Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,

“This Epistle is the last testament and swan-like death song of Paul [BENGEL]. according to the promise of life . . . in Christ--Paul's apostleship is in order to carry into effect this promise. Compare "according to the faith . . .”

To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

“But this seems to me not justified by the Greek word agapetos, which implies the attachment of reasoning and choice, on the ground of merit in the one "beloved," not of merely instinctive love. See TRENCH [Greek Synonyms of the New Testament].”

I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers.

“The memory of those who had gone before to whom he is about to be gathered, is now, on the eve of death, pleasant to him; hence also, he calls to mind the faith of the mother and grandmother of Timothy; as he walks in…”

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

“Wherefore--Greek, "For which cause," namely, because thou hast inherited, didst once possess, and I trust ("am persuaded") still dost possess, such unfeigned faith [ALFORD]. stir up--literally, "rekindle," "revive the spark of"; the opposite of "quench" or "extinguish" (1Th 5:19).”

For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to…

“I am not ashamed--neither be thou (2Ti 1:8). for--Confidence as to the future drives away shame [BENGEL]. I know--though the world knows Him not (Joh 10:14; 17:25). whom--I know what a faithful, promise-keeping God He is (2Ti 2:13).”

Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

“Hold fast the form--rather as Greek, "Have (that is, keep) a pattern of sound (Greek, 'healthy') words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love." "Keep" suits the reference to a deposit in the context.”

Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

“Translate as Greek, "That goodly deposit keep through the Holy Ghost," namely, "the sound words which I have committed to thee" (2Ti 1:13; 2Ti 2:2). in us--in all believers, not merely in you and me.”

May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he has often refreshed me and was unashamed of my chains.

“Nowhere has Paul prayers for the dead, which is fatal to the theory, favored by ALFORD also, that he was dead. God blesses not only the righteous man himself, but all his household.”

A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.

“Paul himself worked at tent-making (Ac 18:3). Therefore what is prohibited here is, not all other save religious occupation, but the becoming entangled, or over-engrossed therewith.”

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel,

“Rather as Greek, "Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead." Remember Christ risen, so as to follow Him. As He was raised after death, so if thou wouldest share His risen "life," thou must now share His "death" (2Ti 2:11).”

if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

“This impossibility is not one of infirmity, but of infinite power and majesty. Also, indirectly, comfort is suggested to believers, that He is faithful to His promises to them; at the same time that apostates are shaken out of their self-deceiving fancy, that because they…”

Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.

“Study--Greek, "Be earnest," or "diligent." to show--Greek, "present," as in Ro 12:1. thyself--as distinguished from those whom Timothy was to charge (2Ti 2:14). approved--tested by trial: opposed to "reprobate" (Tit 1:16). workman--alluding to Mt 20:1, &c.”

who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.

“They "wrested" (2Pe 3:16) Paul's own words (Ro 6:4; Col 2:12) "to their own destruction," as though the resurrection was merely the spiritual raising of souls from the death of sin.”

Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”

“He cannot be honored with the name Christian, who dishonors by iniquity, Christ, the Author of the name. Blandina's refreshment amidst her tortures was to say, "I am a Christian, and with us Christians no evil is done" [EUSEBIUS, Ecclesiastical History, 5.1].”

So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.

“If a man . . . purge himself from these--The Greek expresses "If one (for example, thou, Timothy) purify himself (so as to separate) from among these" (vessels unto dishonor). sanctified--set apart as wholly consecrated to the Lord. and meet--Some oldest manuscripts omit "and."”

But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.

“(Tit 3:9.) unlearned--Greek, "undisciplined"; not tending to promote the discipline of faith and morals (Pr 5:23). "Uninstructive"; in contrast with "instructing" (2Ti 2:25), and "wise unto salvation" (2Ti 3:15). avoid--"decline."”

Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.

“However, different Greek pronouns stand for "him" and "his"; and the Greek for "taken captive" means not "captured for destruction," but "for being saved alive," as in Lu 5:10, "Thou shalt catch men to save them unto life"; also there is no article before the…”

who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

“Ever learning--some new point, for mere curiosity, to the disparagement of what they seemed to know before. the knowledge--Greek, "the perfect knowledge"; the only safeguard against further novelties.”

Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.

“Now--Greek, "But"; it is no wonder there should be now such opponents to the truth, for their prototypes existed in ancient times [ALFORD]. Jambres--traditional names of the Egyptian magicians who resisted Moses (Ex 7:11, 22), derived from "the unwritten teaching of the Jews" [THEODORET].”

while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

“Not contradictory to that verse: there the diffusion of the evil was spoken of; here its intensity [ALFORD].”

But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them.

“But . . . thou--Whatever they may do. Resuming the thread begun at 2Ti 3:10. learned--from me and thy mother and grandmother (2Ti 1:5; 2:2). assured of--from Scripture (2Ti 3:15). of whom--plural, not singular, in the oldest manuscripts, "from what teachers."”

From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

“Wise also in extending it to others. through faith--as the instrument of this wisdom. Each knows divine things only as far as his own experience in himself extends. He who has not faith, has not wisdom or salvation.”

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.

“Preach--literally, "proclaim as a herald." The term for the discourses in the synagogue was daraschoth; the corresponding Greek term (implying dialectial style, dialogue, and discussion, Ac 17:2, 18; 18:4, 19) is applied in Acts to discourses in the Christian Church.”

So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

“The ear brooks not what is opposed to the man's lusts. turned--Greek, "turned aside" (1Ti 1:6). It is a righteous retribution, that when men turn away from the truth, they should be turned to fables (Jer 2:19). fables-- (1Ti 1:4).”

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

“Greek, "For I am already being offered"; literally, as a libation; appropriate to the shedding of his blood. Every sacrifice began with an initiatory libation on the victim's head (compare Note, see on Php 2:17).”