The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy
2Ti 1:1a will 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1
2Ti 1:1b according cf. 1 Tim. 1:1; Titus 1:1
2Ti 1:11c promise Titus 1:2; Rom. 1:2; Eph. 3:6; Heb. 9:15; Acts 13:23; Gal. 3:29
This book was written at a time when the churches established through the apostle’s ministry in the Gentile world were in a trend of degradation and the apostle himself was confined in a remote prison. Many had turned away from him and forsaken him (v. 15; 4:16), including even some of his co-workers (4:10). It was a discouraging and disappointing scene, especially to his young fellow worker and spiritual child, Timothy. Because of this, in the opening of this encouraging, strengthening, and establishing Epistle, he confirmed to Timothy that he was an apostle of Christ not only through the will of God but also according to the promise of life, which is in Christ. This implies that though the churches may become degraded and many of the saints may backslide in unfaithfulness, the eternal life, the divine life, the uncreated life of God, promised by God in His holy writings and given to the apostle and all the believers, remains forever the same. With and upon this unchanging life the firm foundation of God was laid and stands unshaken through all the tide of degradation (2:19). By such a life those who seek the Lord out of a pure heart are able to stand the test of the church’s decline. This life, which the apostle in 1 Timothy charged Timothy and others to lay hold on (1 Tim. 6:12, 19), must have been an encouragement and strengthening to the apostle in perilous times.
2Ti 1:1d life 2 Tim. 1:10; 1 Tim. 1:16; 6:12, 19; Titus 1:2; 3:7
2Ti 1:2a child 1 Tim. 1:2
2Ti 1:21b mercy 1 Tim. 1:2
Only in 1 and 2 Timothy, among all his Epistles, did the apostle include God’s mercy in the opening greeting. God’s mercy reaches farther than His grace. In the degraded situation of the churches, God’s mercy is needed. This mercy brings in God’s rich grace, which is sufficient to deal with any degradation.
2Ti 1:31a serve Acts 24:14; Rom. 1:9
To serve God in worship to Him (Acts 24:14; Phil. 3:3).
2Ti 1:32 from
Following in the footsteps of his forefathers to serve God in a pure conscience.
2Ti 1:3b forefathers Gal. 1:14
2Ti 1:33c pure 1 Tim. 3:9
See note 92 in 1 Tim. 3. In a time of degradation a pure conscience is needed for one to serve God.
2Ti 1:3d night 1 Thes. 3:10; Acts 26:7
2Ti 1:4b tears Luke 19:41; John 11:35; Heb. 5:7; Acts 20:19, 37; 2 Cor. 2:4
2Ti 1:5a unfeigned 1 Tim. 1:5
2Ti 1:51 dwelt
Lit., indwelt.
2Ti 1:5b mother Acts 16:1; cf. 2 Tim. 3:15
2Ti 1:61 fan
This was written to encourage and strengthen Timothy in his ministry for the Lord, which might have been enfeebled by Paul’s imprisonment and the degraded situation of the churches.
2Ti 1:6a gift 1 Tim. 4:14
2Ti 1:62b laying 1 Tim. 4:14
See note 144 in 1 Tim. 4.
2Ti 1:71a spirit 2 Tim. 4:22; Rom. 8:15, 16; 12:11; John 3:6; 4:24
The spirit here denotes our human spirit, regenerated and indwelt by the Holy Spirit (John 3:6; Rom. 8:16). To fan into flame the gift of God (v. 6) is related to our regenerated spirit.
2Ti 1:7b cowardice John 14:27; Rev. 21:8
2Ti 1:72 of
Of power refers to our will, of love to our emotion, and of sobermindedness to our mind. This indicates that having a strong will, a loving emotion, and a sober mind has very much to do with having a strong spirit for the exercise of the gift of God that is in us.
2Ti 1:7c power Eph. 3:16; 6:10
2Ti 1:7d love Gal. 5:13-14; Col. 3:14
2Ti 1:7e sobermindedness 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8; 2:2, 6
2Ti 1:81 Therefore
This was the reason Paul charged Timothy in vv. 6-7 to fan into flame by a strong spirit the gift of God that was in him.
2Ti 1:82 not
Not to be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord is to stand against the downward current in the declining churches.
2Ti 1:8a ashamed 2 Tim. 1:12, 16; Mark 8:38; Rom. 1:16
2Ti 1:8b testimony 1 Cor. 1:6
2Ti 1:8c His Philem. 1, 9; Eph. 3:1
2Ti 1:8d suffer 2 Tim. 2:3, 9; 4:5
2Ti 1:83e gospel Mark 8:35; 10:29
Since the gospel, personified here (cf. note 22 in Rev. 6), was suffering persecution, Timothy needed to suffer evil along with the gospel.
2Ti 1:84 according
Our suffering of persecution along with the gospel must be to the extent that the power of God, not our natural strength, can endure.
2Ti 1:8f power Eph. 3:7, 20; Col. 1:29
2Ti 1:91a called 1 Tim. 6:12; Heb. 3:1
God not only saved us to enjoy His blessing but also called us with a holy calling, a calling for a particular goal, in order to fulfill His purpose.
2Ti 1:9b works Rom. 9:11; Eph. 2:9; Titus 3:5
2Ti 1:92c purpose Eph. 1:9, 11
God’s purpose is His plan according to His will to put us into Christ and make us one with Him to share His life and position that we may be His testimony. Grace is God’s provision in life given to us that we may live out His purpose.
2Ti 1:9d grace 1 Tim. 1:14
2Ti 1:93 before
I.e., before the world began. The grace given to us in Christ was bestowed on us before the world began. This is a sure and unshakable foundation that stands firm against the downward current and exposes the utter powerlessness of the enemy’s efforts to counter the eternal purpose of God. In order to strengthen Timothy, the apostle identified their ministry with this.
2Ti 1:9e times Titus 1:2; Rom. 16:25
2Ti 1:101a manifested Titus 2:11; Rom. 16:26; Col. 1:26; Titus 1:3
God’s grace was given to us in eternity, but it was manifested and applied to us through our Lord’s first coming, in which He nullified death and brought life to us.
2Ti 1:102 nullified
Christ nullified death, making it of none effect, through His devil-destroying death (Heb. 2:14) and death-swallowing resurrection (1 Cor. 15:52-54).
2Ti 1:10c death 1 Cor. 15:26, 54; Heb. 2:14, 15
2Ti 1:103d life 2 Tim. 1:1; 1 Tim. 1:16
The eternal life of God, which is given to all believers in Christ (1 Tim. 1:16) and which is the main element of the divine grace given to us (Rom. 5:17, 21). This life has conquered death (Acts 2:24) and will swallow up death (2 Cor. 5:4). It was according to the promise of such a life that Paul was an apostle (v. 1). This life and the incorruption that is its consequence have been brought to light and made visible to men through the preaching of the gospel.
2Ti 1:104e incorruption Rom. 2:7
Life is the divine element, even God Himself, imparted into our spirit; incorruption is the consequence of life’s saturating of our body (Rom. 8:11). This life and incorruption are able to counter the death and corruption brought in by the decline among the churches.
2Ti 1:111 which
Referring to the gospel of divine grace and eternal life, corresponding with the gospel in grace and life presented by the apostle John (John 1:4, 16-17). For such a gospel Paul was appointed a herald, an apostle, and a teacher.
2Ti 1:11a appointed 1 Tim. 1:12; 2:7
2Ti 1:112 herald
A herald announces and proclaims the gospel, an apostle sets up and establishes the churches for God’s administration, and a teacher gives instructions to the churches with all the saints. See note 71 in 1 Tim. 2.
2Ti 1:121 cause
The apostle suffered for a cause, a cause on the highest plane—the proclaiming of the glad tidings of the gospel of grace and life to establish the churches, and the directing of the saints. Such a cause must have been an encouragement and strengthening to Timothy as he faced the deterioration of the declining churches.
2Ti 1:12a suffer 2 Tim. 2:9
2Ti 1:122 not
So Timothy should not have been ashamed either (v. 8).
2Ti 1:12b ashamed 2 Tim. 1:8, 16
2Ti 1:123 whom
The apostle believed not a thing or a matter but a living person, Christ, the Son of the living God, who is the embodiment of divine grace and eternal life. The eternal life in Him is powerful; it is more than able to sustain to the end the one who suffers for His sake, and to preserve him for the inheritance of the coming glory. The grace in Him was more than sufficient to provide His sent one with all he needed for finishing the course of his ministry unto a reward in glory (4:7-8). Hence, He was able to guard that which the apostle had committed unto Him for the day of His return. Such an assurance must also have been an encouragement and strengthening to the enfeebled and sorrowful Timothy.
2Ti 1:12d guard cf. 2 Tim. 1:14; 1 Tim. 6:20
2Ti 1:124 my
Or, that which I have committed unto Him. The apostle committed his entire being with his glorious future unto the One who was able, through His life and grace, to guard his deposit for the day of His second appearing.
2Ti 1:12e deposit 1 Pet. 4:19; Psa. 10:14
2Ti 1:125f that 2 Tim. 1:18; 4:8; 1 Cor. 1:8; 3:13
The day of Christ’s second appearing.
2Ti 1:13a Hold Titus 1:9; 1 Tim. 1:19
2Ti 1:131 pattern
Or, example. The word in v. 12 is a pattern, an example, of healthy words.
2Ti 1:132b healthy 1 Tim. 6:3; 1:10
See note 32 in 1 Tim. 6.
2Ti 1:13c heard 2 Tim. 2:2; Rev. 3:3
2Ti 1:133d faith 1 Tim. 1:14; 2:15
See note 142 in 1 Tim. 1.
2Ti 1:14a Guard 1 Tim. 6:20; cf. 2 Tim. 1:12
2Ti 1:141 deposit
This is the deposit the Lord entrusted to us, in contrast to the deposit we entrusted to Him, mentioned in v. 12. According to v. 13, the deposit here must refer to the deposit of healthy words, including the riches of life in His word, which the Lord has stored in us. See note 201 in 1 Tim. 6.
2Ti 1:14b Spirit Titus 3:5; Rom. 8:9, 11; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19
2Ti 1:142 dwells
Lit., is indwelling. The Holy Spirit dwells in our spirit (Rom. 8:16). Hence, for us to guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit requires that we exercise our spirit.
2Ti 1:151a Asia Acts 2:9; 19:10; 20:18; 2 Cor. 1:8; Rev. 1:4
I.e., the province of Asia. The phrase all who are in Asia points to the general situation among the believers in Asia and does not include every particular believer; for Onesiphorus is mentioned as one from Asia who often refreshed Paul and sought him out (vv. 16-18).
2Ti 1:152b turned 2 Tim. 4:10, 16
This indicates that the believers in Asia who had formerly received the apostle’s ministry now forsook him. In spite of such desertion, the apostle grew stronger in the grace that was in Christ, who is the same and will never change. Not being discouraged, he exhorted his son in faith to persevere steadily in the ministry in the midst of the failure and ruin of the churches.
2Ti 1:153 Phygelus
These two must be the ones who took the lead to desert the apostle because of his imprisonment (cf. v. 8).
2Ti 1:16a mercy 2 Tim. 1:18, 2; 1 Tim. 1:13
2Ti 1:161b Onesiphorus 2 Tim. 4:19
He was an overcomer who surmounted the general trend and stood against the downward current to refresh the Lord’s ambassador in spirit, soul, and body, not being ashamed of the apostle’s imprisonment on behalf of the Lord’s commission.
2Ti 1:16c refreshed Philem. 7, 20; Rom. 15:32; 1 Cor. 16:18; 2 Cor. 7:13
2Ti 1:16d ashamed 2 Tim. 1:8, 12
2Ti 1:16e chain Acts 28:20; Phil. 1:7
2Ti 1:17a Rome Acts 28:14, 16, 17
2Ti 1:18a mercy 2 Tim. 1:16
2Ti 1:181b that 2 Tim. 1:12
The day of the Lord’s victorious appearing to reward His overcomers (4:8; Rev. 22:12).
2Ti 1:18c Ephesus Acts 18:19; 19:1, 26; 1 Tim. 1:3
2Ti 2:1a child 2 Tim. 1:2
2Ti 2:11b empowered 2 Tim. 1:7; 4:17; Eph. 6:10; Phil. 4:13
The apostle himself had experienced the empowering of grace in life (1:9-12). Now he exhorted Timothy to be empowered in the same grace.
2Ti 2:12c grace 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Tim. 1:14
See note 92 in ch. 1.
2Ti 2:21 things
I.e., the healthy words (1:13).
2Ti 2:2a heard 2 Tim. 1:13
2Ti 2:2b witnesses 1 Tim. 6:12
2Ti 2:22c commit 1 Tim. 1:18
The healthy words, after being committed to faithful men, become the good deposit in them (1:14). This word indicates that if someone in a local church has a deposit of the Lord’s healthy words, he should train the faithful ones that they too may have a good deposit from the Lord and be competent to teach others.
2Ti 2:23d faithful Matt. 24:45
Trustworthy.
2Ti 2:2e teach 2 Tim. 2:24; 1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17
2Ti 2:3a Suffer 2 Tim. 1:8; 4:5
2Ti 2:31b soldier 1 Tim. 1:18
The apostle considered their ministry a warfare for Christ, just as the priestly service was considered a military service, a warfare, in Num. 4:23, 30, 35 (lit.).
2Ti 2:41a entangles Heb. 12:1; 2 Pet. 2:20
To fight a good fight (4:7) for the Lord’s interests on this earth, we must clear away all earthly entanglements.
2Ti 2:4b affairs cf. Luke 14:18-20; Matt. 13:22
2Ti 2:42 life
The Greek word (bios) denotes the physical life in this age.
2Ti 2:51a contends 1 Cor. 9:25
Here Timothy is likened to an athlete contending in the games.
2Ti 2:52b crowned 2 Tim. 4:8
See note 251 in 1 Cor. 9.
2Ti 2:61a farmer 1 Cor. 9:10
Here the apostle likened Timothy to a farmer. A soldier must win the victory, an athlete must receive the crown, and a farmer must partake of the fruits, the food.
2Ti 2:81a raised Acts 2:24; 1 Cor. 15:4, 20
Indicating Christ’s victory over death by His divine life with its resurrection power.
2Ti 2:82b seed Matt. 1:1; 22:42, 45; John 7:42; Rom. 1:3
Indicating Christ’s dignified human nature, which was exalted and glorified along with His divine nature.
2Ti 2:83c my Rom. 2:16; 16:25; Gal. 1:11; 1 Tim. 1:11
The apostle’s gospel is the glad tidings of the living person, Christ, who possesses both the divine nature and the human nature, who was incarnated to be the Son of Man and resurrected to be the Son of God, as related in the parallel portion, Rom. 1:1-4.
2Ti 2:9a suffer 2 Tim. 1:8, 12; Acts 9:16
2Ti 2:9b bonds Phil. 1:7; Col. 4:3, 18
2Ti 2:9c criminal Luke 22:37; 23:32
2Ti 2:9d word 1 Thes. 1:8
2Ti 2:91 not
In spite of all the opposition by human efforts that were instigated by the enemy, Satan, the bonds of the apostle caused the word of God to be released, to be preached by men freely and to become more prevailing.
2Ti 2:10a endure 1 Cor. 13:7; Heb. 10:36
2Ti 2:101b chosen Titus 1:1; Col. 3:12
The believers in Christ, who were chosen by God the Father before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4) and selected from among mankind for salvation. The apostle endured all sufferings for the sake of us, the chosen ones, that we too may obtain salvation, as he did.
2Ti 2:10c salvation 1 Thes. 5:9
2Ti 2:102 with
It is not salvation and eternal glory but salvation with eternal glory. Eternal glory is the ultimate goal of God’s salvation (Rom. 8:21); God’s salvation leads us into His glory (Heb. 2:10). This encourages us to endure sufferings for the gospel (Rom. 8:17).
2Ti 2:10d eternal 1 Pet. 5:10; 2 Cor. 4:17; Heb. 2:10
2Ti 2:11a Faithful 1 Tim. 1:15
2Ti 2:111 For
The portion from here to the end of v. 13 might have been a hymn. This passage corresponds with Rom. 6:8 and 8:17.
2Ti 2:112b died Rom. 6:8; 2 Cor. 4:10
In Christ’s crucifixion, as symbolized by baptism (Rom. 6:3-8).
2Ti 2:113c live 1 Thes. 5:10; John 14:19
In Christ’s resurrection (Rom. 6:5, 8; John 14:19).
2Ti 2:121a endure 2 Thes. 1:4
In this age.
2Ti 2:122b reign Rev. 20:4, 6
In the coming age.
2Ti 2:12c deny Matt. 10:33; Luke 12:9
2Ti 2:123 deny
Not acknowledge us (Matt. 10:33; Luke 12:9).
2Ti 2:13a faithless cf. Rom. 3:3
2Ti 2:131 faithful
Faithful to His own word.
2Ti 2:132b cannot Titus 1:2; Num. 23:19
If we become faithless toward Him, though He remains faithful, He cannot accept us as faithful by making Himself unfaithful, i.e., by denying Himself (His nature and His being).
2Ti 2:14a charging 1 Tim. 4:11
2Ti 2:14b contentions 1 Tim. 6:4; 2 Tim. 2:23; Titus 3:9
2Ti 2:141 ruin
Or, overthrowing. Lit., catastrophe.
2Ti 2:15a present Rom. 6:13; 12:1
2Ti 2:15b approved Phil. 2:22; 1 Cor. 11:19; Rom. 5:4; cf. 2 Tim. 3:8; 1 Cor. 9:27; 2 Cor. 13:5, 6; Heb. 6:8
2Ti 2:151 cutting
As in carpentry. It means to unfold the word of God in its various parts rightly and straightly without distortion.
2Ti 2:15c word Eph. 1:13; James 1:18
2Ti 2:152d truth 1 Tim. 2:4
See notes 42 in 1 Tim. 2 and 155 in 1 Tim. 3. Contentions of words (v. 14), profane, vain babblings (v. 16), the word that eats away like gangrene (v. 17), and foolish questionings and those arising from an untrained mind (v. 23) are often used by the devil (v. 26) in the downward current among the churches to beget contentions (v. 23), to ruin the hearers (v. 14), to promote ungodliness (v. 16), and to overthrow people’s faith (v. 18). Hence, there is the need of the word of the truth, rightly unfolded, to enlighten the darkened people, inoculate against the poison, swallow up the death, and bring the distracted back to the proper track.
2Ti 2:16a avoid Titus 3:9; cf. 1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 3:5; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22
2Ti 2:161b profane 1 Tim. 4:7
See note 71 in 1 Tim. 4.
2Ti 2:16c vain 1 Tim. 6:20
2Ti 2:162d ungodliness 1 Tim. 1:9; Titus 2:12
Contrary to godliness. See note 22 in 1 Tim. 2.
2Ti 2:171 spread
Or, feed, eat. Lit., have pasture; cf. John 10:9. The word for pasture in Greek is the medical term for the consuming progress of a mortifying disease (Alford). Hence, here the Greek phrase is rendered spread.
2Ti 2:172 gangrene
An eating sore, a cancer.
2Ti 2:17a Hymenaeus 1 Tim. 1:20
2Ti 2:181a truth 1 Tim. 2:4
See note 155 in 1 Tim. 3.
2Ti 2:182b misaimed 1 Tim. 1:6
I.e., missed the mark, swerved, deviated.
2Ti 2:18c resurrection 1 Cor. 15:12
2Ti 2:183 already
I.e., that there will be no resurrection. This is a serious heresy that denies the divine power in life (1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thes. 4:16; Rev. 20:4, 6).
2Ti 2:184d faith 1 Tim. 1:14, 19a
This is the subjective faith, i.e., the act of believing; it is very much related to the resurrection of Christ (Rom. 10:9).
2Ti 2:191a foundation 1 Tim. 3:15; cf. Isa. 28:16
[ par. 1 2 ]
2Ti 2:191 [1] Verses 14-18 give instruction concerning how to deal with heresies, on the negative side, and handle the truth, on the positive side. According to the context of vv. 15, 18, and 25, the foundation here does not refer to Christ as the foundation of the church (1 Cor. 3:11) but to the church as the foundation of the truth. This corresponds with the base of the truth, which holds the truth (1 Tim. 3:15), especially the truth of the resurrection of Christ (Acts 4:33).
2Ti 2:191 [2] The church is built with the divine life in Christ, a life that is indestructible, unconquerable (Heb. 7:16; Acts 2:24), and able to withstand deathly decline originating from any source. Hence, the church is the firm foundation of God that stands forever against any heresy.
2Ti 2:192b seal Eph. 1:13; 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:22
[ par. 1 2 ]
2Ti 2:192 [1] The seal has two sides. On the Lord’s side it is: “The Lord knows those who are His.” This is based on the Lord’s divine life, which He has given to all His believers and which has brought them into an organic union with Him, making them one with Him and causing them to become His. On our side it is: “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.” This is the issue of the divine life—it enables us to depart from unrighteousness and keeps us blameless in His holy name. The church as the firm foundation in the divine life bears such a two-sided seal, testifying that the Lord’s divine life has made us His and has kept us from things that are contrary to His righteous way.
2Ti 2:192 [2] Verse 19 indicates definitely that the ones exposed in vv. 16-18 are not the Lord’s. Their evildoings are a strong proof of this.
2Ti 2:19c knows Num. 16:5; Nahum 1:7; John 10:14, 27
2Ti 2:19d names Isa. 26:13
2Ti 2:201 But
In contrast to the definition in v. 19 concerning genuine believers.
2Ti 2:202 great
The house of God defined in 1 Tim. 3:15-16 is the genuine church in its divine nature and essential character as the foundation of the truth; whereas the great house here refers to the deteriorated church in its mixed character, as illustrated by the abnormally large tree in Matt. 13:31-32 (see note 321 in Matt. 13). In this great house there are not only precious vessels but also base ones.
2Ti 2:203 gold
Honorable vessels are constituted of both the divine nature (gold) and the redeemed and regenerated human nature (silver). These, like Timothy and other genuine believers, constitute the sure foundation that holds the truth.
2Ti 2:204 wooden
Dishonorable vessels are constituted of the fallen human nature (wood and earth). Hymenaeus, Philetus, and other false believers belong to this category.
2Ti 2:211 cleanses
This is to depart from unrighteousness (v. 19), as an outward evidence of the inward divine nature.
2Ti 2:212a these 2 Tim. 2:16-18
Referring to vessels unto dishonor, including those mentioned in vv. 16-18.
2Ti 2:21b vessel Rom. 9:21, 23-24
2Ti 2:213 unto
Unto honor is a matter of nature, sanctified a matter of position, useful a matter of practice, and prepared a matter of training.
2Ti 2:21c sanctified Rom. 6:19, 22; 15:16; 1 Pet. 1:2
2Ti 2:21d useful Philem. 11
2Ti 2:21e prepared 2 Tim. 3:17; Titus 3:1, 8, 14; Heb. 13:21; Eph. 2:10
2Ti 2:22a flee 1 Tim. 6:11
2Ti 2:221 lusts
Timothy had to be wary not only of outward corruption among the churches but also of inward lusts within himself. He had to avoid the outward corruption and flee the inward lusts.
2Ti 2:22b pursue 1 Tim. 6:11
2Ti 2:222 righteousness
Righteousness is toward oneself, faith is toward God, and love is toward others; peace is the issue of these three virtues.
2Ti 2:223c call Rom. 10:12; Acts 9:14; 1 Cor. 1:2
This is to name the name of the Lord (v. 19) in our prayer and praise to Him. The Lord’s seekers must be His callers.
2Ti 2:224d pure 1 Tim. 1:5
See note 53 in 1 Tim. 1.
2Ti 2:231a foolish Titus 3:9
Or, stupid.
2Ti 2:23b questionings 1 Tim. 1:4; 6:4
2Ti 2:232 untrained
Uneducated, undisciplined, unlearned, i.e., not subject to God but following one’s own mind and will (Darby).
2Ti 2:24a slave Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10
2Ti 2:24b not 1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 3:2; Matt. 12:19
2Ti 2:24c teach 2 Tim. 2:2
2Ti 2:25a meekness Titus 3:2; Gal. 6:1; 1 Pet. 3:16
2Ti 2:25b oppose 2 Tim. 3:8; Titus 1:9; 2:8
2Ti 2:251c repentance Acts 5:31
This indicates that with the opposers of the truth it is the heart and conscience that are in question. The truth is the revelation of the living God and His economy, His heart’s desire. To receive the divine revelation, the heart and conscience need to be rightly exercised toward God. The heart should be turned to Him, directed solely to Him, and the conscience must be pure and void of offense before Him. Otherwise, one may be carried away as a captive by the devil and thus fall into his snare (v. 26).
2Ti 2:252d full 1 Tim. 2:4
See note 42 in 1 Tim. 2. This word proves that the opposers lack adequate knowledge of the divine revelation.
2Ti 2:261a return 1 Cor. 15:34
Become sober again, awake out of a drunken stupor (Vincent).
2Ti 2:262b snare 1 Tim. 3:7; 6:9
This indicates that the opposers of the truth have been captured and kept in a snare by the devil. The enemy of God occupies their reprobate mind with error and shuts God out, just as he did with the Pharisees (John 8:42-45). Such opposers need to turn to God in their heart and have a thorough dealing in their conscience.
2Ti 2:263 devil
See note 101 in Rev. 2.
2Ti 2:264c His Rom. 12:2; Eph. 5:17; Col. 1:9
I.e., for God’s will, to do God’s will.
2Ti 3:11 But
In contrast to the hope expressed at the end of the preceding chapter.
2Ti 3:12 last
Denoting the present age (2 Pet. 3:3; Jude 18), which began with Christ’s first coming (1 Pet. 1:20) and will last until His second appearing. That this period was to be lengthy was not revealed to the apostles (Matt. 24:36); they expected the Lord to return in their generation.
2Ti 3:13 difficult
Or, hard times, grievous times, perilous times.
2Ti 3:1a times 2 Tim. 4:3
2Ti 3:21 men
The prophetic picture presented in vv. 2-5 portrays not the evil condition of the non-Christian society but the corrupted situation of the great house mentioned in 2:20, which is Christianity in decline. This is proved by the phrase having an outward form of godliness in v. 5. Non-Christians do not have even the outward form of godliness.
2Ti 3:22 lovers
In 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus seven kinds of lovers are mentioned: (1) lovers of self, (2) lovers of money (v. 2; 1 Tim. 6:10), (3) lovers of pleasure, (4) lovers of God (v. 4), (5) lovers of good (Titus 1:8), (6) lovers of husbands, and (7) lovers of children (Titus 2:4). Also, two kinds of nonlovers are mentioned: (1) nonlovers of good, and (2) nonlovers of God (vv. 3-4). Whatever one loves, his whole heart, even his entire being, is set on and occupied and possessed by. This is crucial! Whether there would be a day of glory in the church’s victory or grievous days of the church’s decline depends altogether on what kind of lovers we are. History tells us that the root of the church’s decline was the loss of her first love toward the Lord (Rev. 2:4). To maintain the victorious standard of the church, we must be lovers of God and lovers of the good that pertains to God’s economy.
2Ti 3:2a lovers 1 Tim. 6:10; Heb. 13:5
2Ti 3:23 arrogant
Or, haughty.
2Ti 3:24c revilers 2 Pet. 2:10-12
Lit., blasphemers; as in 1 Tim. 1:13. Here, however, it does not refer to blasphemers of God but to revilers or railers, those who speak evilly and injuriously against men.
2Ti 3:25 unthankful
Or, ungrateful.
2Ti 3:2d unholy 1 Tim. 1:9
2Ti 3:31 implacable
Or, irreconcilable.
2Ti 3:3b slanderers 1 Tim. 3:11; Titus 2:3
2Ti 3:3c without cf. Titus 1:8
2Ti 3:41a Traitors John 6:71; Acts 7:52
Or, betrayers.
2Ti 3:42 reckless
Or, headstrong.
2Ti 3:43b blinded 1 Tim. 3:6; 6:4
See note 62 in 1 Tim. 3.
2Ti 3:44 lovers
In this picture there are three kinds of lovers—lovers of self, lovers of money, and lovers of pleasure—and two kinds of nonlovers—nonlovers of good and nonlovers of God.
2Ti 3:4c pleasure Titus 3:3; James 5:5; 2 Pet. 2:13
2Ti 3:4d lovers Mark 12:30; 1 John 4:21
2Ti 3:51 outward
Merely an outward semblance without the essential reality.
2Ti 3:5a form Rom. 2:20; cf. Matt. 7:15
2Ti 3:5b godliness 1 Tim. 2:2
2Ti 3:5c denying 1 Tim. 5:8; Titus 1:16
2Ti 3:52 power
The real and practical virtue with a living influence to express God.
2Ti 3:5d turn 1 Tim. 6:20; cf. 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22, 16; Titus 3:9
2Ti 3:6b houses Titus 1:11
2Ti 3:71a full 2 Tim. 2:25; 1 Tim. 2:4
See note 42 in 1 Tim. 2.
2Ti 3:81 Jannes
According to Jewish tradition, these two were the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses in Exo. 7:11, 22.
2Ti 3:8a oppose 2 Tim. 2:25
2Ti 3:82b truth 1 Tim. 2:4
See note 155 in 1 Tim. 3. In the decline among the churches, truth is the target of the enemy’s attack. Hence, truth is also the remedy for and the rescue from the diseased and ruined situation.
2Ti 3:8c corrupted 1 Tim. 6:5
2Ti 3:83d disapproved Titus 1:16; cf. 1 Cor. 9:27; 2 Cor. 13:5
Or, reprobate.
2Ti 3:84e faith 1 Tim. 1:4
See note 14 in 1 Tim. 4.
2Ti 3:9a advance cf. 2 Tim. 2:16
2Ti 3:91 folly
The lack of intelligence and the senselessness in their doings.
2Ti 3:92 those
Jannes and Jambres, who were defeated and brought to nothing (Exo. 8:18; 9:11).
2Ti 3:10a closely 1 Tim. 4:6
2Ti 3:101 conduct
I.e., manner of life.
2Ti 3:102b purpose Acts 11:23
This Greek word is used in Paul’s Epistles in relation to the purpose of God (Rom. 9:11).
2Ti 3:11a Persecutions Acts 13:50; 14:2, 5; 2 Cor. 12:10
2Ti 3:11b Antioch Acts 13:14
2Ti 3:111d Lystra Acts 14:6
The city where Timothy lived (Acts 16:1-2), near Iconium and Pisidian Antioch.
2Ti 3:11e delivered 2 Tim. 4:17-18
2Ti 3:121 desire
Or, determine.
2Ti 3:122 live
I.e., live a life of godliness. See notes 22 in 1 Tim. 2, and 162, 163 in 1 Tim. 3.
2Ti 3:12a godly Titus 2:12; 1 Tim. 2:10
2Ti 3:12b persecuted John 15:20; 1 Cor. 4:12
2Ti 3:131 impostors
Juggling impostors. This verse indicates that the decline of the church will become worse.
2Ti 3:13a deceiving Titus 1:10; 3:3
2Ti 3:141 continue
Or, abide.
2Ti 3:142 things
The things that Timothy learned from the apostle and was assured of constituted the vital portion of the content of the New Testament, a portion that completed the divine revelation (Col. 1:25). Hence, he had practical apprehension of a great part of the New Testament.
2Ti 3:151 And
In addition to his knowledge of the New Testament, Timothy had, from his childhood, a good foundation in the knowledge of the Old Testament. He was one who was fully perfected and equipped to minister the word of God, not only in caring for a local church but also in confronting the worsening decline of the church.
2Ti 3:15a from 2 Tim. 1:5
2Ti 3:15b sacred Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11; John 5:39, 47
2Ti 3:15c wise Psa. 19:7; 119:98
2Ti 3:15d salvation 1 Cor. 1:21; Acts 16:31
2Ti 3:152 faith
Cf. note 221 in Rom. 3.
2Ti 3:161 All
Or, Every Scripture God-breathed is also profitable. To confront the death, corruption, and confusion in the church’s decline, the eternal life, on which ch. 1 is based (1:1, 10), the divine truth, emphasized in ch. 2 (2:15, 18, 25), and the Holy Scripture, highly regarded in ch. 3 (3:14-17), are all needed. The eternal life not only swallows up death but also renders the life supply; the divine truth replaces the vanity of corruption with the reality of all the divine riches; and the Holy Scripture not only dispels the confusion but also furnishes divine light and revelation. Hence, in this book the apostle stressed these three things.
2Ti 3:16a Scripture 2 Pet. 1:20-21
2Ti 3:162 God-breathed
[ par. 1 2 ]
2Ti 3:162 [1] This indicates that the Scripture, the word of God, is the breathing out of God. God’s speaking is God’s breathing out. Hence, His word is spirit (John 6:63), or breath. Thus, the Scripture is the embodiment of God as the Spirit. The Spirit is therefore the very essence, the substance, of the Scripture, just as phosphorus is the essential substance in matches. We must strike the Spirit of the Scripture with our spirit to catch the divine fire.
2Ti 3:162 [2] As the embodiment of God the Spirit, the Scripture (God’s word) is also the embodiment of Christ. Christ is God’s living Word (Rev. 19:13), and the Scripture is God’s written word (Matt. 4:4).
2Ti 3:16b teaching Rom. 15:4; Eph. 6:4
2Ti 3:163 conviction
Reproof, confutation.
2Ti 3:164 correction
Setting right what is wrong, turning someone to the right way, restoring to an upright state.
2Ti 3:165 instruction
Discipline or chastisement according to righteousness; to discipline or chastise by the element and condition of righteousness.
2Ti 3:171a man 1 Tim. 6:11
See note 111 in 1 Tim. 6.
2Ti 3:172 complete
Complete and perfect in qualifications.
2Ti 3:173b equipped Heb. 13:21; 2 Tim. 2:21
Or, fitted out, furnished, made ready.
2Ti 4:1a charge 1 Tim. 1:18; 6:13
2Ti 4:11b judge Acts 10:42; 17:31
God has given all judgment to Christ because He is a man (John 5:22, 27; Acts 10:42; 17:31; Rom. 2:16). As the righteous Judge (v. 8), Christ will judge the living on His throne of glory at His second appearing (Matt. 25:31-46), and He will judge the dead on the great white throne after the millennium (Rev. 20:11-15).
2Ti 4:12 His
This word proves that, in his life and work, Paul took the Lord’s appearing and His kingdom as the incentive and goal. The Lord’s appearing will be for judgment, to reward each one of us (Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12), and His kingdom will be for His reigning with His overcomers (Rev. 20:4, 6). The apostle not only took these two matters as the incentive and goal for himself but also by these two matters charged Timothy, who was under his leading, to faithfully fulfill his ministry of the word.
2Ti 4:1c appearing 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Tim. 6:14; Titus 2:13
2Ti 4:1d kingdom 2 Tim. 4:18; Matt. 13:41; Luke 1:33; Eph. 5:5; Col. 1:13; Heb. 1:8; 2 Pet. 1:11; Rev. 1:9; 11:15
2Ti 4:21a word Acts 4:31; 6:7; 12:24; 19:20; Col. 4:3; Rev. 1:2, 9; 6:9
Composed of what Timothy learned of both Paul and the Old Testament (3:14-15). This proves that vv. 1-2 are a continuation of 3:14-17. In caring for a local church, especially in a time of the church’s decline, the proclaiming of the word is vital.
2Ti 4:22 be
Be urgent, stand by.
2Ti 4:23 in
Opportunely or inopportunely, whether the opportunity is convenient or inconvenient, whether you are welcome or unwelcome.
2Ti 4:2b convict 1 Tim. 5:20; Titus 1:13; 2:15
2Ti 4:24 rebuke
Implying to condemn severely.
2Ti 4:2c exhort 1 Tim. 4:13; 6:2
2Ti 4:25 all
All also modifies teaching—teaching in many aspects and directions. The carrying out of such teaching requires long-suffering.
2Ti 4:2d long-suffering 2 Tim. 3:10; 1 Thes. 5:14
2Ti 4:2e teaching 2 Tim. 2:24; 1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17
2Ti 4:31a time 2 Tim. 3:1
When the decline of the church worsens.
2Ti 4:32b healthy 1 Tim. 1:10; Titus 1:9; 2:1; 2 Tim. 1:13
See note 101 in 1 Tim. 1.
2Ti 4:33 itching
Ears that seek pleasant speaking for their own pleasure.
2Ti 4:41a turn Titus 1:14
The itching and turned-away ear is the main factor in the worsening decline in the churches.
2Ti 4:42 truth
See notes 42 in 1 Tim. 2 and 155 in 1 Tim. 3.
2Ti 4:43b myths 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; Titus 1:14
See note 41 in 1 Tim. 1.
2Ti 4:5a sober 2 Tim. 1:7; Titus 2:12; 1 Pet. 1:13; 4:7
2Ti 4:5b suffer 2 Tim. 1:8; 2:3
2Ti 4:5c evangelist Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11
2Ti 4:51 fully
Fill up the full measure of your ministry.
2Ti 4:52d ministry 2 Tim. 4:11; 1 Tim. 1:12; Col. 4:17
The ministry of the word, which is to minister Christ in all His riches (Eph. 3:8) to both sinners and believers for the building up of the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-12). Such a ministry is desperately needed to counter the trend of decline, as prophesied in vv. 3-4.
2Ti 4:61a poured Phil. 2:17
As a drink offering (see note 171 in Phil. 2). To be poured out is to shed one’s blood. Already being poured out indicates that the process had begun.
2Ti 4:62b departure Phil. 1:23; cf. 2 Pet. 1:14
From the world to be with the Lord (Phil. 1:23), through martyrdom. Paul was imprisoned in Rome twice. The first imprisonment was from about A.D. 62-64 and was due to the Jews’ accusation (Acts 28:17-20). During that time Paul wrote the Epistles to the Colossians, Ephesians, and Philippians, and the Epistle to Philemon. After his release from the first imprisonment (a release that he expected in Phil. 1:25; 2:24; and Philem. 22), he must have visited Ephesus and Macedonia (1 Tim. 1:3), where he probably wrote the first Epistle to Timothy. Then he visited Crete (Titus 1:5); Nicopolis (Titus 3:12), where he wrote the Epistle to Titus; Troas; and Miletus (vv. 13, 20), where he probably wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews. During his second imprisonment, which occurred in about A.D. 67 and was due to Caesar Nero’s sudden persecution, he wrote the second Epistle to Timothy while expecting his imminent martyrdom for his Master.
2Ti 4:71a fought 1 Tim. 1:18; 6:12
Lit., struggled the good struggle. A proper Christian life has three aspects: fighting the good fight against Satan and his kingdom of darkness for the interests of God’s kingdom (1 Tim. 6:12); running the course for the carrying out of God’s economy according to His eternal purpose (Heb. 12:1); and keeping the faith for participation in the divine riches in God’s economy (1 Tim. 3:9). In this Paul set up an adequate pattern for us.
2Ti 4:72b finished 1 Cor. 9:26; Heb. 12:1
Paul began to run the heavenly race after the Lord took possession of him, and he continually ran (1 Cor. 9:24-26; Phil. 3:12-14) that he might finish it (Acts 20:24). Now at the end he triumphantly proclaimed, “I have finished the course.” For this he will receive from the Lord a reward—the crown of righteousness.
2Ti 4:7c faith 1 Tim. 1:4
2Ti 4:81 laid
Reserved.
2Ti 4:82a crown 2 Tim. 2:5; 1 Cor. 9:25; 1 Pet. 5:4
The crown, a symbol of glory, is given as a prize, in addition to the Lord’s salvation, to the triumphant runner of the race (1 Cor. 9:25). In contrast to salvation, which is of grace and by faith (Eph. 2:5, 8-9), this prize is not of grace nor by faith, but is of righteousness through works (Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12; 2 Cor. 5:10). The believers will be recompensed with such a reward, not according to the Lord’s grace but according to His righteousness. Hence, it is the crown of righteousness. The Recompenser is the Lord as the righteous Judge. Paul was assured that such a prize was reserved for him and that he would be recompensed with it at the day of the Lord’s second appearing.
2Ti 4:8b righteousness 2 Cor. 5:10
2Ti 4:83c righteous Acts 17:31
Not the merciful God or the gracious Redeemer.
2Ti 4:8d recompense Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12
2Ti 4:84e that 2 Tim. 1:12, 18; 1 Cor. 3:13
See note 125 in ch. 1.
2Ti 4:8f loved Titus 2:13; Rev. 22:20
2Ti 4:85g appearing 2 Tim. 4:1
The Lord’s appearing, His coming back, is a warning, an encouragement, and an incentive to us. We should love it and look forward to it with earnest expectation and joy. By that appearing the apostle charged Timothy to fulfill his ministry (vv. 1-2, 5).
2Ti 4:9a come cf. Titus 3:12
2Ti 4:10a Demas Col. 4:14; Philem. 24
2Ti 4:10b abandoned 2 Tim. 1:15
2Ti 4:101c loved 1 John 2:15
In contrast to loved His appearing in v. 8.
2Ti 4:10d present 1 Tim. 6:17
2Ti 4:10e Thessalonica Acts 17:1
2Ti 4:10f Galatia Acts 16:6; 18:23; Gal. 1:2
2Ti 4:102 Dalmatia
A region in southeast Europe adjacent to Macedonia.
2Ti 4:11a Luke Col. 4:14; Philem. 24
2Ti 4:11b Mark Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37; 1 Pet. 5:13
2Ti 4:11c ministry 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Cor. 4:1
2Ti 4:12a Tychicus Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; Titus 3:12
2Ti 4:12b Ephesus Acts 18:19; 19:1; Rev. 1:11
2Ti 4:131 cloak
Probably a cloak or case for traveling.
2Ti 4:132a Troas Acts 16:8; 20:5-6; 2 Cor. 2:12
A seaport in northwest Asia Minor, where Paul received the Macedonian call (Acts 16:8-11).
2Ti 4:133 scrolls
Rolls made of papyrus.
2Ti 4:14a Alexander 1 Tim. 1:20; cf. Acts 19:33
2Ti 4:16a abandoned 2 Tim. 1:15
2Ti 4:17a stood Acts 23:11; cf. Acts 27:23
2Ti 4:17b empowered 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 2:1
2Ti 4:17c proclamation Titus 1:3; Rom. 15:19
2Ti 4:17d Gentiles Acts 9:15; Eph. 3:8
2Ti 4:17e delivered 2 Tim. 3:11
2Ti 4:171f lion’s Psa. 22:21; 1 Sam. 17:37
A figure of speech for any evil matter (v. 18) or evil person (1 Cor. 15:32 and note 2).
2Ti 4:18a deliver Matt. 6:13
2Ti 4:18b His 2 Tim. 4:1
2Ti 4:181 heavenly
This is “the kingdom of their Father” (Matt. 13:43), “the kingdom of My Father” (Matt. 26:29), “the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Eph. 5:5), and “the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:11), which will be a reward to the overcoming saints. It equals the crown of righteousness in v. 8 and is an incentive to the believers to run the heavenly race. (See notes 34 in Matt. 5 and 281 in Heb. 12.) The apostle Paul’s word here and in v. 8 proves that this reward was an incentive to him.
2Ti 4:18c glory Rom. 11:36; 16:27; Heb. 13:21
2Ti 4:19a Aquila Acts 18:2, 26; Rom. 16:3; 1 Cor. 16:19
2Ti 4:19b Onesiphorus 2 Tim. 1:16
2Ti 4:20a Erastus Acts 19:22; Rom. 16:23
2Ti 4:20b Corinth Acts 18:1; 19:1; 1 Cor. 1:2
2Ti 4:20c Trophimus Acts 20:4; 21:29
2Ti 4:201d Miletus Acts 20:15, 17
A city in Asia Minor near Ephesus (Acts 20:15, 17).
2Ti 4:202 sick
Why did the apostle leave in sickness one who was so intimate to him, without exercising healing prayer for him? Why did he not exercise his healing gift (Acts 19:11-12) to cure Timothy of his stomach sickness rather than instruct him to take the natural way for healing (1 Tim. 5:23)? The answer to both questions is that he and his co-workers were under the discipline of the inner life in that time of suffering rather than under the power of the outward gift. The former is a matter of grace in life; the latter is a matter of gift in power—miraculous power. In the decline of the church and in one’s suffering for the church, the gift of power is not needed as much as the grace in life.
2Ti 4:21a winter Titus 3:12
2Ti 4:221a spirit Gal. 6:18; Phil. 4:23; Philem. 25
This book, which gives instructions on how to confront the degradation of the church, strongly stresses our spirit. In the beginning it emphasizes that a strong, loving, and sound spirit was given to us, a spirit by which we can fan the gift of God into flame and suffer evil with the gospel according to the power of God and the Lord’s life-imparting grace (1:6-10). In the conclusion it blesses us by emphasizing the Lord’s being with our spirit that we may enjoy Him as grace in order to stand against the downward current of the church’s decline and carry out God’s economy through His indwelling Spirit (1:14) and equipping word (3:16-17).
2Ti 4:222b Grace 1 Tim. 1:14; 2 Tim. 1:9; 2:1; Titus 2:11; 3:7; Col. 4:18
In the grievous days of the worsening of the church’s degradation, what is needed is the eternal grace of God, which was given to us in eternity (1:9) and is to be appropriated by us in this age. This grace, which is in the indestructible life, is nothing less than Christ, the Son of God, who is the very embodiment of the divine life, dwelling and living in our spirit. We need to exercise our spirit to enjoy the riches of this Christ (Eph. 3:8) as the sufficient grace (2 Cor. 12:9). Thus we may live Him as our godliness (1 Tim. 4:7-8) for the building up of the church as His testimony, bearing all the divine realities (truths) according to God’s economy.