SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Timothy 2003

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:11

1:11a–c

to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher: The gospel is the topic of 1:11. You should translate this verse in such a way that the focus will be on the gospel.

I was appointed: God was the one who appointed Paul. Some other words for appointed are “assigned” or “chosen.”

a preacher: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as preacher comes from the verb that means “to preach.” Some versions have translated this word as “herald,” a person that a king or some other important leader has appointed to announce a message publicly.

an apostle: An apostle is a person whom someone has sent to do a specific job on behalf of that sender. Paul was to represent Christ Jesus to others.

a teacher: Paul not only preached the message about Jesus Christ. He also taught people the other truths that God had revealed to him about the way Christians should behave.

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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 3:5

3:5a

having a form of godliness: Here Paul described people who do many types of religious things: they use religious words and expressions, they participate in religious ceremonies, and they may even teach other people religious beliefs that sound like the truth. But all these things are external actions and words. Their hearts have not changed. It refers to people who practice a type/kind of religion, but not true Christianity. It has only the outward appearance of true faith.

form: The word form means “outward appearance.” This Greek word occurs only here and in Romans 2:20.

godliness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as godliness, means “the duty that man owes God to serve and worship him.” Some English versions translate this word by “religion.” (See Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, Revised English Bible.)

3:5b

denying its power: The phrase denying its power means that people will refuse to allow God’s power to make them genuinely godly.

denying: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as denying means “to refuse” or “to reject.”

its: This word refers back to “godliness/religion” in 3:5a.

power: The word power refers to the power found in true Christianity. It is God’s power that changes people’s behavior and makes them holy.

3:5c

Turn away from such as these!: Here Paul commanded Timothy to “avoid” or “stay away from” people who have the characteristics he listed in 3:2–5.

Paragraph 3:6–9

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 2:5

2:5a

Likewise, a competitor: In this verse Paul compared Christians to athletes. Just as an athletic competitor has to follow rules when he plays a game, so Christ has given believers rules regarding their behavior. Paul made this comparison to remind Timothy that he should follow all these rules.

Likewise: The common combination of Greek conjunctions de kai (“and also”) connects 2:4 and 2:5. The Berean Standard Bible translates this phrase with the word Likewise to show that Paul was using another example to illustrate his point. Another way to show this connection is with the word “also,” as the NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, and New Century Version have done.

a competitor: This phrase is the translation of the Greek verb athleō. The English word “athlete” comes from this verb. It means “to compete in a contest.” This verb implies that the athlete is not merely playing a game for fun. He wants to win. Also, the verb implies that the contest was for young people or adults—Paul was not talking about a child’s game. Other ways to express this idea are:

if someone plays in a sport/game
-or-
if a runner runs a race
-or-
if anyone competes as an athlete (New International Version (2011 Revision))

2:5b–c

does not receive the crown: In the sports that Paul was thinking of, the person in charge of the contest, or some other important person, placed a crown made out of leaves on the head of the winner as a symbol of victory.

If you do not have a word for “crown,” you can use a more general term, such as “prize” or “reward.”

unless he competes according to the rules: The point of the comparison in 2:5a is that there are specific rules for each sport that people who compete in that sport must obey. The person who does not obey the rules cannot win.

Another way to state this is:

if he does not follow/obey the rules
-or-
if he does not compete/play according to the rules

General Comment on 2:5

In some languages, it may be more natural to reverse the order of 2:5b and 2:5c as follows:

If he does not compete according to the rules, he does not win the victor’s crown.

It is also possible to combine 2:5a–c as follows:

Also, an athlete cannot win a prize if he does not play by the rules.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 3:16

3:16a

All Scripture is God-breathed: The term God-breathed is a literal translation of the Greek word that older English versions translated as “inspired.” This is the only place in the New Testament that this word is used.

This word indicates that the people who wrote the books of the Bible did not merely write what they themselves were thinking. It means that they wrote the thoughts that God put into their minds. God was the source or origin of what they wrote.

Another way to translate this term is “all Scripture came from God.” Whichever way you translate this term, be sure that the word “Scripture” is the topic of the sentence.

3:16b

is useful: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as useful also means “helpful” or “beneficial.” This same word is used in 1 Timothy 4:8 and Titus 3:8.

In some languages, it may be necessary to say for whom Scripture is useful. Since Paul was writing to Timothy, he meant that Scripture was useful for Timothy and other church leaders as they would teach, correct, and instruct. If you must state the participants, use a general statement like “it is useful to us^(incl) .”

General Comment on 3:16a–b

There are two ways to interpret and translate 3:16a–b. They are:

(1) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful….” This is the interpretation presented above. For example, Good News Translation says:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching….

See also Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Century Version.

(2) “All God-breathed Scripture is useful….” This second interpretation is based on the fact that there is no word in the Greek text between “Scripture” and “God-breathed.” The Revised English Bible says:

All inspired scripture has its use for teaching….

See also the footnotes in Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, NET Bible.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Also, if the major language version in use in your area has a footnote here to show interpretation (2), it is recommended that you also include a footnote about it.

3:16c

for instruction: Paul said that Timothy should use Scripture to teach people. If you need to indicate what the Scriptures teach and to whom it is taught. You could say:

All Scripture…is useful for teaching people God’s message…
-or-
All Scripture…is useful for teaching people the truth….

3:16d

for conviction: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as conviction means “to tell people that what they are believing or doing is wrong.” When Paul used this word, he was probably thinking of the false teachers who believed and taught false doctrine. Another way to translate this word in English is “rebuke” or “reprimand.” This Greek word occurs only here and as a verb in 4:2c (translated as “reprove”) and in 1 Timothy 5:20 (translated as “rebuked”).

3:16e

correction: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as correction probably refers to correcting both wrong beliefs that people had and the wrong ways that they were behaving, and then showing them what was right. It is best to use a general term like Good News Translation does, for example, “correcting faults.”

3:16f

for training in righteousness: Paul told Timothy that he should use the Scriptures to train, or instruct, people in righteousness.

righteousness: The word righteousness includes the meaning of “doing what God says is right/moral,” or “behaving correctly/morally.” So training in righteousness means, “to instruct people how to do what is right.”

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 2:20

Paragraph 2:20–21

In this paragraph, Paul compared the church to a house. He also compared Christians to various types of utensils in a house.

Normally, Paul used the term “church” to refer only to the group of true believers. This paragraph may be the only place in the New Testament where Paul spoke of the church (“house”) in a broad sense that included not only true believers, but also those who claim to be believers.

The figurative language extends over two verses, so you need to try to retain the image.

2:20a

In Greek the verse begins with the conjunction de that the Berean Standard Bible has left untranslated. The de indicates that Paul was changing from one figure of speech (a foundation in 2:19) to another figure (a house). Some English versions have tried to indicate the change of figure with the conjunction “Now,” like the New American Standard Bible has done. But here, the English word “Now” does not have its normal meaning of “at this time.” Rather, it indicates a connection between topics, not simply between sentences. Many English versions omit translating the conjunction but indicate the change of subject by beginning a new paragraph.

A large house: The term large house refers to the house of a rich person. The New Living Translation (2004 Revision) translates this term as “wealthy home.”

vessels: The term vessels here refers to things like dishes, bowls, and jars. Some languages have a generic term like “containers” or “articles” for all of these items. Other languages do not have one generic word but can list some specific items, as in Good News Translation, which says, “dishes and bowls of all kinds.”

There are many different kinds of dishes, bowls, and other containers in the house of a wealthy person. In the same way, there are many different types of people in the church.

2:20b–c

of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay: The dishes and pots are not all of equal value. Some of these containers are made of expensive materials, such as gold and silver. Other containers are made of cheap materials, such as wood and clay.

The two types of containers represent various types of people in the church. (Another interpretation is that the two types of containers represent different roles that people have in the church. See also the footnotes at 2:20d and 2:20e.)

2:20d

Some indeed are for honorable use: For the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as honorable use means that people used the containers made of gold and silver for special foods when they were celebrating or when they were entertaining guests.

The containers made of gold and silver represent the true believers in the church. (This interpretation is followed by the New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, God’s Word, and the New Jerusalem Bible.A second interpretation of the term “noble” is that it means “special.” According to this interpretation, the gold and silver containers are those used for special occasions. For example, Good News Translation says, “some are for special occasions.” (See also New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), New Century Version, Contemporary English Version.) According to this view, the containers used for special events represent those believers who have the more spectacular spiritual gifts such as prophesy.)

2:20e

but others are for common use: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as common means “dishonorable,” “disgraceful,” or “shameful.” It is the opposite of the term “honorable” that Paul used in 2:20d. People used these containers for dirty things like garbage or excrement.

The common containers (those made of wood and clay) represent false teachers, such as those to whom Paul has referred in 2:17–18. (This interpretation is followed by the New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, and God’s Word.A second interpretation of the term “ignoble” is that it means “ordinary.” According to this interpretation, the wood and clay containers are those used for common or everyday events. For example, Good News Translation says, “others for ordinary use.” (See also New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), New Century Version.) According to this view, the containers used for everyday events represent those believers who have ordinary or less spectacular gifts.)

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 4:15

4:15a

You too should beware of him: Paul said that Timothy should “be on guard against,” or “watch out” for Alexander the coppersmith. Alexander might try to prevent Timothy from working as he should work, even as he had tried to prevent Paul from working.

4:15b

for he has vigorously opposed our message: This clause gives the reason why Timothy should beware of him. Alexander had opposed the message about Christ that Paul and his companions had preached and taught. Since Timothy preached the same message as Paul, Alexander surely would oppose him also.

opposed: The word opposed means “to be against.” Paul used the same Greek word in 3:8.

Paragraph 4:16–18

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:12

1:12a

I suffer as I do: The clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I suffer as I do is literally “I am suffering these things.” The phrase “these things” refers to the difficulties that Paul experienced when he was in prison.

1:12b

I am not ashamed: Paul leaves implicit what he is ashamed of. You may need to make this explicit and say, “Yet I am not ashamed of being in prison for Christ’s sake.” The word that Paul used here for I am not ashamed is the same Greek word that he used in Romans 1:16.

1:12c

for I know whom I have believed: Verse parts 1:12c and 1:12d contain two reasons why Paul was not ashamed of being in prison. The first reason (1:12c) that he was not ashamed was because he believed/trusted in Jesus Christ and he knew that Jesus was God.

1:12d

and I am convinced that He is able to guard…for that day: This is the second reason Paul was not ashamed. Paul was not free to travel about and preach. But he was convinced that Christ would ensure that the good news would continue to be proclaimed until the day Christ returns.

for that day: This refers to the day when Christ will return and judge all people.

Some ways to translate this phrase are “until the judgment day” or “until Christ returns.”

what I have entrusted to Him: There are two translation issues you must address before you can translate this verse.

Issue 1: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as what I have entrusted to Him is literally “my deposit.” In Greek, it is not clear in what sense the deposit was Paul’s. There are two possibilities:

(1) It was Paul’s deposit because Christ entrusted the deposit to Paul. For example, Good News Translation says:

what he has entrusted to me.

See also Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Century Version.

(2) It was Paul’s deposit because Paul entrusted the deposit to Christ. For example, the New Living Translation (2004 Revision) says:

what I have entrusted to him.

See also Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, New Jerusalem Bible.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) for the following reason. The same word for “deposit” that appears here also appears in 1:14 and in 1 Timothy 6:20. In these other two contexts, the word clearly means something that God had entrusted to Timothy. For this reason, the versions listed under interpretation (1) above interpret “my deposit” here as something that the Lord had entrusted to Paul.

However, interpretation (2) also has strong support among the major English translations. If the major language version in your area follows interpretation (2), then you may prefer to choose it. If so, you could say,

I am convinced that Christ is able to keep safe what I have entrusted to him until the day he returns.

Whichever interpretation you choose to follow, it is recommended that you write a footnote to explain the alternative interpretation.

Issue 2: The second issue is what the deposit refers to. If you do not need to make this explicit, you can follow the Good News Translation and say:

I am sure that he is able to keep safe until that Day what he has entrusted to me.

If you need to make explicit what the deposit is, read below.

(1) If you follow interpretation (1) above, then the deposit was probably the gospel itself, which was what Paul preached and taught. (Perhaps the deposit also included the people who had believed as a result of Paul’s preaching the gospel. Paul believed that God had told him to care for these people. He was sure that even after he died, true believers would continue to preach the gospel message to others and God would protect the people who had believed.) If you follow this interpretation, you could say:

I am convinced that Christ is able to keep safe the gospel message until the day he returns.

(2) If you follow interpretation (2), then the deposit was probably Paul’s life or his service to Christ. If you follow this interpretation you could say:

I am convinced that Christ is able to protect my service/life that I have given to him until the day he returns.

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SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 3:6

3:6a

(Revised Standard Version) For: Paul used the Greek conjunction gar at the beginning of 3:6 to connect 3:6 with 3:5. It is often translated “for” or “because.” This conjunction indicates that Paul was about to tell Timothy the reason why he should “have nothing to do” with those people who appear to be religious but who are actually ungodly. For reasons of style, the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions have left this word untranslated.

They are the kind: The Greek indicates that Paul was going to begin talking about some of the people in 3:2–5. Good News Translation has “Some of them….” The Revised Standard Version has “among them are those….”

These people seemed to be Christians, but they were not. They were false teachers who deceived people for their own gain and influenced them with their false teachings.

3:6b

who worm their way into households: The clause worm their way is an English idiom. You should not translate it literally.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worm their way literally means “to creep into” or “to sneak into.” In this context, it means that these false teachers deceived people to get invited into their homes. This word does not mean that they entered houses secretly without the inhabitants being aware that someone had entered.

households: This word refers to the people who live in the house. The false teachers tried to deceive individuals so that they would be welcomed into the rest of the family.

3:6c

and captivate vulnerable women: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates ascaptivate literally means “to take as a captive in war.” Paul used it figuratively here, implying that the false teachers were “gain control over,” “capturing the minds” or “deceiving” some of the women in order to have influence over them. In this context it does not imply that they used force or that they literally kept them as prisoners.

vulnerable women: The Greek noun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as vulnerable women literally means “little women.” This particular form of the Greek word for “women” referred to the type of women who were immature in the way they thought about things. These women readily believed whatever the false teachers told them and would do whatever they asked them to do. Therefore other people did not respect them.

Other ways to translate this word are “weak-willed women,” “unwise women” or “foolish women.”

3:6d

who are weighed down with sins: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as weighed down literally means “to heap” or “to pile up.” This is figurative language meaning that these women had sinned so much that their sins were a “burden to them,” or their many sins “troubled their minds.” They felt very guilty about the many wrong things that they had done.

with sins: Paul did not describe the specific sins that these women had committed. The text uses the expression “by various passions” in 3:6e which suggests that these women had probably sinned in several different ways.

3:6e

and led astray: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as led astray is a passive verb. It means “to be swayed,” “to be guided,” or “to be controlled” by something.

by various passions: This implies that these women had committed several different types of sins.

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 2003

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:11

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 3:5

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 2:5

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 3:16

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 2:20

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 4:15

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 1:12

SIL Translator's Notes on 2 Timothy 3:6

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