SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Timothy 2003 – Page 7

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:8

Paragraph 1:8–12

This is the first paragraph in which Paul gave Timothy some specific examples/instructions about how he should use his gift mentioned in 1:6a. In this paragraph Paul told Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel, but to be prepared to suffer for being a follower of Christ.

1:8a

So: The Greek conjunction oun, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as So, connects 1:7 and 1:8. (This is a grounds (1:7)—exhortation (1:8)—relationship.) Another way to show this is:

^1:7Since God did not give us a spirit of fear…^1:8therefore do not be ashamed/afraid to testify about our Lord.

do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord: Paul implied here that, because Timothy was timid or fearful, he might be reluctant to tell other people the good news about Jesus Christ. Therefore, Paul told him to speak boldly about Jesus.

of the testimony: Another way to say this is “to witness,” “to share,” or “to tell.”

1:8b

or of me, His prisoner: Apparently Paul thought that Timothy might be ashamed to admit that he knew Paul because Paul was in prison. Prisoners were normally people who had committed crimes, so most people were ashamed of a friend or relative who was in prison.

His prisoner: The word His refers to Christ. Paul meant that the Roman authorities had put him in prison because he was serving Christ. Be careful that when you translate His prisoner that your translation does not imply that Christ was keeping Paul in prison. Here is one way to translate this:

Do not be ashamed of being my friend, although I am a prisoner because I serve Christ.

1:8c

Instead: The Greek conjunction alla, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Instead, indicates a strong contrast between 1:8a–b and 1:8c. Some other ways to show this contrast are “Rather” or But.”

join me in suffering: This is the translation of one Greek verb. It means “to suffer like someone else has suffered” or “to share another person’s hardships.”

Paul knew that he would continue to suffer because he preached to people about Jesus Christ. So he urged Timothy to follow his example, to be willing to suffer for Christ, and to endure the evil things that people would do to him because he was preaching this good news.

for the gospel: Some others ways to say this phrase are:

for the sake of the gospel
-or-
on behalf of the gospel
-or-
for telling people the gospel

gospel: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gospel literally means “good news.” However, in the New Testament the word gospel does not mean just any kind of good news. It specifically means “the good news that God has made a way to save sinful human beings through Jesus.”

Some ways to translate gospel are:

good news
-or-
good message
-or-
God’s message
-or-
God’s good news
-or-
message from God
-or-
message of/about Jesus

by the power of God: The phrase by the power of God indicates how Timothy could endure suffering for preaching the gospel. He could endure suffering “through” or “by means of” the power that God would give him. God had given Paul strength to endure suffering, and God would also give Timothy strength to endure suffering.

In some languages, it may be best to put this phrase by the power of God before the phrase about suffering. This is what the NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), and Contemporary English Version do. The New Living Translation (2004 Revision) has:

With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the good news.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:7

1:7a

For: The conjunction For connects this verse to 1:6. For introduces the reason why Timothy should rekindle his gift.

us: Notice that in this verse, Paul changed his discourse from addressing Timothy as “you” in 1:6 to using the word us. In this declaration, Paul was speaking of at least Timothy and himself. It is also possible that he was including all Christians.

a spirit of fear: There are two ways to interpret the word spirit here:

(1) It means our human spirit/nature. For example:

God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid…. (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, New Century Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

(2) It means the Holy Spirit. For example:

God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. (Contemporary English Version)

(Good News Translation, NET Bible, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of Bible scholars.

fear: In this context fear means “timidity.” It describes a person who fears doing something that is his duty to do, and so he refuses to do it or avoids doing it. In this context, it probably means that Timothy had been afraid to do some of the tasks that God had told him to do and had given him a special ability to do.

1:7b

but: The Greek conjunction alla, which means but, indicates a strong contrast between 1:7a and 1:7b. Some other ways to indicate this strong contrast are “instead” or “on the contrary.”

a spirit of power: As was explained in 1:7a, Paul was talking about the human spirit/nature. The human, fearful spirit contrasts greatly with the power that God gives. It is not physical power, but spiritual power.

1:7c

love: Here Paul is primarily talking about love for other people.

1:7d

and self-control: A person who has self-control has good judgment and practices restraint in what he (or she) says and does. He is able to control the way he thinks or behaves.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:6

1:6a

For this reason: The phrase For this reason refers to Timothy’s sincere faith in Christ (1:5a). One way to translate For this reason is to make the reason explicit by saying:

Since you genuinely believe

to fan into flame: Here Paul compared Timothy’s gift to a fire. The clause fan into flame is the translation of one Greek word. There are two ways to interpret this word:

(1) Paul was concerned that Timothy had not been using his gift to his fullest capacity. Therefore he challenged Timothy to “fan into flame” or “rekindle” his use of the gift. For example, the New Living Translation (2004 Revision) says:

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you

See also Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English.

(2) Paul was simply encouraging Timothy to continue to use his gift. He was not implying that Timothy had not been using his gift. For example, the New Century Version says:

This is why I remind you to keep using the gift God gave you

See also Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

This interpretation uses this Greek word in its literal sense, that is, “rekindle” or “light again.” This implies that Timothy’s gift was like a fire that had almost gone out or died and needed to be revived to a useful state. One can rekindle a fire by fanning it or by stirring up the coals.

the gift of God: This spiritual gift was a special ability that God gave Timothy. It enabled him to serve God and minister to other believers in Ephesus. Several verses in 2 Timothy imply that the gift that God had given to Timothy was the ability to serve as a leader (see 4:2 and 4:5).

General Comment on 1:6a

When the word gift is used with the word “rekindle,” the two become a vivid figure of speech. By using this figure of speech, Paul meant that Timothy should reactivate his spiritual gift. This was the gift that the Holy Spirit had given him and that he was to use for God’s service.

You have several options for translating the figure of speech fan into flame the gift of God.

• Maintain the figure of speech, if possible.

• Use a figure of speech that occurs in your language and means something like “to start doing something energetically again.”

• Replace the figure of speech with the direct meaning and translate it “restore/reactivate/revive the gift of God.”

1:6b

which is in you through the laying on of my hands: Some time previously, Paul had put his hands on Timothy (probably on his head). Then he prayed that God would give him a special ability to minister to the believers in the Ephesian church. Paul implied that Timothy received that gift/ability at that time. (Perhaps Paul refers here to the time he mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:14 when the elders prayed for Timothy, but in this verse he mentions only that he laid his hands on Timothy.)

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:5

1:5a

I am reminded: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I am reminded is literally “taking remembrance.” The verb is not passive, as the Berean Standard Bible translation implies, but active. The verb here can be translated as “I remember” (see Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version), or “I recall” (see NET Bible).

sincere faith: In your language it may be clearer to say, “you truly believed in Christ Jesus.” This same phrase sincere faith is found in 1 Timothy 1:5.

1:5b

which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice: Paul wrote here about “faith” as if it were a person. When Paul used the phrase first dwelt, he meant that Timothy’s grandmother and mother “had faith” in Jesus Christ before Timothy did.

In some languages it is natural to say that Timothy’s mother and grandmother “had faith” in Jesus Christ. (Good News Translation is an example of this.) But if this is not natural in your language, then you may need to replace the noun “faith” with the verb “believe.” Then you would state who believed (that is, “your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice believed”). You may also need to add the implied information that they believed “in Jesus Christ.”

grandmother: Here the term grandmother refers to “the mother of Timothy’s mother.”

1:5c

I am convinced: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as convinced also means “persuaded.” Paul saw evidence that Timothy truly believed in Jesus because of what Timothy had learned from his mother and his grandmother, and also because Paul had seen that Timothy behaved as a true follower of Christ. These things made Paul sure/certain that Timothy truly believed in Jesus.

is in you as well: Here, the clause in you as well is similar to what Paul said concerning Timothy’s mother and grandmother in 1:5b. In many languages it is more straightforward to translate this with a clause similar to:

you also believe in Jesus now

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:4

1:4a

Recalling your tears: Paul mentioned that Timothy wept. This probably refers to the last time that they were together just before Paul went to prison.

1:4b

I long to see you: To long to see someone means “to strongly desire to see” that person. Paul was lonely in prison and missed Timothy. He hoped that Timothy could come to Rome and visit him.

1:4c

so that I may be filled with joy: Paul would be very happy when Timothy came to see him. In some languages, people do not use the verb phrase be filled with to describe a person’s feelings. If this is the case in your language, you could translate be filled with as: “I know that you will cause me to be very happy.”

joy: The word joy is emphasized in the Greek text. This emphasis is shown in the Display by using the words “great/much” before joy, or “very” before “happy.”

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:3

Section 1:3–18

Paul encouraged Timothy to continue doing the work that God gave him to do

Paragraph 1:3–7

1:3a

I serve: The word serve here refers to serving or working for God in a religious way. It might be better to use a word that means “worship.” For example, the Revised English Bible says:

I worship with a clear conscience.

1:3b

with a clear conscience: The phrase with a clear conscience can be understood as referring:

(1) only to Paul. “I serve God as my ancestors did. I serve him with a clear conscience.”

(2) to both Paul and his forefathers. “I serve God with a clear conscience. My ancestors also served God with a clear conscience.”

In most English translations, it is unclear whether the phrase with a clear conscience refers only to Paul or to both Paul and his forefathers. However, if possible in your language, translate in a way that people will understand the first interpretation. One reason for choosing interpretation (1) is that in this verse Paul was writing about his personal claim that he was an apostle. He was not necessarily claiming that his ancestors also had clear consciences.

a clear conscience: A person’s conscience is the part of a person that helps him know what is right and what is wrong to think or do. A conscience causes a person to feel ashamed or guilty if he does wrong, and makes him feel good when he does what is right.

Paul was implying that, although he was in prison, he was not there because he had committed a crime. On the contrary, he had been put in prison because he was trying to do what would please God. Paul was convinced that he had not done anything wrong. He did not feel guilty, so his conscience was clear.

forefathers: Another word for forefathers is “ancestors.” The word forefathers refers to a person’s relatives who were born before his parents and probably even before his grandparents.

1:3c

as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers: This is a way of saying that Paul prayed very frequently and when he prayed, he always prayed for Timothy.

constantly: The Greek word that most English versions translate as constantly is emphasized in the Greek text. In the Display, this emphasis is shown by putting the word constantly before the verb “pray.”

night and day: Scholars differ as to whether the phrase night and day is connected to 1:3 or 1:4.

(1) Most English versions understand this phrase to belong to I constantly remember you… in my prayers in 1:3. For example, the New Living Translation (2004 Revision) says:

Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

See also Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version.

(2) A few translations have punctuated the sentence in such a way that this phrase belongs with “I long to see you” at the beginning of 1:4. For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

⁴As I remember your tears, I long night and day to see you,

See also Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) as do the majority of translations.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 2:15

2:15a

Make every effort: Make every effort is an English phrase that translates one Greek verb. It means, “to work hard,” “to try hard,” or “to put the most effort that you can into your work.”

to present yourself…to God: The verb to present means “to show” or “to stand before.”

The text does not indicate whether Paul was instructing Timothy concerning “presenting” himself to God in the present time or the future. Some scholars think this verse refers to the future judgment day when people will stand before God. Others think this refers to Timothy daily presenting himself to God. It is best to leave the time vague.

approved to God: The word approved is an adjective in Greek. It means, “accepted after successfully passing a trial or examination.” God is the one who examines how a person represents him and teaches his word. Timothy must live and teach in the ways he knew that God approved. Then he will be an approved workman of God.

As mentioned above regarding the words “present yourself,” we do not know if Paul is speaking of the past, the present or the future. It may be that God had (already) approved of Timothy as his servant or “workman.” On the other hand, the New Century Version uses the future: “give yourself to God as the kind of person he will accept.” If possible, do not be specific about the time. One possibility is to say:

Present yourself to God in such a way that he can approve you.

2:15b

an unashamed workman: This part of the verse describes someone of whom God approves. In some languages, it may be best to follow the example of the New Living Translation (2004 Revision) and start a new sentence here.

Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed

workman: The word in the Greek text that the Berean Standard Bible translates as workman can refer to a person who does general physical work, such as carrying things or digging. But it can also refer to a person whose work requires special skill. Paul here compared Timothy and the way he was working for the Lord to a craftsman who worked well so that he was not ashamed of what he had done.

2:15c

who accurately handles the word of truth: This part of the verse also describes someone of whom God approves. Here Paul again mentioned the second theme of his letter to Timothy: the message about the good news is a special thing that God has entrusted to his people. Those who teach the word of God must never mix erroneous teaching with it.

accurately handles the word of truth: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as accurately handles literally means “to cut straight.” This word further develops the image of a worker in 2:15b. A worker who is not ashamed is one who skillfully uses his tools. Here the “tool” that a Christian worker must correctly handle is the word of truth. Used figuratively, this word refers to “correct teaching.” You have several options for translating this word.

• Keep the figure of speech of a worker and translate it “correctly handles” (New International Version (2011 Revision)) or “accurately handles” (Berean Standard Bible and New American Standard Bible). See also Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English.

• Replace the figure of speech with the direct meaning and translate it “correctly teach” (Good News Translation) or “correctly explain” (New Living Translation (2004 Revision)). See also the New Century Version.

word of truth: This phrase means the same as the “word of God” or the “gospel.”

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 2:23

2:23a

But reject: The Greek verb the Berean Standard Bible translates as reject means “avoid,” or “refuse,” or “don’t have anything to do with.”

foolish and ignorant: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as foolish and ignorant are synonyms.

foolish: The word “fool” in the Bible often means “a person who does not know what God is like or who perhaps does not even believe that he exists.” The word foolish here refers to the kinds of things such a person says or does. (See Luke 12:20 and 1 Corinthians 15:36.)

ignorant: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ignorant means “uneducated,” “stupid” or “uninstructed.”

(New International Version (2011 Revision)) arguments: In certain contexts, the Greek word used here could be translated as “speculation” (as in the Berean Standard Bible), or “discussion” or “debate.” In this case, however, the word has a negative meaning of “controversies” or “arguments.” This is why the New International Version (2011 Revision) is recommended as a reference to translate this word.

2:23b

for you know that it breeds quarreling: Paul said that when people argue about “foolish and ignorant” questions, the result is that they quarrel with those who believe differently than they do.

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 2003

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:8

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:7

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:6

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:5

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:4

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:3

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 2:15

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 2:23

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