Paul, too, was willing to suffer hardship for the gospel. He had done so all his Christian life and was presently in prison because of it. The Greek word translated "criminal" (kakourger) is a strong one and occurs only in Luke 23:32-33; Luke 23:39 elsewhere in the New Testament. There it describes the criminals crucified with Jesus. Under Nero"s persecution non-Christians viewed Christians as serious criminals. Timothy needed to remember that the Word of God was just as powerful to change lives as ever. Its power was as great as it ever was even though its champion defender was in chains. So Timothy should continue to proclaim it. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
2 Timothy 2:1-9 - "a Good Soldier Of Christ Jesus"
Soldier, 2 Timothy 2:1-4 : There is grace enough in Jesus for every need, but we must avail ourselves of it. We can expect nothing less than hardship, since life is a battlefield. Our one aim should be to please Him who chose us to be soldiers. In order to be all that he would have us be, we must avoid entangling ourselves in the conditions around us. We must resemble a garrison in the town where it is quartered, and from which it may at any hour be summoned away. The less encumbered we are, the more easily shall we be able to execute the least command of our Great Captain. How high an honor it is to be enrolled among His soldiers!
Athlete, 2 Timothy 2:5 : Life is an amphitheater, filled with celestial spectators. Probably our worst antagonist is found in our own heart. If we win the crown, we must observe regulations as to diet, exercise, purity, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Husbandman, 2 Timothy 2:6 : We ought to be working for God in His vineyard or harvest-field; but we are allowed to partake of the fruits. It is imperative that we should be nourished while we labor. In all these positions we must remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead. We must draw upon the power of His resurrection, and to do this, we must live on the heaven-side of the Cross. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live," Galatians 2:20. [source]
Chapter Summary: 2 Timothy 2
1Timothy is exhorted again to constancy and perseverance 17Of Hymenaeus and Philetus 19The foundation of the Lord is sure 22He is taught whereof to beware, and what to follow after
But the word of God is not bound [ἀλλὰ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ οὐ δέδεται] Nevertheless, although I am in bonds, the gospel which I preach will prevail in spite of all human efforts to hinder it. Word of God often in Paul. In Pastorals, 1 Timothy 4:5; Titus 2:5. Bound, in Paul metaphorically, as here, Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:27,1 Corinthians 7:39. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Timothy 2:9
Luke 23:32Were led [αγω] (αγω e4gonto). Imperfect passive of κακουργοι agō were being led.Malefactors (κακον kakourgoi). Evil (εργον kakon), doers (work, αναιρετηναι ergon). Old word, but in the N.T. only in this passage (Luke 23:32,Luke 23:33,Luke 23:39) and 2 Timothy 2:9. Luke does not call them “robbers” like Mark 15:27; Matthew 27:38,Matthew 27:44. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
To be put to death (αναιρεω anairethēnai). First aorist passive infinitive of anaireō old verb, to take up, to take away, to kill. [source]
John 18:30If this man were not an evil-doer [ει μη ην ουτος κακον ποιων] Condition (negative) of second class (periphrastic imperfect indicative), assumed to be untrue, with the usual apodosis This is a pious pose of infallibility not in the Synoptics. They then proceeded to make the charges (Luke 23:2) as indeed John implies (John 18:31,John 18:33). Some MSS. here read κακοποιος kakopoios (malefactor) as in 1 Peter 2:12,1 Peter 2:14, with which compare Luke‘s κακουργος kakourgos (Luke 23:32.; so also 2 Timothy 2:9), both meaning evil-doer. Here the periphrastic present participle ποιων poiōn with κακον kakon emphasizes the idea that Jesus was a habitual evil-doer (Abbott). It was an insolent reply to Pilate (Bernard). [source]
2 Timothy 1:8The testimony of our Lord [το μαρτυριον του κυριου] For the old word μαρτυριον marturion see note on 1 Corinthians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 2:1. Paul probably has in mind the saying of Jesus preserved in Mark 8:38 (Luke 9:26). See also 2 Timothy 2:12. His prisoner (τον δεσμιον αυτου ton desmion autou). As in Philemon 1:12; Philemon 1:1,Philemon 1:9; Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 4:1 (the first Roman captivity). Paul is in his last captivity and refers to it again in 2 Timothy 1:16; 2 Timothy 2:9. Suffer hardship with First aorist active imperative of the double compound συνκακοπατεω sunkakopatheō first known use and in N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 2:3 (in eccles. writers). But κακοπατεω kakopatheō to suffer evil, is old verb (2 Timothy 2:9; 2 Timothy 4:5). Paul is fond of compounds of συν sun Paul challenges Timothy by this verb which he apparently coins for the purpose to a joint According to the power of God (κατα δυναμιν τεου kata dunamin theou). Given by God (2 Corinthians 6:7). [source]
2 Timothy 1:8Suffer hardship with [συνκακοπατησον] First aorist active imperative of the double compound συνκακοπατεω sunkakopatheō first known use and in N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 2:3 (in eccles. writers). But κακοπατεω kakopatheō to suffer evil, is old verb (2 Timothy 2:9; 2 Timothy 4:5). Paul is fond of compounds of συν sun Paul challenges Timothy by this verb which he apparently coins for the purpose to a joint According to the power of God (κατα δυναμιν τεου kata dunamin theou). Given by God (2 Corinthians 6:7). [source]
2 Timothy 4:5Suffer hardship [κακοπατησον] See note on 2 Timothy 2:9. Do the work of an evangelist (εργον ποιησον ευαγγελιστου ergon poiēson euaggelistou). See note on 1 Corinthians 1:17; Ephesians 4:11 for ευαγγελιστης euaggelistēs gospelizer. Fulfil First aorist active imperative of πληροπορεω plērophoreō for which see note on Colossians 4:12. In Colossians 4:17 Paul uses πληροω plēroō to Archippus about his ministry as he here employs πληροπορεω plērophoreō Both verbs mean to fill full. [source]
James 5:10Of suffering [της κακοπατιας] Old word from κακοπατης kakopathēs (suffering evil, κακοπατεω kakopatheō in James 5:13; 2 Timothy 2:3,2 Timothy 2:9), here only in N.T.Of patience (μακροτυμιας makrothumias). Like μακροτυμεω makrothumeō in James 5:7. See both μακροτυμια makrothumia and υπομονη hupomonē in 2 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 1:11 (the one restraint from retaliating, the other not easily succumbing).In the name of As in Jeremiah 20:9. With the authority of the Lord (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 198). [source]
Greek Commentary for 2 Timothy 2:9
In my gospel. [source]
“I suffer evil.” Old compound “Up to bonds.” A common experience with Paul (2 Corinthians 11:23; Philemon 1:7, Philemon 1:13, Philemon 1:14; Colossians 4:18). As a malefactor One of the charges made against Paul. Is not bound (ou dedetai). Perfect passive indicative of deō to bind. Old verb. See note on 1 Corinthians 7:27, 1 Corinthians 7:39; Romans 7:2. I am bound with a chain, but no fetters are on the word of God (Pauline phrase; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 14:36; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Philemon 1:14; Titus 2:5). [source]
“Up to bonds.” A common experience with Paul (2 Corinthians 11:23; Philemon 1:7, Philemon 1:13, Philemon 1:14; Colossians 4:18). [source]
One of the charges made against Paul. Is not bound (ou dedetai). Perfect passive indicative of deō to bind. Old verb. See note on 1 Corinthians 7:27, 1 Corinthians 7:39; Romans 7:2. I am bound with a chain, but no fetters are on the word of God (Pauline phrase; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 14:36; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Philemon 1:14; Titus 2:5). [source]
Perfect passive indicative of deō to bind. Old verb. See note on 1 Corinthians 7:27, 1 Corinthians 7:39; Romans 7:2. I am bound with a chain, but no fetters are on the word of God (Pauline phrase; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 14:36; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Philemon 1:14; Titus 2:5). [source]
Wherein refers to the gospel. Κακοπαθεῖν only here, 2 Timothy 4:5, and James 5:13. lxx, Jonah 4:10. [source]
Only here and in Luke. Better, malefactor. The meaning is technical. Comp. Luke 23:32, Luke 23:33, Luke 23:39. [source]
Comp. Philemon 2:8, μέχρι θανάτου untodeath: Hebrews 12:4, μέχρις αἵματος untoblood. Const. with I suffer trouble. [source]
Nevertheless, although I am in bonds, the gospel which I preach will prevail in spite of all human efforts to hinder it. Word of God often in Paul. In Pastorals, 1 Timothy 4:5; Titus 2:5. Bound, in Paul metaphorically, as here, Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:27, 1 Corinthians 7:39. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Timothy 2:9
(αγω e4gonto). Imperfect passive of κακουργοι agō were being led.Malefactors (κακον kakourgoi). Evil (εργον kakon), doers (work, αναιρετηναι ergon). Old word, but in the N.T. only in this passage (Luke 23:32, Luke 23:33, Luke 23:39) and 2 Timothy 2:9. Luke does not call them “robbers” like Mark 15:27; Matthew 27:38, Matthew 27:44. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- To be put to death (αναιρεω anairethēnai). First aorist passive infinitive of anaireō old verb, to take up, to take away, to kill. [source]
Condition (negative) of second class (periphrastic imperfect indicative), assumed to be untrue, with the usual apodosis This is a pious pose of infallibility not in the Synoptics. They then proceeded to make the charges (Luke 23:2) as indeed John implies (John 18:31, John 18:33). Some MSS. here read κακοποιος kakopoios (malefactor) as in 1 Peter 2:12, 1 Peter 2:14, with which compare Luke‘s κακουργος kakourgos (Luke 23:32.; so also 2 Timothy 2:9), both meaning evil-doer. Here the periphrastic present participle ποιων poiōn with κακον kakon emphasizes the idea that Jesus was a habitual evil-doer (Abbott). It was an insolent reply to Pilate (Bernard). [source]
Or suffer hardship. See on 2 Timothy 2:9, and comp. 2 Timothy 4:5. [source]
For the old word μαρτυριον marturion see note on 1 Corinthians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 2:1. Paul probably has in mind the saying of Jesus preserved in Mark 8:38 (Luke 9:26). See also 2 Timothy 2:12. His prisoner (τον δεσμιον αυτου ton desmion autou). As in Philemon 1:12; Philemon 1:1, Philemon 1:9; Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 4:1 (the first Roman captivity). Paul is in his last captivity and refers to it again in 2 Timothy 1:16; 2 Timothy 2:9. Suffer hardship with First aorist active imperative of the double compound συνκακοπατεω sunkakopatheō first known use and in N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 2:3 (in eccles. writers). But κακοπατεω kakopatheō to suffer evil, is old verb (2 Timothy 2:9; 2 Timothy 4:5). Paul is fond of compounds of συν sun Paul challenges Timothy by this verb which he apparently coins for the purpose to a joint According to the power of God (κατα δυναμιν τεου kata dunamin theou). Given by God (2 Corinthians 6:7). [source]
As in Philemon 1:12; Philemon 1:1, Philemon 1:9; Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 4:1 (the first Roman captivity). Paul is in his last captivity and refers to it again in 2 Timothy 1:16; 2 Timothy 2:9. [source]
First aorist active imperative of the double compound συνκακοπατεω sunkakopatheō first known use and in N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 2:3 (in eccles. writers). But κακοπατεω kakopatheō to suffer evil, is old verb (2 Timothy 2:9; 2 Timothy 4:5). Paul is fond of compounds of συν sun Paul challenges Timothy by this verb which he apparently coins for the purpose to a joint According to the power of God (κατα δυναμιν τεου kata dunamin theou). Given by God (2 Corinthians 6:7). [source]
See note on 2 Timothy 2:9. Do the work of an evangelist (εργον ποιησον ευαγγελιστου ergon poiēson euaggelistou). See note on 1 Corinthians 1:17; Ephesians 4:11 for ευαγγελιστης euaggelistēs gospelizer. Fulfil First aorist active imperative of πληροπορεω plērophoreō for which see note on Colossians 4:12. In Colossians 4:17 Paul uses πληροω plēroō to Archippus about his ministry as he here employs πληροπορεω plērophoreō Both verbs mean to fill full. [source]
See on the kindred word κακοπάθεια ,suffering, James 5:10. Only here and 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:9; 2 Timothy 4:5. [source]
Old word from κακοπατης kakopathēs (suffering evil, κακοπατεω kakopatheō in James 5:13; 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:9), here only in N.T.Of patience (μακροτυμιας makrothumias). Like μακροτυμεω makrothumeō in James 5:7. See both μακροτυμια makrothumia and υπομονη hupomonē in 2 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 1:11 (the one restraint from retaliating, the other not easily succumbing).In the name of As in Jeremiah 20:9. With the authority of the Lord (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 198). [source]
See James 5:10 for κακοπατια kakopathia The verb in N.T. occurs only here and in 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:9; 2 Timothy 4:5. The lively interrogative is common in the diatribe and suits the style of James. [source]