2 Timothy 1:4

4 desiring to see thee; having mind of thy tears [mindful of thy tears], that I 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, his most dear-worthy son, grace, mercy, and peace of God the Father, and of Jesus Christ, our Lord [and Jesus Christ, our Lord].

3 I do thankings to my God, to whom I serve from my progenitors [from my progenitors, either ancestors,] in clean conscience, that without ceasing I have mind of thee in my prayers, night and day,

4 desiring to see thee; having mind of thy tears [mindful of thy tears], that I be filled with joy.

5 And I bethink of that faith [And I take recording, or mind, of that faith], that is in thee not feigned, which also dwelled first in thine aunt Lois, and in thy mother Eunice. And I am certain, that also in thee.

6 For which cause I admonish thee, that thou raise again the grace of God, that is in thee by the setting on of mine hands [by the on-putting of mine hands].