1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life ‘The life that is in Christ’—that’s what it’s all about. As He Himself said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). that is in Christ Jesus,
2 to dear son Timothy: Grace, mercy, peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I give thanks to God, whom I serve with a clear conscience like my forefathers did, So why does Paul bring his ancestors into the picture? I suppose to set up a parallel with Timothy and his ancestors (verse 5). One’s heritage is important. as I constantly remember you in my prayers, night and day,
4 longing to see you (recalling your tears), From what follows I take it that Timothy was going through a spiritual crisis when Paul last saw him, hence the tears. Paul did what he could to help, but is anxious to know how Timothy is doing. that I may be filled with joy;
5 while I call to mind the unfeigned faith that is in you—it resided first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, in you also.
Remembrance of Timothy's Responsibility
6 For this reason I am reminding you to rekindle Timothy had received a ‘charisma’ from God through Paul, but the verb ‘rekindle’ indicates clearly that the use of the gift is up to him, and he has been neglecting it. the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
7 Because God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and of love and of self-control.
8 So don’t be ashamed to identify with our Lord or with me His prisoner, but join in suffering for the Gospel according to the power of God
9 —the One who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which It is hard to determine whether the pronoun refers only to ‘grace’ or to both ‘purpose and grace’. was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, Really; the Lamb’s blood was shed before this world was created (1 Peter 1:19-20).
10 but has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who by means of the Gospel destroyed the death That’s what the Text says, ‘the death’; I take it that the reference is to Satan’s kingdom. and brought life and immortality to light;
11 to this Gospel I was appointed as a proclaimer, an apostle and a teacher of nations.
12 That is why I am suffering these things, yet I am not ashamed because I know in whom I have believed and am certain that He is able to guard my deposit That’s right, ‘my deposit’; by dying to himself and living for Christ’s kingdom he is building up a ‘savings account’ in Heaven. until that Day. The Day when we face God’s bar and give an accounting (see verse 18).
13 Hold fast the standard of sound teaching that you heard from me, through the faith and love in Christ Jesus.
14 Guard the good deposit by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
15 This you know, that all those in Asia have been turned away from me, ‘Turn away’ is in the passive voice; someone was working against Paul, with success. including Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorous, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain;
17 rather, when he arrived in Rome he searched diligently for me until he found me
18 (may the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord in that Day); you also know very well in how many ways he served me in Ephesus.