Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Timothy 3:10

παρηκολούθησας. So אACG; the rec. text with D2EKLP and nearly all cursives has the perfect παρηκολούθηκας. See exegetical note.

10. σὺ δὲ. But thou; sc. in contrast with the vagaries of the ἑτεροδιδάσκαλοι.

παρηκολούθησας, didst follow. The perfect παρηκολούθηκας which is read by some authorities (see crit. note) would clearly indicate a continual following of St Paul; but the aorist does not exclude this. In the N.T. the aorist is frequently used where the action is not conceived as terminated, and where Classical Greek would prefer the perfect, e.g. Matthew 23:2; Mark 3:21.

μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, my doctrine; see note on 1 Timothy 1:10.

τῇ�, conduct, manner of life. Cp. 1 Corinthians 4:17 where it is said of Timothy ὂς ὑμᾶς�. The word ἀγωγή does not occur elsewhere in the N.T., but is found in Esther 2:20 and 2Ma 4:16 &c.

τῇ προθίσει, purpose. This word is always used elsewhere by St Paul for the purposes of God (cp. 2 Timothy 1:9); with the usage here cp. Acts 11:23.

τῇ πίστει, faith, i.e. in the widest sense, indicating his attitude to the Christian revelation generally.

τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, long-suffering, i.e. not only in respect of the false teachers, but in respect of trouble and affliction of every kind; see note on 1 Timothy 1:16.

τῇ�, love, without which μακροθυμία would be impossible; cp. ἡ� (1 Corinthians 13:4). For the history of the word ἀγάπη see note on 1 Timothy 1:5.

τῇ ὑπομονῇ, brave patience. See on 1 Timothy 6:11, where ὑπομονή, as here, follows ἀγάπη in an enumeration of Christian graces, and also note on Titus 2:2. The confident assurance with which the Apostle here claims these graces as his own is in marked contrast with the language of humility which he uses about himself in earlier letters (see on 1 Timothy 1:15); but it must be remembered that he is here writing within sight of death. There can now be no thought of boasting or pride; but with his eyes fixed on the crown laid up for him at the end of his course (2 Timothy 4:6-8) he speaks frankly out of his experience to his son in the faith about the graces which a Christian apostle most sorely needs.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Timothy 3:10

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