2 Timothy 2:22 - Exposition

But flee for flee also, A.V.; and follow after for but follow, A.V.; love for charity, A.V. Youthful ( νεωτερικάς ) ; of or belonging to νεώτεροι , young men; "cupiditates adolescentiae" (Tacit., 'Hist.,' 2 Timothy 1:15 ). The word only occurs here in the New Testament, never in the LXX ., but is found in Josephus, who speaks of αὐθαδεία νεωτερική , "youthful arrogance," and is common in classical Greek. Lusts ( ἐπιθυμίαι ) include, besides the σαρκικαὶ ἐπιθυμίαι of 1 Peter 2:11 , all those ill-regulated passions to which youth is peculiarly liable, such as intem perance, love of company, arrogance, petulance, ambition, love of display, levity, vehemence of action, wilfulness, and the like. Timothy at this time was probably under forty (see note on q Ti 1 Peter 4:12 , and Ellicott on ditto). Follow after ( δίωκε ); as 1 Timothy 6:11 , where, as here, it is in contrast with φεῦγε . Eagerness in pursuit, and difficulty in attainment, seem to be indicated by the word. With them, etc. ( μετὰ τῶν ἐπικαλουμένων κ . τ . λ . . ) . "With them" may mean either pursue righteousness, etc., in partnership with all who call upon the Lord; i.e. make the pursuit of righteousness, etc., your pursuit, as it is that of all who call upon the Lord; or it may be construed with εἰρήνην , so as to limit the exhortation to peace to those who call upon the Lord, εἰρήνην μετὰ τῶν ἐπικαλουμένων "peace with those that call," etc., which is the construction in Hebrews 12:14 and Romans 12:18 . It is, however, remarkable that in both these passages, which are referred to for the grammar, the inference from the doctrine goes rather the other way, as they teach "peace with all men." So does the balance of the sentence here.