Lit. for which cause. Ἁιτία not in Paul. The phrase in 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 1:13; also in Luke, Acts, and Hebrews. Paul's expression is διό or διὰ τοῦτο.

Stir up (ἀναζωπυρεῖν)

N.T.o. lxx, (Genesis 45:27; 1 Macc. 13:7. In Class., as Eurip. Electra, 1121, ἀν' αὖ σὺ ζωπυρεῖς νείκη νέα you are rekindling old strifes. From ἀνά again ζωός alive, πῦρ fire. Τὸ ζώπυρον is a piece of hot coal, an ember, a spark. Plato calls the survivors of the flood σμικρὰ ζώπυρα τοῦ τῶν ἀνθρώπων γένους διασεσωσμένα small sparks of the human race preserved. The word is, therefore, figurative, to stir or kindle the embers. Ἁνὰ combines the meanings again and up, rekindle or kindle up. Vulg. only the former, resuscitare. Comp. ἀνάπτειν kindle up, Luke 12:49; James 3:5. It is not necessary to assume that Timothy's zeal had become cold.

The gift of God (τὸ χάρισμα τοῦ θεοῦ)

See on 1 Timothy 4:14.

The laying on of my hands

See on 1 Timothy 4:14.

Better, of cowardice. N.T. Comp. Romans 8:15, and see on the Spirit, Romans 8:4, 5.

Of power (δυνάμεως)

Found in all the Pauline Epistles except Philemon. In Pastorals only here, 2 Timothy 1:8, and 2 Timothy 3:5. Not used by our writer in the sense of working miracles, which it sometimes has in Paul. Here, the power to overcome all obstacles and to face all dangers. It is closely linked with the sense of παρρησία boldness.

Of love (ἀγάπης)

See on Galatians 5:22.

Of a sound mind (σωφρονισμοῦ)

N.T.o. olxx, oClass. Not self-control, but the faculty of generating it in others or in one's self, making them σώφρονες of sound mind. Comp. Titus 2:4. Rend. discipline. See on σωφροσύνη 1 Timothy 2:9.

See on Luke 9:26.

Testimony (μαρτύριον)

See on 1 Timothy 2:6.

His prisoner (δέσμιον αὐτοῦ)

Paul styles himself the prisoner of the Lord, Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 4:1, Plm 1:9. Only here in Pastorals. Not in a figurative sense, one who belongs to Christ, but one who is imprisoned because of his labors as an apostle of Christ. On Paul's supposed second imprisonment, see Introd. IV.

Be partaker of the afflictions (συνκακοπάθησον)

Only here and 2 Timothy 2:3. olxx, oClass. The compounded συν with, not with the gospel, as Rev., but with me. Share afflictions with me for the gospel.

According to the power of God

Which enables him to endure hardness. Connect with be partaker, etc.

Salvation is ascribed to God. See on our Savior, 1 Timothy 1:1.

Called (καλέσαντος)

Comp. 1 Timothy 6:12, and see Romans 8:30; Romans 9:11; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Galatians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:12. It is Paul's technical term for God's summoning men to salvation. In Paul the order is reversed: called, saved.

With a holy calling (λκήσει ἁγίᾳ)

Κλῆσις, calling, often in Paul; but the phrase holy calling only here. In Paul, κλῆσις sometimes as here, with the verb καλεῖν to call, as 1 Corinthians 7:20; Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:4.

Purpose (πρόθεσιν)

See on Acts 11:23; see on Romans 9:11.

Grace which was given (χάριν τὴν δοθεῖσαν)

Comp. Romans 12:3, Romans 12:6; Romans 15:15; 1 Corinthians 3:10; Ephesians 3:8; Ephesians 4:7. The phrase only here in Pastorals.

Before the world began (πρὸ χρόνων αἰωνίων)

See additional note on 2 Thessalonians 1:9. In Pastorals the phrase only here and Titus 1:2. Not in Paul. Lit. before eternal times. If it is insisted that αἰώνιος means everlasting, this statement is absurd. It is impossible that anything should take place before everlasting times. That would be to say that there was a beginning of times which are from everlasting. Paul puts the beginnings of salvation in God's purpose before the time of the world (1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Peter 1:20); and Christ's participation in the saving counsels of God prior to time, goes with the Pauline doctrine of Christ's preexistence. The meaning, therefore, of this phrase is rightly given in A.V.: before the world began, that is, before time was reckoned by aeons or cycles. Then, in that timeless present, grace was given to us in God's decree, not actually, since we did not exist. The gift planned and ordered in the eternal counsels is here treated as an actual bestowment.

See on 1 Timothy 3:16. In contrast with the preceding clause, this marks the historical fulfillment in time of the eternal, divine counsel. Comp. Titus 1:3. There is an implication that the divine counsel was hidden until the fitting time: comp. Ephesians 3:5, and see Colossians 1:26.

By the appearing (διὰ τῆς ἐπιφανείας)

See on 2 Thessalonians 2:8; see on 1 Timothy 6:14.

Who hath abolished (καταργήσαντος)

Better, since he made of none effect. In Pastorals only here. Frequent in Paul. See on make without effect, Romans 3:3, and comp. is swallowed up, 1 Corinthians 15:54. Notice the association of the verb with ἐπιφάνεια appearing in 2 Thessalonians 2:8.

Brought to light (φωτίσαντος)

Only here in Pastorals. In Paul, 1 Corinthians 4:5; Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 3:9.

Immortality (ἀφθαρσίαν)

Better, incorruption. With this exception, only in Paul. See Wisd. 2:23; 6:9; 4 Macc. 9:22; 17:12.

Omit of the Gentiles. Comp. 1 Timothy 2:7, from which the words were probably transferred when the three Epistles were jointly edited. Paul calls himself an apostle, and describes himself as preaching (κηρύσσων); but he nowhere calls himself διδάσκαλος a teacher, although he uses διδάσκειν to teach, of himself, 1 Corinthians 4:17; Colossians 1:28. He also uses διδαχή teaching, of matter given by him to the converts, Romans 6:17; Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 14:6. He distinguishes between the apostle and the teacher, 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11.

Comp. 2 Timothy 1:8, and Romans 1:16.

Whom I have believed (ᾧ πεπίστευκα)

Or, in whom I have put my trust. See on John 1:12; see on John 2:22; see on Romans 4:5.

Able (δυνατός)

Often used with a stronger meaning, as 1 Corinthians 1:26, mighty; Acts 25:5, οἱδυνατοὶ the chief men: as a designation of God, ὁ δυνατός the mighty one, Luke 1:49 : of preeminent ability or power in something, as of Jesus, δυνατός ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ mighty in deed and word, Luke 24:19 : of spiritual agencies, "The weapons of our warfare are δυνατὰ mighty," etc., 2 Corinthians 10:4. Very often in lxx.

That which I have committed (τὴν παραθήκην μου)

More correctly, that which has been committed unto me: my sacred trust. The meaning of the passage is that Paul is convinced that God is strong to enable him to be faithful to his apostolic calling, in spite of the sufferings which attend it, until the day when he shall be summoned to render his final account. The παραθήκη or thing committed to him was the same as that which he had committed to Timothy that; he might teach others (1 Timothy 6:20). It was the form of sound words (2 Timothy 1:13); that which Timothy had heard from Paul (2 Timothy 2:2); that fair deposit (2 Timothy 1:14). It was the gospel to which Paul had been appointed (2 Timothy 1:11); which had been intrusted to him (1 Timothy 1:11; Titus 1:3; comp. 1 Corinthians 9:17; Galatians 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:4). The verb παρατιθέναι to commit to one's charge is a favorite with Luke. See Luke 12:48; Acts 20:32. Sums deposited with a Bishop for the use of the church were called παραθῆκαι τῆς ἐκκλησίας trust-funds of the church. In the Epistle of the pseudo-Ignatius to Hero (vii.) we read: "Keep my deposit (παραθήκην) which I and Christ have committed (παρθέμεθα) to you. I commit (παρατίθημι) to you the church of the Antiochenes."

That day (ἐκείνην τὴν ἡμέραν)

The day of Christ's second appearing. See on 1 Thessalonians 5:2. In this sense the phrase occurs in the N.T. Epistles only 2 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 4:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; but often in the Gospels, as Matthew 7:22; Matthew 26:29; Mark 13:32, etc. The day of the Lord's appearing is designated by Paul as ἡ ἡμέρα, absolutely, the day, Romans 13:12; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:4 : ἡμέρα τοῦ κυρίου the day of the Lord, 1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:2 : the day of Jesus Christ or Christ, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 1:10; Philippians 2:16: the day when God shall judge, Romans 2:16 : the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, Romans 2:5 : the day of redemption, Ephesians 4:30.

Pastso. olxx, oClass. See on 1 Timothy 1:16.

Of sound words (ὑγιαινόντων λόγων)

See on 1 Timothy 1:16.

In faith and love

The teaching is to be held, preached, and practiced, not as a mere schedule of conduct, however excellent, but with the strong conviction of faith and the favor of love.

That fair, honorable trust, good and beautiful in itself, and honorable to him who receives it. The phrase N.T.o. See on 2 Timothy 1:12. Comp. the good warfare, 1 Timothy 1:18; teaching, 1 Timothy 4:6; fight, 1 Timothy 6:12; confession, 1 Timothy 6:12.

Proconsular Asia, known as Asia Propria or simply Asia. It was the Romans province formed out of the kingdom of Pergamus, which was bequeathed to the Romans by Attalus III((b.c. 130), including the Greek cities on the western coast of Asia, and the adjacent islands with Rhodes. It included Mysia, Lydia, Caria, and Phrygia. The division Asia Major and Asia Minor was not adopted until the fourth century a.d. Asia Minor (Anatolia) was bounded by the Euxine, Aegean, and Mediterranean on the north, west, and south; and on the east by the mountains on the west of the upper course of the Euphrates.

Have turned away (ἀπεστράφηνσαν)

Not from the faith, but from Paul.

Mentioned again, 2 Timothy 4:19.

Refreshed (ἀνέψυζεν)

N.T.o. Several times in lxx; often in Class. Ἁνάψυξις refreshing, Acts 3:19; and καταψύχειν to cool, Luke 16:24. Originally to cool; to revive by fresh air.

Chain (ἅλυσιν)

Once in Paul, Ephesians 6:20. Several times in Mark, Luke, and Acts. It may mean handcuffs or manacles (see Lightfoot, Philippians, ed. of 1896, page 8), but is not limited to that sense either in classical or later Greek. See Hdt. ix. 74; Eurip. Orest. 984. Mark 5:4 is not decisive.

N.T.o. The sense is comparative; better than I can tell you.

In view of what has been said in the previous chapter.

Be strong (ἐνδυναμοῦ)

In Paul, Romans 4:20; Ephesians 6:10; Philippians 4:13. Lit. be strengthened inwardly.

In the grace (ἐν τῇ χάριτι)

Grace is the inward source of strength. Comp. the association of grace and strength in 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Διὰ through the medium of, and therefore in the presence of.

Commit (παράθου)

As a trust or deposit (παραθήκη). See on 2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:14. In Paul only 1 Corinthians 10:27.

Faithful (πιστοῖς)

Not believing, but trusty, as appears from the context. See on 1 John 1:9; see on Revelation 1:5; see on Revelation 3:14.

Able (ἱκανοὶ)

In Pastorals only here. Very common in Luke and Acts: a few times in Paul. See on many, Romans 15:23.