2 Timothy 1:2-7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 1:2

To Timothy, my dearly beloved son - See the note on 1 Timothy 1:2 . read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 1:3

Whom I serve from my forefathers - Being born a Jew, I was carefully educated in the knowledge of the true God, and the proper manner of worshipping him. With pure conscience - Ever aiming to please him, even in the time when through ignorance I persecuted the Church. Without ceasing I have remembrance of thee - The apostle thanks God that he has constant remembrance of Timothy in his prayers. It is a very rare thing now in the Christian Church, that a man particularly thanks God... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 1:4

Being mindful of thy tears - Whether the apostle refers to the affecting parting with the Ephesian Church, mentioned Acts 20:37 , or to the deep impressions made on Timothy's heart when he instructed him in the doctrine of Christ crucified, or to some interview between themselves, it is not certainly known. The mention of this by the apostle is no small proof of his most affectionate regards for Timothy, whom he appears to have loved as a father loves his only son. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 1:5

The unfeigned faith that is in thee - Timothy had given the fullest proof of the sincerity of his conversion, and of the purity of his faith. Which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois - In Acts 16:1 , we are informed that Paul came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, who was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek. Luke, the historian, it appears, was not particularly acquainted with the family; Paul... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 1:6

Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee - The gift which Timothy had received was the Holy Spirit; and through him, a particular power to preach and defend the truth. This gift is represented here, under the notion of a fire, which, if it be not frequently stirred up, and fresh fuel added to it, will go out. This is the precise idea which the apostle had in his mind; hence the term αναζωπυρειν , which signifies to stir up the fire; to add fresh fuel to it. From this it plainly appears,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 1:7

God hath not given us the spirit of fear - Here is an allusion to the giving of the law on mount Sinai. This was communicated with such terrible majesty as to engender fear in all the Israelites: even Moses, on the occasion, did exceedingly fear and tremble. The Gospel was ushered in, in a much milder manner; every thing was placed on a level with the human intellect; and within reach of every human spirit. Nothing was terrific, nothing forbidding; but all was inviting. The very spirit and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 1:2

Verse 2 2My beloved son By this designation he not only testifies his love of Timothy, but procures respect and submission to him; because he wishes to be acknowledged in him, as one who may justly be called his son, (137) The reason of the appellation is, that he had begotten him in Christ; for, although this honor belongs to God alone, yet it is also transferred to ministers, whose agency he employs for regenerating us. Grace, mercy The word mercy, which he employs here, is commonly left out... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 1:3

Verse 3 3I give thanks The meaning usually assigned to these words is, that Paul “gives thanks to God,” and next assigns the cause or ground of thanksgiving; namely, that he is unceasingly mindful of Timothy. But let my readers consider whether the following sense do not suit equally well and even better: “Whenever I remember thee in my prayers, (and I do so continually,) I also give thanks concerning thee;” for the particle ὡς most frequently has that meaning; (138) and, indeed, any meaning... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 1:5

Verse 5 5Calling to remembrance that unfeigned faith Not so much for the purpose of applauding as of exhorting Timothy, the Apostle commends both his own faith and that of his grandmother and mother; for, when one has begun well and valiantly, the progress he has made should encourage him to advance, and domestic examples are powerful excitements to urge him forward. Accordingly, he sets before him his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, by whom he had been educated from his infancy in such... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Timothy 1:6

Verse 6 6For which cause I advise thee The more abundantly that Timothy had received the grace of God, the more attentive (the Apostle intimates) he ought to be in making progress from day to day. It deserves notice that the words “for which cause” introduce this advice as a conclusion from what has been already said. To stir up the gift of God. This exhortation is highly necessary; for it usually happens, and may be said to be natural, that the excellence of gifts produces carelessness, which... read more

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