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2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus. Immediately, at the very beginning, it encourages the soul. Don’t point out to me, he says, the disasters here. They give us eternal life. We became apostles in order to die and live forever. So that Timothy, instead of consolation, would not be more saddened when he heard that the teacher was in danger, he consoles him with this at the very beginning. If life is a promise, then do not look for it here. This is life in Christ Jesus, that is, with Christ, because He gives it to us and contains it. For bodily life is in food and drink, but spiritual life is contained in Christ: He is everything to us. 2 Timothy 1:2 Timothy, the beloved son. You can be a son, but an unloved one. Meanwhile, Timothy was beloved and, no doubt, for his virtue. By this, therefore, the apostle shows that he leaves him not because he is angry with him or despises him for anything: no, you, he says, are my beloved; but force and necessity force him to leave him. Grace, mercy, peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. What he prayed to God for before, in the First Epistle, he prays for him now. So, regarding this place, read in the First Epistle. Do you see extreme love? I thank God, he says, that, loving you, I remember you. This is true love when someone admires his love for another. Whom I serve from my ancestors with a clear conscience. How did he have a “clear conscience” when at the beginning he did not know Christ? So, he says, either by conscience we mean life here: for although he was a Judaizer, he was impeccable in life, or because when he persecuted the Church, he persecuted out of jealousy, and not out of any human motives, as others stand for heresy for the sake of glory, fully aware of its rottenness. He talks about all this, as if instilling: do not suspect that I have one thing in mind and another in words. My conscience is clear, as always, and now. So, I'm not lying when I say that I love you and always remember you. That I constantly remember you in my prayers day and night, and wish to see you. I thank God that I remember you. And not just, but in prayers, both night and day, asking God for you to fulfill my desire, the desire to see you. Therefore, how could I deprive myself of such pleasure voluntarily, if only I could come? But why does the apostle not clearly say the reason, that he was detained by Nero? Because, so as not to suddenly sadden him. In the end he reveals this reason. 2 Timothy 1:4 Remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy. Arrange the words this way: wanting to see you, so that I may be filled with joy; then the middle words “remembering your tears.” For, if I were by nature extremely unfriendly, then even then your tears, which came to my memory, would be able to persuade me to you. Probably Timothy, being separated from Paul, cried more than a child being taken away from its nurse. 2 Timothy 1:5 Bringing to mind your unfeigned faith. I wish to see you, not only remembering your tears but also your unfeigned faith. For this is the most important reason for you to be loved by me. Who formerly dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. Another praise: Timothy was not descended from unfaithful parents, but from faithful ones, although from Jews. However, his father was Greek. Look how the law began to collapse with the existence of connections of this kind. I'm sure it's in you too. Since the virtues of our ancestors, if we are such, glorify us; if not, they serve rather to our condemnation. Therefore the apostle says: I am convinced that the faith of your ancestors is also in you. So, you have unfeigned faith, confirmed from your ancestors and cannot waver. 2 Timothy 1:6 For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God. Since, he says, I know that you have an unfeigned faith, I urge you to rekindle this grace, that is, to make it always alive and blooming. For just as fire needs wood, so the grace of the Spirit needs diligence, attention, and vigilance in order to always burn. If this is not the case, it fades away, as the apostle says elsewhere: “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thess. 5:19). which is in you through my ordination. There is this grace in you, which you accepted along with the laying of my hands on you when I ordained you as a bishop. But make this fire stronger. The word that you have received, be filled with boldness and courage: become courageous. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power. That is, we did not receive the spirit to be timid, but to be strong in temptation and to have boldness. God also gives to many a spirit of fear, as it is written in the book of Exodus: “let fear fall upon them” (Ex. 15:16), that is, God put fear in them. Love both for God and for neighbors. For we also have the ability to love God as a Father from the Spirit, who does what we cry: “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15). And to remain unshakable in love for others is a gift that comes from Divine power; temptations, on the contrary, come from cowardice and cowardice. However, we must first of all be shown what depends on ourselves. Or: so that we are reasonable, of sound mind, in sound condition; or: so that we are sane in our spirit, and if any trial befalls us, we would accept it for guidance; or: so that others may be disciplined and taught reason. 2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 . Many of the damned, judging by human concepts that are beyond our understanding, consider it a shame to proclaim that the Son of God was crucified, not knowing that by the power of the Cross, His condemned man became the son of God. But you, Timothy, do not be ashamed to testify about Christ and His death on the cross, but preach about it with boldness. The Apostle did not say: do not be afraid, but: “do not be ashamed,” in order to show that this matter has no danger, but only shame; if you despise him, then everything else is safe. Do not be ashamed that I, the resurrector of the dead, the teacher of the universe, am now bound. I am not bound as a villain, I am His prisoner, that is, for His sake. If He was not ashamed of the cross, how can I be ashamed of the bonds? But suffer with the gospel of Christ 2. That is, do not just show that you are not ashamed, but through experience, in deeds, and be a participant in the same thing with Christ and with me. He expressed this above in the words: “God has given us the spirit of power.” What does it mean to “suffer with the gospel”? Is the gospel really suffering? No, not that; but either he says: suffer for me for the sake of the gospel, or he calls all preachers of the Gospel and builders of mysteries the gospel, as in the Epistle to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 9:12). Therefore, suffer with the one who served the gospel. But perhaps someone will call the obstacle to its spread and lack of faith in it unnecessary suffering for the gospel. Thus, you too have compassion for the suffering gospel. Since it was hard to say: “suffer,” the apostle consoles: not with his own strength, he says, but with the power of Christ: your election is your readiness. 2 Timothy 1:9 Who saved us and called us with a holy calling. Presents evidence of the power of God. He, he says, saved us, and called the alienated to Himself in order to make us saints. So, He who saved us when we were unwilling, will now help those who are willing. Not according to our works, but according to His will and grace. Without any coercion, without any advice, but according to one’s own will, that is, from oneself, drawn by one’s goodness. Given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. That is, it is predestined without beginning and from eternity that grace will be given to us “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” It is not a little for us that God has deigned this for us from eternity. 2 Timothy 1:10 Now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ. Although grace was predestined, it was revealed now when the Savior appeared. Who destroyed death and revealed life and incorruption through the gospel. Christ in his own body destroyed death by his very deed, making the body incorruptible; He enlightened us with the gospel - the hope of life and incorruption. For we are not yet corrupted by the deed itself, but we will be so; and in this hope the gospel strengthens us. 2 Timothy 1:11 For whom I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and teacher of the Gentiles. Why did the apostle now call himself a teacher of the pagans? To inspire Timothy that he must proclaim the word of the gospel to the pagans, and not lose heart, but imitate him, bound for the teaching of the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I suffer like this. I suffer for preaching to the pagans. I don't suffer like a villain. At the same time, he makes his speech more reliable: if, he says, I did not believe that death was destroyed, I would not have suffered so much. You see how he himself shows by his actions what he convinces Timothy of, that is, so that he should not be ashamed of suffering. For I know in whom I have believed, and I am confident that He is able to keep my pledge for that day. What audacity! What unshakable hope! I know, he says, and I’m firmly convinced. The apostle calls “deposit” either faith and preaching: Christ Himself, who entrusted this to me, will preserve it, and I endure everything so that this treasure of mine is not plundered; or “deposit” he calls the believers whom Christ entrusted to Him, or whom he himself betrayed to the Lord, as in another place he says: “I commend you, brethren, to God” (Acts 20:32). As the apostle would say: I am not ashamed, hoping that I will bring many to God, whom He will preserve in order to glorify them for my sake. Or he calls a reward “a deposit”: everyone who does something good deposits it with God for safekeeping, so that in due time he will be crowned for it. 2 Timothy 1:13 Keep to the pattern of sound doctrine. As a painter, I wrote and drew you an icon and a prototype, so that, looking at it, you would paint the same outline of my words. Have this prototype in yourself, and when you need something to paint, take it and paint it: for everything is combined in it. Which you heard from me. Not only through messages, but also verbally. Therefore, let us not think that our epistles are insufficient, as if they are not comprehensive, since the apostle taught much without writing. With faith and love in Christ Jesus. That is, my words contain teaching about faith and love, that is, about dogmas and proper life: whether you need to dogma about what is right, or speak, or act, you should borrow everything from there. 2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Keep what I commanded you regarding faith and life, or the gift that you received, as he said above. But how do you save? Not by human power, but by the Holy Spirit, who lives in us through baptism. If we preserve Him and do not drive Him away with bad deeds, He will also preserve for us everything that we have from God. So, strive to preserve the Spirit, and He will preserve what is bequeathed to you. “Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman watches in vain” (Ps. 126:1). 2 Timothy 1:15 You know that all those in Asia have forsaken me; among them Figellus and Hermogenes. The apostle points out temptations, not in order to amaze the disciple, but in order to convince him more - so that, if he himself is subjected to similar temptations, he should not think that he is experiencing anything unusual, but will endure it calmly. After the apostle was taken into custody by Nero, all the Asians, that is, people living in Rome from the Asian regions, abandoned him. 2 Timothy 1:16 May the Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus. Look at the wisdom of the apostle. He did not reproach those who abandoned him, but simply pointed out what had happened. He prays for the one who took care of him, and not only for him, but for his entire house: that’s how they were virtuous, that’s how Onesiphorus raised them. Because he laid me to rest many times. Like some warrior exhausted from fever, he deigned to calm me down not once, but many times. We should do the same, always and in everything to help those who are doing something good: in this way we will be participants with them in rewards. Don't tell me about Pavel. Paul, even if he had no helper, would have remained steadfast. But maybe someone else won't be able to stand it if he doesn't have a protector. So, if there is someone who helps him and takes care of him, it is obvious that he is participating in the victory; and if in victory, then in crowns. And in wars in ancient times, those who guarded the weapons shared the spoils along with the warriors. Everywhere he speaks of shame, and not of danger, encouraging Timofey that there seems to be no danger, but only shame. However, in reality there was also danger. Nero was indignant against Paul because he had converted one of his household. 2 Timothy 1:17 But being in Rome, he sought me with great diligence and found me. Not only did he not avoid my misfortune, but he also looked for me and found me: such is courage! that's what faith is. 2 Timothy 1:18 May the Lord grant him to find favor with the Lord in that day. Onesiphorus, says the apostle, has shown me mercy; therefore may he receive reward on the terrible day; then much mercy is needed for everyone, even the saints. If Onesiphorus, who exposed himself to obvious dangers for Christ, is saved by mercy; not even more so us. Those infected with Marcion's heresy refer to this passage, saying: So, two Lords? Not at all. There is only one Lord, as the Apostle Paul himself says elsewhere (Eph.4:5). This expression is usually used in the Holy Scriptures, as for example: “and the Lord shed fire from the Lord” (Gen. 19:24), that is, through Himself. So it is in this place. If we accept that both the Father and the Son are designated here, then there is nothing strange in this. As the Father is Lord, so is the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit is Lord: but one Lord, appearing in three persons. Notice that the apostle did not say: may the Lord give him anything else, but mercy. And how long he served me in Ephesus, you know better. He is accustomed, he says, to good deeds: he did me good more than once, but also in Ephesus and in Rome. This is how a Christian should be, always do good throughout his life. Blzh. Theophylact omitted the last two words. “Christ’s” from the blessed one. Theophylact omitted. You might be interested in: