Commentary on 2 Timothy

Theodoret of Cyrus (393–458)

Timothy's sonship to Paul is that of the soul, not that generated by nature, and is based on the spiritual promise of life.

Commenting on Timothy's Jewish background, Paul mentions Timothy's parentage in order to confirm Timothy in faith. Nothing helps so much as a domestic example.

Grace was given to us so that we might not be afraid but love all the more steadily.

Indeed, the God of all pre-formed these things from the beginning and before the ages. Now he has brought about a conclusion to all that was decreed. The incarnation is that in which the eternity of the Son is finally manifested.

The "deposit" is the power and grace offered to Paul by the Spirit for serving the Lord.

Paul was then at Rome. Many had wandered away, some for money, others for other reasons. Some of the Asian converts abandoned Paul there on account of the fear of Nero. Paul is afraid that they might be a problem to Timothy, and he wants him to be aware of them.

Paul discusses here only the human nature of Christ because he is responding to Simon's heresy, where the true enfleshment of the Savior is denied.

See also

• More works by Theodoret of Cyrus

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