The principal design of 2 Timothy 1 is to exhort Timothy to steadfastness and fidelity as a Christian and a minister; and to entreat him to adhere to the truth, and live as became a Christian, in the midst of all the temptations by which he was surrounded, and while so many were turning away from th... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL, AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST, - See the notes at Romans 1:1. BY THE WILL OF GOD - Called to be an apostle in accordance with the divine will and purpose; see the notes at Galatians 1:1. ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE OF LIFE WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS - In accordance with the great promise of eternal... [ Continue Reading ]
TO TIMOTHY, MY DEARLY BELOVED SON; - See the notes at 1 Timothy 1:2. GRACE, MERCY, AND PEACE - see the notes at Romans 1:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
I THANK GOD, WHOM I SERVE FROM MY FOREFATHERS - Paul reckoned among his forefathers the patriarchs and the holy men of former times, as being of the same nation with himself, though it may be that he also included his more immediate ancestors, who, for anything known to the contrary, may have been d... [ Continue Reading ]
GREATLY DESIRING TO SEE THEE; - see 2 Timothy 4:9, 2 Timothy 4:21. It was probably on, account of this earnest desire that this Epistle was written. He wished to see him, not only on account of the warm friendship which he had for him, but because he would be useful to him in his present circumstanc... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I CALL TO REMEMBRANCE THE UNFEIGNED FAITH THAT IS IN THEE; - notes, 1 Timothy 1:5. On the faith of Timothy, see the notes at 1 Timothy 4:6. WHICH DWELT FIRST IN THY GRANDMOTHER LOIS - That is, the same faith dwelt in her; or, she was a sincere believer in Christ. It would seem probable, from th... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THOU STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD - Greek, That thou “kindle up” as a fire. The original word used here denotes the kindling of a fire, as by bellows, etc. It is not uncommon to compare piety to a flame or a fire, and the image is one that is obvious when we speak of causing that to burn more bright... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR GOD HATH NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR - A timorous and servile spirit. This is said in order to encourage Timothy, who was not improbably modest and diffident. BUT OF POWER - Power to encounter foes and dangers; power to bear up under trials; power to triumph in persecutions. That is, it is... [ Continue Reading ]
BE NOT THOU THEREFORE ASHAMED OF THE TESTIMONY OF OUR LORD - Do not be ashamed to bear your testimony to the doctrines taught by the Lord Jesus; John 3:11, John 3:32; John 7:7; compare Acts 10:22; Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 1:6; Revelation 22:16. Paul seems to have apprehended that Timothy was in som... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO HATH SAVED US; - See the notes at Matthew 1:21. He has brought us into a state in which salvation is so certain, that Paul could speak of it as if it were already done. AND CALLED US - see the notes at Romans 8:28, Romans 8:30. WITH AN HOLY CALLING - A calling which is in its own nature holy, a... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IS NOW MADE MANIFEST - The purpose to save us was long concealed in the divine mind, but the Saviour came that he might make it known. WHO HATH ABOLISHED DEATH - That is, he has made it so certain that death will be abolished, that it may be spoken of as already done. It is remarkable how often... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREUNTO I AM APPOINTED A PREACHER - That is, I am appointed to make these truths known; see the notes at Ephesians 3:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE WHICH CAUSE I ALSO SUFFER THESE THINGS - That is, I suffer on account of my purpose to carry the gospel to the Gentiles; see the notes at Colossians 1:24. NEVERTHELESS I AM NOT ASHAMED - compare the notes at Romans 1:16. FOR I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED - Margin, “trusted.” The idea is, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
HOLD FAST THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS; - see the notes at 1 Timothy 1:3. On the Greek word here rendered “form,” see the notes at 1 Timothy 1:16, where it is rendered pattern. The word means a form, sketch, or imperfect delineation - an outline. Grotius says that it here means “an exemplar, but an exemp... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT GOOD THING WHICH WAS COMMITTED UNTO THEE; - see the notes at 1 Timothy 6:20. The reference here in the phrase, “that good thing committed to thee,” is to the sound Christian doctrine with which he had been intrusted, and which he was required to transmit to others. KEEP BY THE HOLY GHOST - By... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS THOU KNOWEST, THAT ALL THEY WHICH ARE IN ASIA BE TURNED AWAY FROM ME - That is, in that part of Asia Minor of which Ephesus was the capital. The name Asia was often given particularly to that part of Asia Minor; see the notes at Acts 2:9; Acts 16:6. This passage proves that Timothy was somewher... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD GIVE MERCY UNTO THE HOUSE OF ONESIPHORUS - The family of Onesiphorus - for so the word house is often used. He was himself still living 2 Timothy 1:18, but not improbably then absent from his home; compare the notes at 2 Timothy 4:19. He was evidently of Asia, and is the only one who is men... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEN HE WAS IN ROME - What was the employment of Onesiphorus is not known. It may have been that he was a merchant, and had occasion to visit Rome on business. At all events, he was at pains to search out the apostle, and his attention was the more valuable because it cost him trouble to find hi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD GRANT UNTO HIM THAT HE MAY FIND MERCY OF THE LORD IN THAT DAY - The day of judgment; notes at 2 Timothy 1:12. This proves that Onesiphorus was then alive, as Paul would not offer prayer for him if he was dead. The Papists, indeed, argue from this in favor of praying for the dead - assuminG... [ Continue Reading ]