Fathers

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What the Fathers say

2 Timothy 2:7

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things." It is on this account that he has spoken these things in proverb and parable. Then again to show his affectionate disposition, he ceases not to pray for him, as fearing for his own son...

Homily on 2 Timothy 4 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since the apostle spoke of everything in a parable — of the soldier, the fighter, and the farmer — he also says: "understand." I spoke this way, he says, in order to sharpen your mind. Then he prays for him as for his own son. Not only in that which I have spoken of, but in all words and deeds.

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

Understand what I say. For may the Lord give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David according to my Gospel. Since Paul spoke everything in parables, those of the soldier, those of the athlete, those of the farmer, he says: Understand what I say. For whose sake does he say this? in everything, Paul says, so that you may also understand these things as you ought, and do the other things as you must. Remember Jesus Christ, risen. …

Commentary On 2 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Understand what I say: he explains what he had said, following Christ's method of explaining his parable: he that has ears to hear let him hear (Matt 13:9). As if to say: reduce these to a spiritual meaning: for there is a need of understanding in a vision (Dan 10:1). As if someone were to say: you say: take a stipend, Timothy; but you do not do so, because you wish to live by the labor of your own hands. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗