2Ti 1:5, 3:14-15 | JFB | STEP | 5. When I call to remembrance —This increased his "desire to see" Timothy. The oldest manuscripts read, "When I called to remembrance"; implying that some recent incident (perhaps the contrasted cowardice of the hypocrite Demas, who forsook him) had reminded him of the sincerity of Timothy's faith. faith that is in thee —ALFORD translates, "that was in thee." He remembers Timothy's faith in the past as a fact; its present existence in him is only matter of his confident persuasion or hope. which — Greek, "such as." dwelt —"made its dwelling" or abode ( ). The past tense implies they were now dead. first —before it dwelt in thee. She was the furthest back of the progenitors of Timothy whom Paul knew. mother Eunice —a believing Jewess; but his father was a Greek, that is, a heathen ( ). The faith of the one parent sanctified the child ( ). She was probably converted at Paul's first visit to Lystra ( ). It is an undesigned coincidence, and so a mark of truth, that in the belief of the mother alone is mentioned, just as here praise is bestowed on the faith of the mother, while no notice is taken of the father [PALEY , Horæ Paulinæ ]. and — Greek, "but," that is, notwithstanding appearances [ALFORD ]. persuaded that — it dwells, or it shall dwell "in thee also." The mention of the faith of his mother and grandmother is designed as an incentive to stir up his faith.

2 Timothy 1:5

5. When I call to remembrance—This increased his "desire to see" Timothy. The oldest manuscripts read, "When I called to remembrance"; implying that some recent incident (perhaps the contrasted cowardice of the hypocrite Demas, who forsook him) had reminded him of the sincerity of Timothy's faith.

faith that is in thee—ALFORD translates, "that was in thee." He remembers Timothy's faith in the past as a fact; its present existence in him is only matter of his confident persuasion or hope.

which—Greek, "such as."

dwelt—"made its dwelling" or abode (Joh 14:23). The past tense implies they were now dead.

first—before it dwelt in thee. She was the furthest back of the progenitors of Timothy whom Paul knew.

mother Eunice—a believing Jewess; but his father was a Greek, that is, a heathen (Ac 16:1). The faith of the one parent sanctified the child (2Ti 3:15; 1Co 7:14). She was probably converted at Paul's first visit to Lystra (Ac 14:6). It is an undesigned coincidence, and so a mark of truth, that in Ac 16:1 the belief of the mother alone is mentioned, just as here praise is bestowed on the faith of the mother, while no notice is taken of the father [PALEY, Horæ Paulinæ].

and—Greek, "but," that is, notwithstanding appearances [ALFORD].

persuaded that—it dwells, or it shall dwell "in thee also." The mention of the faith of his mother and grandmother is designed as an incentive to stir up his faith.

2 Timothy 3:14-15

14. But . . . thou—Whatever they may do. Resuming the thread begun at 2Ti 3:10.

learned—from me and thy mother and grandmother (2Ti 1:5; 2:2).

assured of—from Scripture (2Ti 3:15).

of whom—plural, not singular, in the oldest manuscripts, "from what teachers." Not only from me, but from Lois and Eunice.

15. from a child—literally, "from an infant." The tender age of the first dawn of reason is that wherein the most lasting impressions of faith may be made.

holy scriptures—The Old Testament taught by his Jewish mother. An undesigned coincidence with 2Ti 1:5; Ac 16:1-3.

able—in themselves: though through men's own fault they often do not in fact make men savingly alive.

wise unto salvation—that is, wise unto the attainment of salvation. Contrast "folly" (2Ti 3:9). Wise also in extending it to others.

through faith—as the instrument of this wisdom. Each knows divine things only as far as his own experience in himself extends. He who has not faith, has not wisdom or salvation.

which is in—that is, rests on Christ Jesus.