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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - 2 Timothy 2:19 - 2:19
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Nevertheless (μέντοι)
Mostly in John. oP. Only here in Pastorals.
The foundation of God standeth sure (ὁ στερεὸς θεμέλιος τοῦ θεοῦ ἕστηκεν)
Wrong. Στερεὸς sure is attributive, not predicative. Rend. the firm foundation of God standeth. The phrase foundation of God, N.T.o. Θεμέλιος foundation is an adjective, and λίθος stone is to be supplied. It is not to be taken by metonymy for οἰκία house (2Ti 2:20), but must be interpreted consistently with it, and, in a loose way, represents or foreshadows it. So we speak of an endowed institution as a foundation. By “the sure foundation of God” is meant the church, which is “the pillar and stay of the truth” (1Ti 3:15), by means of which the truth of God is to withstand the assaults of error. The church has its being in the contents of “the sound teaching” (1Ti 1:10), which is “according to godliness” (1Ti 6:3), and which is deposited in it. “The mystery of godliness “ is intrusted to it (1Ti 3:16). Its servants possess “the mystery of the faith” (1Ti 3:9). In 1Co 3:11, Christ is represented as “ the chief corner-stone.” In Eph 2:20, the church is built “upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,” with Christ as the corner-stone, and grows into a “holy temple (ναὸν) in the Lord.” Here, the church itself is the foundation, and the building is conceived as a great dwelling-house. While the conception of the church here does not contradict that of Paul, the difference is apparent between it and the conception in Ephesians, where the church is the seat of the indwelling and energy of the Holy Spirit. Comp. 1Co 3:16,1Co 3:17. Στερεός firm only here, Heb 5:12, Heb 5:14, and 1Pe 5:9 (note). Ἕστηκεν standeth, in contrast with overthrow (2Ti 2:18).
Seal (σφραγῖδα)
Mostly in Revelation. Only here in Pastorals. In Paul, Rom 4:11; 1Co 9:2. Used here rather in the sense of inscription or motto. Comp. Deu 6:9; Deu 11:20; Rev 21:14. There are two inscriptions on the foundation stone, the one guaranteeing the security, the other the purity, of the church. The two go together. The purity of the church is indispensable to its security.
The Lord knoweth them that are his (ἔγνω κύριος τοὺς ὄντας αὐτοῦ)
The first inscription: God knows his own. Comp. Num 16:5; 1Co 13:12. For ἔγνω knoweth, see on Gal 4:9. Them that are his, his ἐκλεκτοὶ chosen; see 2Ti 2:10; Tit 1:1; Rom 8:33; Col 3:12; 1Pe 2:9 : Rev 17:14. Not, however, in any hard, predestinarian sense. Comp. Joh 10:14; Mat 7:23; Luk 13:25, Luk 13:27.
Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity
The second inscription, concerning the purity of the church. For of Christ rend. of the Lord (κυρίου). Ὁνομάζων nameth, only here in Pastorals. It means to give a name to, to style, as Mar 3:14; Luk 6:14; 1Co 5:11 : to pronounce a name as having a special virtue, as in incantation, as Act 19:13 : to utter a name as acknowledging and appropriating what the name involves, as a confession of faith and allegiance. So here. Comp. Rom 15:20; 1Co 5:11; Isa 26:13. For ὄνομα name, see on 2Th 1:12. Ἁποστήτω ἀπὸ ἀδικίας depart from iniquity. For the verb, see on 1Ti 4:1. Mostly in Luke and Acts. Comp. Num 16:26; Isa 52:11. Whatever may be implied in God's election, it does not relieve Christians of the duty of strict attention to their moral character and conduct. Comp. Phi 2:12. The gift of grace (Eph 2:8) is exhibited in making one a coworker with God (1Co 3:9). The salvation bestowed by grace is to be “carried out” (Phi 2:12) by man with the aid of grace (Rom 6:8-19; 2Co 6:1). What this includes and requires appears in Phi 3:10; Phi 4:1-7; Eph 4:13-16, Eph 4:22 ff.; Col 2:6, Col 2:7.