John Damascene

In his own words on 2 Timothy

• 2 Timothy 1:1

  He wrote to him while he was hindered and bound in Rome. And therefore he urged him for a second letter. He begins by praising the student, that he is a slave to Christ who dwells above.

• 2 Timothy 1:8

  He said that if he suffers that he must not be ashamed.

• 2 Timothy 1:14

  Before all things, keep that truth which is committed to your trust, the holy Word of faith by which you have been taught and instructed. And let no weeds of heresy grow up among you, but preserve the heavenly seed pure and sincere, that it may yield a great harvest to the master, when he comes to demand account of our lives. He shall reward us according to our deeds, when the righteous shall shine forth as the sun, but darkness and everlasting shame shall cover the sinners.

  BARLAAM AND IOASAPH 36.335

• 2 Timothy 2:21

  It is clear that this cleansing is done freely, for he says, "if any man shall cleanse himself," the converse of which rejoins that, if he does not cleanse himself, he will be a vessel unto dishonor, of no use to the Lord and only fit to be broken.

  The Orthodox Faith 4.19

• 2 Timothy 3:11

  He refers to the things which he suffered at Thecla.

• 2 Timothy 3:12

  As he remembered these things when he was younger, yet he was still well aware of it.

• 2 Timothy 3:16

  To search the sacred Scripture is very good and most profitable for the soul. For, "like a tree which is planted near the running waters," so does the soul watered by sacred Scripture also grow hearty and bear fruit in due season. This is the orthodox faith. It is adorned with its evergreen leaves, with actions pleasing to God.

  The Orthodox Faith 4.17

• 2 Timothy 4:1

  After giving comfort and encouragement for everyone, he brings up great things at the close of his writing. Now reasonably he brings up such great things, because he was destressed about what he was going to say to the disciple about his own death. So the Scriptures say, from which he said, that "From childhood you have known the Scriptures. (2 Tim 3:15)"

• 2 Timothy 4:2

  That is to say, do not think its not time to preach, always let it be that time for you, not just in peace or in gladness, nor should you teach only in Church while you are being censored, but even if you are in prison laying in chains, do not cease preaching.

• 2 Timothy 4:3

  That is to say, they delight in their ears.

• 2 Timothy 4:7

  One must give gentle council to the depressed student, urging him to be courageous, as if he was far from his crown, fulfilling everything, you must rejoice, he says, not agonize.

• 2 Timothy 4:10

  He does not find fault with them; for they were sent for preaching.

• 2 Timothy 4:13

  The money-bag had the books and the paper. He teaches us as if its our last breath, that if we are in prison, the divine oracles not must not be neglected. He speaks of the Jewish propitiation of the law.

• 2 Timothy 4:16

  For he once stood before Nero, and he escaped.

• 2 Timothy 4:17

  So that everything may be revealed through preaching. Not by force, but as he said, through preaching, as if he was bearing a purple garment and a crown (see John 19:2), and because of them he was dilivered up. By "lion" he means Nero.

• 2 Timothy 4:18

  For then, he says, the threat had vanished. But because the Gospel became sufficient, he will rescue me from all: that is to say, he will not leave me and the threat will disappear.

• 2 Timothy 4:21

  As if to say: Do not grieve which removes oneself from a settled position. The Lord is with you: And he did not say, with you, but, with your spirit, so there's a double of assistance with the grace of the Spirit, also to assist him. It was written to Timothy from Rome. He wrote the letter while he was in prison in Rome, together with the first letter that he wrote to him, and from the feet of perfection. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come (2 Tim 4:6).