Translation commentary on 2 Timothy 3:1

Understand is literally “know,” not in the sense of introducing new information, but of calling attention to something that is already known (so Good News Translation “Remember”). Other ways of expressing understand are “I want you to know that…,” “You should be aware of the fact that…,” or “You can be certain that….” This refers to what follows, namely, the conditions that exist in the end time. The term the last days may be taken in two ways: (1) It may refer to the time immediately before Christ’s second coming; interpreted this way, the last days refers to the period immediately preceding the “Day” that is referred to in 2 Tim 1.12, 18. (2) It may be a general reference to the Christian era. There is biblical evidence to show that the coming of Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of the Christian church signal the beginning of the last days (see, for example, Acts 2.16-21 and Heb 1.2). Christians therefore are living in the last days. If this second option is followed, then the last days is better rendered as “these last days.”

Will come is in the future tense but clearly suggests that the events described are imminent and are about to happen. Stress pertains to something which causes hardships; times of stress are therefore times of danger, violence, trouble, and distress. It is a common theme in Jewish apocalyptic literature that the last days are characterized by such adversities.

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Timothy 4:17

But here stresses the contrast between the action of the Christians and that of the Lord, who remained faithful to Paul. Lord here probably refers to Christ. His faithfulness to Paul is described in two ways: (1) he stood by him and gave him strength to proclaim the message fully; and (2) he was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

Stood by translates a verb that in the present context means “to be at hand” (compare Good News Translation “stayed with me”) with the intention of helping; hence “come to the aid of,” “help.” Gave me strength translates a verb that means “to empower,” “enable” (see further comments on 1 Tim 1.12 and on “be strong” in 2 Tim 2.1). As a result of this empowerment, Paul was able to continue proclaiming the gospel to the Gentiles. The Greek text clearly marks this as a result; Good News Translation is therefore a closer representation of the Greek text than is Revised Standard Version.

Proclaim the message fully translates two words that together can be rendered “to fully accomplish the proclamation of the message.” For “to fully accomplish” see comments on “fulfill” in 2 Tim. 4.5 of this chapter. The Greek text is much more closely represented by New Revised Standard Version: “so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed”; in the Greek “through me” is in the emphatic position. Another way to express this clause is “so that I was able to preach all of the Lord’s message (or, words).”

A further consequence of this is that all the Gentiles are given the possibility of hearing the full message. For Gentiles see 1 Tim 2.7. The reference here may be to those present at the Roman court during Paul’s trial. This would mean that Paul took advantage of the trial to explain fully the reasons for his arrest. This is not unlikely, since as the book of Acts notes, Paul did use those occasions when he was in trouble with the authorities to give a personal witness of his faith (see, for example, Acts 24.1-20; 26.1-32). But another possibility suggested is that Paul was freed from prison and was able to resume his ministry to non-Jews in various places. In either case, all the Gentiles is an exaggeration that in many languages serves as a common way of saying “many Gentiles” or “most of the Gentiles.” The exaggeration may be retained but qualified somewhat; for example, “all the Gentiles (or, non-Jews) here,” meaning “in Rome.” In certain languages it will not be necessary to say that the Gentiles might hear it (the message), as the act of Paul’s preaching obviously means that the Gentiles “heard.”

A second result is that Paul was rescued from the lion’s mouth. For rescued see 2 Tim 3.11. The word can mean “deliver,” “save,” “preserve someone from someone or something,” “set free.”

There is very little doubt that the lion’s mouth is used here not in a physical sense but metaphorically; the whole expression is in fact used in the Old Testament to denote being saved from severe danger (see, for example, Psa 22.21). There is, however, no certainty as to what the metaphor refers to in the present context. Some have suggested that this refers to Satan, who is sometimes referred to as a lion (see, for example, 1 Peter 5.8). The argument against this is that the metaphor is the lion’s mouth and not the lion alone. An attractive proposal is to take the clue from Psa 22, which seems to have influenced verses 9-18. For instance, Paul experienced being deserted (verses 10, 16) in much the same way that the psalmist felt abandoned. And, not unlike the psalmist, Paul has been rescued (verse 18; compare Psa 22.4-5) and will be rescued from the lion’s mouth (verse 17; compare Psa 22.21). If this is the case, then what Paul means by being rescued from the lion’s mouth is what the psalmist means, which is being rescued from death. So instead of “being sentenced to death” (Good News Translation), Paul was given an extension of his life that enabled him to continue his ministry.

Alternative translation models for this verse are:
• But the Lord stayed right beside me. He gave me strength so that I was able to preach all the Lord’s message (or, words) to all the Gentiles (or, non-Jews) here. And he saved me from death.

Or:
• … And he saved me from death just like rescuing me from hungry lions.

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Timothy 2:6

Thirdly, the Christian worker is compared to a farmer, with special emphasis on the farmer’s whole-hearted devotion to his task.

Hard-working is literally “to work hard,” “to toil,” which implies going through suffering, a point emphasized in verse 3. This verb is used often in the Pauline letters in relation to pastoral work and is therefore appropriate in the present context, where Timothy is receiving advice for his pastoral ministry. See further on 1 Tim 4.10 (“toil”) and 5.17 (“labor”).

Such a hard-working farmer ought to have the first share of the crops. Ought suggests the idea of compulsion and necessity, which means that the hard-working farmer has a legitimate claim on the crops. What is not clear, though, is the antecedent of first. There are various possibilities: (1) The hard-working farmer has the right to be the first to receive a share of the crops. This is reflected in several translations; for example, Revised English Bible “The farmer who does the work has first claim on the crop”; “And farmers who work hard are the first to eat what grows in their field” (Contemporary English Version; also New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version). (2) A farmer has to work hard first before he can have a share of the crops. No translation follows this option. Besides, it is hard to see that the Greek would support this interpretation. (3) The first share of the crops (a designated portion) should be given to the farmer who works hard. This is the sense that comes out in a literal translation; for example, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised. On the whole the first of these options seems to reflect the intention of the verse. The background of this understanding is found in the Old Testament; for example, Deut 20.6 and Pro 27.18; compare 1 Cor 9.7, where a similar figure is used.

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Timothy 3:12 – 3:13

Paul’s mention of persecutions and sufferings in the previous section leads him to add the statement that persecution is inevitable for Christians as they live in a world characterized by increasing wickedness.

Indeed (Greek kai; compare New American Bible, Revised “In fact”) connects this verse with what precedes, the implication being that Paul is not being singled out for persecution, but that every Christian who remains faithful to Christ will experience one kind of persecution or another, and that includes Timothy (compare Jerusalem Bible “You are well aware then”).

The plural all is more appropriately expressed in some languages as the equivalent of “everyone” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible), “anyone” (Contemporary English Version), “anybody” (New Jerusalem Bible). Desire translates a Greek verb that also means “to wish” or “to want.”

Godly translates an adverb that is derived from the word that is usually translated “religion” (so New American Bible, Revised “live religiously”) or “godliness.” See further on 1 Tim 2.2; 4.7, and elsewhere. For in Christ Jesus see 1 Tim 1.14. A godly life in Christ Jesus may be restructured as “a godly life in union with Christ Jesus” (Good News Translation), “a godly life as a follower of Christ Jesus” (Revised English Bible; compare New Jerusalem Bible “to live in devotion to Christ”), or “a godly life as a Christian” (Translator’s New Testament). Other ways of expressing verse 12 are “You are aware, I’m sure, that anyone who wants to live as a follower of Christ Jesus will be persecuted” or “You are well aware that people will persecute all those who want to live as followers of Christ Jesus.”

Will be persecuted translates the future passive of the verb from which persecution in the previous verse (verse 11) is derived.

The Greek text of verse 13 begins with a de that can be interpreted as marking a continuation (Good News Translation “and,” Revised Standard Version while) or a contrast (New Revised Standard Version “But”). If the former, the sense seems to be that persecution continues because evil is on the increase. If the latter, the sense is that, when good Christians are persecuted, they are assured of deliverance that comes from the Lord, but wicked people have no one to rescue them from their wickedness. This latter alternative, however, is less likely.

Evil men and impostors refers back to the false teachers; in fact it is possible to interpret the phrase as a hendiadys; hence “evil people who are impostors” (compare Contemporary English Version “evil people who pretend to be what they are not”) or simply “wicked impostors” (New Jerusalem Bible). Impostors translates a term that appears only here in the New Testament and which can be translated literally as “wizard,” “magician,” or “diviner.” In an extended sense it is also used of people who habitually use pretense in order to fool and deceive others; hence “charlatans” (Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Revised), “frauds.” This fits very well with the description of the false teachers in verse 6 of this chapter and with the reference to the Egyptian magicians in verse 8.

Will go on from bad to worse can be translated more or less literally as “will progress into what is worse.” For the idea of go on or “progress,” see 1 Tim 4.15, where the term “progress” is used positively to refer to spiritual advancement. In the present context, however, “progress” is used negatively to refer to the worsening situation of these evil people. Translators will do well to use here an appropriate term that has negative connotations. (In English, for example, “progress” is almost always used in a positive sense, unless irony is intended.) For worse see 1 Tim 5.8. In some languages the clause will go on from bad to worse may be expressed as “will become more evil all the time,” or even idiomatically; for example, “will become more heavy-handed than ever.”

Deceivers and deceived both come from the verb that means deliberately causing someone to regard as correct something that is really wrong; hence “mislead,” “delude” (Phillips). The text does not indicate who does the deceiving of these impostors; some suggest Satan, but more likely it is other people.

Alternative translation models for verse 13 are:
• and (or, while) evil people who pretend they are something but they are not will become worse and worse (or, become more evil all the time), as they deceive people and others deceive them.

Or:
• But evil people who….

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Timothy 1:3

For thank see 1 Tim 1.12.

The word for serve occurs only here in the Pastoral Letters. In a general sense the verb is used to designate any service done, whether by slaves or free people, sometimes without pay and at other times for pay. In a specific sense it refers to religious service, including worship and the observance of rites related to worship, such as offering gifts and sacrifices. In languages where the normal word for serve would mean some sort of menial work, it will be necessary to translate whom I serve as “whom I worship” or “whom I pray to.”

For clear conscience see discussion on 1 Tim 3.9.

Fathers translates the same word that appears in 1 Tim 5.4, where it is translated as “parents.” In the present context the word clearly refers to “ancestors” (so Good News Translation).

The word for constantly (Good News Translation “always”) occurs only twice in the whole New Testament, here and in Rom 9.2 (“unceasing”). It denotes continuous engagement in some activity, which in this case is the act of remembering someone in prayer. The word for remember appears only here in the Pastoral Letters. In a general sense it denotes recalling some information but without necessarily implying that such information has been forgotten. In this context, however, it denotes both recalling and mentioning; an appropriate restructuring would then be “I always remember to mention you (or, to include you) in my prayers” or “Every time I pray, I always remember to mention your name.”

For prayers see 1 Tim 2.1. However, the focus there is on prayer that is used in the context of group worship, whereas here the focus is on prayer as a private, individual activity.

Alternative translation models for this verse are:
• I give thanks to God, whom I and my ancestors have worshiped (or, served) with a clear conscience. Every time I pray I always remember to mention your name.

Or:
• Every time I pray to God, I always remember to mention your name and thank him for you. He is the one whom I and my ancestors have worshiped (or, served) with hearts free of sin (or, wrong motives).

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Timothy 2:17

The first part of this verse concludes the sentence that began in verse 16. Revised Standard Version retains the Greek form here, but Good News Translation starts a new sentence.

As already mentioned, their can refer either to “godless chatter” in the previous verse (so Good News Translation “Such teaching”) or to people. Talk is literally “word” but here refers to the content of “godless chatter,” hence Good News Translation “teaching,” and not to the way it is done.

Will eat its way translates a metaphorical Greek expression (literally “will have pasture”). Gangrene occurs only here in the New Testament and can also refer to cancer or ulcers. But more likely it refers here to an open sore that spreads and eats away at the healthy parts of the body. It is therefore an appropriate figure for wrong and unhealthy doctrines that spread among Christians and change their lives for the worse.

Two men are mentioned as examples of those who have been spreading this kind of gangrene in the church. Hymenaeus occurs only here and in 1 Tim 1.20; most likely the same person is meant. Other than the mention of his name, we know nothing about him. His name is derived from “Hymen,” who is the Greek god of weddings. Philetus is mentioned only here in the whole New Testament. The meaning of his name in Greek is “amiable.” It is not, however, recommended that the meanings of these names be translated. The usual practice is to transliterate names as names, unless the meaning of the name is significant for the passage.

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Timothy 4:7

For fought see “fight” in 1 Tim 6.12. Here Paul once again uses a metaphor from the athletic arena. Among the athletic events suggested as being referred to in the metaphor are wrestling, boxing, and a foot race (compare Good News Translation, New English Bible). A literal translation would of course be ambiguous and would refer to any athletic event. “I have fought well” (Contemporary English Version) is a good translation model.

In I have finished the race, Paul continues the athletic metaphor and compares the end of his life as reaching the finish line. The focus here is not in winning the race but in finishing “the full distance” (Good News Translation).

The meaning of the statement I have kept the faith will vary depending on how faith is interpreted. If faith is interpreted as “doctrine,” then what Paul is saying here is that he has preserved the Christian teaching or the Christian message and kept it free from any error. If faith is interpreted as “trust,” that is, as something entrusted to someone, then what Paul is saying is that he has been faithful to this ministry that has been entrusted to him. It is, however, possible that being faithful to the ministry will in fact include the first alternative, which means that the statement is meant to be general and inclusive rather than specific. A statement like “I have been faithful to the end” would then be a dynamic equivalent of what Paul is trying to convey. But in some languages it will be necessary to make the goal of “faithfulness” explicit; for example, “I have faithfully preached the Good News (or, God’s message).”

A verse parallel to the above is found in Acts 20.24, “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Revised Standard Version).

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Timothy 1:14

For guard see comments on “keep” in 1 Tim 5.21.

Truth is literally “the good thing,” and some take this to refer specifically to the “sound words” in the previous verse; so Revised Standard Version truth. If translators follow this interpretation, another way to express guard the truth is “guard this truth,” where “this” refers back to “sound words” in verse 13. Others, however, take it in a more general sense; so Good News Translation “good things.”

For the expression that has been entrusted to you, see 1 Tim 6.20 and the discussion on the previous verse.

For dwell see 2 Tim 1.5 and comments.

The relation of the prepositional phrase by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us to the rest of the verse is not easy to determine. One possibility is to understand the Holy Spirit as the instrument through whom the message is entrusted; hence “the truth that has been entrusted to you by means of the Holy Spirit (or, by the power of the Holy Spirit).” A more likely option is to understand the Holy Spirit as providing the power to guard properly what has been entrusted; hence “By the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, guard the truth…”; this second option is reflected in Good News Translation; so also Contemporary English Version “Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives within you.”

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 .