Fathers

2 Timothy 2

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Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

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What the Fathers say

2 Timothy 2:9

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Wherein I suffer trouble," he says, "as an evil-doer, even unto bonds." Again he introduces consolation and encouragement from himself, and he prepares his hearer's mind with these two things; first, that he should know him to endure hardness; and, secondly, that he did not so but for a useful purpose, for in this case he will gain, in the other will even suffer harm. For what advantage is it, that you can show that a Teacher has exposed himself to hardship, but not for any useful purpose? …

Homily on 2 Timothy 4 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Again he comforts the disciple by his own example, speaking both of how he suffers and of how he has a bad reputation. So that no one would say: what is the benefit of that? And what is so remarkable if you are bound? Show me the advantage, show me something remarkable; the apostle says: the word is not bound. For it is not a material thing that can be stopped when the body is bound. The word is a Divine thing, the word is God's: when we are bound, it is free and extends forward. And so we write and preach, even though we are bound. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

In which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal, but the word of God is not imprisoned. Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. in which I suffer hardship. The afflictions of Paul reveal the truth of the Gospel. even to imprisonment as a criminal. For who, indeed, would choose to suffer such things unless preaching the truth, and about whom he would not be made altogether more certain? …

Commentary On 2 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

Hence, it is also said to the soul: Your youth will be renewed like the eagle's. For he was speaking to the soul, saying: Bless the Lord, O my soul. And therefore it hurries to the Word, and asks to be drawn, lest it be left behind; for the Word of God runs and is not hindered.

On Isaac and the Soul ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Wherein I labor even unto bands: he cites himself as an example of martyrdom. He states that there are three things in its pain: bitterness, shame, and constancy. Bitterness, when he says, wherein, namely, in preaching the Gospel; or for which I labor, i.e., am afflicted even unto bands: because when he wrote this epistle, he was in Rome in bands: to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in a chain (Eph 6:19). …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗