Ambrosiaster

In his own words on 2 Timothy

• 2 Timothy 1:3

  When Paul persecuted the church, he did it for the love of God, not out of malevolence. In this way he served God "in his ancestors" and "from his ancestors," as Levi was served in Abraham, when he gave and accepted tithes from Melchizedek.

  COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY

• 2 Timothy 1:6

  Paul urges Timothy to nurture his spirit with eagerness of mind, rejoicing in his faith, just as he once rejoiced in the newness of his ordination.

  COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY

• 2 Timothy 1:9

  When Paul says that we are not called according to our works, he means that all who are called are sinners, though by comparison with others some were found to be more worthy. With regard to God's own grace, however, all were totally unworthy.

  COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY

• 2 Timothy 2:4

  No one can serve two masters. Since business affairs often involve the exercise of greed, the faithful churchman must be separate from these.

  COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY

• 2 Timothy 2:15

  To teach the word of truth rightly is to speak it to men who wish to hear it and are peaceful in their hearing.

  COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY

• 2 Timothy 2:18

  These heretics deny that Christians shall rise in a future life and insist that the resurrection happens in the natural birth of children.

  COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY

• 2 Timothy 2:20

  Paul indicates that the church has diverse members, who are at differing levels of maturity. The heretic Novatian believes that this passage applies to the world, since he defends the general truth and holiness of his church. But this is wrong.

  COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY

• 2 Timothy 4:13

  The paenula is the distinctive dress of a Roman citizen, thus a garment that Paul would have needed on his journeys to identify him as such.

  COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY