2 Timothy 1:4

being mindful of thy tears At the close we must suppose of the visit paid him by St Paul in accordance with the intention expressed 1 Timothy 3:14. It seems very awkward to insert this clause as a subordinate parenthesis -with a faint causal force," -longing to see thee, as I remember thy tears in order that I may be filled with joy"; but this must be the effect of R.V. rendering. And again there is difficulty in either rendering of the participle in 2 Timothy 1:5 with this construction; (1) A.V. -when I call to remembrance" present, whereas we ought to read the aorist (2) R.V. -having been reminded," implying that there had been some occasion or messenger to give such news, of which we have at least no other hint. It is better to follow Drs Westcott and Hort in putting a comma after -tears" and joining 2 Timothy 1:4-5 thus, -that I may be filled with joy in being reminded." The thought underlying this phrase -to be filled with joy," -to have one's joy fulfilled," is, as Dr Westcott puts it in 1 John 1:4, that the fulfilment of Christian joy depends upon the realisation of fellowship. This fellowship may be withbodily presence, as 2 John 1:12; John 3:29; or without, as John 15:11; John 16:24; John 17:13; 1 John 1:4, -these things we write that our joy may be fulfilled." The joy of the apostle is secured by his -little children" realising full fellowship. Similarly the thought here is an echo of St Paul's feelings expressed 5 or 6 years before to his Philippian -beloved ones," and the expressions are an echo too. Through that letter ran the theme -gaudeo: gaudete"; in that, with a wonderful tenderness and delicacy St Paul shews them that -unity," -brotherly love," is -the one thing lacking" to perfect their joy: the one thing that to hear of or see in them will fulfil histoo. Compare Philippians 1:3-8; Philippians 2:1-2; Philippians 4:4. Through this letter runs the theme -fidem servavi: serva"; and with the same considerate love St Paul makes the appeal to his timid son to be -strong in the faith" turn first on the fulfilment of his own joywhich will result.

The final conjunction -in order that" depends then formally on -I give thanks in my supplications," really on the whole affectionate yearning and praying spirit of 2 Timothy 1:3.