2 Timothy 1:3

I thank God [χ α ρ ι ν ε χ ω τ ω θ ε ω]. Lit. I have thanks to God. The phrase in Luke 17:9; Acts 2:47; o P. unless 2 Corinthians 1:15; 130 1 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 12:28; 3rd John verse 4. Paul uses eujcaristw I give thanks (not in Pastorals) or eujloghtov oJ qeov blessed be God (not in Pastorals). The phrase carin ecw is a Latinism, habere gratiam, of which several are found in Pastorals.

I serve [λ α τ ρ ε υ ω]. In Pastorals only here. Comp. Romans 1:9; Romans 1:25; Philippians 3:3. Frequent in Hebrews. Originally, to serve for hire. In N. T. both of ritual service, as Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 10:2; Hebrews 13:10; and of worship or service generally, as Luke 1:74; Romans 1:9. Especially of the service rendered to God by the Israelites as his peculiar people, as Acts 26:7. Comp. latreia service, Romans 9:4; Hebrews 9:1; Hebrews 9:6. In LXX always of the service of God or of heathen deities.

From my forefathers [α π ο π ρ ο γ ο ν ω ν]. Progonov, Past o. See on 1 Timothy 5:4. The phrase N. T. o. For the thought, comp. Acts 14:14; Philippians 3:5. He means, in the spirit and with the principles inherited from his fathers. Comp. the sharp distinction between the two periods of Paul's life, Galatians 1:13; Galatians 1:14.

With pure conscience [ε ν κ α θ α ρ α σ υ ν ε ι δ η σ ε ι]. As 1 Timothy 3:9. The phrase, Past o. Hebrews 9:14 has kaqariei thn sunidhsin hJmwn shall purge our conscience.

That without ceasing [ω ς α δ ι α λ ε ι π τ ο ν]. The passage is much involved. Note

(1) that carin ecw tw qew I thank God must have an object.

(2) That object cannot be that he unceasingly remembers Timothy in his prayers.

(3) That object, though remote, is uJpomnhsin labwn when I received reminder verse 5).

He thanks God as he is reminded of the faith of Timothy's ancestors and of Timothy himself. Rend. freely, "I thank God whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, as there goes along with my prayers an unceasing remembrance of thee, and a daily and nightly longing, as I recall thy tears, to see thee, that I may be filled with joy - I thank God, I say, for that I have been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee," etc. 'Adialeipton unceasing, only here and Romans 9:2. Adialeiptwv, Romans 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

I have remembrance [ε χ ω τ η ν μ ν ε ι α ν]. The phrase once in Paul, 1 Thessalonians 3:6. Commonly, mneian poioumai I make mention, Romans 1:9; Ephesians 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; Philippians 1:4. Night and day [ν υ κ τ ο ς κ α ι η μ ε ρ α ς]. See 1 Timothy 5:5. The phrase in Paul, 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:8. Const. with greatly desiring. 132