2 Timothy 4:22

2 Timothy 4:22 ku,rioj {B}

Three forms of text are current: (a) the shortest is o` ku,rioj meta. tou/ pneu,mato,j sou, read by a* F^gr G 33 1739 it^g; (b) several witnesses expand by including VIhsou/j after ku,rioj (A 102 104 1245); and (c) the full formulation ku,rioj VIhsou/j Cristo,j occurs in a^c C D K L P Y 6 81 257 326 917 1175 2138 it^d vg syr^{p, h} (= our Lord…) cop^{sa, bo} arm John-Damascus Ambrosiaster Chrysostom Euthalius Theodoret al.

In the expectation that a letter as late as 2 Timothy would have the fullest formulation, one would be tempted to explain the shorter readings as due to accidental omissions. Such omissions of the sacred name(s), however, are rare, ² and it is far more probable that the original reading is that preserved by the joint testimony of Alexandrian (a* 33) and Western (F^gr G it^g) witnesses, supported as well by 1739.

² Among the very occasional instances of the accidental omission of nomina sacra are the absence of VIhsou/j after ku,rioj in L at Colossians 3:17, and the reading o[ti o` ku,rioj in B at 1 Corinthians 11:23, which has been mechanically conformed to the preceding avpo. tou/ kuri,ou.