Fathers

2 Timothy 2

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You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules. The farmer who labors must be the first to get a share of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News, in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained. Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful; for he can’t deny himself.” Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear. Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness, and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus: men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.” Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work. Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient, in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.

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What the Fathers say

2 Timothy 2:11

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

And what is, "anointed," and "sealed?" Gave the Spirit by Whom He did both these things, making at once prophets and priests and kings, for in old time these three sorts were anointed. But we have now not one of these dignities, but all three preeminently. For we are both to enjoy a kingdom and are made priests by offering our bodies for a sacrifice, (for, saith he, "present your members a living sacrifice unto God;) and withal we are constituted prophets too: for what things "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard," (1 Cor. ii. …

Homily on 2 Corinthians 3 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since many doubt concerning the future life and glory, saying: when I am alive, I die, and when I die, I shall live? and the like: therefore the apostle, confirming his word, says: "faithful is the word." What word? That the elect shall attain glorious and eternal salvation. He confirms the same thing with human reasoning as well. Already above the apostle presented proof of this when he said: "remember the Lord Jesus, risen from the dead"; he showed that Christ rose after death. In what way then does he confirm it? …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

The saying is trustworthy. For if we have died with him, we will also live with him. The saying is trustworthy. Those who are chosen obtain glorious and eternal salvation. For some have doubted concerning the resurrection, and this assurance was needed. That the saying is trustworthy is also established from reasoning.

Commentary On 2 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

We ought to be humble of heart out of the sincerest devotion during the whole time of this wandering exile, in which we are living in the midst of trials and temptations. If so, how much more should we be so during these days, when as well as spending this time of humility by living it, we are also signifying it by our liturgical celebration of it. The lowliness of Christ has taught us to be lowly, because by dying he yielded to the godless. …

Sermons 206.1 ↗

Ambrose of Milan

The apostle says that even we shall reign together with Christ in the kingdom of Christ. "If we are dead with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure, we shall also reign with him." But we by adoption, he by power; we live by grace, he by nature.

On the Holy Spirit 3.20.157 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

A faithful saying, i.e., the word I say is true: these words are most faithful and true (Rev 22:6). If we be dead with him, i.e., with Christ; and this when we receive the sacrament of baptism: for we are buried with him by baptism into death (Rom 6:4); also, when we wear ourselves out with penance: they that are Christ's have crucified their flesh with the vices and concupiscences (Gal 5:24). Also, when we die confessing the truth, as Christ did: precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (Ps 115:15). …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗