2:1 Be strengthened (\endunamou\). Present passive imperative of \endunamo“\. See already 1Ti 1:12; Ro 4:20; Php 4:13; Eph 6:10. "Keep on being empowered," "keep in touch with the power." In the grace that is in Christ Jesus (\en tˆi chariti tˆi en Christ“i Iˆsou\). Where the power is located. Christ is the dynamo for power only when and while we keep in touch with him.

2:2 From me (\par' emou\). As in 1:13. Paul was Timothy's chief teacher of Christ. Among many witnesses (\dia poll“n martur“n\). Plutarch has \dia\ in this sense and Field (_Ot. Norv._) suggests that it is a legal phrase "supported by many witnesses." Not mere spectators, but testifiers. See Paul's use of \dia\ 1Th 4:2; 2Co 2:4; Ro 2:27; 14:20. Paul in 1Co 15:1-8 gives many witnesses of the resurrection of Christ. Commit thou (\parathou\). Second aorist middle imperative of \paratithˆmi\ (1Ti 1:18) to deposit, same metaphor as \parathˆkˆ\ in 1:12,14. "Deposit thou." Faithful (\pistois\). "Trustworthy," "reliable," as in 1Ti 1:12 of Paul himself. Able (\hikanoi\). Capable, qualified, as in 1Co 15:9; 2Co 2:16; 3:5. Others also (\kai heterous\). Not necessarily "different," but "others in addition." This is the way to pass on the torch of the light of the knowledge of God in Christ. Paul taught Timothy who will teach others who will teach still others, an endless chain of teacher-training and gospel propaganda.

2:3 Suffer hardship with me (\sunkakopathˆson\). See 1:8 for this verb. The old preacher challenges the young one to share hardship with him for Christ. As a good soldier (\hos kalos strati“tˆs\). Paul does not hesitate to use this military metaphor (this word only here for a servant of Christ) with which he is so familiar. He had already used the metaphor in 1Co 9:7; 2Co 10:3f.; 1Ti 1:18. In Php 2:25 he called Epaphroditus "my fellow-soldier" (\sunstrati“tˆn mou\) as he did Archippus in Phm 1:2.

2:4 No soldier on service (\oudeis strateuomenos\). "No one serving as a soldier." See 1Co 9:7 for this old verb and 2Co 10:3; 1Ti 1:18 for the metaphorical use. Entangleth himself (\empleketai\). Old compound, to inweave (see Mt 27:29 for \plek“\), in N.T. only here and 2Pe 2:20. Present middle (direct) indicative. In the affairs (\tais pragmateiais\). Old word (from \pragmateuomai\, Lu 19:13), business, occupation, only here in N.T. Of this life (\tou biou\). No "this" in the Greek, "of life" (course of life as in 1Ti 2:2, not existence \z“ˆ\). Him who enrolled him as a soldier (\t“i stratologˆsanti\). Dative case after \aresˆi\ (first aorist active subjunctive of \aresk“\, to please, 1Th 2:4, purpose clause with \hina\) of the articular first aorist active participle of \stratologe“\, literary _Koin‚_ word (\stratologos\, from \stratos\ and \leg“\), only here in N.T.

2:5 If also a man contend in the games (\ean de kai athlˆi tis\). Condition of third class with present (linear) active subjunctive of \athle“\, old and common verb (from \athlos\, a contest), only this verse in N.T., but \sunathle“\ in Php 1:27. Note sharp distinction between \athlˆi\ (present subjunctive, engage in a contest in general) and \athlˆsˆi\ (first aorist active subjunctive, engage in a particular contest). Not "except he have contended," but simply "unless he contend" (in any given case) "lawfully" (\nomim“s\). Old adverb, agreeably to the law, in N.T. only here and 1Ti 1:8. Is not crowned (\ou stephanoutai\). Present passive indicative of \stephano“\, old verb (from \stephanos\, crown), in N.T. only here and Heb 2:7,9. One apodosis for two protases. The victor in the athletic contests was crowned with a garland.

2:6 The husbandman that laboureth (\ton kopi“nta ge“rgon\). "The toiling tiller of the soil" (\ge“rgon\, from \gˆ\ and \erg“\, worker of the earth). See \ge“rgion\ (field) in 1Co 3:9 and also 1Co 9:7. First (\pr“ton\). As is natural and right. To partake (\metalambanein\). Old word as in Ac 2:46 to share in. Paul elsewhere uses \metech“\ as in 1Co 9:12.

2:7 Consider (\noei\). Present active imperative of \noe“\, old verb, to put your mind (\nous\) on. See Eph 3:4 and like command in 1Co 10:15. Understanding (\sunesin\). "Comprehension" (from \suniˆmi\, to send together, to grasp). See Col 1:9; 2:2. This is a blessed promise that calls for application.

2:8 Risen from the dead (\egˆgermenon ek nekr“n\). Perfect passive participle of \egeir“\, still risen as the perfect tense shows in 1Co 15:4,12-20. Predicate accusative. "Remember Jesus Christ as risen from the dead." This is the cardinal fact about Christ that proves his claim to be the Messiah, the Son of God. Christ is central for Paul here as in Php 2:5-11. Of the seed of David (\ek spermatos Daueid\). The humanity of Christ as in Ro 1:3; Php 2:7f. According to my gospel (\kata to euaggelion mou\). Paul's very phrase in Ro 2:16; 16:25. Not a written gospel, but my message. See also 1Co 15:1; 2Co 11:7; Ga 1:11; 2:2; 1Ti 1:11.

2:9 Wherein (\en h“i\). In my gospel. I suffer hardship (\kakopath“\). "I suffer evil." Old compound (\kakon, pasch“\), elsewhere in N.T., 4:5; Jas 5:13. Unto bonds (\mechri desm“n\). "Up to bonds." A common experience with Paul (2Co 11:23; Php 1:7,13,14; Col 4:18). As a malefactor (\h“s kakourgos\), old compound (\kakon, erg“\, doer of evil), in N.T. only here and Lu 23:32ff. (of the robbers). One of the charges made against Paul. Is not bound (\ou dedetai\). Perfect passive indicative of \de“\, to bind. Old verb. See 1Co 7:27,39; Ro 7:2. I am bound with a chain, but no fetters are on the word of God (Pauline phrase; 1Th 2:13; 1Co 14:36; 2Co 2:17; Php 1:14; Tit 2:5).

2:10 For the elect's sake (\dia tous eklektous\). "Because of the elect." God's elect (Ro 8:33; Col 3:12; Tit 1:1) for whom Paul suffered so much (Col 1:6; 12:15; Php 2:17; Eph 3:1,13). That they also may obtain (\hina kai autoi tuch“sin\). Purpose clause with second aorist (effective) active subjunctive of \tugchan“\ with genitive. "They as well as I," Paul means. The salvation (\tˆs s“tˆrias\). The final salvation "with eternal glory" (\meta doxˆs ai“niou\). This phrase only here and 1Pe 5:10, but in 2Co 4:17 we have "eternal weight of glory."

2:11 Faithful is the saying (\pistos ho logos\). The saying which follows here though it can refer to the preceding as in 1Ti 4:9. See 1Ti 1:15. It is possible that from here to the end of 13 we have the fragment of an early hymn. There are four conditions in these verses (11-13), all of the first class, assumed to be true. Parallels to the ideas here expressed are found in 2Th 1:5; 1Co 4:8; 2Co 7:3; Ro 6:3-8; Col 3:1-4. Note the compounds with \sun\ (\sunapethanomen\, we died with, from \sunapothnesko\ as in 2Co 7:3; \sunzˆsomen\, we shall live with, from \sunza“\ as in 2Co 7:3; \sumbasileusomen\, we shall reign with, from \sumbasileu“\ as in 1Co 4:8). For \hupomenomen\ (we endure) see 1Co 13:7 and for \apistoumen\ (we are faithless) see Ro 3:3. The verb \arneomai\, to deny (\arnˆsometha\, we shall deny, \arnˆsetai\, he will deny, \arnˆsasthai\, deny, first aorist middle infinitive) is an old word, common in the Gospels in the sayings of Jesus (Mt 10:33; Lu 12:9), used of Peter (Mr 14:70), and is common in the Pastorals (1Ti 5:8; Tit 2:12; 2Ti 3:5). Here in verse 13 it has the notion of proving false to oneself, a thing that Christ "cannot" (\ou dunatai\) do.

2:14 That they strive not about words (\mˆ logomachein\). Word apparently coined by Paul from \logomachia\ (1Ti 6:4 which see), a back formation in that case. A mere war of words displeases Paul. (Tit 3:9). Useful (\chrˆsimon\). Late and rare word from \chraomai\, here only in N.T. To the subverting (\epi katastrophˆi\). Old word (from \katastreph“\, to turn down or over), here only in N.T. (except 2Pe 2:6 in some MSS., not in Westcott and Hort)." Because of the overthrow" (result \epi\, not aim), useless for this reason. Such war of words merely upsets the hearers.

2:15 Give diligence (\spoudason\). First aorist active imperative of \spoudaz“\, old word, as in 1Th 2:17; Ga 2:10. To present (\parastˆsai\). First aorist active infinitive of \paristˆmi\ as in Col 1:22,28. Approved unto God (\dokimon t“i the“i\). Dative case \the“i\ with \dokimon\, predicate accusative, old adjective (from \dechomai\), for which see 1Co 11:19; 2Co 10:18. A workman (\ergatˆn\). See 2Co 11:3; Php 3:2. That needeth not to be ashamed (\anepaischunton\). Late double compound verbal adjective (\a\ privative, \epaischun“\), in Josephus and here alone. Handling aright (\orthotomounta\). Present active participle of \orthotome“\, late and rare compound (\orthotomos\), cutting straight, \orthos\ and \temn“\), here only in N.T. It occurs in Pr 3:6; 11:5 for making straight paths (\hodous\) with which compare Heb 12:13 and "the Way" in Ac 9:2. Theodoret explains it to mean ploughing a straight furrow. Parry argues that the metaphor is the stone mason cutting the stones straight since \temn“\ and \orthos\ are so used. Since Paul was a tent-maker and knew how to cut straight the rough camel-hair cloth, why not let that be the metaphor? Certainly plenty of exegesis is crooked enough (crazy-quilt patterns) to call for careful cutting to set it straight.

2:16 Shun (\periistaso\). See Tit 3:9. Babblings (\kenoph“nias\). See 1Ti 6:20. Will proceed (\prokopsousin\). Future active of \prokopt“\, "will cut forward." See Ga 1:14; Ro 13:12. Further in ungodliness (\epi pleion asebeias\). "To more of ungodliness." See Ro 1:18; 1Ti 2:2.

2:17 Will eat (\nomˆn hexei\). "Will have (future active of \ech“\) pasturage or increase" (\nomˆ\, old word from \nem“\, to pasture, in N.T. only here and Joh 10:9). As doth gangrene (\h“s gaggraina\). Late word (medical writers and Plutarch), only here in N.T. From \gra“\ or \grain“\, to gnaw, to eat, an eating, spreading disease. Hymenaeus is probably the one mentioned in 1Ti 1:20. Nothing is known of Philetus.

2:18 Men who (\hoitines\). "The very ones who." Have erred (\ˆstochˆsan\). "Missed the mark." First aorist active indicative of \astoche“\, for which see 1Ti 1:6; 6:21. That the resurrection is past already (\anastasin ˆdˆ gegonenai\). Second perfect active infinitive of \ginomai\ in indirect assertion after \legontes\ (saying) with the accusative of general reference (\anastasin\). Overthrow (\anatrepousin\). See Tit 1:11.

2:19 Howbeit (\mentoi\). Strong adversative, "however." Firm (\stereos\). Old adjective, solid, compact, in N.T. only here, 1Pe 5:9; Heb 5:12,14. See \stere“ma\ in Col 2:5. For \themelios\ see 1Co 3:11; Rom 15:20; 1Ti 6:19. Cf. \hedrai“ma\ in 1Ti 3:15. Seal (\sphragis\). See 1Co 9:2; Ro 4:11. Knoweth (\egn“\). Timeless aorist active indicative of \gin“sk“\. Quotation from Nu 16:5. Let every one depart (\apostˆt“ pƒs\). Paraphrase of Nu 16:27; Isa 26:13; 52:11; Jer 20:9. Second aorist active imperative of \aphistˆmi\ (intransitive use), "Let every one stand off from." Probably another echo of the rebellion of Korah.

2:20 In a great house (\en megalˆi oikiƒi\). Metaphor of a palace. He doubtless has the Kingdom of God in mind, but he works out the metaphor of a great house of the rich and mighty. Vessels (\skeuˆ\). Old word \skeuos\. See Ro 9:21 for the same double use as here. Of gold (\chrusƒ\). Old contracted adjective \chruseos\, only here by Paul. Of silver (\argurƒ\). Old contracted adjective \argureos\, in N.T. here, Ac 19:24; Re 9:20. Of wood (\xulina\). Old adjective, in N.T. only here and Re 9:20. Of earth (\ostrakina\). Late adjective, from \ostrakon\, baked clay, in LXX, in N.T. only here and 2Co 4:7.

2:21 If a man purge himself (\ean tis ekkatharˆi\). Paul drops the metaphor of the house and takes up the individual as one of the "vessels." Condition of third class with first aorist active subjunctive of \ekkathair“\, old verb, to cleanse out, in LXX, in N.T. only here and 1Co 5:7. From these (\apo tout“n\). From the vessels for dishonour of verse 20. Sanctified (\hˆgiasmenon\). Perfect passive participle of \hagiaz“\, for which verb see 1Co 6:11. Meet for the master's use (\euchrˆston t“i despot“i\). Dative case \despotˆi\ (for which word see 1Ti 6:1) with \euchrˆston\, neuter singular like \hˆgiasmenon\ agreeing with \skeuos\. Old verbal adjective (\eu\ and \chraomai\, to use well), useful or usable for the master. In N.T. only here and 4:11. See \achrˆston\ in Phm 11. Prepared (\hˆtoimasmenon\). Perfect passive participle of \hetoimaz“\, in a state of readiness, old and common word, elsewhere by Paul only 1Co 2:9 (LXX).

2:22 Youthful (\ne“terikas\). Literary _Koin‚_ word (Polybius, Josephus), only here in N.T. There are lusts peculiar to flaming youth. Flee (\pheuge\). Present active imperative of \pheug“\, old and common verb. In this sense see 1Co 6:18. Follow after (\di“ke\). Present active imperative of \di“k“\ as if in a chase for which sense see 1Th 5:15. Steady pursuit of these virtues like those in Ga 5:22. Call on the Lord (\epikaloumenon ton kurion\). See 1Co 1:2; Ro 10:12-14.

2:23 Ignorant (\apaideutous\). Old verbal, here only in N.T. (\a\ privative and \paideu“\). Untrained, uneducated, "speculations of a half-educated mind" (Parry). Refuse (\paraitou\). See 1Ti 4:7. They gender strifes (\genn“sin machas\). Present active indicative of old and common verb \genna“\ (Ro 9:11). "They beget battles." See 2:14.

2:24 Must not strive (\ou dei machesthai\). Rather, "it is not necessary for him to fight" (in such verbal quibbles). The negative \ou\ goes with \dei\, not with the infinitive \machesthai\. Gentle (\ˆpion\). Old word (from \epos\, speech), affable, mild, in N.T. only here (and 1Th 2:7 in some MSS.; W. H. have \nˆpios\). Teachable (\didaktikon\). See 1Ti 3:2. Forbearing (\anexikakon\). Late compound (from future of \anech“\, \anex“\, and \kakon\, putting up with evil). Here only in N.T.

2:25 Correcting (\paideuonta\). See Tit 2:12. "Schooling" (Parry). Oppose themselves (\antidiatithemenous\). Present middle (direct) participle of \antidiatithˆmi\, late double compound (Diodorus, Philo) to place oneself in opposition, here only in N.T. If peradventure God may give (\mˆ pote d“iˆ ho theos\). Here Westcott and Hort read the late form of the second aorist active optative of \did“mi\ for the usual \doiˆ\ as they do in 1:18. But there it is a wish for the future and so regular, while here the optative with \mˆ pote\ in a sort of indirect question is used with a primary tense \dei\ (present) and parallel with an undoubted subjunctive \ananˆps“sin\, while in Lu 3:15 \mˆ pote eie\ is with a secondary tense. Examples of such an optative do occur in the papyri (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 989) so that we cannot go as far as Moulton does and say that we "must" read the subjunctive \d“ˆi\ here (_Prolegomena_, pp. 55, 193). Repentance (\metanoian\). "Change of mind" (2Co 7:10; Ro

2:4). Unto the knowledge of the truth (\eis epign“sin alˆtheias\). Paul's word "full knowledge" (Co 1:9).

2:26 They may recover themselves (\ananˆps“sin\). First aorist active subjunctive of \ananˆph“\, late and rare word, to be sober again, only here in N.T., though \nˆph“\ is in 1Th 5:6. Out of the snare of the devil (\ek tˆs tou diabolou pagidos\). They have been caught while mentally intoxicated in the devil's snare (1Ti 3:7). See Ro 11:9 for \pagis\. Taken captive (\ez“grˆmenoi\). Perfect passive participle of \z“gre“\, old verb, to take alive (\z“os, agre“\), in N.T. only here and Lu 5:10 (of Peter). "Taken captive alive." By him unto his will (\hup' autou eis to ekeinou thelˆma\). This difficult phrase is understood variously. One way is to take both \autou\ and \ekeinou\, to refer to the devil. Another way is to take both of them to refer to God. Another way is to take \autou\ of the devil and \ekeinou\, of God. This is probably best, "taken captive by the devil" "that they may come back to soberness to do the will of God." There are difficulties in either view.