Interpretation of 2 Timothy

Contents

Reading pages: 0–3.15 · 4.5–4.18

1. 0Theodoret explains that Paul wrote this letter from Rome near his death to strengthen Timothy for the struggles of the faith, and that Timothy was Paul's beloved son by choice, not by nature.
2. 1.3Theodoret explains Paul's pure conscience, his longing for Timothy, and how the faith of Timothy's mother and grandmother is held up as a family example.
3. 1.6Theodoret compares the soul's eagerness to oil that makes a lamp burn brighter, drawing the grace of the Spirit received at Timothy's ordination.
4. 1.7Theodoret urges, with Paul, that the Spirit gives courage to bear suffering for the gospel, and finds in “before eternal times” a proof that the Son is eternal.
5. 1.12Theodoret explains Paul's confidence that God will guard the grace entrusted to him, and likens holding to sound teaching to a painter copying an original.
6. 1.14Theodoret explains that believers from Asia deserted Paul in Rome for fear of Nero, while Onesiphorus came from Asia to serve him and earned blessing for his household.
7. 2.1Theodoret explains that Timothy is to pass on what he heard Paul teach publicly to faithful teachers, and to bear hardship as Christ's soldier.
8. 2.4Theodoret explains that, as soldiers leave trade aside to serve their commanders, the minister of Christ should not be entangled in worldly affairs.
9. 2.5Theodoret explains the images of the athlete who keeps the rules and the farmer who first shares the harvest, as encouragement for Timothy's labours.
10. 2.7Theodoret says Paul stresses Christ's birth from David and his resurrection against Simon Magus and his followers, who held that the incarnation was only an appearance.
11. 2.10Theodoret explains that Paul gladly suffers so that the elect may obtain both salvation and the eternal glory God promised.
12. 2.11Theodoret explains that dying with Christ applies both to martyrs and to the baptized who live out their faith, and that Christ will deny those who deny him.
13. 2.13Theodoret explains that Christ is God whether or not we believe, and that disputes about such matters harm the hearers.
14. 2.15Theodoret compares the teacher who rightly handles the word of truth to a farmer cutting straight furrows.
15. 2.16Theodoret explains that false teaching spreads like gangrene, infecting even the healthy, and that Paul names Hymenaeus and Philetus as examples.
16. 2.18Theodoret explains that Hymenaeus and Philetus taught that the resurrection had already happened and led some away from the apostolic teaching.
17. 2.19Theodoret explains that faith in the resurrection seals the foundation of the truth, that the vessels of the great house are honourable or dishonourable by their own choice, and what Timothy must flee and pursue.
18. 3.6Theodoret explains Paul's counsel to teach opponents gently, applies the prophecy of the last days' vices to the Christians of his own time, and notes that the names Jannes and Jambres come from Jewish tradition.
19. 3.9Theodoret explains that the hypocrisy of the false teachers will soon be exposed, and reconciles this with Paul's earlier warning that they would advance in ungodliness.
20. 3.10Theodoret glosses each item in Paul's list of the qualities Timothy had seen in him.
21. 3.11Theodoret explains that Paul names the persecutions in Pisidia and Lycaonia because Timothy came from there and knew them best.
22. 3.12Theodoret explains that the devil attacks the godly through other people or through their own thoughts, and trains the wicked for evil.
23. 3.14Theodoret explains that Timothy knew the truth of the teaching by experience, having seen and worked miracles, and could trust his teacher.
24. 3.15Theodoret explains that Scripture is inspired by the Spirit, who is therefore God, lists its benefits, and expounds Paul's charge to preach at every season with the varied remedies of a physician.
25. 4.5Theodoret glosses Paul's charges to be watchful, to do the work of an evangelist, and to fulfil his ministry whether or not the hearers are persuaded.
26. 4.6Theodoret explains Paul's images of the libation, the fight, the race, and the faith kept against every opponent as he faces death.
27. 4.8Theodoret explains the crown of righteousness given by the righteous judge to Paul and to all who love Christ's appearing, and Paul's call for Timothy to come quickly.
28. 4.9Theodoret notes that Demas, once praised as Paul's fellow-worker, deserted him in danger out of concern for his own safety.
29. 4.10Theodoret explains that “Galatia” here means Gaul, and that Crescens and Titus, unlike Demas, had been sent by Paul to preach.
30. 4.11Theodoret identifies Luke as the author of the Gospel and Acts and calls Paul's commendation of Mark the highest praise.
31. 4.12Theodoret infers from Tychicus's mission that Timothy was not then in Ephesus.
32. 4.13Theodoret explains the “parchments” as skins used for books, and reads Paul's words on Alexander the coppersmith as a prediction, not a curse.
33. 4.16Theodoret explains that Paul's first defence led to his release, after which he preached in Spain and elsewhere, and that the lion is Nero.
34. 4.18Theodoret explains Paul's final greetings, notes that Linus succeeded Peter as bishop of Rome, and closes with a prayer to share the grace of Paul and Timothy.