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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - 2 Timothy 1:5 - 1:5
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
When I call to remembrance - This increased his “desire to see” Timothy. The oldest manuscripts read, “When I called to remembrance”; implying that some recent incident (perhaps the contrasted cowardice of the hypocrite Demas, who forsook him) had reminded him of the sincerity of Timothy’s faith.
faith that is in thee - Alford translates, “that was in thee.” He remembers Timothy’s faith in the past as a fact; its present existence in him is only matter of his confident persuasion or hope.
which - Greek, “such as.”
dwelt - “made its dwelling” or abode (Joh 14:23). The past tense implies they were now dead.
first - before it dwelt in thee. She was the furthest back of the progenitors of Timothy whom Paul knew.
mother Eunice - a believing Jewess; but his father was a Greek, that is, a heathen (Act 16:1). The faith of the one parent sanctified the child (2Ti 3:15; 1Co 7:14). She was probably converted at Paul’s first visit to Lystra (Act 14:6). It is an undesigned coincidence, and so a mark of truth, that in Act 16:1 the belief of the mother alone is mentioned, just as here praise is bestowed on the faith of the mother, while no notice is taken of the father [Paley, Horae Paulinae].
and - Greek, “but,” that is, notwithstanding appearances [Alford].
persuaded that - it dwells, or it shall dwell “in thee also.” The mention of the faith of his mother and grandmother is designed as an incentive to stir up his faith.