1
Τὸ δὲ πνεῦμα ῥητῶς λέγει ὅτι ἐν ὑστέροις καιροῖς ἀποστήσονταί τινες τῆς πίστεως, προσέχοντες πνεύμασιν πλάνοις καὶ διδασκαλίαις δαιμονίων,
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons,
Development / prophetic warningδέA transitional δέ turns from the mystery of godliness (3:16) to its dark counterpart: an express prophetic word that some will apostatize in the latter times.
ΤὸtheNominativearticle
δὲnow/buttransitional conjunctionδέ: mild adversative/continuative; here a developmental turn from the confession of 3:16 to its grim sequel.
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubjectπνεῦμα: the Holy Spirit, speaking through prophetic utterance; not a vague impulse but the one who reveals.
ῥητῶςexpresslyadverb (manner)ῥητῶς: 'in express words, explicitly' (from ῥητός, 'stated'); a NT hapax, stressing the plainness of the prophecy.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ gnomic/timeless presentλέγω: 'say, speak'; the present presents the Spirit's word as a standing, authoritative declaration.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introduces content)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
ὑστέροιςlaterDativeattributive adjectiveὕστερος: 'later, latter'; the comparative marks the seasons yet to come within the church age.
καιροῖςtimes/seasonsDativedat. of time (when)καιρός: 'appointed time, season' (vs. χρόνος, mere duration); the qualitatively defined seasons of the last days.
ἀποστήσονταίwill depart/fall awayFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀφίστημιmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ predictive futureἀφίστημι (mid.): 'stand off, withdraw, apostatize'; the source of 'apostasy' — a deliberate desertion of the faith.
τινεςsomeNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone, some'; the indefinite leaves the defectors unnamed but real.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
πίστεωςfaithGenitivegenitive of separation (with ἀφίστημι)πίστις: here the objective faith, the body of believed truth, from which one can stand off.
προσέχοντεςgiving heedPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · προσέχωadverbial ptc. (means/manner)→ present (concurrent)προσέχω: 'turn toward, attend to, devote oneself'; the means by which they apostatize — fixing the mind on error.
πνεύμασινspiritsDativedat. object of προσέχοντεςπνεῦμα: here deceptive (super)natural agencies — counterfeit revelatory powers behind the false teaching.
πλάνοιςdeceivingDativeattributive adjectiveπλάνος: 'leading astray, deceitful' (cf. πλανάω, 'wander'); the spirits actively mislead.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διδασκαλίαιςteachingsDativedat. object of προσέχοντες (coordinate)διδασκαλία: 'teaching, doctrine'; a key word in the Pastorals — here doctrine with a demonic source.
δαιμονίωνof demonsGenitivegenitive of source/originδαιμόνιον: 'demon, evil spirit'; the genitive names the true authors behind the human teachers.
2
ἐν ὑποκρίσει ψευδολόγων, κεκαυστηριασμένων τὴν ἰδίαν συνείδησιν,
through the hypocrisy of liars, seared in their own conscience,
Means / characterizationasyndetonThe demonic doctrine reaches people through human channels — hypocritical liars whose conscience is cauterized into insensibility.
ἐνthrough/inpreposition + dative (means/instrument)
ὑποκρίσειhypocrisyDativedat. of means (the channel of the error)ὑπόκρισις: 'play-acting, pretense' (from the stage); the doctrine is propagated by masked deceivers.
ψευδολόγωνof liarsGenitivesubjective/possessive genitiveψευδολόγος: 'speaking falsely, liar' (ψεῦδος + λόγος); a NT hapax — those whose very speech is lies.
κεκαυστηριασμένωνhaving been searedPerf Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · καυστηριάζωattributive participle (modifies ψευδολόγων)→ intensive perfect (settled state)καυστηριάζω: 'brand, cauterize with a hot iron' (cf. 'cauterize'); the conscience is burned numb — or branded as a slave's. The perfect marks the abiding condition.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἰδίανtheir ownAccusativeattributive adjectiveἴδιος: 'one's own, private'; stresses that the searing is in their very own conscience.
συνείδησινconscienceAccusativeaccusative of respect (with passive ptc.)συνείδησις: 'conscience, co-knowledge'; the inner moral monitor, here rendered unfeeling.
3
κωλυόντων γαμεῖν, ἀπέχεσθαι βρωμάτων ἃ ὁ θεὸς ἔκτισεν εἰς μετάλημψιν μετὰ εὐχαριστίας τοῖς πιστοῖς καὶ ἐπεγνωκόσι τὴν ἀλήθειαν.
forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and have come to know the truth.
Content of the error / refutation begunasyndetonThe false asceticism is spelled out — a ban on marriage and on foods — then immediately undercut: God created those foods for grateful reception by believers.
κωλυόντωνforbiddingPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · κωλύωattributive participle (modifies ψευδολόγων)→ customary/iterative presentκωλύω: 'hinder, prevent, forbid'; the deceivers impose prohibitions God never gave.
γαμεῖνto marryPres Act Inf · γαμέωcomplementary infinitive (object of κωλυόντων)γαμέω: 'to marry'; an ascetic rejection of marriage as defiling — refuted by Gen 1–2 and 1 Tim 4:4.
ἀπέχεσθαιto abstainPres Mid Inf · ἀπέχωinfinitive (loosely dependent; 'and bidding to abstain')ἀπέχομαι (mid.): 'hold oneself off from, abstain'; the verb shifts sense — they forbid marriage and (require) abstaining from foods.
βρωμάτωνfoodsGenitivegenitive of separation (with ἀπέχεσθαι)βρῶμα: 'food, that which is eaten'; particular foods deemed unclean by the ascetics.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔκτισεν)
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: the Creator; naming him as the foods' author refutes their alleged impurity.
ἔκτισενcreatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κτίζωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristκτίζω: 'create, found'; the creation-word that grounds the goodness of the material order.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)
μετάλημψινreception/partakingAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)μετάλημψις: 'a sharing in, receiving' (from μεταλαμβάνω); foods were made to be partaken of, not shunned.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
εὐχαριστίαςthanksgivingGenitiveobject of μετά (attendant circumstance)εὐχαριστία: 'thanksgiving, gratitude'; the proper posture toward the Creator's gifts — the antidote to asceticism.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (substantizes adj.)
πιστοῖςwho believeDativedat. of agency/advantage (substantival adj.)πιστός: 'believing, faithful'; the foods are for the faithful to receive with gratitude.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπεγνωκόσιwho have knownPerf Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ἐπιγινώσκωsubstantival participle (coordinate w/ πιστοῖς)→ intensive perfect (settled knowledge)ἐπιγινώσκω: 'come to know fully, recognize' (ἐπί-intensive); the perfect marks a settled grasp of the truth.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀλήθειανtruthAccusativedirect object of ἐπεγνωκόσιἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the gospel reality the believers have recognized, over against the demonic falsehood.
4
ὅτι πᾶν κτίσμα θεοῦ καλόν, καὶ οὐδὲν ἀπόβλητον μετὰ εὐχαριστίας λαμβανόμενον·
For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving;
Ground (causal)ὅτιThe theological axiom grounding v.3: as Genesis declares, all that God made is good — nothing is intrinsically unclean when received gratefully.
ὅτιfor/becausecausal conjunctionὅτι: introduces the ground — the doctrine of creation underwriting the refutation.
πᾶνeveryNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all, every'; sweeping — no creature is excepted from the verdict 'good.'
κτίσμαcreature/created thingNominativesubjectκτίσμα: 'a thing created'; the concrete product of God's κτίζω — every item of creation.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source/author
καλόνgoodNominativepredicate nominative (copula understood)καλός: 'good, beautiful, fit'; echoes the refrain of Gen 1 (LXX καλόν) — creation pronounced good.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐδὲνnothingNominativesubject (substantival)οὐδείς: 'no one, nothing'; the absolute negative matches the absolute πᾶν.
ἀπόβλητονto be rejectedNominativepredicate adjective (copula understood)ἀπόβλητος: 'cast away, to be rejected' (verbal adj. of ἀποβάλλω); a NT hapax — nothing is fit to be thrown out as unclean.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment/condition)
εὐχαριστίαςthanksgivingGenitiveobject of μετά (attendant circumstance)εὐχαριστία: 'thanksgiving'; the condition that consecrates use — gratitude received, not abstinence.
λαμβανόμενονbeing receivedPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · λαμβάνωconditional/circumstantial participle→ present (concurrent condition)λαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; the participle states the condition — 'if it is received' with thanks.
5
ἁγιάζεται γὰρ διὰ λόγου θεοῦ καὶ ἐντεύξεως.
for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.
Ground (causal explanation)γάρWhy thankful reception suffices: the food is set apart by God's word (Scripture's declaration of its goodness) and by the prayer of grateful petition.
ἁγιάζεταιis sanctifiedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἁγιάζωmain verb→ gnomic presentἁγιάζω: 'make holy, set apart, consecrate'; the food is hallowed for use, not made ontologically different.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
λόγουwordGenitivegenitive of means (with διά)λόγος: 'word'; likely Scripture's own creation-verdict (perhaps recalled in the table blessing) that pronounces the food good.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source/author
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐντεύξεωςprayer/intercessionGenitivegenitive of means (coordinate with λόγου)ἔντευξις: 'petition, intercession' (from ἐντυγχάνω, 'approach with a request'); here the grace said over food — petitionary prayer (cf. 1 Tim 2:1).
6
Ταῦτα ὑποτιθέμενος τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς καλὸς ἔσῃ διάκονος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, ἐντρεφόμενος τοῖς λόγοις τῆς πίστεως καὶ τῆς καλῆς διδασκαλίας ᾗ παρηκολούθηκας·
If you set these things before the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the good teaching which you have followed.
Application / charge to TimothyasyndetonThe argument turns to Timothy: laying these truths before the church marks him a good minister, himself fed on the words of faith he has long followed.
Ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect object of ὑποτιθέμενοςοὗτος: 'this'; the recurring Pastoral pointer (ταῦτα) gathering the foregoing instruction.
ὑποτιθέμενοςsetting before/suggestingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὑποτίθημιconditional/temporal participle→ present (concurrent condition)ὑποτίθημι (mid.): 'lay before, suggest, put in mind'; a gentle 'remind' rather than a heavy command.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἀδελφοῖςbrethrenDativeindirect object (recipients)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; the congregation as a family of believers, the object of Timothy's ministry.
καλὸςgoodNominativepredicate adjective (attributive to διάκονος)καλός: 'good, noble, fine'; the keynote adjective of the chapter (cf. vv.4, 6 bis) — a fine minister.
ἔσῃyou will beFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula, apodosis)→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'to be'; the future is the consequence — fidelity in teaching yields a good ministry.
διάκονοςservant/ministerNominativepredicate nominativeδιάκονος: 'servant, minister'; here in the broad sense of a gospel worker, not the office of 3:8.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of possession (whose servant)
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition to Χριστοῦ
ἐντρεφόμενοςbeing nourishedPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐντρέφωadverbial ptc. (manner/means)→ present (ongoing)ἐντρέφω: 'nourish/rear in'; a NT hapax — the minister is himself fed on the doctrine he dispenses.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
λόγοιςwordsDativedat. of means (the nourishment)λόγος: 'word'; the words/teachings that constitute the faith — Timothy's daily bread.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobjective/descriptive genitive (words about the faith)πίστις: the objective faith again — the believed content on which he is reared.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
καλῆςgoodGenitiveattributive adjectiveκαλός: 'good, sound'; the teaching is 'fine' — wholesome, in contrast to the demonic doctrine of v.1.
διδασκαλίαςteachingGenitivegenitive (coordinate object of nourishment)διδασκαλία: 'teaching, doctrine'; the sound instruction over against the διδασκαλίαι δαιμονίων of v.1.
ᾗwhichDativerelative pronoun (object of παρηκολούθηκας)
παρηκολούθηκαςyou have followedPerf Act Indic 2 Sg · παρακολουθέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ intensive perfect (abiding result)παρακολουθέω: 'follow alongside, trace, conform to' (cf. 2 Tim 3:10); the perfect marks Timothy's settled adherence.
7
τοὺς δὲ βεβήλους καὶ γραώδεις μύθους παραιτοῦ. γύμναζε δὲ σεαυτὸν πρὸς εὐσέβειαν·
But reject the profane and old-wives' myths; rather train yourself toward godliness.
Contrast / exhortationδέA sharp δέ-contrast: shun the worthless myths; the positive imperative sets the program — discipline yourself like an athlete toward godliness.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: here strongly adversative, pivoting from sound teaching to the rejected myths.
βεβήλουςprofaneAccusativeattributive adjectiveβέβηλος: 'unhallowed, profane' (lit. 'trodden, accessible to all'); the opposite of consecrated — godless tales.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γραώδειςold-wives'/sillyAccusativeattributive adjectiveγραώδης: 'characteristic of old women' (γραῦς + -ώδης); a NT hapax — dismissive of the myths as senile fables.
μύθουςmythsAccusativedirect object of παραιτοῦμῦθος: 'tale, fable, myth'; the speculative legends opposed throughout the Pastorals (cf. 1:4).
παραιτοῦreject/refusePres Mid Impv 2 Sg · παραιτέομαιimperative (prohibitive instruction)→ customary present (habitual practice)παραιτέομαι: 'beg off, decline, refuse, shun' (cf. Titus 3:10); persistently turn them away.
γύμναζεtrainPres Act Impv 2 Sg · γυμνάζωimperative (positive command)→ customary present (ongoing discipline)γυμνάζω: 'exercise, train' (cf. 'gymnasium'); athletic imagery — sustained, deliberate self-discipline.
δὲratheradversative conjunctionδέ: contrasts the worthless myths with the worthwhile training.
σεαυτὸνyourselfAccusativedirect object (reflexive pronoun)
πρὸςtoward/forpreposition + accusative (goal/aim)
εὐσέβειανgodlinessAccusativeobject of πρός (goal of training)εὐσέβεια: 'piety, godliness' (εὖ + σέβομαι); the central virtue of the Pastorals — reverent devotion expressed in life.
8
ἡ γὰρ σωματικὴ γυμνασία πρὸς ὀλίγον ἐστὶν ὠφέλιμος, ἡ δὲ εὐσέβεια πρὸς πάντα ὠφέλιμός ἐστιν, ἐπαγγελίαν ἔχουσα ζωῆς τῆς νῦν καὶ τῆς μελλούσης.
For bodily training is profitable for a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, holding promise for the life that now is and for the one to come.
Ground / comparisonγάρWhy train for godliness: physical exercise has limited value, but godliness profits in everything, carrying a promise for both this life and the next.
ἡtheNominativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
σωματικὴbodilyNominativeattributive adjectiveσωματικός: 'of the body, physical' (from σῶμα); the literal pole of the athletic metaphor of v.7.
γυμνασίαtraining/exerciseNominativesubjectγυμνασία: 'exercise, training'; a NT hapax, cognate with γύμναζε — bodily discipline.
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (extent/reference)
ὀλίγονa littleAccusativeobject of πρός (extent — 'for a little')ὀλίγος: 'small, little'; πρὸς ὀλίγον = 'to a small extent / for a short time' — limited benefit.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ gnomic present
ὠφέλιμοςprofitableNominativepredicate adjectiveὠφέλιμος: 'useful, beneficial, profitable' (cf. 2 Tim 3:16); the comparison-term weighed in the two clauses.
ἡtheNominativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: marks the contrast — the lesser physical vs. the all-profitable godliness.
εὐσέβειαgodlinessNominativesubjectεὐσέβεια: 'godliness'; here profitable without limit, in every sphere.
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (extent/reference)
πάνταall thingsAccusativeobject of πρός (extent — 'for all things')πᾶς: 'all'; the deliberate contrast with πρὸς ὀλίγον — unlimited usefulness.
ὠφέλιμόςprofitableNominativepredicate adjectiveὠφέλιμος: repeated for emphasis in the parallel clause.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ gnomic present
ἐπαγγελίανpromiseAccusativedirect object of ἔχουσαἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; godliness comes with a divine pledge spanning two ages.
ἔχουσαholding/havingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · ἔχωadverbial ptc. (cause/attendant circ.)→ present (ongoing)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the participle gives the reason for godliness' wide profit — it carries a promise.
ζωῆςof lifeGenitivegenitive of content (promise of life)ζωή: 'life'; the substance of the promise — life in its fullness, present and future.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
νῦνnowadverb (substantized by article: 'the now')νῦν: 'now'; ἡ νῦν (ζωή) = 'the present life' — the first sphere of the promise.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
μελλούσηςcoming/to comePres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · μέλλωattributive (substantival) participle→ futuristic presentμέλλω: 'be about to, be destined'; ἡ μέλλουσα (ζωή) = 'the life to come' — the eschatological sphere of the promise.
9
πιστὸς ὁ λόγος καὶ πάσης ἀποδοχῆς ἄξιος·
Faithful is the saying and worthy of full acceptance.
Confirmation formulaasyndetonA 'faithful saying' formula seals the preceding affirmation about godliness (and what follows in v.10) as reliable and deserving full assent.
πιστὸςfaithful/trustworthyNominativepredicate adjective (fronted for emphasis)πιστός: 'faithful, reliable'; the fixed Pastoral formula πιστὸς ὁ λόγος vouches for a settled truth (cf. 1:15; 3:1).
ὁtheNominativearticle
λόγοςsaying/wordNominativesubjectλόγος: 'word, saying'; the trustworthy maxim being commended — here the truth about godliness and hope.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάσηςfull/allGenitiveattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all, full'; the saying merits unreserved acceptance.
ἀποδοχῆςacceptanceGenitivegenitive with ἄξιος (of worth)ἀποδοχή: 'acceptance, approval, welcome' (cf. 1:15); used only in the Pastorals — a warm reception of the truth.
ἄξιοςworthyNominativepredicate adjectiveἄξιος: 'worthy, deserving'; takes the genitive ἀποδοχῆς — deserving of full welcome.
10
εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ κοπιῶμεν καὶ ἀγωνιζόμεθα, ὅτι ἠλπίκαμεν ἐπὶ θεῷ ζῶντι, ὅς ἐστιν σωτὴρ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, μάλιστα πιστῶν.
For to this end we toil and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.
Ground / motivationγάρThe ground of the toil and struggle: a hope fixed on the living God, Savior of all — supremely of those who believe.
εἰςto/forpreposition + accusative (goal/purpose)
τοῦτοthis endAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose, forward-pointing)οὗτος: 'this'; εἰς τοῦτο = 'for this purpose,' anticipating the ὅτι-clause.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
κοπιῶμενwe toilPres Act Indic 1 Pl · κοπιάωmain verb→ customary presentκοπιάω: 'labor to weariness, toil' (from κόπος, 'fatigue'); strenuous gospel labor.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀγωνιζόμεθαwe strivePres Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἀγωνίζομαιmain verb (coordinate)→ customary presentἀγωνίζομαι: 'contend, struggle' (cf. 'agonize'); athletic/contest imagery again — strenuous striving (cf. 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
ἠλπίκαμενwe have hoped/set our hopePerf Act Indic 1 Pl · ἐλπίζωmain verb (causal clause)→ intensive perfect (settled, abiding hope)ἐλπίζω: 'hope'; the perfect marks a hope once fixed and still resting — 'we have set, and keep, our hope.'
ἐπὶonpreposition + dative (object of hope)
θεῷGodDativedat. object of ἠλπίκαμεν (with ἐπί)θεός: God as the object on whom hope rests.
ζῶντιlivingPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · ζάωattributive participle→ gnomic present (characteristic)ζάω: 'live'; 'the living God' — a covenant title contrasting Yahweh with dead idols, fitting the hope-theme.
ὅςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of rel. clause)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (rel. clause, copula)→ gnomic present
σωτὴρSaviorNominativepredicate nominativeσωτήρ: 'savior, deliverer'; a Pastoral keyword for God (cf. 1:1; 2:3) — his saving will reaches all.
πάντωνof allGenitiveattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; the universal scope of God's saving provision/intent.
ἀνθρώπωνpeopleGenitiveobjective genitive (whom he saves)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being, person'; the genitive defines the breadth — all humanity.
μάλισταespeciallyadverb (degree)μάλιστα: 'most of all, especially'; narrows the saving relation to its full realization in believers.
πιστῶνof believersGenitiveobjective genitive (substantival adj.)πιστός: 'believing one, believer'; those in whom the potential salvation becomes actual.
11
Παράγγελλε ταῦτα καὶ δίδασκε.
Command these things and teach them.
Charge / transition to dutiesasyndetonA terse double imperative opens the closing section: Timothy is to enjoin and instruct the church in 'these things.'
Παράγγελλεcommand/chargePres Act Impv 2 Sg · παραγγέλλωimperative→ customary present (continual practice)παραγγέλλω: 'announce alongside, charge, command'; authoritative directive (cf. 1:3; 4:11; 6:13).
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect objectοὗτος: 'this'; ταῦτα gathers the preceding instruction as the content to be commanded.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δίδασκεteachPres Act Impv 2 Sg · διδάσκωimperative (coordinate)→ customary present (continual practice)διδάσκω: 'teach, instruct'; the complementary duty — not only to charge but to expound.
12
μηδείς σου τῆς νεότητος καταφρονείτω, ἀλλὰ τύπος γίνου τῶν πιστῶν ἐν λόγῳ, ἐν ἀναστροφῇ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ, ἐν πίστει, ἐν ἁγνείᾳ.
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Exhortation (contrast)asyndetonYouth need be no liability: Timothy is to silence contempt not by self-assertion but by becoming a model believer across five spheres.
μηδείςno oneNominativesubject (substantival)μηδείς: 'no one'; with the third-person imperative — 'let no one.'
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
νεότητοςyouthGenitivegenitive object of καταφρονείτωνεότης: 'youth, youthfulness'; Timothy, perhaps in his thirties, was young for such authority over elders.
καταφρονείτωlet despisePres Act Impv 3 Sg · καταφρονέωthird-person imperative (prohibition)→ customary presentκαταφρονέω: 'look down on, despise' (κατά + φρονέω); takes a genitive object — 'think down upon.'
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunctionἀλλά: strong 'but'; pivots from the prohibition to the positive remedy.
τύποςexample/patternNominativepredicate nominativeτύπος: 'mark, model, pattern' (from the impress of a die); a die-stamp others may be shaped by.
γίνουbe/becomePres Mid Impv 2 Sg · γίνομαιimperative (copular)→ customary present (ongoing becoming)γίνομαι: 'become, prove to be'; 'keep on becoming a pattern' — a continual moral project.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
πιστῶνbelieversGenitiveobjective/possessive genitive (pattern for them)πιστός: 'believer'; those for whom Timothy is to be the model.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
λόγῳspeech/wordDativedat. of sphere (first sphere)λόγος: 'word, speech'; how he talks — the first of five spheres of exemplary life.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἀναστροφῇconductDativedat. of sphereἀναστροφή: 'manner of life, conduct' (lit. 'turning about'); the daily walk.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἀγάπῃloveDativedat. of sphereἀγάπη: 'love'; self-giving Christian love, the inner motive of the conduct.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
πίστειfaith/faithfulnessDativedat. of sphereπίστις: here subjective — trust/faithfulness as a quality of life.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἁγνείᾳpurityDativedat. of sphere (final sphere)ἁγνεία: 'purity, chastity'; moral and sexual integrity, especially fitting for a young minister (cf. 5:2).
13
ἕως ἔρχομαι πρόσεχε τῇ ἀναγνώσει, τῇ παρακλήσει, τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ.
Until I come, devote yourself to the reading, to the exhortation, to the teaching.
Exhortation (public ministry)asyndetonPending Paul's arrival, Timothy is to give himself to the three pillars of public worship: the reading of Scripture, exhortation, and teaching.
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunctionἕως: 'until, while'; sets the interim horizon — until Paul's hoped-for visit (cf. 3:14).
ἔρχομαιI comePres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (temporal clause)→ futuristic presentἔρχομαι: 'come'; the present anticipates a near, expected arrival.
πρόσεχεdevote yourself/attendPres Act Impv 2 Sg · προσέχωimperative→ customary present (sustained attention)προσέχω: 'attend to, devote oneself to' (cf. v.1, but here to good things); takes the dative — give heed to.
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀναγνώσειreadingDativedat. object of πρόσεχεἀνάγνωσις: 'reading (aloud)'; the public reading of Scripture in worship (cf. the synagogue practice, Acts 13:15).
τῇtheDativearticle
παρακλήσειexhortationDativedat. object of πρόσεχε (coordinate)παράκλησις: 'exhortation, encouragement' (from παρακαλέω); the applicatory appeal following the reading.
τῇtheDativearticle
διδασκαλίᾳteachingDativedat. object of πρόσεχε (coordinate)διδασκαλία: 'teaching, instruction'; the doctrinal exposition — the third element of the ministry of the word.
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μὴ ἀμέλει τοῦ ἐν σοὶ χαρίσματος, ὃ ἐδόθη σοι διὰ προφητείας μετὰ ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου.
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the elders.
Exhortation (the spiritual gift)asyndetonA prohibition against negligence: the χάρισμα bestowed at his commissioning — through prophetic word and the council's laid-on hands — is to be actively used.
μὴnotnegative (with imperative)μή: the negative used with non-indicative moods; here forming a prohibition.
ἀμέλειneglectPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀμελέωimperative (prohibition)→ customary present (do not keep neglecting)ἀμελέω: 'be unconcerned, neglect' (ἀ- + μέλει); the present prohibition warns against ongoing carelessness with the gift.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
σοὶyouDativeobject of ἐν (locus of the gift)
χαρίσματοςgiftGenitivegenitive object of ἀμέλειχάρισμα: 'gift of grace' (from χάρις); the Spirit-endowment for ministry entrusted to Timothy.
ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐδόθη)
ἐδόθηwas givenAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; the passive points to God as the ultimate giver, mediated through the ordination event.
σοιto youDativedat. of recipient
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means/attendant)
προφητείαςprophecyGenitivegenitive of means (with διά)προφητεία: 'prophecy'; a prophetic utterance designated Timothy for the work (cf. 1:18).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
ἐπιθέσεωςlaying onGenitiveobject of μετά (accompanying act)ἐπίθεσις: 'a placing upon' (from ἐπιτίθημι); the ritual gesture of commissioning.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
χειρῶνhandsGenitivegenitive (of the laying-on)χείρ: 'hand'; the laid-on hands by which the elders set him apart.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πρεσβυτερίουcouncil of eldersGenitivesubjective genitive (whose hands)πρεσβυτέριον: 'body of elders, presbytery'; the assembled elders acting corporately at the ordination.
15
ταῦτα μελέτα, ἐν τούτοις ἴσθι, ἵνα σου ἡ προκοπὴ φανερὰ ᾖ πᾶσιν.
Practice these things, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all.
Exhortation (purpose-driven)asyndetonTwo crisp imperatives — ponder and immerse — with a purpose clause: such absorption will make Timothy's spiritual advance visible to everyone.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect object of μελέταοὗτος: 'this'; ταῦτα again sums the foregoing charges as the object of meditation.
μελέταpractice/ponderPres Act Impv 2 Sg · μελετάωimperative→ customary present (continual practice)μελετάω: 'attend to, practice, ponder, cultivate'; diligent rehearsal that becomes habit.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τούτοιςthese thingsDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of immersion)οὗτος: 'this'; ἐν τούτοις ἴσθι = 'be in these things,' i.e. wholly engrossed.
ἴσθιbePres Act Impv 2 Sg · εἰμίimperative (copular)→ customary present (continual state)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperative 'be (in these things)' — let them absorb you.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose/result)ἵνα: introduces the purpose — that his progress be manifest.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἡtheNominativearticle
προκοπὴprogressNominativesubject (of the ἵνα clause)προκοπή: 'advance, progress' (from cutting a path forward); spiritual and ministerial growth (cf. Phil 1:25).
φανερὰevidentNominativepredicate adjectiveφανερός: 'visible, plain, evident'; the growth is to be on open display, not hidden.
ᾖmay bePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίsubjunctive (in ἵνα clause)→ present (ongoing state)εἰμί: 'be'; the subjunctive after ἵνα expressing the intended outcome.
πᾶσινto allDativedat. of reference (in whose eyes)πᾶς: 'all'; the whole community is to witness the progress.
16
ἔπεχε σεαυτῷ καὶ τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ· ἐπίμενε αὐτοῖς· τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν καὶ σεαυτὸν σώσεις καὶ τοὺς ἀκούοντάς σου.
Watch yourself and the teaching; persevere in them; for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Summary exhortation / climactic motivationasyndetonThe chapter's capstone: vigilant attention to life and doctrine, and perseverance, with the weightiest motive — such fidelity issues in the salvation of Timothy and his hearers.
ἔπεχεwatch/give heedPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐπέχωimperative→ customary present (constant vigilance)ἐπέχω: 'hold upon, fix attention on, watch'; takes the dative — keep your eye on.
σεαυτῷyourselfDativedat. object of ἔπεχε (reflexive)σεαυτοῦ: reflexive 'yourself'; personal life comes first — be before teach.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῇtheDativearticle
διδασκαλίᾳteachingDativedat. object of ἔπεχε (coordinate)διδασκαλία: 'teaching, doctrine'; life and doctrine together — the inseparable double safeguard.
ἐπίμενεpersevere/continuePres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐπιμένωimperative→ customary present (sustained perseverance)ἐπιμένω: 'remain on, continue, persist' (ἐπί + μένω); steadfast continuance in these duties.
αὐτοῖςin themDativedat. object of ἐπίμενε (the things attended to)αὐτός: 'them'; referring to the watching over self and teaching.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object of ποιῶνοὗτος: 'this'; gathers the whole charge as the thing 'done.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ποιῶνdoingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωconditional/temporal participle ('if/when you do')→ present (concurrent condition)ποιέω: 'do, make'; the participle states the condition for the promised outcome.
καὶbothcorrelative conjunction (καὶ … καί)καί: here correlative — 'both … and,' joining the two saved parties.
σεαυτὸνyourselfAccusativedirect object of σώσεις (reflexive)σεαυτοῦ: 'yourself'; perseverance secures Timothy's own final salvation.
σώσειςyou will saveFut Act Indic 2 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureσῴζω: 'save, rescue, preserve'; the instrumental sense — Timothy as a means in God's saving work, for himself and others.
καὶandcorrelative conjunction (καὶ … καί)
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀκούοντάςwho hearPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἀκούωsubstantival participle (object of σώσεις)→ present (ongoing)ἀκούω: 'hear, listen'; Timothy's congregation, whose salvation is bound up with his faithfulness.
σουyouGenitivegenitive object of ἀκούοντας (whom they hear)