Section 3:10–4:8
Paul gave Timothy some more instructions and encouraged him to continue preaching the gospel
In 3:10–4:8 Paul reminded Timothy that Timothy had thoroughly learned true doctrine, so he should continue to preach it faithfully, even if he had to suffer because of it.
Paragraph 3:10–17
3:10a
You, however: This verse in Greek begins with the pronoun meaning “you (sing)” and the conjunction de, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as however. By using the pronoun as the very first word, Paul clearly contrasts Timothy with the false teachers of 3:1–9. Use the words or grammatical pattern in your language that also show such contrast. For example, you could say: “But as for you….”
In addition, since this verse begins a new section, it might be helpful for the readers if you repeat Timothy’s name. You might say, “But as for you, Timothy….”
have observed: The clause have observed is the Berean Standard Bible translation of one Greek verb. Some English versions have translated this verb literally as “follow.” (See Good News Translation, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible.) Other versions have translated this verb metaphorically as “know” in the sense of “follow with the mind.” (See the New International Version (2011 Revision), King James Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English.) Paul used this same verb in 1 Timothy 4:6.
It is important for you to notice that this one verb relates to all nine items that Paul listed in 3:10a–3:11a. In Greek, the verb occurs only once, but in many languages, it is necessary to repeat the verb at some point or to use a different verb before some of the things that Paul listed. Two English versions (Good News Translation, New Century Version) that translate the Greek verb as “follow” in 3:10a change the verb to “observe” or “know” when they repeat a verb later in the list.
In translating this verb, you have at least the following two choices:
• Follow the example of the Berean Standard Bible and begin the list with a verb that can be used with all of the items in the list. The Berean Standard Bible uses “have observed.”
• Follow the example of the New Century Version and use one verb for part of the list and another verb for the rest of the list, when it becomes necessary. The New Century Version uses “follow” and “know.”
my teaching: When Paul said my teaching he was referring to all of the doctrines that he had taught. He considered all of these doctrines to be closely related to each other and spoke of them as a group.
my: In the Greek text this pronoun occurs just once before this first item in the list of things that Timothy knew about Paul’s life and teaching. In that position it indicates that my applies to each item in the list from 3:10a–11a. The Berean Standard Bible repeats the word my for each item in the list, but you should follow the patterns for proper pronoun use in your language as you translate each of the items in 3:10b–11a. You must not feel that you have to follow the Greek or any English grammatical pattern.
3:10b–11a
In 3:10b–11a, Paul listed some of the things that characterized the way that he had served Christ. He reminded Timothy about some things that Timothy already knew about Paul and how he had served the Lord and suffered because he preached the gospel. Paul implied that he hoped Timothy would remember these characteristics and imitate them. In some languages, it may be necessary to use verbs or whole sentences to translate each of the abstract nouns that Paul used in 3:10b–11a.
3:10b
my conduct: The phrase my conduct is the translation of one Greek word. It indicates that Timothy knew that Paul had lived in a way that was right according to God’s word. He also knew that Paul behaved in the same righteous manner that he instructed the believers to follow.
3:10c
my purpose: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as purpose also occurs in 1:9d. Some other ways to translate this word are “plan,” “intention,” “goal,” or “what I want to do.”
Paul’s purpose in life was to preach God’s word to others. When groups of Christians formed congregations as a result of his preaching, it was also Paul’s purpose to teach them even more truths from the word of God, so that they would develop spiritually.
3:10d
faith: In Paul’s letters, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as faith has at least three meanings:
(a) a Christian’s belief or trust in God,
(b) the basic doctrines that Christians believe,
(c) faithfulness or trustworthiness.
In this verse, Paul probably used the word faith in the first sense. Here Paul said that Timothy knew how much he (Paul) trusted God.
See the note in 3:10a about the word “my.”
3:10e
patience: The word patience refers to being able to endure something that is unpleasant without complaining. Here Paul was referring to his own patience towards other people as he traveled to different places preaching and teaching the good news.
love: Here Paul was referring to his love for other people, not his love for God. Paul did not define love as an emotional feeling. He defined it as an attitude of caring about the well-being of other people.
3:10f
perseverance: This word means almost the same thing as the word “patience” in 3:10e. The word perseverance refers to being able to continue doing whatever one is doing, even in difficult circumstances. Timothy knew about Paul’s perseverance because he knew that Paul had continued to preach and teach even when he was living in difficult circumstances and when people were reluctant to accept his teaching.
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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.