Fathers

2 Timothy 1

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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

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What the Fathers say

2 Timothy 1:8

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

There is nothing worse than that man should measure and judge of divine things by human reasonings. For thus he will fall from that rock a vast distance, and be deprived of the light. For if he who wishes with human eyes to apprehend the rays of the sun will not only not apprehend them, but, besides this failure, will sustain great injury; so, but in a higher degree, is he in a way to suffer this, and abusing the gift of God, who would by human reasonings gaze intently on that Light. …

Homily on 2 Timothy 2 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Many wretched people, judging by human notions about that which is above our understanding, consider it a shame to proclaim that the Son of God was crucified, not knowing that by the power of His Cross the condemned man became a son of God. But you, Timothy, do not be ashamed to bear witness to Christ and His death on the Cross, but preach about it with boldness. The Apostle did not say "do not fear," but "do not be ashamed," to show that this matter holds no danger, but only shame alone; and if you despise it, then all else is safe. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner; but share in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. Many miserable people, examining the mystery according to human reasoning, say it is a shame to preach the Son of God crucified, not knowing what was accomplished through the cross and the death of the Lord. You, therefore, Paul says, do not be ashamed of the testimony, that is, the cross of Christ, but proclaim it boldly. …

Commentary On 2 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, do not be therefore ashamed, he specifies the use of grace: first, he removes what is contrary to its use; second, he exhorts him to use it, at but labor with the Gospel. Now a person may be hindered from preaching for two reasons: first, from shame; second, from the penalty the Apostle is suffering on account of the Gospel. Therefore, in regard to the first he says, do not be therefore, i.e., since you have the spirit of courage, ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗