# Interpretation of 2 Timothy - Author: [Theodoret of Cyrus](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/theodoret-of-cyrus/) - Latin title: *Interpretatio in epistulam ad II Timotheum* - Date: ca. 436-448 (approximate) - Source: J.-P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Graeca 82 (Paris) - Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator - Editions and translations: J.-P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Graeca 82 (Paris, 1864) - Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/ - Passages: 34 ## 2 Timothy, preface - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-0 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text Ἀπὸ τῆς Ῥώμης τὴν δευτέραν τῷ τρισμακαρίῳ Τιμοθέῳ γέγραφεν Ἐπιστολὴν ὁ θεῖος ᾿Απόστολος, παρ᾽ αὐτὸ λοιπὸν ὧν τοῦ βίου τὸ τέλος. Καὶ τοῦτο δεδήλωκεν αὐτὸς ὡδὶ γεγραφώς " ε« Ἐγὼ ἤδη σπένδομαι, καὶ ὁ καιρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀναλύσεως ἐφέστηκεν. » Ἐπέστελλε δὲ αὑτῷ, παραθαρσύνων εἰς τοὺς περὶ «ἧς εὐσεδείας ἀγῶνας, καὶ φέρειν γενναίως τοὺς ὑπὲρ τῆς πίστεως κινδύνους παρακαλῶν. Ὑπέδειξε δὲ καὶ τῶν ἀγώνων τὰ ἄθλα. Προείρηκε δὲ καὶ περί τίνων, τὸ μὲν πρόσχημα τῆς εὐσεθείας περικειμένων, ἀλλότριον δὲ τῆς ἐπαγγελίας βίον προαιρουμένων. « Παῦλος ἀπόστολος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ διὰ θελήματος Θεοῦ κατ᾽ ἐπαγγελίαν ζωῆς τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, Τιμοθέῳ ἀγαπητῷ, καὶ γνησίῳ τέκνῳ, χάριξν ἔλεος, εἰρήνη ἀπὸ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς, καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν. » Οὐ πᾶς υἱὸς ἀγαπητός " ἔστι γὰρ ὅτε καὶ τὴν φυσικὴν σβέννυσι φιλοστοργίαν τῶν παίδων ἣ δυστροπία. Τὸν δὲ πάντα ἄριστον Τιμόθεον καὶ υἱὸν καὶ ἀγαπητὸν οὐκ ἡ φύσις, ἀλλ᾽ ἡ γνώμη “πεποίηκε. Τὸ δὲ, κατ᾽ ἐπαγγελίαν ζωῆς, οὕτω νοη» πέον " ᾿Απόστολόν με προεδάλετο, φησὶν, ὁ Δεσπότης Θεὸς, συμψηφισαμένου καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ, ὥστε με τὴν ἐπαγγελθεῖσαν αἰώνιον ζωὴν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις χη- ### English translation (Claude) The divine Apostle wrote the second letter to the thrice-blessed Timothy from Rome, when he was by now close to the very end of his life. He himself made this plain by writing: “For I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come.” He wrote to him to encourage him for the contests on behalf of godliness, and to urge him to bear nobly the dangers on behalf of the faith. He also pointed out the prizes of the contests. And he foretold, too, about certain people who wear the outward show of godliness but choose a life foreign to their profession. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, beloved and true child: grace, mercy, peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” Not every son is beloved; for sometimes perverseness quenches even the natural affection for children. But it was not nature but his disposition that made the all-excellent Timothy both son and beloved. The words “according to the promise of life” are to be understood thus: The Master God, he says, appointed me an apostle, the Son also voting with him, so that I might proclaim to men the promised eternal life … ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 4:6: quotation, high confidence - 2 Tim 3:5: allusion, medium confidence - 2 Tim 1:1–2: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Theodoret's Interpretation of 2 Timothy has no public-domain English translation; the translation was re-read against the Greek. Ref 0 holds the hypothesis (preface) and the comment on 2 Tim 1:1–2. The scan's OCR breaks off at the end of the section (marked “…”). Latin debris from Migne's facing column and marginal verse numerals removed. Quotations: 2 Tim 4:6; 2 Tim 1:1–2. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. pref. (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0). ## On 2 Tim 1:3 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-1-3 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text « Χάριν ἔχω τῷ Θεῷ, ᾧ λατρεύω ἀπὸ προγόνων ἐν καθαρᾷ συνειδήσε!. » ᾿Αψευδὴς μὲν ὁ λόγο; εἰ καὶ τοῦ βίου προσεμαρτύρει λαμπρότητι, ἀλλ' ὅμως τὴν εἰλικρινῇ περὶ τὸν Θεὸν διάθεσιν διὰ τοῦ καθαροῦ συνειδότος ἡνίξατο. Καὶ γὰρ ἡνίκα ἐδίωκεν, ὑπὲρ Θεοῦ, τοῦτο ποιεῖν ὑπελάμδανε. Τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ ἐν τῇ πρὸς Φιλιππησίους ἔφη “ ε Κατὰ ζῆλον διώκων τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν, κατὰ δικαιοσύνην τὴν ἐν νόμῳ γενό" μενος ἄμεμπτος.» « Ὡ; ἀδιάλειπτον ἔχω τὴν περὶ σοῦ μνείαν ἐν ταῖς δεήσεσί μου, νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας, ἐπιποθῶν σε ἰδεῖν, μεμνημένος σου τῶν δακρύων, ἵνα χαρᾶς πληρωθῶ. » ᾿Ασαφῇ τὴν διάνοιαν ἡ συνθήκη πεποίηκε. Λέγει δὲ τοῦτο, ἀναμιμνησκόμενός σου τῶν δακρύων, θυμηδίας ἐμφοροῦμαι πολλῆς, καὶ τῷ πόθῳ πυρσεύομαι, ἱμειρόμενός σε πάλιν ἰδεῖν " καὶ προσευχόμενος δὲ διηνεκῶς ἐπὶ σοὶ τὸν Θεὸν ἀνυμνῶ. Εἰκὸς δὲ αὐτῷ γενέσθαι τὰ δάκρυα συνταττομένῳ, καὶ τοῦ διδατ΄. « Ὑπόμνησιν λαμδάνων τῆς ἐν σοὶ ἀνυποκρίτου πίστεως. ν Εὐφραίνει μὲ καὶ διαφερόντως τδ᾽ εἰλικρινές σου τῆς πίστεως. ε Ἤτις,ἐνῴχησε πρότερον ἐν τῇ μάμμῃ σου Λωῖδι, καὶ τῇ μητρέ σου Εὐνίχῃ. ν Μέμνητα: αὐτοῦ τῆς μητρὸς καὶ Λουκᾶς ὁ μακάριος ἐν ταῖς Πράξεσιν" ε Ἦν δὲ ἐκεῖ, φησὶ, μαθητὴς ὀνόματι Τιμόθεος, υἱὸς Ἰουδαίας πιστῆς. » ᾿Αλλὰ τὸ μὲν ἐν πάλαι, τὸ δὲ προσέλαδεν. Ἰουδαία γὰρ οὖσα, τῷ Σωτῆρι τῶν ὅλων ἐπίστευσε. Τῇ μέντοι μετ᾽ εὖφημίας μνήμῃ τῶν προγόνων ὁ θεῖος ᾿Απόστολος κρατύνει τὴν πίστιν ἐν τῷ μαθητῇ. Οὐδὲν γὰρ οὕτως ὀνίνησιν ὡς οἰκεῖον παράδειγμα. Καὶ ἐπειδὴ συμδαΐνει τινὰς ἐξ εὐσεδῶν γενομένους μὴ ζηλῶσα!: τὴν τῶν προγόνων εὐσέδειαν, ἀναγκαίως ἐπήγαγε " « Πέπεισμαι δὲ ὅτι καὶ ἐν σοί. ν Εἶτα τοῦτο αὐτὸ τῆς ### English translation (Claude) “I give thanks to God, whom I serve from my forefathers with a pure conscience.” The statement is truthful, even though the brilliance of his life also bore witness to it; yet by the “pure conscience” he hinted at his sincere disposition toward God. For even when he was persecuting, he supposed he was doing this for God. This is what he said in the letter to the Philippians too: “As to zeal, persecuting the church; as to the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.” “As I have unceasing remembrance of you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy.” The order of the words has made the sense unclear. He means this: remembering your tears, I am filled with great gladness, and I am kindled with longing, yearning to see you again; and praying continually I sing praise to God for you. It is likely that the tears came to him when Paul was taking leave of him, and of the teacher’s … “Being reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in you.” The sincerity of your faith gladdens me especially. “Which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice.” The blessed Luke too mentions his mother in the Acts: “There was there,” he says, “a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman.” But the one she was of old, the other she took on; for being a Jewish woman, she believed in the Saviour of all. By the praise-filled remembrance of his forebears the divine Apostle strengthens the faith in the disciple; for nothing helps as much as an example from one’s own family. And since it happens that some born of godly parents do not emulate the godliness of their forebears, he necessarily added: “And I am persuaded that in you also.” Then this very thing of the … ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 1:3–5: quotation, high confidence - Phil 3:6: quotation, high confidence - Acts 16:1: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 1.3 covers 2 Tim 1:3–5. Lines are lost in the scan after “of the teacher’s” and at the end of the section (marked “…”). “The one she was of old, the other she took on”: she was Jewish by birth and became a believer. Quotations: 2 Tim 1:3–5; Phil 3:6; Acts 16:1. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 1.3 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/1-3). ## On 2 Tim 1:6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-1-6 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret compares the soul's eagerness to oil that makes a lamp burn brighter, drawing the grace of the Spirit received at Timothy's ordination. ### Greek text « Δι’ ἣν αἰτίαν ἀναμιμνήσκω σε ἀναζωπυρεῖν τὸ χάρισμα τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὃ ἐστιν ἐν σοὶ διὰ τῆς ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν μου.» Ταῦτα περὶ σοῦ πεπειτὴν χάριν τοῦ Πνεύματος, ἣν διὰ τῆς ἐμῆς ἐχομίσω χειροτονίας. Καθάπερ γὰρ τὸ ἔλαιον τῆς λαμπάδος τὴν φλόγα σφοδροτέραν ἐργάζεται, οὕτως ἡ καλὴ τῆς ψυχῆς προθυμία τοῦ παναγίου Πνεύματος τὴν χάριν ἐφέλκεται. ### English translation (Claude) “For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.” These things I am persuaded of concerning you … the grace of the Spirit which you received through my ordination. For just as oil makes the flame of the lamp stronger, so the good eagerness of the soul draws to itself the grace of the all-holy Spirit. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 1:6: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Words are lost in the scan after “concerning you” (marked “…”). “Ordination”: χειροτονία. Quotation: 2 Tim 1:6. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 1.6 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/1-6). ## On 2 Tim 1:7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-1-7 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text « Οὐ γὰρ ἔδωκεν ἡμῖν ὁ Θεὸς πνεῦμα δειλίας, ν ἀλλὰ δυνάμεως, καὶ ἀγάπης, καὶ σωφρονισμοῦ. » Τοῦ παναγίου γὰρ Πνεύματος τὴν χάριν δέδωκεν ἡμῖν ὁ θεὸς, οὐκ ἵνα δειλιῶμεν τοὺς ὑπὲρ τῆς εὐσεδείας κινδύνους, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα θείας δυνάμεως ἐμφορούμενο:, θερμῶς μὲν αὐτὸν ἀγαπήσωμεν, σωφρονίσωμεν δὲ «ὧν ἐν ἡμῖν οἰκουμένων παθημάτων τὴν ἀταξίαν. « Μὴ οὖν ἐπαισχυνθῇς τὸ μαρτύριον τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, μηδὲ ἐμὲ τὸν δέσμιον αὐτοῦ. » Σταυρὸς ἦν ὁ κηρυττόμενος, καὶ ὕδρεις, καὶ λοιδορίαι, καὶ πάθος, καὶ θάνατος. Ταῦτα δὲ τοῖς ἀπιστοῦσιν αἰσχύνης ἐδόκει εἶναι μεστά. ε« Ὃ λόγος γὰρ ὁ τοῦ σταυροῦ, φησί, τοῖς μὲν ἀπολλυμένοις μωρία ἐστίν. » Οὗ δὴ χάριν καὶ ἀὑτὸς Ρωμαίοις ἐπιστέλλων ἔφη " «Οὐ γὰρ ἐπαισχύνομαι τὸ Εὐαγγέλιον " δύναμις γὰρ ἢ. θιοῦ ἐστιν εἰς σωτηρίαν παντὶ τῷ πιστεύοντι. » Παραινεῖ τοίνυν τῷ μαθητῇ μετὰ παῤῥησίας ταῦτα κηρύττειν. Διά τοι τοῦτο καὶ τῶν οἰκείων ἐμνήσθη δεσμῶν, διδάσκων ὡς τοῦ κηρύγματος ἕνεκα πεπεδημένος ῴκει τὸ δεσμωτήριον. « ᾿Αλλὰ συγκακοπάθησον τῷ Εὐαγγελίῳ κατὰ δώναμιν Θεοῦ, τοῦ σώσαντος ἡμᾶς, καὶ καλέσαντος κλήσει ἁγίᾳ. » Τῶν κηρύκων τὸ δΒὶἰαγγελίον προσηγόρευσε πάθος, ἐπειδὴ χάριν ἐκείνου τὰς παντοδαπὰς τιμωρίας ὑπέμενον. Παρεγγυᾷ τοίνυν αὐτῷ ταῦτα φέρειν γενναίως, καὶ παραϑαῤῥύνει τῇ μνήνῃ τῆς θείας δυνάμεως. Ὁ γὰρ ἐπὶ σωτηρίᾳ καλέσας, καὶ δύναμιν παρέχει, τῇ πίστε; τῶν δεχομένων τὴν χάριν μετρῶν. ε Θὺ κατὰ τὰ ἔργα ἡμῶν. ἀλλὰ κατ᾽ ἰδίαν πρόθεσιν καὶ χάριν. κ Κέκληκε δὲ ἡμᾶς, οὐκ εἰς τὸν ἡμέτερον ἀπούθλέψας βίον, ἀλλὰ διὰ μόνην φιλανθρωπίαν, « Τὴν δοθεῖσαν ἡμῖν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ πρὸ χρόνων αἰωνίων. Φανερωθεῖσαν δὲ νῦν διὰ τῆς ἐπιφανείας τοῦ Σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, » Ταῦτα ἄνωθεν μὲν καὶ πρὸ τῶν αἰώνων προώρισεν ὁ τῶν ὅλων θεός " νυνὶ δὲ τοῖς προωυρισθεῖσι τὴ πέρας ἐπἐθτχε. Ταῦτα δὲ καὶ δον ωλας νος σύμψηφον ἔσχε τὸν Δεσπότην Χριστὸν, καὶ ἐπιτελῶν συνεργόν. Διὰ γὰρ τῖς ἐπιφανείας αὐτοῦ τὸ ἔργον ἐπέθηκε. Σαφῶς ὃ! καὶ διὰ τούτων ἔδειξε τοῦ Υἱοῦ τὸ ἀΐδιον, λέγει δὲ καὶ τὰ διὰ τῆς ἐνανθρωπήσεως τοῦ Σωτῆρος γεγενημένα. ε« Καταργήσαντος μὲν τὸν θάνατον, φωτίσαντος δὲ ζωὴν καὶ ἀφθαρσίαν διὰ τοῦ ξυασγγελίου " εἰς ὃ ἐτέθην ἐγὼ κῆρυξ καὶ ἀπόστολος, καὶ διδάσκαλος ἐθνῶν. » Ἐνανθρωπήσας γὰρ ὁ μονογενὴς Λύγο; ἔπαυσε μὲν τοῦ θανάτου τὴν δυναστείαν, ἔδωκε δὲ ἡμῖν τῆς αἰωνίου ζωΐς τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν. Τοῦτο γὰρ εἶπε φωτίσαντος, ἀντὶ τοῦ, προμηνύσαντος. Ἐμὲ δὲ, φησὶ, τούτων κεχειροτόνηκε κήρυκα, ὥστε μι αᾶσι τοὺς ἔθνεσι προσενεγκεῖν τὰ τῶν ἀγαθῶν εὐαγγέλια, ### English translation (Claude) “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and love and self-control.” For God has given us the grace of the all-holy Spirit, not so that we should shrink from the dangers on behalf of godliness, but so that, filled with divine power, we may love him fervently and bring to order the disorder of the passions that dwell in us. “Do not then be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner.” What was preached was a cross, and insults, and abuse, and suffering, and death; and to unbelievers these seemed full of shame. “For the word of the cross,” he says, “is folly to those who are perishing.” For this reason he himself also, writing to the Romans, said: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel; for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” He exhorts the disciple, then, to preach these things with boldness. For this reason too he mentioned his own bonds, teaching that he was living in prison in fetters for the sake of the preaching. “But share in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling.” He called the sufferings of the heralds the gospel’s, since for its sake they endured punishments of every kind. He charges him, then, to bear these things nobly, and encourages him with the remembrance of the divine power. For he who called us to salvation also supplies power, measuring it by the faith of those who receive the grace. “Not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace.” He called us not by looking to our life, but through his lovingkindness alone. “Which was given us in Christ Jesus before eternal times, but has now been manifested through the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ.” These things the God of all foreordained from above and before the ages; but now he has brought what was foreordained to its fulfilment. And in these things, when … he had the Master Christ as one who shared his decision, and as fellow-worker in accomplishing them; for through his appearing he completed the work. Clearly through these words too he showed the eternity of the Son; and he speaks also of what was done through the Saviour’s becoming man. “Who abolished death and brought life and incorruption to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a herald and apostle and teacher of the gentiles.” For the only-begotten Word, having become man, put an end to the dominion of death and gave us the promise of eternal life. For he said “brought to light” in place of “announced beforehand.” And me, he says, he has appointed herald of these things, so as to bring to all the nations the good tidings of the good things, ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 1:7–11: quotation, high confidence - 1 Cor 1:18: quotation, high confidence - Rom 1:16: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 1.7 covers 2 Tim 1:7–11. A word in “when … he had the Master Christ” is garbled in the scan (probably “foreordaining”); the section breaks off mid-sentence. Theodoret reads 1:9–10 as showing the Son's eternity, against those who denied it. Quotations: 2 Tim 1:7–11; 1 Cor 1:18; Rom 1:16. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 1.7 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/1-7). ## On 2 Tim 1:12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-1-12 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text « Δι ἣν αἰτίαν καὶ ταῦτα πάσχω. » Σαφῶ; ἔδειξε καὶ τὴν ἐκείνων ἀχαριστίαν, καὶ τὴν οἰκείαν ἀνδρείαν. Εὐαγγέλια γὰρ ἐκεῖνοι δεχόμενοι, δέον θεραπεύειν, ἐκόλαζον " αὐτὸς δὲ μεθ᾽ ἡδονῆ: τὰς τιμωρίας ἐδέχετο. Τοῦτο γὰρ ἐπήγαγεν" « ᾿Αλλ᾽ οὐκ ἐπαιτχύνομαι. ν Τούτου χάριν καὶ τῷ μαθητῇ μὴ ἐπαισχύνεσθαι παρεγγύησεν. ε Οἶδα γὰρ ᾧ πετίστευχα, ) Τουτέστιν ὅτι Θεὸς, ὅτι ποιητὴς, ὅτι Δεσπότης καὶ Κύριος. « Καὶ πέπεισμαι ὅτι δυνατός ἔστι τὴν παραθήκην μὸ) φυλάξαι εἰς ἐχείνην τὴν ἡμέραν. ν Θαῤῥῶ γὰρ εἰς τὴν αὑτοῦ δύναμιν ἀποβλέπων, ὅσην παρέαχε μοι τοῦ Πνεύματος χάριν, ἀκήρατον φυλάξει μέχρι τῆς αὑτοῦ παρουσίας. Εἶτα διδάσκει πῶς δυνατὸν ἀρετήν. παρ' ἐμοῦ ἤκουσας ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀγάπῃ τῇ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. » Μιμαῦ, φησὶ, τοὺς ζωγράφους; καὶ καϑά» περ ἐκεῖνοι τοῖς ἀρχετύποις πρησέχοντες. σὺν ἀχριθείς ἐχείνων ξωγρεφοῦσιν εἰκόνας " οὕτω καὶ σὺ οἷόν τι ἀρχέτυπον ἔχε τὴν παρ᾽ ἐμοῦ κερὶ πίστεως ### English translation (Claude) “For which cause I also suffer these things.” He has clearly shown both their ingratitude and his own courage. For when they received good tidings, they punished him when they ought to have honoured him; but he received the punishments with pleasure. For this is what he added: “But I am not ashamed.” For this reason he exhorted the disciple too not to be ashamed. “For I know whom I have believed”: that is, that he is God, that he is Maker, that he is Master and Lord. “And I am persuaded that he is able to guard my deposit until that day.” For I am confident, looking to his power, that he will keep untouched, until his coming, all the grace of the Spirit that he gave me. Then he teaches how it is possible [to keep] virtue. … “which you heard from me, in the faith and love that is in Christ Jesus.” Imitate, he says, the painters; and just as they, attending to the originals, paint their images with precision, so you too hold as a kind of original the [teaching] about faith from me … ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 1:12–13: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 1.12 covers 2 Tim 1:12–13. The opening words of 1:13 (“Hold the pattern of sound words”) are lost in the scan, as is the end of the section (marked “…”). Latin debris from Migne's column removed. Quotations: 2 Tim 1:12–13. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 1.12 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/1-12). ## On 2 Tim 1:14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-1-14 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text « Τὴν καλὴν παραθήκην φύλαξον διὰ Βνεύ» ματος ἁγίου τοῦ ἐνοιμοῦντος ἐν ἡμῖν, » “Ἔχεις ἂρχοῦσαν εἰς φωταγωγίαν τοῦ Πνεύματος χάριν. Ταύτῃ τοίνυν διατήρησον τὴν προθυμίαν. Εἶτα τῇ μνήμῃ τῶν οἰκείων πειρασμῶν κἀκεῖνον φέρειν τὰ τοιαῦτα προτρέπει. « Οἶδας τοῦτο, ὅτι ἀπεστράφησάν με πάντες οἱ ἐν τῇ ᾿Ασίφ, ὧν ἐστε Φύγελλσς καὶ Ἑρμογένης." Ἐν τῇ Ῥώμῃ πάλαι. ἣν τὰ βασίλεια. Πολλοὶ τοίνυν ἐπεδήμουν ἐκεῖσε, οἱ μὲν ἐμπορείας χάριν, οἱ δὲ καὶ διὰ χρείας ἑτέρας. Εἰκότως τοίνυν καὶ κατ᾽ ἐκεῖνον τὸν καιρὸν, τῶν ἐν ᾿Ασίᾳ πεπιστευκότων, ἀποδημῆσαί τινας, καὶ φυγεῖν τοῦ ᾿Αποστόλου τὴν συνουσίαν, διὰ τὸ Νέρωνος δέος. Τῶν δύο δὲ τούτων καὶ τὰ ὀνόματα τέθεικεν, ὡς ἐναργεστάτην ἐπιδει- Καὶ τοῦτο δὲ πεποίηκεν, οὐ τούτων κατηγορῶν, ἀλλὰ τῷ τῆς ᾿Ασίας -ἐγχεχειρισμένῳ τὸ κήρυγμα δήλους ποιῶν τοὺ: ἀντιπάλους τῆς πίστεως. ᾿Αλλ᾽ ὥσπερ διὰ τούτων φέρειν ᾳὐτὸν γενναίως τὰ προσπίπτοντα λυπηρὰ παρεκάλεσεν - οὕτω διὰ τῶν ἑξῆς Ψυχαγωγίαν αὐτῷ προσφέρει. « Δῴη ἕλεος ὁ Κύριος: τῷ Ὀνησιφόρου οἴκῳ, ὅτι πολλάκις με ἀνέψυξε, καὶ τὴν ἄλυσίν μου οὐκ ἐπησχύνθη", ἀλλὰ γενόμενος: ἐν Ῥώμῃ σπουδαιότερον ἐξζήτησέ με, καὶ εὗρε. Δῴη αὐτῷ Κύριος εὑρεῖν ἔλεος παρὰ υρίῳ ὃ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρχ " καὶ ὅπα ἐν ᾿Εφέσῳ διηχόνησέ μοι βέλτιον σὺ γινώσκεις.» αὐτὴν μὲν τῷ ᾿Αποστόλῳ θεραπείαν προσενεγκὼν, «ἣν δὲ παρ᾽ ἐκείνης τῆς γλώττης εὐλογίαν δρεψάμενος. ἘἜχεῖνο: μὲν γὰρ, ὧν ἐν τοῖς πρόσθεν ἐμνήσθη, καὶ παρόντες ἀπεστράφησαν τὸν ᾿Απόστολον᾽ οὗτος δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς ᾿Ασίας ἔδραμεν εἰς τὴν Ῥώμην, οὔτε τρὸὺς τὸ μῆκος τῆς ὁδοιπορίας ὀχλάσας,,᾿ οὔτε πὸν ὡμότατον φοδηθεὶς βασιλέα, καὶ παντοδαπῆς αὐτὸν θεραπείας ἠξίωσεν. Οὗ δὴ χάριν οὐ μόνον αὑτῷ, ἀλλὰ καὶ παντὶ τῷ οἴκῳ τὸν θεῖον ἀντέδωκεν ο ἔλεον. ᾿Ανέμνησε δὲ αὐτὸν, ὡς εἰδότα, καὶ τῆς ἐν Ἐφέσῳ παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ θεραπείας γεγενημένης. Ὅτι δὲ εἰς ὠφέλειαν τοῦ μαθητοῦ, καὶ τὰ σκυθρωπὰ καὶ τὰ θυμέρη γέγραφε, τὰ ἑξτς μαρτυρεῖ. ### English translation (Claude) “Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” You have the grace of the Spirit, sufficient for illumination; by it, then, keep your eagerness intact. Then by the remembrance of his own trials he urges him too to bear such things. “You know this, that all those in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.” Of old the palace was in Rome. Many, then, stayed there, some for trade, others for other needs. Naturally, then, at that time too some of the believers from Asia went away and fled the Apostle’s company, through fear of Nero. He has set down the names of these two as the clearest demonstration … And this he did not to accuse them, but to make the opponents of the faith plain to the one to whom the preaching in Asia had been entrusted. But just as by these words he urged him to bear nobly the painful things that befall him, so by what follows he offers him comfort. “May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he was in Rome he searched for me very eagerly and found me. May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day; and how much he served me in Ephesus you know very well.” … having offered the Apostle his service, and having reaped blessing from that tongue. For those whom he mentioned before turned away from the Apostle even when they were present; but this man ran from Asia to Rome, neither wearied by the length of the journey nor afraid of the most savage emperor, and he thought him worthy of every kind of service. For this reason he repaid with divine mercy not only him but also his whole household. He reminded him, as one who knew, of the service rendered by him in Ephesus too. That he wrote both the gloomy things and the cheerful things for the disciple’s benefit, what follows bears witness. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 1:14: quotation, high confidence - 2 Tim 1:15: quotation, high confidence - 2 Tim 1:16–18: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 1.14 covers 2 Tim 1:14–18. Words are lost in the scan after “demonstration” and at the start of the comment on 1:16–18 (marked “…”). Latin debris from Migne's column and marginal verse numerals removed. Quotations: 2 Tim 1:14–18. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 1.14 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/1-14). ## On 2 Tim 2:1 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-2-1 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains that Timothy is to pass on what he heard Paul teach publicly to faithful teachers, and to bear hardship as Christ's soldier. ### Greek text « Σὺ οὖν, τέκνον μου, ἐνδυναμοῦ ἐν τῇ χάριτι τῇ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, » Ταῦτα, φησὶν, εἰδὼς, στῆθι ἀνδρείως " ὑπερείδει γάρ σε τοῦ Κυρίου ἡ χάρις. « Καὶ ἃ ἤκουσας παρ᾽ ἐμοῦ διὰ πολλῶν μαρτύρων, ταῦτα παράθου πιστοῖς ἀνθρώποις, οἴτινες ἱκανοὶ ἔσονται καὶ ἑτέρους διδάξαι. » ἽΛπερ ἤκουσάς μου πολλοὺς διδάσκοντος " τοῦτο γὰρ ἔφη, διὰ πολλῶν μαρτύρων, ταῦτα διατέλει κηρύττων " καὶ ὥσπερ παρ' ἐμοῦ προεθλήθης διδάσκαλος, οὕτω καὶ σὺ τοὺ; τῇ πίστει κεκοσμημένους ταῦτα δίδαξον ἃ μεμάθηκας, ἵνα κἀκεῖνοι πάλιν πρὸς δτέρους τὴν « Σὺ οὖν κακοπάθησον, ὡς καλὸς στρατιώτης Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. » ᾿Απόβλεψον τίνος εἶ στρατιώτης, καὶ φέρε γενναίως τοὺς πόνους τῆς στρατείας. Εἶτα τῇ μεταφορᾷ ἐπιμένων ἐκεῖθεν πορίζει τὴν ὠφέλειαν. ### English translation (Claude) “You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Knowing these things, he says, stand firm like a man; for the grace of the Lord upholds you. “And what you heard from me through many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” What you heard me teaching many (for this is what he meant by “through many witnesses”), go on preaching these things; and just as you were appointed teacher by me, so you too teach those adorned with faith the things you have learned, so that they in turn [may hand on] to others the … “You therefore suffer hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Look to whose soldier you are, and bear nobly the toils of the campaign. Then, staying with the metaphor, he draws the benefit from it. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:1–3: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 2.1 covers 2 Tim 2:1–3. Words are lost in the scan before the lemma of 2:3 (marked “…”). Quotations: 2 Tim 2:1–3. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 2.1 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/2-1). ## On 2 Tim 2:4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-2-4 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains that, as soldiers leave trade aside to serve their commanders, the minister of Christ should not be entangled in worldly affairs. ### Greek text « Οὐδεὶς στρατευόμενος ἐμπλέχεται ταῖς τοῦ βίου πραγματείαις, ἵνα τῷ στρατολογήσαντι ἀρέσῃ. Οἱ στρατιωτικὸν ἀσπαζόμενοι βίον, τῶν ἐμπορικῶν εἰσιν ἐπιτηδευμάτων κεχωρισμένοι, μόνης δὲ τῆς ὁπλιτικῆς ἐμπειρίας ποιοῦνται φροντίδα, ἵνα τοὺς τὴν αὐτὴν φύσιν ἔχοντας θεραπεύσωσιν» ἄρχοντας. Εἶτα καὶ ἐξ ἑτέρας εἰκόνος τὴν αὐτὴν κατασκευάζει παραίνεσιν. δ ### English translation (Claude) “No one serving as a soldier entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.” Those who embrace the soldier’s life are kept apart from the occupations of trade and take thought only for skill in arms, so as to serve their commanders, who have the same nature as they. Then from another image too he builds the same exhortation. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:4: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Latin translation and notes from Migne's facing column, which the OCR mixed into the Greek, removed. Quotation: 2 Tim 2:4. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 2.4 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/2-4). ## On 2 Tim 2:5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-2-5 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains the images of the athlete who keeps the rules and the farmer who first shares the harvest, as encouragement for Timothy's labours. ### Greek text « Ἐὰν δὲ καὶ ἀθλᾷ τις, οὐ στεφανοῦται, ἐὰν μὴ νομίμως ἀθλήσῃ. ν Καὶ ἡ ἀθλητικὴ νόμους ἔχει τινὰς, καθ᾽ οὖς προσήκει τοὺς ἀθλητὰς ἀγωνίζεσθαι" ὁ δὲ παρὰ τούτους παλαίων τῶν στεφάνων διαμαρτάνει. Οὕτω δείξας τὸν ἄριστον στρατιώτην τῶν ἄλλων φροντίδων ἀπηλλαγμένον, καὶ τὸν γενναῖον ἀθλητὴν ἐννόμως μὲν ἀγωνιζόμενον, ἐννόμως δὲ στεφανούμενον, ἑτέραν εἰκόνα πάλιν εἰσφέρει, καὶ αὑτὴν ἔχουσαν μετὰ τοῦ πόνου τὸ κέρδος. « Τὸν κοπιῶντα γεωργὸν δεῖ πρῶτον τῶν καρπῶν μεταλαμβάνειν. ν Πρὸ γὰρ τῶν κεκτη μένων οἱ γηπόνοι μεταλαγχάνουσι τῶν καρπῶν. "Ἔχεις τοίνυν καὶ σὺ, φησὶ, μεγάλας τῶν πόνων ἀντιδόσεις, γεωργεῖν τὰς τῶν ἀνθρώπων πεπιστευμένας ψυχάς. Τοῦτο γὰρ ἐπήγαγε " ### English translation (Claude) “And if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” Athletics too has certain laws according to which athletes must contend; and whoever wrestles against them misses the crowns. Having thus shown that the best soldier is free of other cares, and that the noble athlete contends lawfully and is lawfully crowned, he brings in yet another image, which itself joins gain to toil. “The hard-working farmer must be the first to partake of the fruits.” For those who till the land partake of the fruits before the owners. You too, then, he says, have great rewards for your toils, since you cultivate the souls of men entrusted to you. For this is what he added: ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:5–6: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 2.5 covers 2 Tim 2:5–6. Latin debris from Migne's column, which broke into the lemma of 2:6, removed. Quotations: 2 Tim 2:5–6. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 2.5 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/2-5). ## On 2 Tim 2:7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-2-7 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text « Νόει ἃ λέγω " δῴη γάρ σοι ὁ Κύριος σύνεσιν ἐν πᾶσιν. ν» Ἐπειδὴ γὰρ παραβολικὸν ἦν τοῦ λόγου τὸ σχῆμα, ἀναγκαίως αὐτὸν διήγειρεν εἰς κατανόησιν τοῦ κεκρυμμένου νοήματος, καὶ τῆς παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τυχεῖν αὐτὸν συνέσεως ηὔξατο. Τινὲς μέντοι τοῦ γεωργοῦ τὴν εἰκόνα ἑτέρως ἐνόησαν, Ἔφασαν γὰρ τὸν ᾿Απόστολον τῷ μαθητῇ παρεγγυῆσαι ἐκ τοῦ κηρύγματος ἔχειν τὴν ἀναγκαίαν τροφήν. « Μνημόνευε Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐγηγεριμένον ἐκ νεκρῶν, ἐκ σπέρματος Δαδὶδ, κατὰ τὸ Εὐαγγέλιόν μου, ἐν ᾧ κακοπαθῶ μέχρι δεσμῶν, ὡς κᾶκοῦργος. » Σίμων ἤρξατο κατ᾽ ἐκεῖνον τὸν καιρὸν τὰς αἱρετικὰς κατασπείρειν ἀκάνθας. Οὗτος δὲ καὶ οἱ ἐκ τούτου πάντες τῆς σαρκὸς ἡρνήθησαν τὴν ἀνάληψιν, καὶ φαντασίᾳ γεγενῆσθαι 'τὴν ἐνανθρώπησιν ἔφασαν. Οὗ δὴ χάριν ὃ θεῖος ᾿Απόστολος, τὰ περὶ τῆς θείας φύσεως ἐπὶ τοῦ παρόντος σιγήσας, περὶ μόνης αὑτῷ τῆς οἰκονομίας ἐπέστειλεν, ἀεὶ μεμνῆσθαι τῆς ἐκ σπέρματος Δαδὶδ κατὰ σάρκα γεννήσεως παρεγγυήσας, καὶ τῆς ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστάσεως. ᾿Αμφότερα δὲ τέθεικε, τὴν γέννησιν καὶ τὸ πάθος" καὶ τὸ γένος δέ γε προστέθεικεν, ἐπειδὴ ταῦτα πάντα προφανῶς ἡρνήθησαν οἱ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐχθροί. Τοῦτο δὲ, φησὶν, ἐγὼ κηρύττων τὸ Εὐαγγέλιον, τὰ τῶν κακούργων ὑπομένω πάθη. Δεικνὺς δὲ τοῦ κηρύγματος τὴν ἰσχὺν, ἐπήγαγεν" « ᾿Αλλ᾽ ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ οὐ δέδεται. » Τῶν γὰρ δὴ χειρῶν καὶ τῶν ποδῶν δεδεμένων, ἡ γλῶττα κηρύττει τὸ Εὐαγ- ### English translation (Claude) “Consider what I say; for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.” Since the form of his speech was figurative, he necessarily roused him to perceive the hidden meaning, and prayed that he might receive understanding from God. Some, however, understood the image of the farmer differently: they said that the Apostle was charging the disciple to have his necessary food from the preaching. “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to chains, as a criminal.” At that time Simon began to sow the thorns of heresy. He and all who came from him denied the taking up of the flesh, and said that the becoming man had happened in appearance. For this reason the divine Apostle, keeping silent for the present about the divine nature, wrote to him only about the incarnation, charging him always to remember the birth according to the flesh from the seed of David, and the resurrection from the dead. He set down both, the birth and the passion; and he added the lineage too, since the enemies of the truth openly denied all these things. And it is in preaching this gospel, he says, that I endure the sufferings of criminals. And showing the strength of the preaching, he added: “But the word of God is not bound.” For though hands and feet are bound, the tongue preaches the gospel … ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:7–9: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 2.7 covers 2 Tim 2:7–9. Theodoret's account of Simon Magus and his followers is translated as written. “The incarnation”: οἰκονομία. The section breaks off mid-word at the end (marked “…”). Quotations: 2 Tim 2:7–9. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 2.7 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/2-7). ## On 2 Tim 2:10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-2-10 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains that Paul gladly suffers so that the elect may obtain both salvation and the eternal glory God promised. ### Greek text « Διὰ τοῦτο πάντα ὑπομένω διὰ τοὺς ἐκλεκτοὺς, ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ σωτηρίας τύχωσι τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, μετὰ δόξης αἰωνίου. » ᾿Ασπασίως γὰρ φέρω τὰ παντοδαπὰ σκυθρωπὰ, ὥστε τῆς σωτηρίας τοὺς ἀξίους ἀπολαῦσαι, καὶ τῆς δόξης ἐκείνης τῆς αἰωνίαν᾽ μεταλαχεῖν. Οὐ γὰρ μόνον σωτηρίας ἠξίωσε τοὺς πιστεύοντας ὁ Δεσπότης, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὴν ἀνώλεθρον αὐτοῖς " ἐπηγγείλατο δόξαν. Οὕτω δείξας τῶν πόνων τὰς ἀντιδόσεις, ἐπήγαγε ", ### English translation (Claude) “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” For I gladly bear gloomy things of every kind, so that those who are worthy may enjoy salvation and share in that eternal glory. For the Master not only granted salvation to those who believe, but also promised them imperishable glory. Having thus shown the rewards of the toils, he added: ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:10: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Latin debris from Migne's column removed. Quotation: 2 Tim 2:10. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 2.10 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/2-10). ## On 2 Tim 2:11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-2-11 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text « Πιστὸς ὁ λόγος. ν ᾿Αντὶ τοῦ, ᾿Αληθῆς, ἀναμφίλεκτος, ψεύδους ἐλεύθερος. « Εἰ ὑπομένομεν, καὶ συμβασιλεύσομεν. » Τὸ, συνἀπεθάνομεν, οὐ περὶ τῶν ἀναιρουμένων μόνον τέθεικεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ περὶ τῶν βαπτιζομένων. Καὶ γὰρ οὗτοι γνησίως πιστεύοντες, καὶ κατάλληλον τῇ πίστει ἐπιδεικνύμενοι βίον, κοινωνοῦσι τῆς ζωῆς τῷ Δεσπότῃ. ε« Εἰ ἀρνούμεθα, κἀκεῖνος ἀρνήσεται ἡμᾶς. ν Ταῦτα γὰρ καὶ αὐτὸς ὁ Δεσπότης ἐν τοῖς ἱεροῖς Εὐαγγελίοις εἴρηκεν " ε Ὃς δ᾽ ἂν ἀρνήσηταί με ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἀρνήσομαι αὐτὸν χἀγὼ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ Πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς. » Εἶτα διδάσκει ὡς ὁ ἀρνούμενος αὐτὸν μὲν οὐ βλάψει, ### English translation (Claude) “Faithful is the saying.” That is, true, beyond dispute, free of falsehood. … “If we endure, we shall also reign with him.” He set down “we died with him” not only about those who are put to death, but also about the baptized. For these too, believing genuinely and showing a life that corresponds to their faith, share in life with the Master. “If we deny him, he also will deny us.” For the Master himself said these things in the holy Gospels: “Whoever denies me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven.” Then he teaches that the one who denies will not harm him, ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:11–12: quotation, high confidence - Matt 10:33: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 2.11 covers 2 Tim 2:11–12. The lemma of 2:11b (“For if we died with him, we shall also live with him”) is lost in the scan (marked “…”), though the comment refers to it; the section breaks off mid-sentence. Quotations: 2 Tim 2:11–12; Matt 10:33. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 2.11 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/2-11). ## On 2 Tim 2:13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-2-13 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains that Christ is God whether or not we believe, and that disputes about such matters harm the hearers. ### Greek text « Εἰ ἀπιστοῦμεν ", ἐκεῖνος πιστὸς μένει "͵ ἀρνήσασθαι γὰρ ἑαυτὸν οὐ δύναται. » Οὔτε γὰρ πιστεύοντες Θεὸν αὐτὸν ἀποφαίνομεν, οὔτε ἀπιστοῦντες τῆς θείας ἐκβάλλομεν φύσεως " ἀλλὰ καὶ πιστευόντων ἡμῶν, καὶ ἀπιστούντων, αὐτὸς Θεός ἐστιν. Ἡμεῖς « Ταῦτα ὑπομίμνησκε, ἐνώπιον τοῦ Κυρίου, μὴ λογομαχεῖν,, εἰς οὐδὲν χρήσιμον, ἐπὶ καταστροφῇ τῶν ἀκουόντων. ν Πιστεύειν γὰρ δεῖ μόνον, καὶ μὴ βλασφημίας ἀφορμὴν ποιεῖσθα: τὴν περὶ τούτων διάλεξιν, καὶ τὴν ἀπὸ τῆς ἔριδος βλάβην τοῖς ἀκούουσι πραγματεύεσθαι. ### English translation (Claude) “If we are faithless, he remains faithful; for he cannot deny himself.” For neither by believing do we declare him God, nor by disbelieving do we cast him out of the divine nature; but whether we believe or disbelieve, he is God. We … “Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to fight about words, to no profit, to the ruin of those who hear.” For one must only believe, and not make discussion of these things an occasion for blasphemy, nor cause harm to the hearers through strife. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:13–14: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 2.13 covers 2 Tim 2:13–14. Words are lost in the scan after “We” (marked “…”). Quotations: 2 Tim 2:13–14. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 2.13 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/2-13). ## On 2 Tim 2:15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-2-15 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret compares the teacher who rightly handles the word of truth to a farmer cutting straight furrows. ### Greek text « Σπούδασον σεαυτὸν δόκιμον παραστῆσαι τῷ λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας. ν Ἐπαινοῦμεν τῶν γεωργῶν τοὺς εὐθείας τὰς αὔλακας ἀνατέμνοντας. Οὕτω καὶ διδάσκαλος ἀξιέπαινο;, ὁ τῷ κανόνι τῶν θείων λο- ### English translation (Claude) “Be eager to present yourself approved … the word of truth.” We praise those farmers who cut their furrows straight. So too that teacher is praiseworthy who [keeps] to the rule of the divine words … ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:15: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - The lemma of 2 Tim 2:15 is damaged in the scan (the words “to God, a worker who need not be ashamed, rightly handling” are missing), and the section breaks off mid-word (marked “…”). The image of straight furrows explains ὀρθοτομοῦντα, “cutting straight”. Quotation: 2 Tim 2:15. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 2.15 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/2-15). ## On 2 Tim 2:16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-2-16 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains that false teaching spreads like gangrene, infecting even the healthy, and that Paul names Hymenaeus and Philetus as examples. ### Greek text « Τὰς δὲ βεβήλους κενοφωνίας περιίστασο. » Ἔδειξε σαφῶς ὡς ὀρθοτομίαν ἐκάλεσε τὴν τῆς ἀληθείας διδασκαλίαν. Φεύγειν γὰρ αὐτῶν παρήνεσε τὰ μυσαρὰ καὶ μάταια δόγματα. « Ἐπὶ πλεῖον γὰρ προκόψουσιν ἀσεβείας " ἢ καὶ ὁ λόγος αὐτῶν ὡς γάγγραινα νομὴν ἕξει. » Πάθος ἐστὶν ἡ γάγγραινα, ἕρπον καὶ τὸ ὑγιαῖνον τοῦ σώματος λυμαῖνον. Τούτῳ τοὺς τἀναντία τῇ ἀληθείᾳ γὰρ πολλάκις καὶ τοὺς τοῦ πάθους ἀπηλλαγμένους " τίθησι δὲ καὶ τὰ ὀνόματα τούτων, οἷς τὸ πάθος ἀπείκασεν. ε« Ὧν ἐστιν Ὑμέναιος καὶ Φιλητός. » Τί δὲ οὗτοι διδάσκουσιν; ### English translation (Claude) “But avoid profane, empty babblings.” He has shown clearly that by “cutting straight” he meant the teaching of the truth; for he advised fleeing their foul and vain doctrines. “For they will advance further in ungodliness, and their word will spread like gangrene.” Gangrene is a disease that creeps and ruins even the healthy part of the body. To this he likens those who [teach] what is contrary to the truth … for often [they infect] even those free of the disease; and he sets down the names of those whom he likened to the disease. “Among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus.” And what do these teach? ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:16–17: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 2.16 covers 2 Tim 2:16–17. Words are lost in the scan in the comparison with gangrene (marked “…”). Latin debris and footnotes from Migne's column at the end removed; the answer to the question follows in ref 2.18. Quotations: 2 Tim 2:16–17. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 2.16 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/2-16). ## On 2 Tim 2:18 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-2-18 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains that Hymenaeus and Philetus taught that the resurrection had already happened and led some away from the apostolic teaching. ### Greek text « Οἴτινες περὶ τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἠστόχησαν, λέγοντες τὴν ἀνάστασιν ἤδη γεγονέναι, καὶ ἀνατρέπουσι τὴν τινων πίστιν. » Τὰς ἐκ παιδοποιίας διάτινας ἐξηπάτησαν τῆς ἀποστολικῆς ἀποστῆναι διδασκαλίας. Ἐπεὶ δὲ εἶπεν, ἀνατρέπουσι τήν τινων πίστιν͵, ἀναγκαίως δείκνυσι τὴν τῆς ἀληθείας ἰσχύν. ### English translation (Claude) “Who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are overturning the faith of some.” … from the begetting of children … they deceived some into falling away from the apostolic teaching. And since he said “they are overturning the faith of some,” he necessarily shows the strength of the truth. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:18: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Words are lost in the scan in the explanation of the error (marked “…”); the surviving words refer to the begetting of children, probably to a teaching that the resurrection is the succession of generations through children (uncertain). Quotation: 2 Tim 2:18. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 2.18 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/2-18). ## On 2 Tim 2:19 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-2-19 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text « Ὁ μέντοι στερεὸς θεμέλιος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἔστηκεν, ἔχων τὴν σφραγῖδα ταύτην. » Παρασαλεῦσαι, φησὶν, οὐ δύναται τὴν τῆς ἀληθείας κρηπῖδα· ὁ Θεὸς γὰρ τοῦτον τέθεικε τὸν θεμέλιον, Σφραγὶς δὲ τοῦ θεμελίου, τῆς ἀναστάσεως ἣ ἐλπίς. Ὁ γὰρ τὴν κοινὴν ἐκβάλλων ἀνάστασιν, ἀρνεῖται τοῦ Χριστοῦ τὴν ἀνάστασιν. Ὁ δὲ ταύτην ἀρνούμενος, καὶ τὸ πάθος ἐκβάλλει· ὁ δὲ τοῦτο ἐκβάλλων, συναναιρεῖ καὶ τῆς Παρθένου τὴν γέννησιν. Εἰκότως τοίνυν σφραγῖδα τοῦ θεμελίου, τῆς ἀναστάσεως τὴν πίστιν ἐκάλεσεν. « Ἔγνω Κύριος τοὺς ὄντας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀποστήτω ἀπὸ ἀδικίας πᾶς ὁ ὀνομάζων τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου. » Γραφικὰ μὲν τὰ ῥήματα, εἰς καιρὸν δὲ ἀμφότερα τέθεικε, καὶ φεύγειν. τοῖς πεπιστευκόσι παρακελευόμενος τῶν δυσσεβούντων τὰς συνουσίας, καὶ μὴ δυσχεραίνειν τὰς τούτων ἐπαναστάσεις. Ἄνωθεν γὰρ ὁ τῶν ὅλων, φησὶ, προῄδει Θεὸς καὶ τοὺς πιστεύοντας, καὶ τοὺς τῇ ἀλη" θείᾳ προφανῶς πολεμήσοντας. Εἶτα κατάλληλον εἰκόνα τιθεὶς, τὴν ἐντεῦθεν αὐτῷ ψυχαγωγίαν προσφέρει. « Ἐν μεγάλῃ δὲ οἰκίᾳ οὐκ ἔστι μόνον σκεύη χρυσᾶ, καὶ ἀργυρᾶ, ἀλλὰ καὶ ξύλινα καὶ ὀστράκινα καὶ ἃ μὲν εἰς τιμὴν, ἃ δὲ εἰς ἀτιμίαν. ν Μεγάλῃ μὲν οἰκίᾳ τὸν κόσμον ἀπείκασε" σκεύεσι δὲ χρυσοῖς τοὺς εὐσεβείᾳ καὶ ἀρετῇ διαλάμποντας" ἀργυροῖς δὲ, τοὺς μετὰ πίστεως καὶ δικαιοσύνης τὸν πολιτικὸν βίον ἀσπαζομένους' ξυλίνοις δὲ καὶ ὀστρακίνοις, τοὺς δυσσεβείᾳ καὶ πονηρίᾳ συζῶντας. ᾿Αλλ᾽ ἐκεῖνα μὲν ἡ φύσις ἀπέκρινε, ταῦτα δὲ ἡ γνώμη πεποίηκε τίμιά τε καὶ ἄτιμα. Τοῦτο γὰρ διδάσκει τὰ ἐπαγόμενα. « Ἐὰν οὖν τις ἐκκαθάρῃ ἑαυτὸν ἀπὸ τούτων, ἔσται σκεῦος εἰς τιμὴν ἡγιασμένον, εὔχρηστον τῷ Δεσπότῃ, εἰς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἡτοιμασμένον. ν Οὕτω δείξας τῆς γνώμης ἐξηρτημένην τὴν τοῦ κρείττονος αἵρεσιν, παραίνεσιν αὑτῷ περὶ τῶν πρακτέων προσφέρει. « Τὰς δὲ νεωτερικὰς ἐπιθυμίας φεῦγε.» Τουτἐστι, τρυφὴν, γέλωτος ἀμετρίαν, δόξαν κενὴν, καὶ τὰ τούτοις προσόμοια. Λέγει δὲ καὶ τὰ πρακτέα᾿ « Δίωκε δὲ δικαιοσύνην, πίστιν, ἀγάπην, εἰρήνην» μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἐπικαλουμένων τὸν Κύριον ἐκ καθαρᾶς καρδίας. » ᾿Αγαπᾷν μὲν γὰρ ἅπαντας δυνατὸν, ἐπειδήπερ τοῦτο καὶ ὁ εὐαγγελικὸς παρακε- ### English translation (Claude) “Nevertheless God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal.” The foundation of the truth, he says, cannot be shaken; for God laid this foundation. And the seal of the foundation is the hope of the resurrection. For he who rejects the common resurrection denies the resurrection of Christ; and he who denies this rejects the passion as well; and he who rejects this does away also with the birth from the Virgin. Fittingly, then, he called faith in the resurrection the seal of the foundation. “The Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” The words are from Scripture, but he set both down opportunely, bidding believers both to flee the company of the impious and not to be vexed at their uprisings. For from above, he says, the God of all knew beforehand both those who believe and those who would openly make war on the truth. Then, setting down a fitting image, he offers him comfort from it. “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of clay, some for honour and some for dishonour.” He likened the world to a great house; to golden vessels, those who shine with godliness and virtue; to silver ones, those who embrace life in the world with faith and righteousness; to wooden and clay ones, those who live with impiety and wickedness. But those vessels nature distinguished, while it is their own choice that has made these people honourable or dishonourable. For this is what the following teaches: “If anyone, then, cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” Having thus shown that choosing the better depends on the will, he offers him exhortation about what is to be done. “But flee youthful desires.” That is, luxury, immoderate laughter, vainglory, and things like these. And he states also what is to be done: “But pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with all who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” For it is possible to love all, since the law of the Gospel also commands this: ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:19–22: quotation, high confidence - Num 16:5: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 2.19 covers 2 Tim 2:19–22; the comment on 2:22 continues in ref 3.6. Theodoret links the denial of the general resurrection to the denial of Christ's resurrection, passion, and virgin birth. Footnotes from Migne's column at the end removed. Quotations: 2 Tim 2:19–22; Num 16:5 (“The Lord knows those who are his”, LXX wording). ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 2.19 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/2-19). ## On 2 Tim 3:6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-3-6 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text λεύεται νόμος " ε ᾿Αγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν " » εἰρηνεύειν δὲ οὐ πρὸς ἅπαντας ἕνεστι " τῆς γὰρ κοινῆς τοῦτο προαιρέσεως δεῖται. Τοιοῦτοι δὲ πάντες οἱ ἐκ καθαρᾶς καρδίας τὸν Δεσπότην ἐπικαλούμενοι. « Τὰς δὲ μωρὰς καὶ ἀπαιδεύτους ζητήσεις παραιτοῦ, εἰδὼς ὅτι γεννῶσι μάχας. » Τοιαῦται δὲ αἱ κατὰ φιλοτιμίαν, καὶ οὐ κατά τινα χρείαν γινόμεναι διαλέξεις, « Δοῦλον δὲ Κυρίου οὐ δεῖ μάχεσθαι. » ᾿Αμάχως γὰρ δεῖ προσφέρειν τὰ θεῖα παιδεύματα τὸν κηρύττειν ταῦτα πιστευόμενον. Τοῦτο γὰρ ἐπάγει " « ᾿Αλλ᾽ ἥπιον εἶναι πρὸς πάντας, διδακτικὸν, ἀνεξίκακον , ἐν πραότητι παιδεύοντα τοὺς ἀντιρα Τὰἀπιττοῦσι τὴν διδασκαλίαν προσφέρων, καὶ φέρων αὐτῶν μακροθύμως τὰς ἀντιθέσεις, πείσει πολλάκις καὶ τοὺς λίαν αἱρετικούς. Διδάσκει δὲ αὐτὸν τῇ. διδασκαλίᾳ προσμένειν, καὶ μὴ ἀπαγορεύειν τοὺς μὴ ῥᾳδίως δεχομένους τὸν τοῦ κηρύγματος λόγον. « Μήποτε δῷ αὐτοῖς ὁ Θεὸς μετάνοιαν εἰς σωτηρίαν, καὶ ἀνανήψωσιν ἐκ τῆς τοῦ διαβόλου παγίδος, ἐζωγρημένοι ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ ἐκείνου θέλημα. ν Εἰκὸς γὰρ αὑτοὺς τῆς ἄνωθεν ἐπικουρίας τυχεῖν, καὶ τοῦ διαδόλου τὰς παγίδας διαφυγεῖν, καὶ μαθεῖν ὅσον τῆς ἀληθείας καὶ τοῦ ψεύδους τὸ μέσον. Εἶτα προλέγει τὴν ἐσομένην ἐν ταῖς Ἐκκλησίαις τῶν πλείστων διαφθορὰν, διδάσκων αὐτὸν μὴ δυσχεραίνειν τήν τινων ῥᾳθυμίαν, ὡ; τῶν ὕστερὸν ἐσομένων μοχθηροτέρων γενησομένων. « Τοῦτο δὲ γίνωσκε, ὅτι ἐν ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις ἐνστήσονται καιροὶ χαλεποί. “ἔσονται γὰρ οἱ ἄνθρωποι φίλαυτοι, φιλάργυροι, ἀλαζόνες, ὑπερήφανοι, βλάσφημοι, γονεῦσιν ἀπειθεῖς, ἀχάριστοι, ἀνόσιοι, φωμένοι, φιλήδονοι μᾶλλον ἣ φιλόθεοι, ἔχοντες μόρφωσιν εὐσεβείας, τὴν δὲ δύναμιν αὐτῆς ἠρνημένοι.» Τοῦτον ἡγοῦμαι τὸν καιρὸν προειρῆσθαι, Τούτων γὰρ τῶν κακῶν πλήρης ὁ ἡμέτερος βίος, καὶ τὸ τῆς εὐσεδείας περικείμενοι πρόσχημα, τὸ τῆς πονηρίας διὰ τῶν ἔργων κατασκευάζομεν εἴδωλον. Ἐρασιχρήματοι γὰρ ἀντὶ φιλοθέων γεγόναμεν, καὶ τῶν παθῶν ἀσπαζόμεθα τὴν δουλείαν, καὶ τἄλλα ἁπαξαπλῶς ἔστιν εὑρεῖν ἐν ἡμῖν, ἃ προηγόρευσε" ὁ θεῖος Ἀπόστολος. Τὴν δὲ τούτων φεύγειν συνουσίαν τοὺς ὑπὸ τὴν Τιμοθέου πεπιστευμένους κηδεμονίαν ἐκέλευσε διὰ τῆς ἑξῆς. Φησὶ γάρ" « Καὶ τούτους ἀποτρέπου. » Καὶ ἐπιμένων τῇ κατηγορίᾳ προστίθησι καὶ ταῦτα" « Ἐκ τούτων γάρ εἰσιν οἱ ἐνδύνοντες εἰς τὰς οἰκίας, καὶ αἰχμαλωτίζοντες γυναικάρια σεσωρευμένα ἁμαρτίαις, ἀγόμενα ἐπιθυμίαις καὶ ἡδοναῖς ποικίλαις, πάντοτε μανθάνοντα, καὶ οὐδέποτε εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν ἀληθείας ἐλθεῖν δυνάμενα, » Καὶ τῆσδε τῆς προφητείας ὁρῶμεν τὸ τέλος. Πλεῖστοι γὰρ οὐδὲ τὴν ἀποστολικὴν ὑφορώμενοι πρόῤῥῃσιν, ἄντικρυς καὶ τήνδε τὴν παρανομίαν τολμῶσιν. Εἶτα ἐκ παλαιοτέρων διηγημάτων τοῖς ἀθυμοῦσι διὰ ταῦτα προσφέρει παραψυχῆν. « Ὃν τρόπον δὲ Ἰαννῆς καὶ Ἰαμβρῆς ἀντέστησαν Μωσῇ, οὕτω καὶ οὗτοι ἀνθίστανται τῇ ἀληθείᾳ, ἄνθρωποι κατεφθαρμένοι τὸν νοῦν, ἀδόκιμοι περὶ τὴν πίστιν. » Εἴωθε, φησὶ, παραφύεσθαι τῷ σίτῳ ζιζάνια - ἀεὶ τοὺς ἀντιπάλους ἔσχον τῆς ἀληθείας οἱ κήρυκες. Τί Μωσέως ἐν εὐσεβείᾳ περιφανέστερον; ἀλλ᾽ ὅμως ἔσχε κἀκεῖνος γόητας ἄνδρας ἄντικρυς παραταττομένους πρὸς τὴν ἀλήθειαν. Τὰ μέντοι τούτων ὀνόματα οὐκ ἐκ τῆς θείας Γραφῆς μεμάθηκεν ὁ θεῖος ᾿Απόστολος, ἀλλ᾽ ἐκ τῆς ἀγράφου τῶν Ἰουδαίων διδασκαλίας. Εἰκὸς δὲ ἦν αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν χάριν ἀποκαλύψαι τοῦ Πνεύματος. ### English translation (Claude) “Love your enemies.” But to be at peace with all is not possible, for this requires the choice of both sides. And such are all who call on the Master from a pure heart. “But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they breed quarrels.” Such are the discussions held out of ambition and not for any need. “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel.” For the one entrusted with preaching the divine teachings must offer them without quarrelling. For this is what he adds: “But be gentle to all, apt to teach, patient, in meekness correcting those who oppose …” Offering the teaching to those who disbelieve, and bearing their objections patiently, he will often persuade even the confirmed heretics. And he teaches him to persevere in teaching and not to give up on those who do not readily receive the word of the preaching. “If perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to salvation, and they may come to their senses out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” For it is likely that they will obtain help from above, escape the snares of the devil, and learn how great is the distance between truth and falsehood. Then he foretells the corruption of most people that will come about in the churches, teaching him not to be vexed at the slackness of some, since those who come later will be worse. “But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, … conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but having denied its power.” I think it is this time that was foretold. For our life is full of these evils; and wearing the outward show of godliness, by our deeds we fashion the image of wickedness. For we have become lovers of money instead of lovers of God, and we embrace slavery to the passions, and, in a word, one can find in us all the other things that the divine Apostle foretold. And by what follows he commanded those entrusted to Timothy’s care to flee the company of these people; for he says: “Avoid these too.” And continuing the accusation, he adds this as well: “For of these are those who creep into households and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by various desires and pleasures, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Of this prophecy too we see the fulfilment; for very many, not even wary of the apostolic prediction, openly dare this lawlessness as well. Then from more ancient narratives he offers consolation to those who are disheartened because of these things. “Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind, disqualified regarding the faith.” Tares, he says, usually spring up beside the wheat: the heralds of the truth have always had opponents. Who was more renowned for godliness than Moses? Yet even he had sorcerers openly arrayed against the truth. The divine Apostle did not learn their names from the divine Scripture, but from the unwritten teaching of the Jews. But it is likely that the grace of the Spirit also revealed them to him. ### Scripture references - Matt 5:44: quotation, high confidence - 2 Tim 2:23–26: quotation, high confidence - 2 Tim 3:1–8: quotation, high confidence - Exod 7:11: allusion, medium confidence - Matt 13:25: allusion, low confidence ### Extrabiblical texts - Jan. Jam. (Jannes and Jambres): allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The ref is numbered 3.6, but the section begins by finishing the comment on 2 Tim 2:22 (from ref 2.19) and covers 2 Tim 2:23–3:8. Words are lost in the scan after the lemma of 2:25 and in the vice list of 3:3–4 (marked “…”). Theodoret applies 3:1–5 to the church of his own day; translated as written. Latin debris from Migne's column removed. Quotations: Matt 5:44; 2 Tim 2:23–3:8. The names Jannes and Jambres are not in the Old Testament (Exod 7:11, 22 speaks of Pharaoh's magicians); Theodoret says they come from Jewish unwritten teaching. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 3.6 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/3-6). ## On 2 Tim 3:9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-3-9 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text « ᾿Αλλ᾽ οὐ προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ πλεῖον ν" ἡ γὰρ ἄνοια "αὐτῶν ἔκδηλος ἔσται πᾶσιν, ὡς καὶ ἡ ἐκείνων ἐγένετο. » Οὐ γὰρ οἷόν τε λαθεῖν ἐπὶ πολὺ τὴν ὑπόκρισιν, Οὐκ ἐναντίον δὲ τοῦτο τοῖς πρόσθεν εἰρημένοις. Ἐκεῖ μὲν γὰρ περὶ αὐτῶν ἔφη, ὅτι « Ἐπὶ πλεῖον προκόψουσιν ἀσεβείας" » ἐνταῦθα δὲ περὶ τῆς ὑπ' αὐτῶν τολμωμένης ἀπάτης τὸ, οὐ προκόψουσιν, εἴρηκεν, ἀντὶ τοῦ, Οὐ λήσουσι μέχρι πολλοῦ σχηματιζόμενοι τὴν εὐσέβειαν, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι τάχιστα ἑαυτὸν προτίθησι τῷ μαθητῇ. ### English translation (Claude) “But they will not advance further; for their folly will be plain to all, as theirs also was.” For hypocrisy cannot escape notice for long. And this is not contrary to what was said before. There he said about them, “They will advance further in ungodliness”; but here he said “they will not advance” about the deceit they dare, in place of “they will not escape notice for long as they feign godliness, but very quickly …” … he sets himself before the disciple [as an example]. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 3:9: quotation, high confidence - 2 Tim 2:16: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Words are lost in the scan, and Latin debris from Migne's column replaces them, before the last sentence (marked “…”). Quotations: 2 Tim 3:9; 2 Tim 2:16. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 3.9 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/3-9). ## On 2 Tim 3:10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-3-10 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret glosses each item in Paul's list of the qualities Timothy had seen in him. ### Greek text « Σὺ δὲ παρηκολούθηκάς μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ." Τουτέστι, τῇ διὰ τοῦ κηρύγματος ἀληθείᾳ. ε Τῇ ἀγωγῇ. » Τῇ διὰ τῶν ἔργων πολιτείᾳ. « Τῇ προθέσει. » Μεμάθηκάς μου καὶ τὸν σκοπὸν « Τῇ πίστει. » Ὁποίαν ἔχω περὶ τὸν Δεσπότην διάθεσιν. « Τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ. ν “Ὅπως φέρω τὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν πλημμελήματα. ε« Τῇ ἀγάπῃ. » Ὅπως φιλοστόργως περὶ πάντας διάκειμαι. ε« Τῇ ὑπομονῇ "» πῶς φέρω γενναίως τῶν ἐναντίων τὰς πρ᾽- ### English translation (Claude) “But you have followed my teaching”: that is, the truth through the preaching. “My conduct”: my way of life shown through deeds. “My purpose”: you have learned my aim too. “My faith”: what disposition I have toward the Master. “My patience”: how I bear the faults of the brothers. “My love”: how affectionately I am disposed toward all. “My endurance”: how nobly I bear the … of my opponents … ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 3:10: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - The section breaks off mid-word in the scan (marked “…”). Quotation: 2 Tim 3:10. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 3.10 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/3-10). ## On 2 Tim 3:11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-3-11 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains that Paul names the persecutions in Pisidia and Lycaonia because Timothy came from there and knew them best. ### Greek text « Τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν. » Εἶτα αὖτὸν ἐνίων ἀναμιμνήσκει. ε Οἷά μοι ἐγένετο ἐν ᾿Αντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ, ἐν Λύστροις· οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα, καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐῤῥύσατο ὁ Κύριος.» Τοὺς ἄλλους καταλιπὼν τῶν ἐν τῇ Πισιδίᾳ καὶ τῇ Λυχάων γὰρ ἦν καὶ αὐτὸς πρὸς ὃν ἔγραφε, καὶ ταῦτα τῶν ἄλλων ἦν αὐτῷ γνωριμώτερα. Ἔδειξε δὲ καὶ τὴν θείαν ἐπικουρίαν, παραθαῤῥύνων τὸν μαϑητήν. Εἴτα λέγει καὶ οἱονεὶ ὁρίζεται τὰ συμπαρομοφτοῦντα ### English translation (Claude) “The persecutions, the sufferings.” Then he reminds him of some of them. “What happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured; and out of them all the Lord rescued me.” Leaving aside the others, he [mentioned] those in Pisidia and Lycaonia …; for the one to whom he was writing was himself [from there], and these were better known to him than the others. And he showed the divine help as well, encouraging the disciple. Then he states, and as it were defines, what accompanies … ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 3:11: quotation, high confidence - Acts 13:50: allusion, medium confidence - Acts 14:19: allusion, medium confidence - Acts 16:1: allusion, low confidence ### Translation notes - Words are lost in the scan in the explanation and at the end of the section (marked “…”); the bracketed words are supplied by sense. Timothy came from Lystra (Acts 16:1). Quotations: 2 Tim 3:11; allusions to Acts 13:14–14:20. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 3.11 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/3-11). ## On 2 Tim 3:12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-3-12 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains that the devil attacks the godly through other people or through their own thoughts, and trains the wicked for evil. ### Greek text « Καὶ πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῆν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται. » Ὃ γὰρ κοινὸς δυσμενὴς, ἢ δι᾽ ἀνθρώπων ἀνθρώποις, ἣ διὰ τῶν οἰκείων αὐτοῖς πολεμεῖ λογισμῶν. « Πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι, » Συνεργεῖ γὰρ τοῖς οἰκείοις ὁ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀλάστωρ, καὶ οἷόν τις παιδοτρίβης αὐτοὺς πρὸς τὴν κακίαν ἀλείφει. ### English translation (Claude) “And all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” For the common enemy makes war on them either through men against men, or through their own thoughts. “But evil men and impostors will advance to the worse, deceiving and being deceived.” For the destroyer of men works together with his own, and like a trainer anoints them for wickedness. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 3:12–13: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 3.12 covers 2 Tim 3:12–13. Latin debris and footnotes from Migne's column, inside the lemma and the comment, removed. Quotations: 2 Tim 3:12–13. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 3.12 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/3-12). ## On 2 Tim 3:14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-3-14 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains that Timothy knew the truth of the teaching by experience, having seen and worked miracles, and could trust his teacher. ### Greek text « Σὺ δὲ μένε ἐν οἷς ἔμαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης. » Βεβαίαν φύλαξον τὴν διδασκαλίαν, ἧς τὴν ἀλήθειαν τῇ πείρᾳ μεμάθηκας. Τοῦτο γὰρ εἶπεν, ἐπιστώθης. Καὶ γὰρ τῶν ἀποστολικῶν θαυμάτων αὐτόπτης ἐγένετο, καὶ αὐτὸς πολλὰ τοιαῦτα εἰργάσατο. Εἶτα δείκνυσι καὶ τοῦ διδασκάλου τὸ ἀξιόπιστον, μονιμωτέραν ταύτῃ τὴν διδασκαλίαν ποιῶν, ε« Εἰδὼς παρὰ τίνος ἔμαθες.» ᾿Αναμιμνήσκει δὲ αὐτὸν καὶ τῆς ἐν εὐσεβείᾳ τροφῆς. ### English translation (Claude) “But as for you, remain in what you have learned and been assured of.” Keep firm the teaching whose truth you have learned by experience; for this is what he meant by “you were assured.” For he was an eyewitness of the apostolic miracles, and he himself worked many such. Then he shows also the trustworthiness of the teacher, making the teaching more steadfast by this: “Knowing from whom you learned it.” And he reminds him also of his upbringing in godliness. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 3:14: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation: 2 Tim 3:14. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 3.14 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/3-14). ## On 2 Tim 3:15 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/0/#p-3-15 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text « Καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα οἷδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. » Καὶ ἐπειδὴ τοσαύκαὶ τὴν ἐξ αὐτῶν βλαστάνουσαν ὠφέλειαν διδάσκει. « Πᾶσα Γραφὴ θεόπνευστος, καὶ ὠφέλιμος. » Τῷ διορισμῷ χρησάμενος ἀπέκρινε τὰ τῆς ἀνθρωπίνης σοφίας συγγράμματα. Θεόπνευστον δὲ Γραφὴν τὴν πνευματικὴν ὠνόμασεν. Ἣ γὰρ τοῦ θείου Πνεύματος χάρις διὰ τῶν προφητῶν καὶ τῶν ἀποστόλων ἐφθέγξατο. Θεὸς τοίνυν τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, εἴπερ ἀληθῶς, κατὰ τὸν ᾿Απόστολον, θεόπνευστος τοῦ Πνεύματος ἡ Γραφή. Διδάσκει δὲ καὶ τὰ εἴδη τῆς ὠφελείας. « Πρὸς διδασκαλίαν. » Α γὰρ ἀγνοοῦμεν, ἐκεῖθεν μανθάνομεν.. ε« Πρὸς ἔλεγχον. ν» Ἐλέγχει γὰρ ἡμῶν τὸν παράνομον βίον. ε« Πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν. » Παρακαλεῖ γὰρ καὶ τοὺς παρατρᾳπέντας θῖν εἰς τὴν εὐθεῖαν ὁδόν. « Πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ. » Ἐκπαιδεύει γὰρ ἡμᾶς τὰ εἴδη τῆς ἀρετῆς. « Ἵνα ἄρτιος ᾖ ὁ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἄνθρωπος πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἐξηρτισμένος ᾿"..» Ταῦτα δὲ ἅπαντα τὴν τελειότητα πραγματεύεται, καὶ προσοικειοῖ τῷ τῶν ὅλων Θεῷ. Οὕτω δείξας τὴν ἀπὸ τῆς θεοπνεύστου Γραφῆς ὠφέλειαν, ταύτην ἅπασι προσφέρειν παρακελεύεται, καὶ τῇ διαμαρτυρίᾳ δεδίττεται. « Διαμαρτύρομαι οὖν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ν᾽ τοῦ μέλλοντος κρῖναι ζῶντας καὶ νεκροὺς, κατὰ τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὴν βασιλείαν αὑτοῦ, κήρυξον τὸν λόγον.» Δεδιὼς μὲν ὁ θεῖος ᾿Απόστολος τὰς εὐθύνας, βαρύνει συνεχῶς τῇ μαρτυρίᾳ τὸν μαθητήν " ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐξ ἀγάπης τοῦτο ποιεῖ, λαμπρὸν αὐτὸν καὶ περίβλεπτον ἀποφῆναι βουλόμενος, καὶ προτρέπων μετὰ παῤῥησίας κηρύττειν. Νεκρῶν δὲ καὶ ζώντων κριτὴν τὸν Κύριον κέκληκεν, ἐπειδὴ καὶ τοὺς νεκροὺς ἀνίστησι, καὶ εἰς τὸ κριτήριον ἄγει, καὶ τοὺς κατὰ τὸν τῆς συντελείας καιρὸν εὑρισκομένους ἐνδύων τὴν ἀφθαρσίαν, ἀπαιτεῖ τὰς εὐθύνας. ε« Πάντες γὰρ, φησὶν, οὐ κοιμηθησόμεθα, πάντες δὲ ἀλλαγησόμεθα. » -- « Ἐπίστηθι εὐκαίρως, ἀκαίρως. » Οὐδὲν ἀκαίρως γιγνόμενον ἐπαινούμενον. Οὐ τοίνυν ἁπλῶς καὶ ὡς ἔτυχεν αὐτὸν κηρύττειν παρεγγυᾷ, ἀλλὰ πάντα καιρὸν ἐπιτήδειον εἰς τοῦτο νομίζειν. Τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ αὐτὸς διετέλει ποιῶν, καὶ ἐν δεσμωτηρίῳ, καὶ ἐν πλοίῳ, καὶ παρακειμένης τραπέζης. Καὶ μαρτυρεῖ τὰ ἐν Φιλίπποις, τὰ ἐν Τρωάδι, τὰ ἐν τῇ θαλάττῃ, « Ἔλεγξον, ἐπιτίμησον, παρακάλεσον ἐν πάσῃ μακροθυμίᾳ καὶ διδαχῇ. » Τοῦτο καὶ οἱ σοφοὶ ποιοῦσι τῶν ἰατρῶν. Τὸ γὰρ κεκρυμμένον πάθος τέμνουσι πρῶτον, καὶ τοῖς αὐστηροτέροις χρῶνται φαρμάκοις, εἶθ᾽ οὕτω τὰ ἤπια ἐπιπάττουσιν. Ἔοικε τοίνυν ὁ μὲν ἔλεγχος τῇ τομῇ " ἡ δὲ ἐπιτίμησις, τοῖς στύφουσι τῶν φαρμάκων ᾿ τοῖς ἢπίοις δὲ ἡ παράκλησις. Ἐπειδὴ δὲ συνέβαινέ τινας τὴν προσφερομένην θεραπείαν μὴ δέχεσθαι, ἀναγκαίως καὶ περὶ τούτων τὴν προσ. « Ἔσται γὰρ καιρὸς, ὅτε τῆς ὑγιαινούσης διδασκαλίας οὐκ ἀνέξονται, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὰς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας. Ἐπισωρεύσουσιν ἑαυτοῖς διδασκάλους, κνηθόμενοι τὴν ἀκοὴν, καὶ ἀπὸ μὲν τῆς ἀληθείας τὴν ἀκοὴν ἀποστρέψουσιν, ἐπὶ δὲ τοὺς μύθους ἐκτραπήσονται.» Τὸ, κνηθόμενοι τὴν ἀκοὴν, ἀντὶ τοῦ, Τερπόμενοι, τέθεικεν ᾿ ἐπειδήπερ ἡδονὴν τινὰ τῆς ἀκοῆς ἡ κνῆσις ἐργάζεται. Τοιαῦτα δὲ καὶ τὰ μυθώδη παιδεύματα, τέρψιν, οὐκ ὄνησιν ἔχοντα. ### English translation (Claude) “And that from infancy you have known the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” And since so great … he teaches also the benefit that springs from them. “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable.” By using this qualification he set apart the writings of human wisdom. And he called the spiritual Scripture “God-breathed”; for the grace of the divine Spirit spoke through the prophets and the apostles. The Holy Spirit, then, is God, if indeed, according to the Apostle, the Scripture of the Spirit is God-breathed. And he teaches also the kinds of benefit. “For teaching”: for what we do not know, we learn from there. “For reproof”: for it reproves our lawless life. “For correction”: for it summons those who have turned aside back to the straight road. “For training in righteousness”: for it trains us in the forms of virtue. “That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” All these things bring about perfection and bring one close to the God of all. Having thus shown the benefit of the God-breathed Scripture, he bids him offer it to all, and makes him afraid by the solemn charge. “I solemnly charge you, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is to judge the living and the dead, by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word.” The divine Apostle, fearing the accounting, continually weighs on the disciple with the charge; but he does this also out of love, wishing to make him illustrious and admired, and urging him to preach with boldness. He has called the Lord judge of the dead and the living since he both raises the dead and brings them to the judgment, and, clothing with incorruption those who are found [alive] at the time of the consummation, demands the accounting. “For we shall not all sleep,” he says, “but we shall all be changed.” “Be ready in season, out of season.” Nothing done out of season is praised. So he does not charge him to preach simply and at random, but to consider every time suitable for this. For he himself did this continually, in prison, on board ship, and with the table set beside him; and the events at Philippi, at Troas, and at sea bear witness. “Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all patience and teaching.” The wise among physicians do this too: they first cut the hidden disease and use the harsher medicines, and only then sprinkle on the soothing ones. Reproof, then, is like the cutting; rebuke, like the astringent medicines; and exhortation, like the soothing ones. And since it happened that some did not accept the treatment offered, he necessarily [foretold] about these too … “For the time will come when they will not endure sound teaching, but according to their own desires they will heap up teachers for themselves, having itching ears; and they will turn their hearing away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” He set down “having itching ears” in place of “taking delight,” since itching produces a certain pleasure in the hearing. And such are the mythical teachings too, which bring delight, not profit. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 3:15–17: quotation, high confidence - 2 Tim 4:1–4: quotation, high confidence - 1 Cor 15:51: quotation, high confidence - Acts 16:25–34: allusion, medium confidence - Acts 20:7–11: allusion, medium confidence - Acts 27:21–26: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 3.15 covers 2 Tim 3:15–4:4. Words are lost in the scan after “since so great” and after “about these too” (marked “…”); Latin debris from Migne's column removed. Theodoret infers the Spirit's divinity from 3:16; translated as written. Quotations: 2 Tim 3:15–4:4; 1 Cor 15:51. The examples of preaching in prison, at table, and at sea refer to Acts 16:25–34 (Philippi), 20:7–11 (Troas), and 27:21–26. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 3.15 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/3-15). ## On 2 Tim 4:5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-5/#p-4-5 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text « Σὺ δὲ, νῆφε ἐν πᾶσι.» ᾿Εγρηγορότα ἔχε τὸν τῆς ἀρετῆς. ε« Ἔργον ποίησον εὐαγγελιστοῦ. » Φέρε μεθ᾽ ἡδονῆς τοὺς ὑπὲρ τῆς εὐσεβείας κινδύνους. « Τὴν διακονίαν σου πληροφόρησον. » Εἴτε πείθονται, εἴτε καὶ μὴ, πρόσφερε τὴν διδασκαλίαν. Οὕτω γὰρ τὸ τῇ διακονίᾳ πρέπον ἔργον ἐπιτελέσεις. Εἶτα διδάσκει τίνος ἕνεκεν πολλὰς αὐτῷ καὶ περὶ πολλῶν παραινέσεις προσήνεγκεν. ᾿ ### English translation (Claude) “But you, be sober in all things.” Keep your [mind] awake for virtue. “Do the work of an evangelist.” Bear with pleasure the dangers on behalf of godliness. “Fulfil your ministry.” Whether they are persuaded or not, offer the teaching; for so you will accomplish the work that befits the ministry. Then he teaches why he offered him many exhortations about many things. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 4:5: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - A word is lost after “Keep your” (supplied by sense in brackets). The lemma “endure hardship” of 2 Tim 4:5 is missing from the scan, though the comment “Bear with pleasure the dangers” seems to explain it. Quotation: 2 Tim 4:5. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 4.5 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-5). ## On 2 Tim 4:6 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-5/#p-4-6 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains Paul's images of the libation, the fight, the race, and the faith kept against every opponent as he faces death. ### Greek text « Ἐγὼ γὰρ ἤδη σπένδομαι, καὶ ὁ καιρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀναλύσεως ἐφέστηκε.» Παρ' αὐτὸ ἕστηκα τῶν ἀγώνων τὸ τέλος. Σπονδὴν δὲ αὐτοῦ τὴν σφαγὴν προσηγόρευσεν, ὡς ὑπὲρ εὐσεβείας ἐκχεομένου τοῦ αἵματος. « Τὸν ἀγῶνα τὸν καλὸν ἠγώνισμαι. » Πρὸς γὰρ ἅπαν τοῦ διαβόλου τὸ στῖφος παραταξάμενος, τὸ τρόπαιον ἔστησα. ε Τὸν δρόμον τετέλεκα.» Τῆς γὰρ γῆς καὶ τῆς θαλάττης τὸ πλεῖστον περιδραμὼν, τοὺς τῷ σκότει τῆς ἀγνωσίας κατεχομένους «Τὴν πίστιν τετήρηκα.» Οὐδεὶς γὰρ ταύτην ἐσύλησεν, οὐ δῆμος, οὐ δημαγωγὸς, οὐ βασιλεὺς, οὐ τύραννος, οὐκ αὐτὸς ὁ διάβολος. Δείκνυσι δὲ καὶ τῶν ἀγώνων τὰ ἄθλα., ### English translation (Claude) “For I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come.” I stand close to the very end of the contests. He called his slaughter a libation, since his blood would be poured out for godliness. “I have fought the good fight.” For, drawn up in battle against the whole host of the devil, I have set up the trophy. “I have finished the course.” For having run around most of the land and the sea, [I have enlightened] those held in the darkness of ignorance … “I have kept the faith.” For no one robbed me of it: no people, no demagogue, no emperor, no tyrant, not the devil himself. And he shows also the prizes of the contests. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 4:6–7: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 4.6 covers 2 Tim 4:6–7. Words are lost in the comment on “I have finished the course” (marked “…”; the bracketed verb is supplied by sense). Quotations: 2 Tim 4:6–7. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 4.6 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-6). ## On 2 Tim 4:8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-5/#p-4-8 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text « Λοιπὸν ἀπόκειταί μοι ὁ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος.» Δικαιοσύνης δὲ στέφανον τὸν τοῖς δικαίοις ηὐτρεπισμένον λέγει, τὸν δικαίᾳ ψήφῳ δωρούμενον. «Ὃν ἀποδώσει μοι ὁ Κύριος. » Πότε; ε« Ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ. ν Πόθεν τοῦτο δῆλον; ε Ὁ δίκαιος κριτῆς. » Οἶδα, φησὶν, αὐτὸν δίκαιον οἶδα δὲ καὶ κριτήν " καὶ θαῤῥῶ τῇ κρίσει, καὶ προσμένω τὴν ψῆφον. Εἶτα καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς τῆς εὐσεβείας τροφίμοις προσφέρει παραψυχῆν. «Οὐ μόνον δὲ ἐμοὶ ", ἀλλὰ καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἠγαπηκόσι τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ.» ᾿Αγάπης γὰρ καιρὸς ἀεί" ἀγαπᾷ δὲ τοῦ Δεσπότου τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν ὁ τοῖς ἐκείνου νόμοις ἀκολουθῶν, καὶ κατ᾽ ἐκείνους πολιτευόμενος, Οὗτος γὰρ μετὰ χρηστῆς ἐλπίδος προσμένει τὸ θεῖον κριτήριον. Ταῦτα δὲ οὐ κομπάζων εἴρηκεν, ἀλλὰ τὸν μαθητὴν προτρέπων ἔχεσθαι τῶν ἀγώνων, ὡς ἀγηράτων προκειμένων στεφάνων. Εἶτα αὐτὸν πρὸς ἑαυτὸν καλεῖ. « Σπούδασον ἐλθεῖν πρός με ταχέως 3". » Τὸ, ταχέως, τὴν ἐκδημίαν αἰνίττεται. Λέγει δὲ καὶ τὴν αἰτίαν τῆς ### English translation (Claude) “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness.” By “crown of righteousness” he means the one prepared for the righteous, the one bestowed by a righteous verdict. “Which the Lord will award me.” When? “On that day.” How is this clear? “The righteous judge.” I know, he says, that he is righteous, and I know also that he is judge; and I am confident about the judgment and await the verdict. Then he offers comfort also to all who have been nurtured in godliness. “And not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.” For it is always the time for love; and he loves the Master’s appearing who follows his laws and lives by them; for such a one awaits the divine judgment with good hope. He said these things not boasting, but urging the disciple to hold to the contests, since unfading crowns are set before him. Then he calls him to himself. “Make every effort to come to me quickly.” The word “quickly” hints at his departure. And he states the cause of the … ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 4:8–9: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 4.8 covers 2 Tim 4:8–9. Footnotes from Migne's column inside the lemma removed; the section breaks off at the end (marked “…”). Quotations: 2 Tim 4:8–9. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 4.8 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-8). ## On 2 Tim 4:9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-5/#p-4-9 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret notes that Demas, once praised as Paul's fellow-worker, deserted him in danger out of concern for his own safety. ### Greek text «Δημᾶς γάρ με ἐγκατέλιπεν, ἀγαπήσας τὸν νῦν αἰῶνα, καὶ ἐπορεύθη εἰς Θεσσαλονίκην.» Εἷς ἦν καὶ οὗτος τῶν συνεργῶν, καὶ τῶν λίαν ἐπαινουμένων. Ασπάζονται γάρ σε, φησὶ, Δημᾶς καὶ Λουκᾶς οἱ συνεργοί μου. ᾿Αλλ᾽ ἐν τοῖς κινδύνοις καταλιπὼν Δημᾶς τὸν ᾿Απόστολον ἐξεδήμησεν, ἀσφάλειαν οἰκείαν ### English translation (Claude) “For Demas has deserted me, having loved the present age, and has gone to Thessalonica.” He too was one of the fellow-workers, and of those highly praised; for “Demas and Luke, my fellow-workers, greet you,” he says. But in the dangers Demas deserted the Apostle and went away, [preferring] his own safety … ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 4:10: quotation, high confidence - Phlm 1:24: quotation, high confidence - Col 4:14: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - The ref is numbered 4.9, but its lemma is 2 Tim 4:10a (the lemma of 4:9 is in ref 4.8). The section breaks off mid-sentence (marked “…”; the bracketed word is supplied by sense). Quotations: 2 Tim 4:10; Phlm 24 (cf. Col 4:14). ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 4.9 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-9). ## On 2 Tim 4:10 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-5/#p-4-10 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains that “Galatia” here means Gaul, and that Crescens and Titus, unlike Demas, had been sent by Paul to preach. ### Greek text «Κρήσκης εἰς Γαλατίαν. » Τὰς Γαλλίας οὕτως ἐκάλεσεν " οὕτω γὰρ ἐκαλοῦντο πάλαι " οὕτω δὲ καὶ νῦν αὐτὰς ὀνομάζουσιν οἱ τῆς ἔξω παιδείας μετειληχότες. « Τίτος εἰς Δαλματίαν. » Οὗτοι τῆς κατηγορίας ἐκείνης ἐλεύθεροι" ὑπ᾽ αὑτοῦ γὰρ ἀπεστάλησαν τοῦ κηρύγματος ἕνεκα. ### English translation (Claude) “Crescens to Galatia.” This is what he called the Gauls; for so they were called of old, and so even now those who have shared in secular learning name them. “Titus to Dalmatia.” These are free of that accusation; for they were sent by him for the sake of the preaching. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 4:10: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation: 2 Tim 4:10b. Theodoret takes “Galatia” to mean Gaul (Γαλλίαι, the Gallic provinces). ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 4.10 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-10). ## On 2 Tim 4:11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-5/#p-4-11 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret identifies Luke as the author of the Gospel and Acts and calls Paul's commendation of Mark the highest praise. ### Greek text « Λουκᾶς ἐστι μόνος μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ. » Ὁ τὸ Εὐαγγέλιον συγγράψας, καὶ τῶν ἀποστόλων Πράξεις. « Μάρκον ἀναλαβὼν, ἄγαγε μετὰ σεαυτοῦ " ἔστι γάρ μοι εὔχρηστος εἰς διακονίαν.» Μέγιστον ἐγκώμιον τοῦ θείου Παύλου ἡ μαρτυρία. ### English translation (Claude) “Only Luke is with me.” The one who wrote the Gospel and the Acts of the apostles. “Take Mark and bring him with you; for he is useful to me for ministry.” The testimony of the divine Paul is the greatest praise. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 4:11: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Quotation: 2 Tim 4:11. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 4.11 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-11). ## On 2 Tim 4:12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-5/#p-4-12 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret infers from Tychicus's mission that Timothy was not then in Ephesus. ### Greek text «Τυχικὸν δὲ ἀπέστειλα εἰς "Ἔφεσον. » Δῆλον ἐντεῦθεν, ὡς οὐκ ἐν Ἐφέσῳ διῆγεν, ἀλλ᾽ ἑτέρωθί ποὺ κατὰ τουτονὶ τὸν καιρὸν ὁ μακάριος Τιμόθεος, ### English translation (Claude) “But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.” It is clear from this that the blessed Timothy was not staying in Ephesus at this time, but somewhere else, ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 4:12: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - The section breaks off mid-sentence. Quotation: 2 Tim 4:12. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 4.12 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-12). ## On 2 Tim 4:13 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-5/#p-4-13 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains the “parchments” as skins used for books, and reads Paul's words on Alexander the coppersmith as a prediction, not a curse. ### Greek text « Τὸν φελώνην, ὃν ἀπέλιπον ἐν Τρωάδε παρὰ Κάρπῳ, ἐρχόμενος φέρε 3", καὶ τὰ βιβλία, μάλιστα οὕτω γὰρ Ρωμαῖοι καλοῦσι τὰ δέρματα. Ἐν εἱλητοῖς ὃὲ εἶχον πάλαι τὰς θείας Γραφάς. Οὕτω δὲ καὶ μέχρι τοῦ παρόντος ἔχουσιν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι. « ᾿Αλέξανδρος ὁ χαλκεὺς πολλά μοι κακὰ ἐνεδείξατο. ᾿Αποδῴη αὐτῷ Κύριος κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ. Ὃν καὶ σὺ φυλάσσου" λίαν γὰρ ἀνθέστηκε τοῖς ἡμετέροις λόγοις. ν Πρόῤῥησίς ἔστιν, οὐκ ἀρά. Καὶ τοῦτο δὲ ψυχαγωγῶν τὸν μακάριον Τιμόθεον τέθεικε, καὶ διδάσκων μὴ δυσχεραίνειν τὰς ἐπαλλήλους τῶν ἐναντίων ἐπαναστάσεις. Θαυμαστὸν δὲ οὐδὲν, τὸ ἄνδρα χαλκέα θορύβους αὑτῷ καὶ κινδύνους κινῆσαι τῶν γὰρ ἀποχειροβιώτων ἴδιον διεγείρειν τοὺς δήμους. Οὕτω Δημήτριος ὁ ἀργυροκόπος πᾶσαν κατ᾽ αὐτοῦ τὴν Ἔφεσον συνέταξεν. ### English translation (Claude) “The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring when you come, and the books, especially …” for so the Romans call skins. Of old they had the divine Scriptures in rolls; and so the Jews have them even to the present. “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our words.” It is a prediction, not a curse. And he set this down to comfort the blessed Timothy and to teach him not to be vexed at the repeated uprisings of opponents. And it is nothing surprising that a coppersmith stirred up tumults and dangers against him; for it is the way of those who live by manual trades to rouse the crowds. So Demetrius the silversmith set the whole of Ephesus against him. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 4:13–15: quotation, high confidence - Acts 19:24–29: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 4.13 covers 2 Tim 4:13–15. Words are lost in the scan after “especially” (the lemma's “the parchments” and the start of the comment, marked “…”): Theodoret explains the Latin word membranae. Latin debris and footnotes from Migne's column removed. Quotations: 2 Tim 4:13–15; allusion to Acts 19:24–29. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 4.13 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-13). ## On 2 Tim 4:16 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-5/#p-4-16 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret explains that Paul's first defence led to his release, after which he preached in Spain and elsewhere, and that the lion is Nero. ### Greek text «Ἐν τῇ πρώτῃ μου ἀπολογίᾳ οὐδείς μοι συμπαρεγένετο, ἀλλὰ πάντες με ἐγκατέλιπον· μὴ αὐτοῖς λογισθείη.» Τὴν πατρικὴν περὶ αὐτῶν ἔδειξεν εὐσπλαγχνίαν. Οὐ γὰρ κακοηθείας ἦν, ἀλλὰ δειλίας. « Ὁ δὲ Κύριός μοι παρέστη, καὶ ἐνεδυνάμωσέ με, ἵνα δι᾿ ἐμοῦ τὸ κήρυγμα πληροφορηθῇ, καὶ ἀκούσῃ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη.» Ἡνίκα τῇ ἐφέσει χρησάμενος εἰς τὴν Ῥώμην ὑπὸ τοῦ Φήστου παρεπέμφθη, ἀπολογισάμενος ὡς ἀθῶος ἀφείθη. καὶ τὰς Σπανίας κατέλαβε, καὶ εἰς ἕτερα ἔθνη δραμὼν, τὴν τῆς διδασκαλίας λαμπάδα προσήνεγκε. Πρώτην τοίνυν ἀπολογίαν τὴν ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἐκδημίᾳ γεγενημένην ἐκάλεσε. « Καὶ ἐῤῥύσθην ἐκ στόματος λέοντος.» Τὸν Νέρωνα λέοντα προσηγόρευσε, καὶ ὡς βασιλέα, καὶ ὡς ὠμότατον γεγενημένον. ### English translation (Claude) “At my first defence no one stood by me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.” He showed his fatherly compassion toward them; for it came not from malice but from cowardice. “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished and all the gentiles might hear.” When, having made use of his appeal, he was sent on to Rome by Festus, he made his defence and was released as innocent; and he reached Spain, and, running to other nations as well, he brought them the torch of the teaching. So he called the defence made on that journey his first. “And I was rescued from the mouth of the lion.” He called Nero a lion, both as king and as having been most savage. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 4:16–17: quotation, high confidence - Acts 25:11–12: allusion, medium confidence - Rom 15:28: allusion, low confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 4.16 covers 2 Tim 4:16–17. Theodoret holds that Paul was released after his first trial in Rome and went to Spain; translated as written. Quotations: 2 Tim 4:16–17; allusions to Acts 25:11–12 and Rom 15:24, 28. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 4.16 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-16). ## On 2 Tim 4:18 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-5/#p-4-18 - Source: PG 82 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-11-12 Summary: Theodoret 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. ### Greek text « Καὶ ῥύσεταί με ὁ Κύριος ἀπὸ παντὸς ἔργου πονηροῦ, καὶ σώσει εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν αὑτοῦ τὴν ἐπουράνιον " ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. ᾿Αμήν. ν Οὐκ εἶπεν, ὅτι Ῥύσεταί με πάλιν τοῦ λέοντος, ἀλλ᾽, ἀπὸ παντὸς ἔργου πονηροῦ. "ᾜδει γὰρ ὡς δέξεται πάντως τοῦ βίου τὸ τέλος. « Ἄσπασαι Πρίσκαν καὶ ᾿Ακύλαν, καὶ τὸν ᾿Ὀνησιφόρου οἶκον. ν Πάλιν τοῦ ἀνδρὸς προτετίμηκε τὴν γυναῖκα' σπουδαιοτέρα γὰρ ἣν πάντως ", καὶ πλείονα εἶχε περὶ τὰ καλὰ προθυμίαν. Ἐπεὶ δὲ παρ᾽ αὐτῷ " ἦν ὁ Ὀνησιφόρος, τὸν ἐκείνου οἶκον σατο, καὶ διὰ τοῦ ἀσπασμοῦ τὴν εὐλογίαν προσήνεγκεν. « Ἔραστος ἔμεινεν ἐν Κορίνθῳ Τρύφιμον δὲ ἀπέλιπον " ἐν Μιλήτῳ ἀσθενοῦντα. » Καὶ ταῦτα προστέθεικεν εἰς τὴν ἐκδημίαν αὐτὸν κατεπείγων, καὶ διδάσκων ὡς διαφόρως οἱ συνήθεις ἀπελείφθησαν ἅπαντες. « Σπούδασον πρὸ χειμῶνος ἐλθεῖν.» Διὰ πάντων μηνύει τὴν τελευτήν. ε᾿Ασπάζεταί σε Εὔβουλος, καὶ Πούδης, καὶ Λῖνος, καὶ Κλαυδία, καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ πάντες.» Τῶν μὲν σπουδαιοτέρων καὶ τὰς προσηγορίας ἐντέθεικε τοὺς δὲ τῷ κοινῷ προσρήματι κέκληκε. Τὸν δὲ Λῖνον φασὶ τὸν μέγαν διαδέξασθαι Πέτρον, καὶ τῆς Ῥωμαίων Ἐκκλησίας μετ᾽ ἐκεῖνον διακοσμῆσαι τὸν θρόνον. « Ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματός σου, ν Ταύτην αὐτῷ δέδωκε τὴν εὖλογίαν, καὶ τὴν συνήθη προστέθεικεν" « Ἢ χάρις μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν. ᾿Αμήν. » Συνέταξε καὶ ἑαυτὸν εἰς τὴν μετουσίαν τῆς χάριτος. Ἧς γένοιτο καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐπιτυχεῖν, ταῖς τοῦ γράψαντος καὶ ἀποδεξαμένου τὰ γράμματα πρεσβείαις" καὶ εἴδοιμεν αὐτοὺς ἐν ταῖς αἰωνίαις αὑτῶν σκηναῖς, μὴ πόῤῥωθεν, ὡς ὁ πλούσιος τὸν Λάζαρον, ἀλλὰ παροικοῦντες, καὶ ὑπὸ τὴν ἐκείνων ἡγεμονίαν τελοῦντες. Χάριτι καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, μεθ᾽ οὗ τῷ Πατρὶ, σὺν τῷ παναγίῳ Πνεύματι, δόξα πρέπει καὶ μεγαλοπρέπεια, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. ### English translation (Claude) “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and save me for his heavenly kingdom; to him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.” He did not say, “He will rescue me again from the lion,” but “from every evil deed”; for he knew that he would certainly meet the end of his life. “Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.” Again he has honoured the wife before the husband; for she was surely the more zealous, and had greater eagerness for what is good. And since Onesiphorus was with him, he greeted his household, and through the greeting brought it the blessing. “Erastus remained at Corinth; Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.” He added these things too, urging him to the journey and teaching that all his companions had been left behind in various ways. “Make every effort to come before winter.” Through everything he points to his death. “Eubulus greets you, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brothers.” He put in the names of the more zealous, and called the rest by the common title. They say that Linus succeeded the great Peter and adorned the throne of the church of the Romans after him. “Our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” This blessing he gave him, and he added the customary one: “Grace be with us. Amen.” He included himself too in the sharing of the grace. May we too obtain it, by the intercessions of the one who wrote the letter and the one who received it; and may we see them in the eternal tents, not from afar, as the rich man saw Lazarus, but dwelling near them and living under their leadership, by the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom, to the Father with the all-holy Spirit, glory and majesty are fitting, now and always and to the ages of ages. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 4:18–22: quotation, high confidence - Rom 16:3: allusion, medium confidence - Luke 16:9: allusion, medium confidence - Luke 16:23: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ref 4.18 covers 2 Tim 4:18–22. Theodoret's text of 4:22 reads “with us” (ἡμῶν) where most witnesses have “with you” (ὑμῶν). The closing prayer asks for the intercession of Paul and Timothy; translated as written. Footnotes and Latin debris from Migne's column removed. Quotations: 2 Tim 4:18–22; allusions to Luke 16:9, 23 and Rom 16:3. ### Citation (SBL) Theodoret, Interp. 2 Tim. 4.18 (PG 82; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-2-timotheum/4-18).