2 Timothy 1 KJV
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 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;
4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
5 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.
6 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.
2 Timothy 1 (New Testament)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8 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;
9 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,
10 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:
11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12 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.
2 Timothy 1 (New Testament)
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
18 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.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἐπιποθέω — epipotheō | Verse 4 — “…greatly desiring to see thee…” | “Long for,” earnestly desire. | Epipotheō (“to long for”) expresses deep emotional yearning (“desire/long for”). Paul’s affection highlights spiritual fatherhood. The term reinforces apostolic tenderness. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| ἀναζωπυρέω — anazōpyreō | Verse 6 — “…stir up the gift of God…” | “Kindle again,” rekindle. | Anazōpyreō (“to rekindle”) evokes reigniting a flame (“stir up”). Timothy must revive his spiritual gifting. The term suggests intentional renewal. — Richard C. Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament (1896) |
| δειλία — deilia | Verse 7 — “…God hath not given us the spirit of fear…” | “Cowardice,” timidity. | Deilia (“cowardice”) conveys shrinking timidity (“fear”). Paul contrasts divine empowerment with human weakness. The term rejects spiritual paralysis. — Philip Schaff, Commentary on the New Testament (1882) |
| σωφρονισμός — sōphronismos | Verse 7 — “…but of a sound mind.” | “Self-control,” sound judgment. | Sōphronismos (“sound judgment”) suggests disciplined reasoning (“sound mind”). Timothy must exercise mental steadiness. The term denotes Spirit-given balance. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| κακοπαθέω — kakopatheō | Verse 8 — “…be thou partaker of the afflictions…” | “Suffer hardship.” | Kakopatheō (“to suffer hardship”) conveys enduring difficulty (“suffer affliction”). Paul calls Timothy into shared suffering. The term frames hardship as participation in Christ’s mission. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| πρόθεσις — prothesis | Verse 9 — “…according to his own purpose…” | “Purpose,” intention. | Prothesis (“purpose”) expresses divine intention (“purpose”). Salvation is rooted in God’s eternal plan. The term underscores sovereign grace. — Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| φῶτίζω — phōtizō | Verse 10 — “…hath brought life and immortality to light…” | “Illuminate,” reveal. | Phōtizō (“to illuminate”) makes visible what was hidden (“to reveal”). Christ unveils immortality. The term highlights revelatory triumph. — B. F. Westcott, Epistles of St. John (1883) |
| ὑποτύπωσις — hypotypōsis | Verse 13 — “…form of sound words…” | “Pattern,” outline. | Hypotypōsis (“pattern”) indicates a model to follow (“form/pattern”). Timothy must preserve apostolic teaching. The term ensures doctrinal continuity. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| παραθήκη — parathēkē | Verse 14 — “…keep the good thing committed unto thee…” | “Deposit,” entrusted treasure. | Parathēkē (“deposit”) signifies entrusted truth (“deposit”). Timothy guards the gospel through the Spirit. The term stresses sacred responsibility. — Philip Schaff, Church History (1890) |
| ἀνανεόω — ananeóō | Verse 7 (conceptual) | “Renew,” make new. | Ananeóō (“renew”) reflects inward strengthening (“renew/make new”). Paul’s charge implies continual renewal. The term deepens Timothy’s reliance on divine power. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary (1884) |
Chapter 1
Verse: "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." - 2 Timothy 1:7
Lesson: In this chapter, Paul encourages Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God that is within him, and to not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord. The verse above reminds us that God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control, not fear. Therefore, we should not be afraid to boldly proclaim our faith in Christ and use the gifts God has given us for His glory.
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Conclusion: As Christians, we should strive to live boldly and fearlessly, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit within us to proclaim the gospel and serve God. We must also remember to use the gifts God has given us for His glory, and not be ashamed of our faith.
Prayer points: Pray for boldness and courage to proclaim the gospel, and for the wisdom to use our gifts in service to God.
What's Next? See our Inspirational Motivational Bible Quotes Today
