Footnotes

1. 2 Timothy 1:1 Paul begins his Letter with a salutation that is similar to the one found in 1 Timothy, adding to it the words “whose promise of life is fulfilled in Christ Jesus.” He calls Timothy his “beloved child,” and the actual greeting is the same as that of 1 Timothy, showing that everything we have comes to us from God through Christ. As in most of his Letters (the exceptions are Gal, 1 Tim, and Tit), Paul then follows his salutation with a section thanking God for the recipients of the Letter. He focuses on his relationship with Timothy and his confidence in Timothy’s faith.
2. 2 Timothy 1:4 Your tears: those shed by Timothy when Paul was leaving Ephesus (see 1 Tim 1:3).
3. 2 Timothy 1:5 According to Acts 16:1, Timothy’s mother (Eunice) was a Jewish Christian while his father was a Greek and apparently an unbeliever. Here we learn that his grandmother (Lois) was also a Christian.
4. 2 Timothy 1:6 Paul warns that self-interest and discouragement must not get the best of the apostle’s ardor and determination. Rather, he must rely upon the graces that were given him when he received the ministry and was gripped by the Spirit at his missionary sending forth (see 1 Tim 4:14). He must once again place himself at the service of the Gospel, which is the announcement of the coming of Christ and the salvation that he gives. There is no missionary life without spiritual renewal.

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   The last seven verses go on to give examples of men of God who have endured: Paul and Onesiphorus.

5. 2 Timothy 1:6 Laying on of . . . hands: see note on 1 Tim 4:14.
6. 2 Timothy 1:9 Paul insists that redemption from sin and the call to holiness are freely given to human beings in accord with God’s plan (see Eph 1:4).
7. 2 Timothy 1:10 Appearance: the reference here is to the Incarnation.
8. 2 Timothy 1:11 Teacher: most manuscripts read: “teacher of the nations,” which scholars regard as a gloss based on 1 Tim 2:7.
9. 2 Timothy 1:12 That Day: the day of judgment and crowning. What he has entrusted to me: i.e., the deposit of faith (see 1 Tim 6:20). Another possible translation is: “what I have entrusted to him,” i.e., the fruits of his ministry.
10. 2 Timothy 1:15 Paul is deeply disappointed that he has been deserted by Christians from Asia, including two upon whom he was counting—Phygelus and Hermogenes. Some scholars believe that Phygelus was the leader of lapsed Christians in Rome (see Phil 1:15f).
11. 2 Timothy 1:16 Onesiphorus: a helper of Paul—probably during his first Roman imprisonment (see v. 8)—whose household was in Ephesus and who is not mentioned elsewhere (see 2 Tim 4:19).
12. 2 Timothy 1:18 Lord . . . Lord: the first “Lord” doubtless refers to Christ and the second to the Father.