2 Timothy 1

After the superscription and the usual salutation 3 the apostle declares the great love which he bears to Timothy and shows by praying for him 4 as also the cause why le loveth him namely for this godliness wherein he was brought from his infancy by his grandmother and mother 6 exhorts him to stir up his gifts 7 and not fear nor be ashamed boldly to preach the doctrine of the gospel and to suffer tribulation for the same 9. to this end describes the excellence of our calling and the profitableness of this doctrine 11 also propounds unto him his own example 13 exhorts him also to hold the same doctrine for a pattern and keep the same firmly 15 declares that all of Asia that are with at Rome had forsaken him 16 but that Onesiphorus had faithfully continued with him 18 wherefore he prays to God that he will graciously reward him for it.

1. Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God [that is who by God himself according to his pleasure am chosen and called to the apostleship see Romans 1:1 and Galatians 11,15]according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus[that is to preach the gospel that is propounded the promise of eternal life which God made to all them who believe in Jesus Christ see Romans 1.verse 2,16 Titus 1 verse 1,2,3]

2. To Timothy [of him see Acts 16:1 Romans 16:21 1corinthians 4.17 2 Corinthians 1:1 Philippians 2:19 1Timothy 1.2 and every where in the Acts of the apostle in the epistle of Paul][my beloved son Gr child see 1Timothy 1.2 so the apostle calls himself being now an old man Philemon verse 9 because he was yet young 1Timothy 4.12 and because he had begotten him by the gospel and had a fatherly affection towards as the word beloved imports]grace mercy peace be to thee from God the father and Christ Jesus our Lord

3. I thank God [this may also be translated by comparing this place with Romans 1 verse 8,9,10 I thank God for thee and God is my witness whom I serve &c how without ceasing I am a mind full of thee 7c or these words I thank God may be joined to the verse 5 following] whom I serve from my forefathers [that is after the example of the holy Patriarchy ,prophets and believing Jews in old testament from whom I am descended see Acts 22:23 2 Corinthians 11:21 Philippians 3:5] in a pure conscience [that is being purified by the holy ghost and the blood of Jesus Christ Hebrews 9:14 and 10.22 which must be understood of the time after his conversion although a good conscience may also be ascribed to him in some sense before conversion for the reasons declared Acts 23:1]even as without ceasing I am mindful of thee in my prayers night and day

4. Being very desirous to see thee I remember thy tears [namely which thou hast often shed for my sake hearing of my tribulations ,especially when thou partedst from me see Acts 20:37,38] that I am be filled with joy [that is when I may see thee again]

5. When I call my remembrance [Gr taking remembrance of thy faith]that is in thee [this the apostle knew by manifold experience of sincerity]which dwelt first [that is was always and continually in her and had as it were taken a fixed habitation in her heart]in thy grandmother Lois [namely by thy mother side for his father was of Greekish or gentile and religion see Acts 16:1] and thy mother Eunice who is called a believing Jewestle Acts 16:1] and I am assured [namely by all abundant evidences of faith which do not suffer me anywhere to doubt thereof] that is dwelleth in thee also

6. for which cause I put in remembrance that thou stir up [the Greek word anazopyrein which the apostle here useth properly signifies by blowing to revive a little fire which is almost gone out or raked under the ashes and make it burn again a very fit similitude whereby is shewed that also the gifts of the holy ghosts by prayer continuing in reading and diligent administration of our calling are increased and made to burn as it were [the gift of God see 1Timothy 4.24]which is thee by laying on [that is which by this ceremony of imposition of hands I made known to be in thee by the operation of the holy ghost which is through the powerful prayers of the church joined with ceremony shall by God be still increased in thee]of my hands [in the first epistle chapter 4.14the apostle saith of the eldership both which are true seeing the apostle Paul unposed hands in him in presence the name of the whole assemble of the elders as being the principal among them and besides that an apostle]

7. For God not given us a spirit [that is a motion of the heart and of the mind which if it be evil is wrought in men by the wicked one and if it be good by the holy spirit and from thence is called spirit]of fearfulness but of power [that is of strength and courage of heart in the administration of our office in the midst of all enemies perils and tribulations] and of love and moderation [Gr Sophronismon whereby is properly understood a moderate or sound understanding which must be joined to courage left it generate into rashness clamor raging immodestly]

8. Be not ashamed therefore of a testimony of our Lord and savior and how the Lord sheweth his power wisdom justice and mercy unto men see Psalms 19:8 and 119.2 1 Corinthians 1:6 and 2.1 ]nor of me whom am his prisoner [that is imprisoned for his sake]but suffer afflictions with the gospel itself and for the gospel sake all those that preach embrace and profess the same are subject unto 2Timothy 3.12]according to the power of God [that is according as God affords you strength to bear those afflictions patiently and constantly this he adds that we may not ascribe this to our own abilities see Philippians 1:29 1Timothy 1.12]

9. Who hath saved us [namely by his son Jesus Christ]and called us [namely outwardly by the preaching of the gospel and inwardly by the effectual working of his spirit]with an holy calling [that is which is holy in itself and which calleth us to holiness Luke 1:75 Ephesians 1:4 Colossians 1:22] not according to our works [namely which is a precedent or foreseen cause should merit this calling or have moved God thereunto see Romans 9:12 Ephesians 2:9 Titus 3:5] but according to his purpose [that is according as it pleased and seemed good unto him from everlasting to decree with himself concerning us see Romans 8:28 and 9.11 Ephesians 1:11 and 3.111]and grace [that is gracious purpose the only and first moving whereof was the undeserved grace and mercy of God Romans 6:23 and 111.5,6 Galatians 1:15 Ephesians 1:6 Titus 3:7]which was given us that is which God purposed us and decreed in his own counsel to give us see the like Job 17.24 for this grace was not actually given us from everlasting but in time when we are actually called but it is so said because this actual giving comes to pass according to the eternal purpose of god which is so sure as if it were already accomplished ]in Christ Jesus [that is to obtain the fruits of the same through Jesus Christ see further Ephesians 1:4]before the times of the ages [that is from everlasting or as he speaks elsewhere before the foundation of the world Ephesians 1:4]

10. But now is revealed by the appearing of the savior Jesus Christ [namely in the flesh at his first coming]who hath abolished [namely by his death Hebrews 2:14 understand in respect of believers John3.3,36]death[namely eternal dead] and brought life [namely eternal life as the following word immortality added by way of explication shows]and immortality to light [that is has brought it t0 pass by his merits and brought it forth or made it known by the preaching of the gospel]by the gospel

11. Whereunto[that is to preach which gospel especially among the gentiles] I am made a preacher [namely by God who hath separated called and ordained me thereunto see Acts 13:2 Romans 1:1 Galatians 1:1]and an apostle and a teacher of gentiles

12. For which cause I suffer these things [that is these afflictions and bands] but am not ashamed of it ]for I know whom I have believed [that is in whose promises I have put my trust]and I am assured that he is mighty [that is that he hath the will which appears by his promises but also the power to perform them]to keep up the pledge laid up by him [that is the eternal blessedness and glory which God hath promised his children and faithful ministers and is laid up and faithfully kept by him in heaven for them as a pledge committed to his trust]unto that day [namely of Christ coming of judgment when he shall give the same unto them actually and eternally to posses it]

13. Hold the pattern of sound words [that is keep always in thy mind a brief sum of sound doctrine wherein the principal articles of the same are as it were briefly drawn and represented according to which thou maist frame thy doctrine or as son interpret let the sound word that is the sound doctrine which thou hast heard from me and the manner which I observe in teaching be a prescript unto thee which thou maist follow in teaching which thou hast heard of me in faith and love[these are two principal whereunto all articles or points of sound doctrine may be referred or wherein the same are contained see Titus 3:8]which is in Christ Jesus [that is hich faith hath Jesus Christ for a foundation and which love must be showed for Christ sake see 1Timothy 1.14]

14. the good pledge[namely of the sound doctrine see 1Timothy 6.20]that is entrust to thee [namely by God to keep well and purely and faithfully to impart into others]keep by the holy ghost[this he adds that Timothy might not ascribe this keeping to himself or his own abilities seeing this is a work and gift of the holy ghost Romans 15:13 1Corinthians 12.3]dwelleth in us [see Romans 8:9,11 1 Corinthians 3:16]

15. Knoweth this that all be in Asia [that is almost all the ministers of the gospel which either are of Asia at Ephesus or elsewhere see the annotate on Acts 20:4]are turned away from me [that is have forsaken me without assisting me in my ministry or defense the like complaint see chapter 4 verse 10 ,16]amongst whom is Phigellus and Hermogenes

16. The Lord show mercy [that is all manner of good both for soul or body which is so called because God bestows the same upon men not of merits but of gracious compassion see 1 Timothy 1:2]to the house of Onesiphorus [that is the whole household which without doubt followed the good example of the master of the family in refreshing Paul]for he hath often refreshed me [a similitude from those who were being heated are refreshed by cooling see Psalms 39.14 and 66.12 Acts 3:19]was not ashamed of my chain [that is of my low estate in mine imprisonment see of the chain the annotate on Acts 28:16]

17. But when he was come to Rome he sought me very diligently [namely seeing Rome was a very great city and full of people out of all parts of the world]and found me .

18. The Lord grant him that he may find mercy [see verse 16]of the Lord [that is of him who is our lord and judge]in that day[namely when the Lord shall judge the quick and the dead and shall distributes punishments and rewards and how much he ministered unto me at Ephesus [namely besides the service which he did me afterwards here at Rome] thou knoweth very well Gr better.