ACC ~ 2 Timothy 1 v1 - 7

OVERVIEW:

Paul opens with deep affection for Timothy and with an emphasis on the fervency of his desire to see his spiritual son (CHRYSOSTOM). Paul launches his teaching in this epistle with the reminder that the Christian faith acquires credibility only as Christians faithfully live in the present the future life of eternity (CHRYSOSTOM, THEODORE). Paul writes to stabilize Timothy in the face of dangers, so that his faith might be steadfast and true (THEODORET). Paul reminds Timothy that steadfastness in faith always involves the rekindling of that which we have been given by those who came before us (AMBROSIASTER). Paul encourages Timothy to zeal and perseverance in his faith, since he himself has always operated in this fashion, even when he was misguided as a Jew (ORIGEN, AMBROSIASTER, CHRYSOSTOM, PELAGIUS). Timothy is addressed as Paul’s spiritual son, his son by faith (CHRYSOSTOM, THEODORET, CASSIODORUS). Timothy’s unfeigned faith had dwelt first in his grandmother and mother (CHRYSOSTOM). For the praises of our ancestors, when we share in them, redound also to us (CHRYSOSTOM, THEODORET). Timothy is urged to renew the spirit of his ordination (AMBROSIASTER). By sloth and carelessness grace may be quenched, and by watchfulness and diligence it may be kept alive (CHRYSOSTOM). We are called to pass beyond the fear of punishment to the fullest freedom of love and to the confidence that belongs to the friends and sons of God (JOHN CASSIAN). Facing dangers in this life make us ready for eternal life, where there are no dangers (CHRYSOSTOM).

1:1 | The Promise of Life in Christ Jesus

TRUE CONSOLATION. CHRYSOSTOM: From the outset Paul lifts up Timothy’s mind: Do not tell me of dangers in this life. They make us ready for eternal life, where there are no dangers, grief or mourning. God has not made us apostles that we might meet dangers but to be prepared to suffer and die. But Paul did not recount to him his own troubles, as this would merely increase his grief. Rather Paul begins immediately with offering comfort, saying, “According to the promise of life which is in Jesus Christ.” But if it is a “promise,” do not seek it here. For “hope that is seen is not hope.” HOMILIES ON 2 TIMOTHY 1.

1:2 | Timothy, My Beloved Child

A SON IN VIRTUE. CHRYSOSTOM: Those born of us physically are not loved purely on account of their virtue but out of the force of natural affection. But those born of us of faith are loved on account of nothing but their virtue [in Christ], for what else can it be? HOMILIES ON 2 TIMOTHY 1.

A SPIRITUAL SON. THEODORET OF CYR: Timothy’s sonship to Paul is that of the soul, not that generated by nature, and is based on the spiritual promise of life. INTERPRETATION OF THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY.

A SON BY FAITH. CASSIODORUS: When writing to Timothy he put at the head of the letter, “To my dearly beloved son,” for he had begotten him, not in body but in faith. EXPLANATION OF THE PSALMS 101.29.

1:3a | Serving God with a Clear Conscience

PAUL’S BLAMELESSNESS. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul speaks of his blameless life, for he everywhere calls his life his conscience. Even when he was a persecutor, he understood himself as sustaining a good conscience in what he sought. Hence he says, “I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief,” all but saying, “Do not suspect that it was done of wickedness.” Here he commends his own disposition, that he not appear insincere in his love. What he is, in effect, saying is: “I am not false. I do not think one thing and profess another.” HOMILIES ON 2 TIMOTHY 1.

1:3b | As Did My Fathers

THE SAME GOD OF JEWS AND CHRISTIANS. ORIGEN: We grant that there are some among us who may deny that the God of the Jews is truly God. Yet that is no reason to criticize those who prove from the same Scriptures that there is one and the same God for Jews and Gentiles. So also Paul, who came to Christianity from the Jews, says clearly, “I thank my God whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience.” AGAINST CELSUS 5.61.

LEARNING TO LONG FOR TRUE RELIGION. CHRYSOSTOM: How then, you will say, were unclean persons considered worthy of the gospel? Because they wished and longed for it. Among these, some, though in error, were attracted to him because they were not made unclean through disordered loves. Then there are others who were not rejected because they sought God of their own accord. In these ways, many even from their ancestors have received the true religion. HOMILIES ON FIRST CORINTHIANS 8.2.

PAUL’S ROOTS. AMBROSIASTER: When Paul persecuted the church, he did it for the love of God, not out of malevolence. In this way he served God “in his ancestors” and “from his ancestors,” as Levi was served in Abraham, when he gave and accepted tithes from Melchizedek. COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY.

PAUL’S ZEAL FOR THE LAW. PELAGIUS: Paul says, My whole origin steered me to the worship of God. I devastated the church of Christ not from malevolence but from zeal for the law. PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY.

1:5a | Your Sincere Faith

TIMOTHY OF MIXED PARENTAGE. CHRYSOSTOM: For Timothy, Scripture says, “was the son of a certain woman which was a Jewess, and believed.” How a Jewess? How believing? Because she was not of the Gentiles, “but on account of his father, who was a Greek, and of the Jews that were in those quarters, he took and circumcised him.” Thus, as these mixtures of Jews and Gentiles took place, the law began gradually to be dissolved. HOMILIES ON 2 TIMOTHY 1.

YOUR UNFEIGNED FAITH. CHRYSOSTOM: Great was the grace of Timothy. When Barnabas departed, Paul found another equivalent to him. Of him he says, “Remembering your tears and your unfeigned faith, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois and in thy mother Eunice.” His father continued to be a Gentile. HOMILIES ON ACTS 34.

1:5b | And Dwells in You

THE BURDEN AND THE POWER OF EXAMPLE. CHRYSOSTOM: For the praises of our ancestors, when we share in them, redound also to us. Otherwise, they avail nothing but rather condemn us. HOMILIES ON 2 TIMOTHY 1.

EFFECTIVE DOMESTIC EXAMPLE. THEODORET OF CYR: Commenting on Timothy’s Jewish background, Paul mentions Timothy’s parentage in order to confirm Timothy in faith. Nothing helps so much as a domestic example. INTERPRETATION OF THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY.

1:6 | The Gift of God Within You

RENEW THE FRESHNESS. AMBROSIASTER: Paul urges Timothy to nurture his spirit with eagerness of mind, rejoicing in his faith, just as he once rejoiced in the newness of his ordination. COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY.

FIRE AND FUEL. CHRYSOSTOM: For it requires much zeal to stir up the gift of God. As fire requires fuel, so grace requires our alacrity, that it may be ever fervent. … For it is in our power to kindle or extinguish this grace. … For by sloth and carelessness it is quenched, and by watchfulness and diligence it is kept alive. For it is in you indeed, but you must render it more vehement, that is, fill it with confidence, with joy and delight. Stand manfully. HOMILIES ON 2 TIMOTHY 1.

1:7a | Not a Spirit of Timidity

LOVE, NOT FEAR. THEODORET OF CYR: Grace was given to us so that we might not be afraid but love all the more steadily. INTERPRETATION OF THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY.

NO LONGER SERVILE FEAR. JOHN CASSIAN: Therefore there are two degrees of fear. The one is for beginners—that is, for those who are still under the yoke and under servile dread. In regard to this it is said, “The slave shall fear his master.” And in the Gospel, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know what his master is doing.” And consequently he says, “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.” For he is instructing us to pass from the fear of punishment to the fullest freedom of love and to the confidence of the friends and sons of God. And the blessed apostle, who had long since passed beyond the degree of servile fear, thanks to the power of the Lord’s love, disdains lower things and professes that he has been endowed with greater goods. CONFERENCES 11.13.3-5.

1:7b | A Spirit of Power, Love and Self-Control

THE SPIRIT IS POWER. CHRYSOSTOM: For the Spirit that makes us cry, “Abba, Father,” inspires us with love both toward him and toward our neighbor, that we may love one another. For love arises from power and not from fearing. HOMILIES ON 2 TIMOTHY 1.

RECEIVING THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM. AUGUSTINE: Just as a man would not have wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of God unless, according to the prophet’s words, he had received “the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, of counsel and of fortitude, of knowledge and of godliness, and of fear of God,” and just as he would not have power and love and sobriety, except by receiving the Spirit of whom the apostle speaks, “We have not received the spirit of fear but of power and love and sobriety,” so also he would not have faith unless he received the spirit of faith. LETTERS 194.4.17.