RSV ~ 2 Timothy 1 Notes

2 Tim 1:1 | ISB Notes

Paul, an apostle: The sender of the letter, not the addressee, is named first in ancient epistles. Paul was appointed an ambassador of Jesus Christ and commissioned to spread the gospel to Israel and all nations (1:11; Acts 9:15; 1 Cor 1:17). Paul’s apostleship ranks him alongside the original Twelve selected by Jesus (Lk 6:13-16) (CCC 858).

promise of the life: Eternal life, which we receive now as grace (1 Jn 5:13) and will possess more abundantly in the state of heavenly glory (Col 3:4; 1 Tim 4:8). Christ offers this life to the world through the preaching of the gospel and communicates it through the sacramental actions of the Church to those properly disposed to receive it (CCC 2, 1114-16).

2 Tim 1:2 | ISB Notes

Timothy: A friend and companion of Paul ever since his recruitment on the apostle’s second missionary tour (Acts 16:13). See note on 1 Tim 1:2. Grace, mercy, and peace: A slight expansion of Paul’s customary greeting of “grace” and “peace”.

2 Tim 1:4 | ISB Notes

your tears: Probably shed at the last parting of Paul and Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3). Since then, the apostle has not laid eyes on his coworker, despite intentions to rejoin him (1 Tim 3:14). This original plan probably fell through as a result of Paul’s arrest and imprisonment (2 Tim 2:9).

2 Tim 1:5 | ISB Notes

your grandmother Lois: Otherwise unknown.

your mother Eunice: A convert from Judaism who had instructed her son in the OT Scriptures since his childhood (3:15). Timothy’s father was a Greek and may not have become a Christian (Acts 16:1). In any case, Paul is encouraged by the faith that Timothy inherited from the godly women of his family (CCC 2220).

2 Tim 1:6 | ISB Notes

rekindle the gift: Refers to the grace of priestly ministry. Timothy received the fullness of this grace when Paul and a gathering of elders ordained him as bishop by the imposition of hands (CCC 1558, 1577). He is now urged to make use of this divine help in order to complete his mission in Ephesus. See note on 1 Tim 4:14.

• Zeal is required to stir up the gift of God, for it lies within our power to kindle or quench this grace. By laziness and carelessness it is extinguished, and by attentiveness and diligence it is kept aflame (St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on 2 Timothy 1).

2 Tim 1:7 | ISB Notes

spirit of power Timothy is urged to yield himself to the supernatural strength of the Spirit, and this in order to be an effective teacher and shepherd.

2 Tim 1:8 | ISB Notes

his prisoner: Paul is nearly alone (4:10-11) and chained up like a criminal (2:9), suggesting this does not refer to his first Roman imprisonment, where he lived more comfortably under house arrest and was surrounded by friends and crowds eager to listen to him (Acts 28:16-31). Most likely, this refers to his second Roman imprisonment, which is attested by early traditions that supply details about the end of Paul’s life.

See introduction: Date.

2 Tim 1:9 | ISB Notes

a holy calling: Salvation is a process initiated by God, so that the grace we receive is entirely free and unmerited by our efforts (Rom 6:23; Tit 3:5). At the same time, God calls us to cooperate with his grace in order to become holy and reach our heavenly home (Phil 2:12; Heb 12:14) (CCC 1996, 2008).

ages ago: The plan of salvation, now manifest through the historical events of Christ’s life, was formulated in the hidden counsel of God before creation came into being (Jn 17:3-5; Eph 1:4).

2 Tim 1:12 | ISB Notes

whom I have believed: Christ, whom Paul calls his “Savior” (1:10).

that Day: An abbreviated reference to the Day of Judgment (1:18; 4:8).

entrusted to me: Paul did not invent the gospel, nor did he receive it from the original band of apostles. It was given to him directly from the risen Jesus (Gal 1:11-12).

2 Tim 1:14 | ISB Notes

guard the truth: The gospel that Paul received from Jesus is a sacred deposit now entrusted to Timothy for safekeeping (1 Tim 6:20). His highest responsibility is to preserve it from corruption, to defend it from attack, and to pass it along complete and intact to his successors (2:2) (CCC 84, 256).

See introduction: Themes and Characteristics.

2 Tim 1:15 | ISB Notes

Asia: A Roman province in what is today southwestern Turkey. Its leading city, Ephesus, is the city where Timothy is presently stationed as bishop (1 Tim 1:3). Nothing specific is known of the cowardly Asian Christians who abandoned Paul for fear of persecution.

Phygelus and Hermogenes: Otherwise unknown, but presumably known to Timothy.

2 Tim 1:16 | ISB Notes

Onesiphorus: He and his family may have lived in Ephesus (1:18). His diligent search for the imprisoned Paul was an expression of loyalty and courage, especially since Christians in Rome were at this time targets of fierce persecution (1:17). Some commentators infer that Onesiphorus died before 2 Timothy was written, since (1) Paul does not indicate that Onesiphorus is with him any longer; (2) he prays that the Lord will grant him mercy at the final Judgment (1:18); and (3) he asks Timothy to greet the household of Onesiphorus, but not Onesiphorus himself (4:19). If, in fact, Onesiphorus had died before Paul wrote this letter, then the apostle’s prayer in 1:18 would be an early example of the Christian practice of praying for the dead.