Now is actually “But” (Good News Translation); the Greek text in fact begins with an emphatic “But you” (or better, “But as for you”), thus marking the contrast between Timothy and the false teachers mentioned in the previous section.

You have observed translates an aorist but with a perfect sense, a fact that is reflected in many translations. The ordinary meaning of the verb is “to accompany,” which makes it a fitting description of the action of a disciple in regard to his or her master; this verb in fact is used in Stoicism to describe the master-disciple relationship. From this ordinary meaning have developed two other related meanings: (1) to make a careful study and diligent investigation of something (so Contemporary English Version “you know,” New International Version “know all about”); (2) to conform to a particular model, to follow closely, to follow faithfully. This second meaning is preferred by many translations. (See further comments on the same verb translated “followed” in 1 Tim 4.6.) The rendering in Revised Standard Version have observed is ambiguous in the sense that “observe” here can mean either “watch” (that is, pay attention to) or “obey.”

Except for the last two, the nine features that Paul mentions as examples that Timothy has followed deal with personal qualities that characterize his life as a Christian and as a leader of the Christian community.

For teaching see the same term translated “doctrine” in 1 Tim 1.10. Included here is perhaps both content and method: “what I teach” and “how I teach.”

Conduct appears only here in the whole New Testament. The word denotes one’s way of life, particularly one’s daily behavior. Here it focuses on how Paul has conducted his life both as a Christian and as a church leader. So one may translate “the way I live,” “the way I walk my life.”

For aim in life (Good News Translation “purpose in life”) see comments on “purpose” in 2 Tim 1.9. The word comes from the verb that means “to plan in advance,” hence “plan,” “main purpose,” “main concern,” “intentions.”

For faith see 1 Tim 1.5. Here it could be objective, referring to content (“what I believe”), or subjective, referring to Paul’s relationship to Christ (“how much I trust Christ”).

For patience see 1 Tim 1.16.

For love see 1 Tim 1.5. As is often the case, the focus here is not vertical but horizontal, that is, love directed to people rather than to God.

For steadfastness (Good News Translation “endurance”) see 1 Tim 6.11. There is a close relationship between steadfastness and patience (see above). On the one hand, patience puts focus on the emotional state of a person, that is, a person’s ability to remain calm when confronted with adverse and unpleasant circumstances. Steadfastness, on the other hand, focuses on a person’s ability to persevere or endure in the midst of difficult situations.

In many languages it will be helpful to divide this long sentence into two sentences; for example,
• But as for you, Timothy, you have paid attention to my teaching and have lived your life as I have, having the same purpose in life. You have observed (or, seen) how much I trust in Christ, my ability to put up with troubles, how I love other people, and my ability to endure.

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .