2 Timothy 1:4

4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

2 Timothy 1:4 in Other Translations

4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.

4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.

4 I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion.

4 Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy,

2 Timothy 1:4 Meaning and Commentary

2 Timothy 1:4

Greatly desiring to see thee
In his former epistle he had desired him to stay at Ephesus, there being some work for him to do, which made it necessary he should continue; but now having answered the apostle's purpose, and he standing in need of him at Rome, being without any assistant there, some having left him, and others were left by him in other places, and others were sent by him elsewhere; and it having been some time since he saw Timothy, he longed for a sight of him:

being mindful of thy tears;
shed either at the afflictions and sufferings of the apostle, of which Timothy, being his companion, was an eyewitness, and he being of a truly Christian sympathizing spirit, wept with those that wept; or at their parting from each other, as in ( Acts 20:37 Acts 20:38 )

that I may be filled with joy;
at the sight of him, and not at the remembrance of his tears; for the last clause is to be read in a parenthesis, and these words stand not connected with that, but with the preceding part of the text. The apostle intimates, that a sight of his dearly beloved son Timothy would fill him with joy amidst all his troubles and afflictions he endured for the Gospel: this is an instance of hearty, sincere, and strong affection.

2 Timothy 1:4 In-Context

2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

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

4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

6 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.

Cross References

• 1. Acts 20:37
• 2. 2 Timothy 4:9