Bible Commentaries

From Paul, an apostle. See notes on 1 Timothy 1:1.

To Timothy, my dear son. He was "true son" in the First Letter. There is a different feeling (empathy) in this Second Letter. Paul says more about love, and seems less confident about Timothy. Some think this implies that Paul had doubts about Timothy's ability to stand up under the problems which faced him. But I think it more probable that the reason for this difference is that Paul is under sentence of death as he writes, and he is aged. Since Paul knows he is being sacrificed (2 Timothy 4:6), he reaches out in love to Timothy, his dear son in the faith, whom he is about to leave behind in a very serious situation.

Whom I serve with a clear conscience. The circumcision party said Paul was a traitor to God because he preached the Good News to the Gentiles without forcing them to convert to Judaism. But Paul could say truthfully that he had a clear conscience (see note on Acts 23:1). He was doing what God had commanded him to do (Acts 26:16-18). As my ancestors did. Two thoughts are in Paul's mind: (1) the awareness of God which he inherited from his ancestors (compare 2 Timothy 1:5); (2) the continuity of God's revealed Word. The same light of truth is in the New Covenant as the Old, but the brightness of the New is like the sun compared to the moon. Compare Acts 26:19-23 and notes.

I remember your tears. Compare Acts 20:37; 2 Corinthians 2:4; Philemon 1:7. Timothy is Paul's dear friend!

I remember. Compare Ephesians 1:15. The kind of faith. Timothy was a second-generation Christian. See note on Acts 16:1 and introduction to First Timothy. Note also the chain of influence which began with this devout grandmother.

For this reason. "Because I am sure that you do have this sincere faith." Keep alive the gift. This is the gift which God gave him. This means it is a supernormal gift from the Spirit. See note on 1 Timothy 4:14. The gift was evidently the ability to direct others (compare 1 Corinthians 12:28 and note). When I laid my hands on you. Compare Acts 9:17; Acts 10:44; Acts 13:3; Acts 19:6 and notes. God gave the gift when Paul laid his hands on him.

Does not make us timid. The Expositor's Greek Testament says us refers to The Christian Society (messianic community). See Romans 8:15 and note. Power = courage. See Acts 4:31 and note. Love. Christians are not motivated by selfish spirit seen in the Jewish leaders and the Circumcision Party, who hated everybody and loved only the members of their own group. "You can only love God as much as you love your brother!" (1 John 4:20). Self-control. A disciplined, orderly life. Compare 1 Corinthians 6:12.

Do not be ashamed. (1) of witnessing. [Witness: to attest, testify, furnish proof of, things known or believed to be true (Webster).] (2) of me, See 1 Corinthians 4:8-9 and notes. The ghastly things happening to Paul are a humiliation and disgrace. Timothy cannot escape the effects of this, and must deliberately Share in it for the sake of the Good News! Instead, take your part. "Come to Rome and share my suffering, as a good soldier of Christ. If you are ashamed of me, it will be the same as being ashamed of Christ!" Compare 2 Timothy 1:15; 2 Timothy 2:1; 2 Timothy 2:3; 2 Timothy 2:8-9.

He saved us. "God gives us our strength! He called us to be his own people (John 6:44-45)." Not because of what we have done. He mentions this in Titus 3:3-5; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:8-10. Romans ch 9 examines this. Before the beginning of time. See Ephesians 3:9-11; 1 Corinthians 2:7-10 and notes.

But now it has been revealed. See Luke 1:78; 1 Timothy 2:5-7. He has ended. See Hebrews 2:14-15. Christ is the guarantee of our eternal life!

God has appointed me. See 1Ti 2:7 and note.

And it is for this reason. This implies that the unbelieving Jews are the cause of his second imprisonment. Compare Acts 22:21-22; Ephesians 3:1 (which show the cause of his first imprisonment). Christ said it would be this way (John 16:33; Matthew 10:34-39). But I am still full of confidence. "I know the power of the One who appointed me to preach the Good News." What he has entrusted to me. The TEV give the correct translation, as PARATHEKE has that meaning in other places Paul uses it (1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:14). Spain says this best fits the context of 2 Timothy 1:11-14. Chrysostom understands the thing entrusted as: "the faith, the preaching of the Gospel." [If it is understood as "What I have entrusted to Him," it is Paul's entire person, body, soul, and spirit.]

Hold to the true words. This is the thing which was entrusted to Paul, and which he passed on to Timothy. These true words (the Christian System) are the example for him to follow (also for every Christian to follow). Faith and love. These are two strengths and weapons which false teachers cannot use!!! See note on 1 Timothy 1:14.

Keep the good things. "Guard them, preserve them intact!" Through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul's confidence in God (2 Timothy 1:12) is that He will supply the power (2 Timothy 1:7)! This does not take away the human element, therefore Paul places this obligation on Timothy.

Deserted me. MacKnight thinks only the teachers of the Circumcision Party are meant, possibly some who had followed him to Rome. Timothy is himself in the province of Asia, also Tychicus. (2 Timothy 4:12). There was a real danger that the Jewish Christians would allow certain false teachers to turn them away from Christ, back to the Law of Moses (which had been superseded). Phygellus and Hermogenes are mentioned only here.

Onesiphorus. Paul prays for this brother's family in this verse, and for him in 2 Timothy 1:18. Both Johnson and MacKnight think he was still living at this time. But he may also be in prison, waiting to be executed as was Paul. He had placed himself in danger by visiting Paul in prison and helping him.

But as soon. He came to Rome from Ephesus, and immediately searched through the different prisons to find Paul.

On that Day. The Day of Judgment. Remember Paul was friendless and alone, surrounded by his enemies, when Onesiphorus came to him! Compare Hebrews 6:10.