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2 Timothy 2:1 Be strong therefore, my son. What are you saying? You said that you are bound, that everyone has left you, and, as if you had said nothing terrible, you add: “So, be strong, my son!” Yes, just because I am in bonds, take courage even more. For if I, your teacher, had not tolerated this, then perhaps you could have lost heart, since you, due to your youth and inexperience, would have been exposed to dangers. Nowadays, a considerable consolation for you to courageously endure possible disasters is the fact that I myself endure them, that disasters occur naturally, and not from your inexperience. In general, everyone who is lesser in some respect, exposed to danger, receives great consolation when he sees someone greater than himself in the same position. You see with what fatherly love he offers him his admonition, saying: “my son.” With this word, he seemed to pour his loving soul into him. If you are a son, then imitate your father. In grace by Christ Jesus. Be strengthened not only by my example, but most of all by the grace of Christ. Have her as a supporter, through her we have received the power to step on snakes and scorpions, and against any enemy force, and not suffer any harm. 2 Timothy 2:2 And what you heard from me in the presence of many witnesses. What you have heard, and not what you yourself have reached through research, for “faith comes by hearing.” You heard not secretly, but openly, in the presence of many. By “many witnesses” some mean the law and the prophets, for my word was from the testimonies of Scripture. He does not say: tell me, but convey it, as if about a treasure. For what is transmitted is preserved intact. Through this the apostle makes his disciple more attentive. “Faithful”, not those who skillfully compose syllogisms and weave interrogations, but those in whom you can be sure that they will not turn out to be traitors to the will. Who would be able to teach others. What is the benefit if the one who has accepted, although he is faithful and accepts everything without questioning, cannot pass on the teaching to others, or if he, although he himself does not betray the teaching, cannot make others the same? Therefore, a teacher needs to have two qualities: to be faithful and to be a teacher. It is obvious that such an order is given to him regarding presbyters and bishops, and not regarding the laity. For this would be inappropriate when Paul himself preached to both Greeks and Jews. I believe that this is talking about some mysterious things that should be conveyed to the faithful and teaching. 2 Timothy 2:3 Therefore endure suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Do you see that it is characteristic of a warrior to endure suffering? Therefore, not to endure suffering is unworthy of a warrior. Therefore, one should not grieve if someone suffers when placed in the ranks of warriors. What an honor it is to be a soldier of Christ, when some consider it important to be the soldiers of an earthly king! 2 Timothy 2:4 No soldier binds himself to the affairs of this life in order to please the commander of the army. This is said to all bishops and teachers. Strong expression: “binds oneself.” For the affairs of this life are indeed fetters and serpents. Under “deeds” he makes it possible to see all the troubles, transactions, vanities and hardships of life. These words inspire: why are you tying yourself up? Why are you entangled in these burdens and troublesome affairs? Take care of one thing about warfare, and in this way you will please Christ, who chose you to be part of His army. 2 Timothy 2:5 But if anyone strives, he will not be crowned if he struggles unlawfully. That is, it is not enough to go out for a feat, or to anoint yourself, or to fight with an enemy, if a person does not comply with the laws of struggle regarding food, drink, abstinence and the very manner of struggle. For one is not left to one’s own devices to compete as one wishes, but there are also laws regarding this—adversarial ones. Look at Paul's wisdom. He reminds Timothy of a warrior in order to show that he must be ready for defeat and death, and of a fighter in order to strengthen him for everything and so that he is constantly in feat. 2 Timothy 2:6 The laboring farmer must be the first to partake of the fruit. He gives a third example, which is especially close to the teacher. For the examples of the warrior and the warrior also apply to subordinates; the farmer does not care about himself, but about the land, and receives considerable reward from fertility. Likewise, the teacher and shepherd do not work in vain, but he himself is the first to taste the fruit of his sweat. For God will reward him abundantly. Therefore, so that no one becomes bored and dissatisfied with the fact that reward is postponed to the future, the apostle says: behold, in the work itself you already receive reward; if nothing else, then the use of souls is already a great acquisition for you. Some people mean here the honor given to teachers, but this has no basis. And look, the apostle did not say: a worker, but a “laborer,” that is, not a light laborer, but to the point of fatigue. 2 Timothy 2:7 Understand what I say. Since the apostle spoke about everything in the parable - about the warrior, the warrior and the farmer, he says: “Understand.” Therefore, he says, I said this to sharpen your mind. Then he prays for him as if he were his own son. May the Lord give you understanding in everything. Not only in what I said, but in all words and deeds. 2 Timothy 2:8 Remember the Lord Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, who rose from the dead. He speaks about this, referring to heretics. At that time there were those who considered it a shame for the Son of God to suffer, and therefore, perhaps, they invented the illusory nature of the incarnation. God humbled himself so much for our sake that these people are ashamed to attribute such humility to God. He also speaks about this in order to encourage the student, showing him that the Teacher Christ Himself conquered death through suffering. Remember this, and you will not fall under the weight of sorrows. According to my gospel. There were other preachers of the gospel, but one should listen not to them, but to my gospel. 2 Timothy 2:9 For which I suffer even to the point of being bound, like an evildoer. Again, by his own example, he consoles the student, saying both that he is suffering and that he has a bad reputation. But there are no bonds for the word of God. Lest anyone say: what is the use of that? So what's the surprise if you're tied up? Show me the benefit, show me something amazing; The apostle says: there are no bonds for the word. For it is not a sensual matter, so that it can be stopped when the body is bound. The Word is a Divine work, the word is God's: when we are bound, it is free and extends forward. And so we write and preach, although we are connected. You see the miracle, you also see the benefit. 2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect. Here's another admonition. Not for myself, he says, I endure, but for the salvation of others: not in order for me to glorify myself, but for others. Who are they? God's Chosen. So, if God chose them, then we must endure everything for them. So that they too may receive salvation in Christ Jesus. And they are just like us. Just as for us, he says, God suffered to save us, so we suffer for them. So this is a reward, not a gift. Then, so that no one says to him: what are you saying? You yourself are in chains and are about to perish, and yet you boast of being the author of salvation for others? He says, “I’m not talking about this physical salvation, but about what is “in Christ Jesus,” the true, glorious, eternal salvation of the soul, but bodily salvation is not unconditionally glorious. Listen to what follows. Not only so that they may be saved, but more so that they may be glorified with us forever. Therefore, although bonds are shameful, they bring glory to the chosen people and eternal glory. If to others, then how much more to me, who am surrounded by them. So, don't worry about me. Since many doubt about the future life and glory, saying: when I am alive, I die, and when I die, will I live? and the like: therefore the apostle, confirming his word, says: “the word is true.” What word? that the elect will achieve a glorious and eternal salvation. If we died with Him, then we will live with Him. The same is confirmed by human considerations. Already above, the apostle presented proof of this by saying: “remember the Lord Jesus, risen from the dead”; he showed that Christ rose again after death. How does it confirm? If we share in sorrows with Christ, then are we not in good things? And a person would not do this, much less God, the source of truth and goodness? The apostle speaks here both about spiritual death in baptism, and about bodily death through suffering and torment. 2 Timothy 2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him. It is not enough to give yourself up to any kind of death once, but forever. “I die every day,” says the apostle, “I die” (1 Cor. 15:31). So, we need to endure a lot in order for us to be considered worthy of reigning with Christ. If we deny, He will deny us. The apostle confirms his word from the opposite. For the reward will be not only for good relations with the Lord, but also for the opposite. “Whoever denies,” He says, “I will deny him” (Matthew 10:33). Think about what someone who renounces Christ will have to endure? 2 Timothy 2:13 If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful. If we do not believe, then He does not suffer any harm from this; He is true. He is unchangeable, whether we renounce or do not renounce Him. For He cannot deny Himself. That is, it cannot but be. His nature is not such that He should turn into oblivion. He always exists, even if we do not confess Him. Therefore, the benefit or harm from whether we recognize Him or renounce Him, in either case, is not for Him, but for us. Lest anyone think that Timothy himself needed such instructions, the apostle says: remind others. Charging before the Lord not to enter into verbal disputes, which in no way serves to benefit, but to the frustration of those listening. Since this matter is pleasant and the human soul is always inclined to competitions and verbal disputes, then you, says the apostle, testify to them before God not to enter into verbal disputes, that is: teach, call God as a witness, so that they know that if they neglect you, He will condemn them. Debate over words not only does not bring any benefit or benefit, but, on the contrary, causes great harm. For the faith of those who hear is brought down by the battering machines of verbal debate, like some kind of pillar. 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed. He explains how he can become skillful, namely, if he is a “worker who does not need to be ashamed”: that is, if he is not ashamed to do everything that relates to piety. In this way you will earn approval from the Lord; if you endure everything for His sake, you will accomplish everything. Everywhere, with great diligence, the apostle speaks about shame, because for the majority, both the cross of Christ, the preaching about Him, supposedly ignorant, and the apostles themselves, as simple people and who endured everything, served as shame. So, he says, don’t be ashamed. Those who faithfully administer the word of truth. Many either take away from it or add to it, but you lead the right way. Or, since the apostle did not say: the right of the one who directs, he made something else clear. Cut off, as it were, excess growths on the skin and belt, he says, from the sermon that is alien to it and destroy it with the sword. 2 Timothy 2:16 But avoid obscene idle talk. That is, run away. Saint John Chrysostom by “vain talk” - κενοφωνία everywhere means new trends - καινοτομίας in the teaching and in those following it. Some, instead of “go away” - περιίστασο read: περισσωσίστασο - pay more attention to stopping and detaining them. This is wrong. For they will prosper even more in wickedness, and their word will spread like cancer. Uncontrollable, he says, is evil and does not allow for healing: it infects everything, and people are incorrigible. 2 Timothy 2:17-18 Such are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are destroying the faith of some. He said well above: “they will prosper even more in wickedness.” It would seem that the only evil lies in the fact that they talk about the resurrection. However, there are big consequences from this. For if the resurrection has already taken place, then both judgment and retribution have been destroyed, and the good have enjoyed sorrows and sorrows, and the evil have been punished by drowning in pleasures. What need is there to adhere to virtue if such are the rewards? He did not say: all people, but: some, that is, the weakest. Therefore he adds the following. 2 Timothy 2:19 But the sure foundation of God stands. This is what the apostle says: not all have gone astray, but the weak. And if they were not like that, they would not have fallen away. Just as Adam was not strong before the temptation. Those who are completely inspired in faith stand firm and motionless. And look, “solid”, he says, and: “foundation”. This is how we must hold on to the faith. Having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His”; and: “Let everyone who confesses the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.” That is, just as inscriptions are carved on a stone, so in his very deeds signs pointing to him are imprinted, namely: “the Lord knew” and so on. That is, these people or such souls were foreknown by God as completely belonging to Him, and were pre-chosen so that they would not go astray along with the weakest. The apostle calls untruth either error in dogma, or in general any injustice. He who acts unjustly has no reason and does not belong to God. For how can he belong to God when God is righteous? It doesn't have a seal. Look, if the one who calls the name of the Lord must turn away from unrighteousness, then the one who does not turn back is not worthy to call His name. For praise is displeasing in the mouth of a sinner. 2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are vessels not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Since many are confused why there are evil people in the world, Paul, leaving other reasons, now points out this one: because in a large house there are different vessels. The world is called the big house, not the Church; he wants not a single wooden vessel, but all gold and silver vessels to be in the Church, where the Body of Christ is, where the Virgin is without blemish. And some are in honorable use, and others are in low use. Gold vessels, that is, virtuous people, are in honor, while wooden and clay vessels, that is, bad people, are in low use. He did not say: for the benefit and not for the benefit, because even bad people, although they are unsuitable for virtue, are still useful in the general state of the world, for some kind of house-building, such as Pharaoh. 2 Timothy 2:21 Therefore if anyone is clean from these things, he will be a vessel of honor, sanctified. Do you see that to be made of gold or clay does not depend on nature or material necessity, as the Manichaeans think, but on our will? For it is possible for everyone to cleanse themselves, that is, to completely free themselves from clay and wood and to affirm within themselves the gold and silver will. Paul was made of clay, but became gold. Judas was a golden vessel, but became a clay vessel. So, if earthen vessels are degraded, then how does the apostle say in another place: “We have this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Cor. 4:7)? There he talks about the nature of our body. For just as an earthen vessel is nothing more than baked clay, so our body is nothing more than earth, held together by the warmth of the soul. Here the apostle speaks of free will. And beneficial to the Lord. So, clay vessels are unsuitable for the guiding purpose of the Lord God, who wants everyone to be saved, although, as said, these vessels seem suitable for other uses. Fit for every good deed. That is, even if the time for doing it has not come, he will still be fit and ready even for martyrdom or virginity. 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee youthful lusts. Youthful lusts are not only fornication, but also any inappropriate desire, lust for power, or lust for greed. For these passions and fantasies are reckless and characteristic of unstable souls. See how old age is likened to youth. Truth refers to virtue in general. True and firm faith and affection for those you love. As if he were saying this: do not be unfaithful and unsteady. Therefore he adds the following. “Love and peace to all who call on the Lord from a pure heart. That is, trust only those who call on the Lord unfeignedly and without hypocrisy, who love peace and are not inclined to strife; communicate with them. 2 Timothy 2:23 “Shun foolish and ignorant contests, knowing that they give rise to quarrels. You see how the apostle everywhere rejects Timothy from competition. This is not because Timothy was not able to refute them; he was capable; but because it is completely useless to enter into such competitions. Nothing good comes out of them except quarrel and hatred. Such competitions, he says, should be rejected as stupid. There are other studies, namely, about the truths of Scripture, which should not be denied, because they do not give rise to quarrels. See how those who quarrel even when searching about the Scriptures are mistaken. 2 Timothy 2:24 But the servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be friendly to everyone. “Affable”, that is, meek. Why does the apostle say: “Reprove with all authority and strictly” (Titus 2:15), and also: “Let no one despise your youth” (1 Tim. 4:12)? Because strong reproof is especially touching when it is done with meekness. It is more likely to be touched by meekness than to be shamed by severity. For those who want to study. For he says: “Avoid the heretic after the first and second admonition” (Titus 3:10). In particular, this quality must be had in anticipation of conversion, and constant teaching, and long-term excommunication. Watch what follows. 2 Timothy 2:25 Discipline your opponents with gentleness. With severity and abuse, the soul cannot learn anything useful. For anyone who wants to learn something useful must first of all be disposed towards the teacher. But how can you be friendly to a person who is angry and scolds? Why does the apostle say: “Avoid the heretic after the first and second admonition”? There he talks about an incorrigible person who is known to be terminally ill; but here we are not talking about those who are already incurable, as can be seen from what follows. Will God give them repentance to know the truth? Maybe, he says, there will be some kind of correction. The word “will he give” is used about unknown or doubtful objects. Therefore, you need to retreat only from people who are completely incurable and doubtful, you need to try to correct them. Notice how he, teaching humility, did not say: “Can’t you?”, but: “Won’t the Lord allow them to come to their senses.” If, he says, anything happens, it belongs to the Lord; don't be proud. Therefore, if we convince someone, let us not think that we ourselves convinced. 2 Timothy 2:26 So that they may be freed from the snare of the devil. Understand this not only regarding teaching, but also regarding life. People are in the snare of the devil not only in teaching, but also in life. Consequently, without bitterness one must correct those who waver in life. For just as a sparrow, although caught by one part, I mean the leg, is in the power of the one who set the net; so we too are in the power of the devil, even if we were not completely captured by him, I mean faith and life, but only in life. Who caught them in his 3rd will. They are mired in delusions, he says; but caught by God in His will, that is, God's, perhaps they will emerge from the waters of error. The will of God is not only to believe, but also to live rightly. Therefore, understand this not only in relation to dogmas, but also in relation to life. Some by the expression “who ensnared them into his will” mean the devil 4 . Blzh. Theophylact reads: “to His.” In the Russian translation, it is precisely this meaning that is given to the present place. 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