739 I say; G3004 and G1063 the Lord G2962 give G1325 thee G4671 understanding G4907 in G1722 all things. G3956
8 Remember G3421 that Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 of G1537 the seed G4690 of David G1138 was raised G1453 from G1537 the dead G3498 according to G2596 my G3450 gospel: G2098
9 Wherein G1722 G3739 I suffer trouble, G2553 as G5613 an evil doer, G2557 even unto G3360 bonds; G1199 but G235 the word G3056 of God G2316 is G1210 not G3756 bound. G1210
10 Therefore G1223 G5124 I endure G5278 all things G3956 for G1588 the elect's G1588 sakes, G1223 that G2443 they G846 may G5177 also G2532 obtain G5177 the salvation G4991 which G3588 is in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 with G3326 eternal G166 glory. G1391
11 It is a faithful G4103 saying: G3056 For G1063 if G1487 we be dead with G4880 him, we shall G4800 also G2532 live with G4800 him:
12 If G1487 we suffer, G5278 we shall G4821 also G2532 reign with G4821 him: if G1487 we deny G720 him, he also G2548 will deny G720 us: G2248
13 If G1487 we believe not, G569 yet he G1565 abideth G3306 faithful: G4103 he cannot G3756 G1410 deny G720 himself. G1438
14 Of these things G5023 put them in remembrance, G5279 charging G1263 them before G1799 the Lord G2962 that they strive G3054 not G3361 about words G3054 to G1519 no G3762 profit, G5539 but to G1909 the subverting G2692 of the hearers. G191
15 Study G4704 to shew G3936 thyself G4572 approved G1384 unto God, G2316 a workman G2040 that needeth not to be ashamed, G422 rightly dividing G3718 the word G3056 of truth. G225
16 But G1161 shun G4026 profane G952 and vain babblings: G2757 for G1063 they will increase G4298 unto G1909 more G4119 ungodliness. G763
17 And G2532 their G846 word G3056 will eat G2192 G3542 as G5613 doth a canker: G1044 of whom G3739 is G2076 Hymenaeus G5211 and G2532 Philetus; G5372
18 Who G3748 concerning G4012 the truth G225 have erred, G795 saying G3004 that the resurrection G386 is past G1096 already; G2235 and G2532 overthrow G396 the faith G4102 of some. G5100
19 Nevertheless G3305 the foundation G2310 of God G2316 standeth G2476 sure, G4731 having G2192 this G5026 seal, G4973 The Lord G2962 knoweth G1097 them that are G5607 his. G846 And, G2532 Let G868 every one G3956 that nameth G3687 the name G3686 of Christ G5547 depart G868 from G575 iniquity. G93
20 But G1161 in G1722 a great G3173 house G3614 there are G2076 not G3756 only G3440 vessels G4632 of gold G5552 and G2532 of silver, G693 but G235 also G2532 of wood G3585 and G2532 of earth; G3749 and G2532 some G3739 G3303 to G1519 honour, G5092 and G1161 some G3739 to G1519 dishonour. G819
21 If G1437 a man G5100 therefore G3767 purge G1571 himself G1438 from G575 these, G5130 he shall be G2071 a vessel G4632 unto G1519 honour, G5092 sanctified, G37 and G2532 meet G2173 for the master's use, G1203 and prepared G2090 unto G1519 every G3956 good G18 work. G2041
22 Flee G5343 also G1161 youthful G3512 lusts: G1939 but G1161 follow G1377 righteousness, G1343 faith, G4102 charity, G26 peace, G1515 with G3326 them that call on G1941 the Lord G2962 out of G1537 a pure G2513 heart. G2588
23 But G1161 foolish G3474 and G2532 unlearned G521 questions G2214 avoid, G3868 knowing G1492 that G3754 they do gender G1080 strifes. G3163
24 And G1161 the servant G1401 of the Lord G2962 must G1163 not G3756 strive; G3164 but G235 be G1511 gentle G2261 unto G4314 all G3956 men, apt to teach, G1317 patient, G420
25 In G1722 meekness G4236 instructing G3811 those that oppose themselves; G475 if G3379 God G2316 peradventure G3379 will give G1325 them G846 repentance G3341 to G1519 the acknowledging G1922 of the truth; G225
26 And G2532 that they may recover themselves G366 out of G1537 the snare G3803 of the devil, G1228 who are taken captive G2221 by G5259 him G846 at G1519 his G1565 will. G2307
1 Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Suffer hardship with `me', as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of `this' life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.
5 And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowded, except he have contended lawfully.
6 The husbandmen that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:
9 wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:
12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:
13 if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging `them' in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.
15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
16 But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,
17 and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: or whom is Hymenaeus an Philetus;
18 men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work.
22 after righteousness, faith, love, pace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.
24 And the Lord's servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,
25 in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.
1 Thou, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that `is' in Christ Jesus,
2 and the things that thou didst hear from me through many witnesses, these things be committing to stedfast men, who shall be sufficient also others to teach;
3 thou, therefore, suffer evil as a good soldier of Jesus Christ;
4 no one serving as a soldier did entangle himself with the affairs of life, that him who did enlist him he may please;
5 and if also any one may strive, he is not crowned, except he may strive lawfully;
6 the labouring husbandman it behoveth first of the fruits to partake;
7 be considering what things I say, for the Lord give to thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised out of the dead, of the seed of David, according to my good news,
9 in which I suffer evil -- unto bonds, as an evil-doer, but the word of God hath not been bound;
10 because of this all things do I endure, because of the choice ones, that they also salvation may obtain that `is' in Christ Jesus, with glory age-during.
11 Stedfast `is' the word: For if we died together -- we also shall live together;
12 if we do endure together -- we shall also reign together; if we deny `him', he also shall deny us;
13 if we are not stedfast, he remaineth stedfast; to deny himself he is not able.
14 These things remind `them' of, testifying fully before the Lord -- not to strive about words to nothing profitable, but to the subversion of those hearing;
15 be diligent to present thyself approved to God -- a workman irreproachable, rightly dividing the word of the truth;
16 and the profane vain talkings stand aloof from, for to more impiety they will advance,
17 and their word as a gangrene will have pasture, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 who concerning the truth did swerve, saying the rising again to have already been, and do overthrow the faith of some;
19 sure, nevertheless, hath the foundation of God stood, having this seal, `The Lord hath known those who are His,' and `Let him depart from unrighteousness -- every one who is naming the name of Christ.'
20 And in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some to honour, and some to dishonour:
21 if, then, any one may cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified and profitable to the master -- to every good work having been prepared,
22 and the youthful lusts flee thou, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those calling upon the Lord out of a pure heart;
23 and the foolish and uninstructed questions be avoiding, having known that they beget strife,
24 and a servant of the Lord it behoveth not to strive, but to be gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient under evil,
25 in meekness instructing those opposing -- if perhaps God may give to them repentance to an acknowledging of the truth,
26 and they may awake out of the devil's snare, having been caught by him at his will.
1 Thou therefore, my child, be strong in the grace which [is] in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things thou hast heard of me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, such as shall be competent to instruct others also.
3 Take thy share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No one going as a soldier entangles himself with the affairs of life, that he may please him who has enlisted him as a soldier.
5 And if also any one contend [in the games], he is not crowned unless he contend lawfully.
6 The husbandman must labour before partaking of the fruits.
7 Think of what I say, for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember Jesus Christ raised from among [the] dead, of [the] seed of David, according to my glad tidings,
9 in which I suffer even unto bonds as an evil-doer: but the word of God is not bound.
10 For this cause I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that *they* also may obtain the salvation which [is] in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 The word [is] faithful; for if we have died together with [him], we shall also live together;
12 if we endure, we shall also reign together; if we deny, *he* also will deny us;
13 if we are unfaithful, *he* abides faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put in remembrance, testifying earnestly before the Lord not to have disputes of words, profitable for nothing, to the subversion of the hearers.
15 Strive diligently to present thyself approved to God, a workman that has not to be ashamed, cutting in a straight line the word of truth.
16 But profane, vain babblings shun, for they will advance to greater impiety,
17 and their word will spread as a gangrene; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 [men] who as to the truth have gone astray, saying that the resurrection has taken place already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Yet the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, [The] Lord knows those that are his; and, Let every one who names the name of [the] Lord withdraw from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthen; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If therefore one shall have purified himself from these, [in separating himself from them], he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, serviceable to the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 But youthful lusts flee, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and senseless questionings avoid, knowing that they beget contentions.
24 And a bondman of [the] Lord ought not to contend, but be gentle towards all; apt to teach; forbearing;
25 in meekness setting right those who oppose, if God perhaps may sometime give them repentance to acknowledgment of [the] truth,
26 and that they may awake up out of the snare of the devil, [who are] taken by him, for *his* will.
1 You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
3 You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.
5 Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't crowned unless he has competed by the rules.
6 The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops.
7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Gospel,
9 in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God's word isn't chained.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones' sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 This saying is faithful: For if we died with him, We will also live with him.
12 If we endure, We will also reign with him. If we deny him, He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful. He can't deny himself.
14 Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don't argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.
15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
16 But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness,
17 and their word will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.
19 However God's firm foundation stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let every one who names the name of the Lord{TR reads "Christ" instead of "the Lord"} depart from unrighteousness."
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor.
21 If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master's use, prepared for every good work.
22 Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.
24 The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,
25 in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.
1 So then, my child, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things which I have said to you before a number of witnesses, give to those of the faith, so that they may be teachers of others.
3 Be ready to do without the comforts of life, as one of the army of Christ Jesus.
4 A fighting man, when he is with the army, keeps himself free from the business of this life so that he may be pleasing to him who has taken him into his army.
5 And if a man takes part in a competition he does not get the crown if he has not kept the rules.
6 It is right for the worker in the fields to be the first to take of the fruit.
7 Give thought to what I say; for the Lord will give you wisdom in all things.
8 Keep in mind Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, who came back from the dead, as my good news gives witness:
9 In which I put up with the hardest conditions, even prison chains, like one who has done a crime; but the word of God is not in chains.
10 But I undergo all things for the saints, so that they may have salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 This is a true saying: If we undergo death with him, then will we be living with him:
12 If we go on to the end, then we will be ruling with him: if we say we have no knowledge of him, then he will say he has no knowledge of us:
13 If we are without faith, still he keeps faith, for he will never be untrue to himself.
14 Put these things before them, giving them orders in the name of the Lord to keep themselves from fighting about words, which is of no profit, only causing error in their hearers.
15 Let it be your care to get the approval of God, as a workman who has no cause for shame, giving the true word in the right way.
16 But take no part in wrong and foolish talk, for those who do so will go farther into evil,
17 And their words will be like poisoned wounds in the flesh: such are Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Men whose ideas are all false, who say that the coming back from the dead has even now taken place, overturning the faith of some.
19 But God's strong base is unchanging, having this sign, The Lord has knowledge of those who are his: and, Let everyone by whom the name of the Lord is named be turned away from evil.
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but others of wood and earth, and some which are honoured and some without honour.
21 If a man makes himself clean from these, he will be a vessel for honour, made holy, ready for the master's use, ready for every good work.
22 But keep yourself from those desires of the flesh which are strong when the body is young, and go after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those whose prayers go up to the Lord from a clean heart.
23 And put away foolish and uncontrolled questionings, seeing that they are a cause of trouble.
24 For it is not right for the Lord's servant to make trouble, but he is to be gentle to all, ready in teaching, putting up with wrong,
25 Gently guiding those who go against the teaching; if by chance God may give them a change of heart and true knowledge,
26 And so they may get themselves free from the net of the Evil One, being made the prisoners of the Lord's servant, for the purpose of God.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 2 Timothy 2
Commentary on 2 Timothy 2 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 2
2Ti 2:1-26. Exhortations; to Faithfulness as a Good Soldier of Christ; Errors to Be Shunned; the Lord's Sure Foundation; the Right Spirit for a Servant of Christ.
1. Thou therefore—following my example (2Ti 1:8, 12), and that of Onesiphorus (2Ti 1:16-18), and shunning that of those who forsook me (2Ti 1:15).
my son—Children ought to imitate their father.
be strong—literally, "be invested with power." Have power, and show thyself to have it; implying an abiding state of power.
in the grace—the element IN which the believer's strength has place. Compare 2Ti 1:7, "God hath given us the spirit of power."
2. among—Greek, "through," that is, with the attestation (literally, "intervention") of many witnesses, namely, the presbyters and others present at his ordination or consecration (1Ti 4:14; 6:12).
commit—in trust, as a deposit (2Ti 1:14).
faithful—the quality most needed by those having a trust committed to them.
who—Greek, "(persons) such as shall be competent to teach (them to) others also." Thus the way is prepared for inculcating the duty of faithful endurance (2Ti 2:3-13). Thou shouldest consider as a motive to endurance, that thou hast not only to keep the deposit for thyself, but to transmit it unimpaired to others, who in their turn shall fulfil the same office. This is so far from supporting oral tradition now that it rather teaches how precarious a mode of preserving revealed truth it was, depending, as it did, on the trustworthiness of each individual in the chain of succession; and how thankful we ought to be that God Himself has given the written Word, which is exempt from such risk.
3. Thou therefore endure hardness—The oldest manuscripts have no "Thou therefore," and read, "Endure hardship with (me)." "Take thy share in suffering" [Conybeare and Howson].
4. "No one while serving as a soldier."
the affairs of (this) life—"the businesses of life" [Alford]; mercantile, or other than military.
him who hath chosen him—the general who at the first enlisted him as a soldier. Paul himself worked at tent-making (Ac 18:3). Therefore what is prohibited here is, not all other save religious occupation, but the becoming entangled, or over-engrossed therewith.
5. And—"Moreover."
strive for masteries—"strive in the games" [Alford]; namely, the great national games of Greece.
yet is he not crowned, except—even though he gain the victory.
strive lawfully—observing all the conditions of both the contest (keeping within the bounds of the course and stript of his clothes) and the preparation for it, namely, as to self-denying diet, anointing, exercise, self-restraint, chastity, decorum, &c. (1Co 9:24-27).
6. must be first partaker—The right of first partaking of the fruits belongs to him who is laboring; do not thou, therefore, relax thy labors, as thou wouldest be foremost in partaking of the reward. Conybeare explains "first," before the idler.
7. Consider the force of the illustrations I have given from the soldier, the contender in the games, and the husbandmen, as applying to thyself in thy ministry.
and the Lord give, &c.—The oldest manuscripts read, "for the Lord will give thee understanding." Thou canst understand my meaning so as personally to apply it to thyself; for the Lord will give thee understanding when thou seekest it from Him "in all things." Not intellectual perception, but personal appropriation of the truths metaphorically expressed, was what he needed to be given him by the Lord.
8. Rather as Greek, "Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead." Remember Christ risen, so as to follow Him. As He was raised after death, so if thou wouldest share His risen "life," thou must now share His "death" (2Ti 2:11). The Greek perfect passive participle, implies a permanent character acquired by Jesus as the risen Saviour, and our permanent interest in Him as such. Christ's resurrection is put prominently forward as being the truth now assailed (2Ti 2:18), and the one best calculated to stimulate Timothy to steadfastness in sharing Paul's sufferings for the Gospel's sake (see on 2Ti 2:3).
of the seed of David—The one and only genealogy (as contrasted with the "endless genealogies," 1Ti 1:4) worth thinking of, for it proves Jesus to be the Messiah. The absence of the article in the Greek, and this formula, "of the seed of David" (compare Ro 1:3), imply that the words were probably part of a recognized short oral creed. In His death He assured us of His humanity; by His resurrection, of His divinity. That He was not crucified for His own sin appears from His resurrection; that He was crucified shows that He bore sin, on Him, though not in Him.
my gospel—that which I always taught.
9. Wherein—in proclaiming which Gospel.
suffer trouble—literally, "evil." I am a sufferer of evil as though I were a doer of evil.
bonds—(2Ti 1:16).
word … not bound—Though my person is bound, my tongue and my pen are not (2Ti 4:17; Ac 28:31). Or he alludes not merely to his own proclamation of the Gospel, though in chains, but to the freedom of its circulation by others, even though his power of circulating it is now prescribed (Php 1:18). He also hints to Timothy that he being free ought to be the more earnest in the service of it.
10. Therefore—Because of the anxiety I feel that the Gospel should be extended; that anxiety being implied in 2Ti 2:9.
endure—not merely "I passively suffer," but "I actively and perseveringly endure," and "am ready to endure patiently all things."
the elect's sakes—for the sake of the Church: all the members of Christ's spiritual body (Col 1:24).
they … also—as well as myself: both God's elect not yet converted and those already so.
salvation … glory—not only salvation from wrath, but glory in reigning with Him eternally (2Ti 2:12). Glory is the full expansion of salvation (Ac 2:47; Ro 8:21-24, 30; Heb 9:28). So grace and glory (Ps 84:12).
11. Greek, "Faithful is the saying."
For—"For" the fact is so that, "if we be dead with Him (the Greek aorist tense implies a state once for all entered into in past times at the moment of regeneration, Ro 6:3, 4, 8; Col 2:12), we shall also live with Him." The symmetrical form of "the saying," 2Ti 2:11-13, and the rhythmical balance of the parallel clauses, makes it likely, they formed part of a Church hymn (see on 1Ti 3:16), or accepted formula, perhaps first uttered by some of the Christian "prophets" in the public assembly (1Co 14:26). The phrase "faithful is the saying," which seems to have been the usual formula (compare 1Ti 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; Tit 3:8) in such cases, favors this.
12. suffer—rather, as the Greek is the same as in 2Ti 2:10, "If we endure (with Him)" (Ro 8:17).
reign with him—The peculiar privilege of the elect Church now suffering with Christ, then to reign with Him (see on 1Co 6:2). Reigning is something more than mere salvation (Ro 5:17; Re 3:21; 5:10; 20:4, 5).
deny—with the mouth. As "believe" with the heart follows, 2Ti 2:12. Compare the opposite, "confess with thy mouth" and "believe in thine heart" (Ro 10:9, 10).
he also will deny us—(Mt 10:33).
13. believe not—"If we are unbelievers (literally, 'unfaithful'), He remains faithful" (De 7:9, 10). The oldest manuscripts read, "For He cannot (it is an impossibility that He should) deny Himself." He cannot be unfaithful to His word that He will deny those who deny Him, though we be not faithful to our profession of faith in Him (Ro 3:3). Three things are impossible to God, to die, to lie, and to be deceived [Augustine, The Creed, 1.1], (Heb 6:18). This impossibility is not one of infirmity, but of infinite power and majesty. Also, indirectly, comfort is suggested to believers, that He is faithful to His promises to them; at the same time that apostates are shaken out of their self-deceiving fancy, that because they change, Christ similarly may change. A warning to Timothy to be steadfast in the faith.
14. them—those over whom thou dost preside (Tit 3:1).
charging—Greek, "testifying continually": "adjuring them."
before the Lord—(1Ti 5:21).
that they strive not about words—rather, "strive with words": "not to have a (mere) war of words" (2Ti 2:23, 24; 1Ti 6:4) where the most vital matters are at stake (2Ti 2:17, 18; Ac 18:15). The oldest manuscripts put a stop at "charging them before the Lord" (which clause is thus connected with "put them in remembrance") and read the imperative, "Strive not thou in words," &c.
to no profit—not qualifying "words"; but Greek neuter, in apposition with "strive in words," "(a thing tending) to no profit," literally, "profitable for nothing"; the opposite of "meet for the master's use" (2Ti 2:21).
to the subverting—sure to subvert (overturn) the hearers: the opposite of "edifying" (building up) (2Co 13:10).
15. Study—Greek, "Be earnest," or "diligent."
to show—Greek, "present," as in Ro 12:1.
thyself—as distinguished from those whom Timothy was to charge (2Ti 2:14).
approved—tested by trial: opposed to "reprobate" (Tit 1:16).
workman—alluding to Mt 20:1, &c.
not to be ashamed—by his work not being "approved" (Php 1:20). Contrast "deceitful workers" (2Co 11:13).
rightly dividing—"rightly handling" [Vulgate]; "rightly administering" [Alford]; literally, cutting "straight" or "right": the metaphor being from a father or a steward (1Co 4:1) cutting and distributing bread among his children [Vitringa and Calvin], (Lu 12:42). The Septuagint, Pr 3:6; 11:5, use it of "making one's way": so Bengel here takes Paul to mean that Timothy may make ready a straight way for "the word of truth," and may himself walk straight forward according to this line, turning neither to the right nor to the left, "teaching no other doctrine" (1Ti 1:3). The same image of a way appears in the Greek for "increase" (see on 2Ti 2:16). The opposite to "rightly handling," or "dispensing," is, 2Co 2:17, "corrupt the word of God."
truth—Greek, "the truth" (compare 2Ti 2:18).
16. shun—literally, "stand above," separate from, and superior to.
vain—opposed to "the truth" (2Ti 2:15).
babblings—with loud voice: opposed to the temperate "word" (Tit 3:9).
increase—Greek, advance"; literally, "strike forward": an image from pioneers cutting away all obstacles before an advancing army. They pretend progress; the only kind of progress they make is to a greater pitch of impiety.
more ungodliness—Greek, "a greater degree of impiety."
17. will eat—literally, "will have pasture." The consuming progress of mortification is the image. They pretend to give rich spiritual pasture to their disciples: the only pasture is that of a spiritual cancer feeding on their vitals.
canker—a "cancer" or "gangrene."
Hymenaeus—(See on 1Ti 1:20). After his excommunication he seems to have been readmitted into the Church and again to have troubled it.
18. erred—Greek, "missed the aim" (see 1Ti 6:21).
is past already—has already taken place. The beginnings of the subsequent Gnostic heresy already existed. They "wrested" (2Pe 3:16) Paul's own words (Ro 6:4; Eph 2:6; Col 2:12) "to their own destruction," as though the resurrection was merely the spiritual raising of souls from the death of sin. Compare 1Co 15:12, where he shows all our hopes of future glory rest on the literal reality of the resurrection. To believe it past (as the Seleucians or Hermians did, according to Augustine [Epistles, 119.55, To Januarius, 4]), is to deny it in its true sense.
overthrow—trying to subvert "the foundation" on which alone faith can rest secure (2Ti 2:19; compare Tit 1:11).
19. Nevertheless—Notwithstanding the subversion of their faith, "the firm foundation of God standeth" fast (so the Greek ought to be translated). The "foundation" here is "the Church" [Alford], "the ground" or basement support "of the truth" (1Ti 3:15), Christ Himself being the ultimate "foundation" (1Co 3:11). In the steadfast standing of the Church there is involved the steadfast certainty of the doctrine in question (2Ti 2:18). Thus the "house" (2Ti 2:20) answers to the "foundation"; it is made up of the elect whom "the Lord knoweth" (acknowledgeth, recognizes, Ps 1:6; Mt 7:23; Joh 10:14; 1Co 8:3) as "His," and who persevere to the end, though others "err concerning the faith" (Mt 24:24; Joh 10:28; Ro 8:38, 39; 1Jo 2:19). Bengel takes "the foundation" to be the immovable faithfulness of God (to His promises to His elect [Calvin]). This contrasts well with the erring from the faith on the part of the reprobate, 2Ti 2:18. Though they deny the faith, God abates not His faithfulness (compare 2Ti 2:13).
having—seeing that it has [Ellicott].
seal—"inscription": indicating ownership and destination: inscriptions were often engraven on a "foundation" stone (Re 21:14) [Alford]. This will agree with the view that "the foundation" is the Church (Eph 2:20). If it be taken God's immovable faithfulness, the "seal" will be regarded as attached to His covenant promise, with the inscription or legend, on one side of its round surface, "The Lord knoweth (it is 'knew' in the Septuagint, Nu 16:5, to which Paul here alludes, altering it for his purpose by the Spirit) them that are His"; on the observe side, "Let every one that nameth (as his Lord, Ps 20:7, or preacheth in His name, Jer 20:9) Christ."
depart—Greek, "stand aloof."
from iniquity—(Isa 52:11). In both clauses there may be an allusion to Nu 16:5, 26, Septuagint. God's part and man's part are marked out. God chooseth and knoweth His elect; our part is to believe, and by the Spirit depart from all iniquity, an unequivocal proof of our being the Lord's (compare De 29:29; Lu 13:23-27). St. Lucian when asked by his persecutors, "Of what country art thou?" replied, "I am a Christian." "What is your occupation? … I am a Christian." "Of what family? … I am a Christian." [Chrysostom, Orations, 75]. He cannot be honored with the name Christian, who dishonors by iniquity, Christ, the Author of the name. Blandina's refreshment amidst her tortures was to say, "I am a Christian, and with us Christians no evil is done" [Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 5.1]. Apostasy from the faith is sure soon to be followed by indulgence in iniquity. It was so with the false teachers (2Ti 3:2-8, 13).
20. in a great house—that is, the visible professing Christian Church (1Ti 3:15). Paul is speaking, not of those without, but of the [visible] family of God [Calvin]. So the parable of the sweep-net (Mt 13:47-49) gathering together of every kind, good and bad: as the good and bad cannot be distinguished while under the waves, but only when brought to shore, so believers and unbelievers continue in the same Church, until the judgment makes the everlasting distinction. "The ark of Noah is a type of the Church; as in the former there were together the leopard and the kid, the wolf and the lamb; so in the latter, the righteous and sinners, vessels of gold and silver, with vessels of wood and earth" [Jerome, Dialogue against the Luciferians, 302] (compare Mt 20:16).
vessels of gold … silver—precious and able to endure fire.
of wood and earth—worthless, fragile, and soon burnt (1Co 3:12-15; 15:47).
some … some—the former … the latter.
to dishonour—(Pr 16:4; Ro 9:17-23).
21. If a man … purge himself from these—The Greek expresses "If one (for example, thou, Timothy) purify himself (so as to separate) from among these" (vessels unto dishonor).
sanctified—set apart as wholly consecrated to the Lord.
and meet—Some oldest manuscripts omit "and."
the master's—the Lord's. Paul himself was such a vessel: once one among those of earth, but afterwards he became by grace one of gold.
prepared unto every good work—(2Ti 3:17; Tit 3:1). Contrast Tit 1:16.
22. Flee—There are many lusts from which our greatest safety is in flight (Ge 39:12). Avoid occasions of sin. From the abstemious character of Timothy (1Ti 5:23) it is likely that not animal indulgences, but the impetuosity, rash self-confidence, hastiness, strife, and vainglory of young men (1Jo 2:14-16), are what he is here warned against: though the Spirit probably intended the warning to include both in its application to the Church in general.
also—Greek, "But"; in contrast to "every good work," 2Ti 2:21.
youthful—Timothy was a youth (1Ti 4:12).
righteousness—the opposite of "iniquity," that is, unrighteousness (2Ti 2:19; compare 1Ti 6:11).
peace, with, &c.—rather, put no comma, "peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (1Ti 1:5; Eph 6:5; Col 3:22). We are to love all men, but it is not possible to be at peace with all men, for this needs community of purpose and opinion; they alone who call on the Lord sincerely (as contrasted with the false teachers who had only the form of godliness, 2Ti 3:5, 8; Tit 1:15, 16) have this community [Theodoret]. (Ro 12:18).
23. (Tit 3:9.)
unlearned—Greek, "undisciplined"; not tending to promote the discipline of faith and morals (Pr 5:23). "Uninstructive"; in contrast with "instructing" (2Ti 2:25), and "wise unto salvation" (2Ti 3:15).
avoid—"decline."
24. not strive—"The servant of the Lord" must imitate his master in not striving contentiously, though uncompromising in earnestly contending for the faith (Jude 3; Mt 12:19).
gentle unto all men—"patient" (Greek, "patient in bearing wrongs") in respect to adversaries. He is to be gentle so that he may occasion no evils; patient so that he may endure evils.
apt to teach—implying not only solid teaching and ease in teaching, but patience and assiduity in it [Bengel].
25. instructing—Greek, "disciplining," instructing with correction, which those who deal in "uninstructive" or "undisciplined questions" need (see on 2Ti 2:23; 1Ti 1:20).
those that oppose themselves—Greek, "oppositely affected"; those of a different opinion.
if … peradventure—Greek, "if at any time."
repentance—which they need as antecedent to the full knowledge (so the Greek for 'acknowledgment') of the truth" (1Ti 2:4), their minds being corrupted (2Ti 3:8), and their lives immoral. The cause of the spiritual ignorance which prompts such "questions" is moral, having its seat in the will, not in the intellect (Joh 7:17). Therefore repentance is their first need. That, not man, but God alone can "give" (Ac 5:31).
26. recover themselves—Greek, "awake to soberness," namely from the spiritual intoxication whereby they have fallen into the snare of the devil.
the snare—(Eph 6:11, "the wiles of the devil": 1Ti 3:7; 6:9).
taken captive by him at his will—so as to follow the will of "THAT" (the Greek emphatically marks Satan thus) foe. However, different Greek pronouns stand for "him" and "his"; and the Greek for "taken captive" means not "captured for destruction," but "for being saved alive," as in Lu 5:10, "Thou shalt catch men to save them unto life"; also there is no article before the Greek participle, which the English Version "who are taken captive," would require. Therefore, translate, "That they may awake … taken as saved (and willing) captives by him (the servant of the Lord, 2Ti 2:24), so as to follow the will of HIM (the Lord, 2Ti 2:24, or "God," 2Ti 2:25)." There are here two evils, the "snare" and sleep, from which they are delivered: and two goods to which they are translated, awaking and deliverance. Instead of Satan's thrall comes the free and willing captivity of obedience to Christ (2Co 10:5). It is God who goes before, giving repentance (2Ti 2:25); then the work of His servant following is sure to be crowned with success, leading the convert henceforth to "live to the will of God" (Ac 22:14; 1Pe 4:2).