2 Timotheus 1:2-12

2 meinem lieben Sohn Timotheus: Gnade, Barmherzigkeit, Friede von Gott, dem Vater, und Christo Jesu, unserm HERRN!

3 Ich danke Gott, dem ich diene von meinen Voreltern her in reinem Gewissen, daß ich ohne Unterlaß dein gedenke in meinem Gebet Tag und Nacht;

4 und mich verlangt, dich zu sehen, wenn ich denke an deine Tränen, auf daß ich mit Freude erfüllt würde;

5 und wenn ich mich erinnere des ungefärbten Glaubens in dir, welcher zuvor gewohnt hat in deiner Großmutter Lois und deiner Mutter Eunike; ich bin aber gewiß, auch in dir.

6 Um solcher Ursache willen erinnere ich dich, daß du erweckest die Gabe Gottes, die in dir ist durch die Auflegung meiner Hände.

7 Denn Gott hat uns nicht gegeben den Geist der Furcht, sondern der Kraft und der Liebe und der Zucht.

8 Darum so schäme dich nicht des Zeugnisses unsers HERRN noch meiner, der ich sein Gebundener bin, sondern leide mit für das Evangelium wie ich, nach der Kraft Gottes,

9 der uns hat selig gemacht und berufen mit einem heiligen Ruf, nicht nach unsern Werken, sondern nach dem Vorsatz und der Gnade, die uns gegeben ist in Christo Jesu vor der Zeit der Welt,

10 jetzt aber offenbart durch die Erscheinung unsers Heilandes Jesu Christi, der dem Tode die Macht hat genommen und das Leben und ein unvergänglich Wesen ans Licht gebracht durch das Evangelium,

11 für welches ich gesetzt bin als Prediger und Apostel der Heiden. {~} {~}

12 Um dieser Ursache willen leide ich auch solches; aber ich schäme mich dessen nicht; denn ich weiß, an wen ich glaube, und bin gewiß, er kann mir bewahren, was mir beigelegt ist, bis an jenen Tag.

2 Timotheus 1:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 TIMOTHY

That this epistle was written to Timothy, while he was at Ephesus, where the apostle in his former epistle had desired him to stay, is evident from his making mention of some persons in it, who were Ephesians; as Onesiphorus, whom he commends, and Alexander the coppersmith, of whom he complains: and that this epistle was written by the apostle, when he was at Rome, is no less evident; for he expressly calls himself a prisoner, 2Ti 1:8 and speaks of being then in trouble, and in bonds, 2Ti 2:9,10 and the persons that send their salutations in it to Timothy were Romans, 2Ti 4:21 but at what time it was written is not so certain: it seems by 2Ti 4:7 that it was but a little time before his martyrdom; though those words may only signify, that he was now very much on the decline of life, was now grown an old man, and in continual expectation of death, and was in a constant readiness for it, come when it would; having faithfully discharged his duty, and his warfare being as good as accomplished, and his race almost run out; for he afterwards presses Timothy to come to him, and that before winter; and desires him to bring with him his cloak, books, and parchments, which one would think he would have little occasion for, if just upon his martyrdom: besides, he says he was delivered out of the mouth of the lion, that by him the preaching of the Gospel might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear it; and expresses his confidence, that he should be again delivered, 2Ti 4:9,13,17,18. And it looks as if this epistle was written before the epistles to the Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, since it appears that Timothy did come to him at Rome; as here desired, and is joined with the apostle in those epistles. Some, therefore, have placed this epistle in the year 58, or 59, about the fourth or fifth of Nero's reign. The design of it is to stir up Timothy to the faithful and diligent discharge of his duty, as a minister of the Gospel; to abide constantly by the truths of it, and to animate him to suffer patiently, cheerfully, and courageously for the sake of it; and to warn him against false teachers, and their errors, who were already risen, and would afterwards arise, and be followed by such who had itching ears, and could not bear sound doctrine; but this should be no discouragement to him in the prosecution of his work; and lastly to desire his presence with him at Rome, being now destitute of his several assistants.

\\INTRODUCTION TO 2 TIMOTHY 1\\

In this chapter, after the inscription and salutation, the apostle expresses his great affection for Timothy, and highly commends him; exhorts him to various things relating to his office, as a preacher of the Gospel; and concludes with taking notice of the kindness shown him by Onesiphorus. The inscription and salutation are in 2Ti 1:1,2 and then follows the preface to the epistle, in which the apostle testifies his great love to Timothy, and commends him; by declaring his thankfulness to God, that he had reason always to remember him in his prayers; by his desire to see him again, who had shed so many tears for him, that his joy might be filled; and by taking notice of his unfeigned faith, the same with that which had dwelt in his ancestors, 2Ti 1:3-5. And then he proceeds to exhort him to the exercise and improvement of his ministerial gift; to show a fortitude of mind, and a manly spirit in the cause of Christ; and to suffer cheerfully for the sake of it, 2Ti 1:6-8 and in order to animate and encourage him to the same, he gives a summary of the Gospel, as containing in it the great doctrines of salvation, and eternal life, according to the free grace of God through Jesus Christ, 2Ti 1:9,10 and observes, that he himself was appointed a preacher of it to the Gentiles, 2Ti 1:11 and instances in himself, as suffering for it, without being ashamed; and as having a strong confidence in Christ, as able to keep him, and what he had committed to him, 2Ti 1:12 and then returns to his exhortation to Timothy to hold fast the Gospel of Christ; to which he urges him from the consideration of the nature and value of it, being a form of sound words, and that famous good thing, and of the means and manner in which he came to the knowledge of it; and chiefly from its being committed to him by the Holy Ghost, that dwelt in him; and also because of the general defection of the Asian professors from it, 2Ti 1:13-15 but he excepts one person, Onesiphorus by name, whom he commends for his kindness to him both at Ephesus and at Rome; and therefore entreats of the Lord mercy, both for him and his house, at the great day, 2Ti 1:16-18.