2 Timothy 2:19

Nevertheless [μ ε ν τ ο ι]. Mostly in John. o P. Only here in Pastorals. The foundation of God standeth sure [ο σ τ ε ρ ε ο ς θ ε μ ε λ ι ο ς τ ο υ θ ε ο υ ε σ τ η κ ε ν]. Wrong. Stereov sure is attributive, not predicative. Rend. the firm foundation of God standeth. The phrase foundation of God, N. T. o. Qemeliov foundation is an adjective, and liqov stone is to be supplied. It is not to be taken by metonymy for oijkia house verse 20), but must be interpreted consistently with it, 137 and, in a loose way, represents or foreshadows it. So we speak of an endowed institution as a foundation. By; ' the sure foundation of God "is meant the church, which is" the pillar and stay of the truth "(1 Timothy 3:15), by means of which the truth of God is to withstand the assaults of error. The church has its being in the contents of" the sound teaching "(1 Timothy 1:10), which is" according to godliness "(1 Timothy 6:3), and which is deposited in it." The mystery of godliness "is intrusted to it (1 Timothy 3:16). Its servants possess" the mystery of the faith "(1 Timothy 3:9). In 1 Corinthians 3:11, Christ is represented as" the chief corner - stone. "In Ephesians 2:20, the church is built" upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, "with Christ as the corner - stone, and grows into a" holy temple [ν α ο ν] in the Lord. " Here, the church itself is the foundation, and the building is conceived as a great dwelling - house. While the conception of the church here does not contradict that of Paul, the difference is apparent between it and the conception in Ephesians, where the church is the seat of the indwelling and energy of the Holy Spirit. Comp. 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 3:17. Stereov firm only here, Hebrews 5:12; Hebrews 5:14, and 1 Peter 5:9 (note). %Esthken standeth, in contrast with overthrow verse 18).

Seal [σ φ ρ α γ ι δ α]. Mostly in Revelation. Only here in Pastorals. In Paul, Romans 4:11; 1 Corinthians 9:2. Used here rather in the sense of inscription or motto. Comp. Deuteronomy 6:9; Deuteronomy 11:20; Revelation 21:14. There are two inscriptions on the foundation stone, the one guaranteeing the security, the other the purity, of the church. The two go together. The purity of the church is indispensable to its security.

The Lord knoweth them that are his [ε γ ν ω κ υ ρ ι ο ς τ ο υ ς ο ν τ α ς α υ τ ο υ]. The first inscription : God knows his own. Comp. Numbers 16:5; 1 Corinthians 13:12. For egnw knoweth, see on Galatians 4:9. Them that are his, his ejklektoi chosen; see verse 10; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 17:14. Not, however, in any hard, predestinarian sense. 138 Comp. John 10:14; Matthew 7:23; Luke 13:25; Luke 13:27.

Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. The second inscription, concerning the purity of the church. For of Christ rend. of the Lord [κ υ ρ ι ο υ]. Onomazwn nameth, only here in Pastorals. It means to give a name to, to style, as Mark 3:14; Luke 6:14; 1 Corinthians 5:11 : to pronounce a name as having a special virtue, as in incantation. as Acts 19:13 : to utter a name as acknowledging and appropriating what the name involves, as a confession of faith and allegiance. So here. Comp. Romans 14:20; Romans 1 Cor. v. 11; Isaiah 26:13. For onoma name, see on 1 Thessalonians 1:12. Aposthtw ajpo ajdikiav depart from iniquity. For the verb, see on 1 Timothy 4:1. Mostly in Luke and Acts. Comp. Numbers 16:26; Isaiah 52:11. Whatever may be implied in God's election, it does not relieve Christians of the duty of strict attention to their moral character and conduct. Comp. Philippians 2:12. The gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8) is exhibited in making one a coworker with God (1 Corinthians 3:9). The salvation bestowed by grace is to be "carried out" (Philippians 2:12) by man with the aid of grace (Romans 6:8-19; 2 Corinthians 6:1). What this includes and requires appears in Philippians 3:10; Philippians 4:1-7; Ephesians 4:13-16; Ephesians 4:22 ff.; Colossians 2:6; Colossians 2:7.