Fathers

2 Timothy 1

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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy; having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also. For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News. For this I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day. Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me, of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain, but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently and found me (the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.

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What the Fathers say

2 Timothy 1:13

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Not by letters alone did Paul instruct his disciple in his duty, but before by words also which he shows, both in many other passages, as where he says, "whether by word or our Epistle" (2 Thess. ii. 15.), and especially here. Let us not therefore suppose that anything relating to doctrine was spoken imperfectly. For many things he delivered to him without writing. …

Homily on 2 Timothy 3 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

As a painter, I have written and drawn for you an icon and prototype, so that, looking at it, you too would paint from it the same outline of my words. Keep this prototype within yourself, and when it is necessary to paint something, take from it and paint: for everything is combined in it. Not only through epistles, but also orally. Therefore let us not think that we have insufficient epistles, as not all-encompassing, since the apostle conveyed much without writing. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

Hold to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Hold to the pattern of sound teaching. Like an image, likeness, imitation. "of sound teaching," those concerning faith and life. As I suppose concerning others, they are not sound. that you have heard from me. He did not assign to the disciple only epistles to be made, but also gave instructions orally in his presence. For thus he acted in all things as well. …

Commentary On 2 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, hold the form, he exhorts him to follow his example. And there are two versions: one says, hold and the other, holding. If we accept holding, then first, he states why it is fitting for Timothy to imitate the Apostle's example; second, he urges him to imitate him, at keep the good thing committed to your trust. But the Apostle was worthy to be imitated in regard to two things, namely, his erudition and knowledge; hence he says, of sound words: and his power; hence he says, in faith and in the love. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗