II Timothy 2
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Commentaries
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Be strong in the grace - Though the genuine import of the word grace is favor, yet it often implies an active principle communicated from God; light directing how to act, and power enabling to act according to the light.
Open source ↗EXHORTATIONS; TO FAITHFULNESS AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF CHRIST; ERRORS TO BE SHUNNED; THE LORD'S SURE FOUNDATION; THE RIGHT SPIRIT FOR A SERVANT OF CHRIST. (2Ti. 2:1-26) Thou therefore--following my example (Ti2 1:8, Ti2 1:12), and that of ONESIPHORUS (Ti2 1:16-18), and shunning that of those who forsook me (Ti2 1:15). my son--Children ought to imitate their father. be strong--literally, "be invested with power." Have power, and show thyself to have it; implying an abiding state of power. in the grace--the element IN which the believer's strength has place. Compare Ti2 1:7, "God hath given us the spirit of power."
Open source ↗Thou therefore, my son,.... The illative particle, "therefore", shows the connection between this and the preceding chapter; the appellation, "thou, my son", expresses the apostle's tender affection for Timothy, and is the rather used to engage his attention to the advice he was about to give him; which is, that since he had received the true grace of God, and unfeigned faith dwelt in him; and since he had such gifts, qualifying him for the work of the ministry; and since so good a thing as the glorious Gospel of the blessed God was committed to his trust; and since there were so many who had departed from it, and so few that abode by it, he would have him be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; by which may be meant either the free favour and love of God in Christ, Rom 8:39 which is in itself always strong, immovable, and unalterable; and is the strength and security of the saints, though they have not always the same strong believing views of it; and to be strong in it, is to be rooted and grounded in it, and to have a strong sense and firm persuasion of interest in it, and that nothing can separate from it: or else the Gospel, which is a declaration of grace, and is in Christ, and comes by him; and to be strong in it, is to preach it boldly, to defend it bravely, and courageously oppose every error and heresy, and every abettor thereof; and it also becomes every private believer to hold it fast, stand fast in it, abide by it, and earnestly contend for it; and so the phrase may stand opposed to , or "one strong in the law", which is so often used by the Jews (d): or rather by grace is meant the fulness of grace which is in Christ, for the supply of his people; for in that grace which is in him, and not in that which is in themselves, should their dependence be…
Open source ↗Here Paul encourages Timothy to constancy and perseverance in his work: Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, Ti2 2:1. Observe, Those who have work to do for God must stir up themselves to do it, and strengthen themselves for it. Being strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus may be understood in opposition to the weakness of grace. Where there is the truth of grace there must be a labouring after the strength of grace. As our trials increase, we have need to grow stronger and stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. Or it may be understood in opposition to our being strong in our own strength: "Be strong, not confiding in thy own sufficiency, but in the grace that is in Jesus Christ." Compare Eph 6:10, Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. When Peter promised rather to die for Christ than to deny him he was strong in his own strength; had he been strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, he would have kept his standing better. Observe, 1. There is grace in Christ Jesus; for the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, Joh 1:17. There is grace enough in him for all of us. 2. We must be strong in this grace; not in ourselves, in our own strength, or in the grace we have already received, but in the grace that is in him, and that is the way to be strong in grace. 3. As a father exhorts his son, so does Paul exhort Timothy, with great tenderness and affection: Thou, therefore, my son, be strong, etc. Observe, I. Timothy must count upon sufferings, even unto blood, and therefore he must train up others to succeed him in the ministry of the gospel, Ti2 2:2. He must instruct others, and train them up for the ministry, and so commit to them the thin…
Open source ↗2:1-13 Timothy is again told to be strong and to endure suffering along with Paul (2:1-7; see 1:8). Timothy’s obedience should be motivated by reflecting on the Good News and on Paul’s example (2:8-13). 2:1 Timothy, my dear son (literally Therefore you, my child): In the Greek, therefore links this phrase back to 1:15-18 and the emphatic you is in contrast to those examples.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
σύ (sý, G4771) — thou οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me τέκνον (téknon, G5043) — a child (as produced) ἐνδυναμόω (endynamóō, G1743) — to empower ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… ἐμοῦ (emoû, G1700) — of me διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… μάρτυς (mártys, G3144) — a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr" ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things παρατίθημι (paratíthēmi, G3908) — to place alongside, i.e. present (food, truth); by implication, to deposit (as a trust or… πιστός (pistós, G4103) — objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same ἔσομαι (ésomai, G2071) — will be
Open source ↗σύ (sý, G4771) — thou οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly κακοπαθέω (kakopathéō, G2553) — to undergo hardship ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) καλός (kalós, G2570) στρατιώτης (stratiṓtēs, G4757) — a camper-out, i.e. a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively) Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing στρατεύομαι (strateúomai, G4754) — to serve in a military campaign; figuratively, to execute the apostolate (with its… ἐμπλέκω (emplékō, G1707) — to entwine, i.e. (figuratively) involve with πραγματεία (pragmateía, G4230) — a transaction, i.e. negotiation βίος (bíos, G979) — life, i.e. (literally) the present state of existence; by implication, the means of… ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ἀρέσκω (aréskō, G700) — to be agreeable (or by implication, to seek to be so) στρατολογέω (stratologéō, G4758) — to gather (or select) as a warrior, i.e. enlist in the army
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀθλέω (athléō, G118) — to contend in the competitive games στεφανόω (stephanóō, G4737) — to adorn with an honorary wreath (literally or figuratively) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ, G3362) — if not, i.e. unless νομίμως (nomímōs, G3545) — legitimately (specially, agreeably to the rules of the lists)
Open source ↗γεωργός (geōrgós, G1092) — a land-worker, i.e. farmer κοπιάω (kopiáō, G2872) — to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard δεῖ (deî, G1163) — also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is… πρῶτος (prōtos, G4413) — foremost (in time, place, order or importance) μεταλαμβάνω (metalambánō, G3335) — to participate; genitive case, to accept (and use) καρπός (karpós, G2590) — fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively
Open source ↗νοιέω (noiéō, G3539) — to exercise the mind (observe), i.e. (figuratively) to comprehend, heed ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee σύνεσις (sýnesis, G4907) — a mental putting together, i.e. intelligence or (concretely) the intellect ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole
Open source ↗μνημονεύω (mnēmoneúō, G3421) — to exercise memory, i.e. recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) σπέρμα (spérma, G4690) — something sown, i.e. seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring;… Δαβίδ (Dabíd, G1138) — Dabid (i.e. David), the Israelite king ἐγείρω (egeírō, G1453) — to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from… νεκρός (nekrós, G3498) — dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun) κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion, G2098) — a good message, i.e. the gospel
Open source ↗ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that κακοπαθέω (kakopathéō, G2553) — to undergo hardship ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) κακοῦργος (kakoûrgos, G2557) — a wrong-doer, i.e. criminal μέχρι (méchri, G3360) — as far as, i.e. up to a certain point (as a preposition, of extent (denoting the… δεσμόν (desmón, G1199) — a band, i.e. ligament (of the body) or shackle (of a prisoner); figuratively, an… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very δέω (déō, G1210) — to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not
Open source ↗διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing ὑπομένω (hypoménō, G5278) — to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἐκλεκτός (eklektós, G1588) — select; by implication, favorite ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… τυγχάνω (tynchánō, G5177) — akin to the base of G5088 (τίκτω) through the idea of effecting; properly, to affect; or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… σωτηρία (sōtēría, G4991) — rescue or safety (physically or morally) ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
Open source ↗πιστός (pistós, G4103) — objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. συναποθνήσκω (synapothnḗskō, G4880) — to decease (literally) in company with, or (figuratively), similarly to συζάω (syzáō, G4800) — to continue to live in common with, i.e. co-survive (literally or figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other…
Open source ↗εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. ὑπομένω (hypoménō, G5278) — to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have… συμβασιλεύω (symbasileúō, G4821) — to be co-regent (figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀρνέομαι (arnéomai, G720) — to contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate κἀκεῖνος (kakeînos, G2548) — likewise that (or those) ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us
Open source ↗εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. ἀπιστέω (apistéō, G569) — to be unbelieving, i.e. (transitively) disbelieve, or (by implication) disobey ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed μένω (ménō, G3306) — to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) πιστός (pistós, G4103) — objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not δύναμαι (dýnamai, G1410) — to be able or possible ἀρνέομαι (arnéomai, G720) — to contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other…
Open source ↗ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things ὑπομιμνήσκω (hypomimnḗskō, G5279) — to remind quietly, i.e. suggest to the (middle voice, one's own) memory διαμαρτύρομαι (diamartýromai, G1263) — to attest or protest earnestly, or (by implication) hortatively ἐνώπιον (enṓpion, G1799) — in the face of (literally or figuratively) κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… λογομαχέω (logomachéō, G3054) — to be disputatious (on trifles) μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing χρήσιμος (chrḗsimos, G5539) — serviceable ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… καταστροφή (katastrophḗ, G2692) — an overturn ("catastrophe"), i.e. demolition; figuratively, apostasy ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.
But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work! For I am with you, declares the LORD of Hosts.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.
To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.