1
Ὅσοι εἰσὶν ὑπὸ ζυγὸν δοῦλοι, τοὺς ἰδίους δεσπότας πάσης τιμῆς ἀξίους ἡγείσθωσαν, ἵνα μὴ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἡ διδασκαλία βλασφημῆται.
As many as are slaves under a yoke, let them count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed.
Household instructionὍσοιThe chapter opens with a household-ethics word for believing slaves: a generalizing relative ('as many as') frames a duty whose stated aim is the protection of God's name and the gospel's reputation.
Ὅσοιas many asNominativerelative/correlative pronoun (subject of εἰσίν)ὅσος: 'as much/many as'; a generalizing relative gathering the whole class addressed — every believer in slavery.
εἰσὶνarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (relative clause)→ stative present
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (subjection)
ζυγὸνa yokeAccusativeobject of ὑπό (figure of servitude)ζυγός: 'yoke'; the metaphor of the draught-beam, a standard image for the burden of bondage (cf. servile labor).
δοῦλοιslavesNominativepredicate nominative (with εἰσίν)δοῦλος: 'slave, bondservant'; here literal household slaves within the Greco-Roman economy.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἰδίουςtheir ownAccusativeattributive adjective (possessive)ἴδιος: 'one's own'; stresses the personal master to whom the slave actually belongs, not masters in general.
δεσπόταςmastersAccusativedirect object of ἡγείσθωσανδεσπότης: 'master, lord'; the absolute household head (cf. 'despot') — the owner of slaves, distinct from κύριος.
πάσηςof allGenitiveattributive adjective (with τιμῆς)
τιμῆςhonorGenitivegenitive of value/worth (with ἀξίους)τιμή: 'honor, value, price'; the regard due to the master — ἄξιος + genitive expresses worthiness of a price.
ἀξίουςworthyAccusativeobject complement (predicate of δεσπότας)ἄξιος: 'worthy, deserving'; takes a genitive of the thing one is worthy of — here 'all honor.'
ἡγείσθωσανlet them count/considerPres Mid Impv 3 Pl · ἡγέομαιmain verb (third-person imperative)→ customary present (imperatival)ἡγέομαι: 'lead; consider, regard'; here the cognitive sense — to reckon, esteem, count as.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)
τὸtheNominativearticle
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of βλασφημῆταιὄνομα: 'name'; the reputation/renown of God among outsiders — at stake in believers' conduct.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
διδασκαλίαteachingNominativesubject (coordinate with ὄνομα)διδασκαλία: 'teaching, doctrine'; a Pastoral keyword — the apostolic instruction whose honor is bound to its adherents' lives.
βλασφημῆταιmay be blasphemed/slanderedPres Pass Subj 3 Sg · βλασφημέωverb of the ἵνα clause (subjunctive)→ present (general)βλασφημέω: 'speak evil of, slander, blaspheme'; bad Christian conduct gives outsiders occasion to defame God and the faith.
2
οἱ δὲ πιστοὺς ἔχοντες δεσπότας μὴ καταφρονείτωσαν, ὅτι ἀδελφοί εἰσιν, ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον δουλευέτωσαν, ὅτι πιστοί εἰσιν καὶ ἀγαπητοὶ οἱ τῆς εὐεργεσίας ἀντιλαμβανόμενοι. Ταῦτα δίδασκε καὶ παρακάλει.
And those who have believing masters must not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather serve them, because those who benefit from their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.
Special case + transitionδὲThe harder case: slaves of Christian masters. The gospel's leveling brotherhood is not to slacken service but to intensify it; a clipped charge ('teach and urge these things') closes the household section and pivots to the false teachers.
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ptc. ἔχοντες)
δὲand/butconjunction (development/contrast)
πιστοὺςbelievingAccusativeattributive adjective (with δεσπότας)πιστός: 'faithful, believing'; here 'Christian' — masters who share the faith.
ἔχοντεςhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (general/durative)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; of standing in relationship — slaves who 'have' masters as their owners.
δεσπόταςmastersAccusativedirect object of ἔχοντεςδεσπότης: 'master'; the same household-head term as v.1, now of believing owners.
μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative)
καταφρονείτωσανlet them despisePres Act Impv 3 Pl · καταφρονέωmain verb (prohibition, 3rd-pers. impv.)→ customary present (imperatival)καταφρονέω: 'look down on, despise' (κατά + φρονέω); the temptation to presume on a master's faith and slacken respect.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
ἀδελφοίbrothersNominativepredicate nominativeἀδελφός: 'brother'; the very reason for the danger — shared brotherhood is misused as license, not heightened to humility.
εἰσινthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula, causal clause)→ stative present
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (strong)
μᾶλλονrather/all the moreadverb (comparative, degree)μᾶλλον: 'more, rather'; the faith ought to raise the standard of service, not lower it.
δουλευέτωσανlet them servePres Act Impv 3 Pl · δουλεύωmain verb (positive command)→ customary present (imperatival)δουλεύω: 'serve as a slave'; the cognate verb of δοῦλος — render the very service their station entails.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
πιστοίbelievers/faithfulNominativepredicate nominativeπιστός: 'believing, faithful'; the masters' faith is now the ground for better, not lesser, service.
εἰσινthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀγαπητοὶbelovedNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)ἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the masters are dear ones in Christ — a further motive for diligent service.
οἱthose whoNominativearticle (substantizes ptc. ἀντιλαμβανόμενοι)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
εὐεργεσίαςgood service/benefitGenitivegenitive object of ἀντιλαμβανόμενοιεὐεργεσία: 'good deed, benefit, kind service' (εὖ + ἔργον); here the diligent work the slave renders, from which the master benefits.
ἀντιλαμβανόμενοιwho benefit/devote themselvesPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀντιλαμβάνομαιsubstantival participle (in apposition)→ present (general)ἀντιλαμβάνομαι: 'take hold of, benefit from, devote oneself to' (+ gen.); the believing masters are the ones who reap and value the good service.
Ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect object (forward of imperatives)οὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative collects the preceding instruction as the matter to be taught.
δίδασκεteachPres Act Impv 2 Sg · διδάσκωmain verb (command to Timothy)→ customary present (imperatival)διδάσκω: 'teach, instruct'; Timothy's settled task of doctrinal instruction.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παρακάλειurge/exhortPres Act Impv 2 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb (coordinate command)→ customary present (imperatival)παρακαλέω: 'call alongside; exhort, urge, comfort'; the pastoral pairing of teaching with appeal.
3
εἴ τις ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖ καὶ μὴ προσέρχεται ὑγιαίνουσιν λόγοις τοῖς τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ τῇ κατ' εὐσέβειαν διδασκαλίᾳ,
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not adhere to sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the teaching that accords with godliness,
Conditional protasis (false teaching)εἴA new section opens with a first-class condition framing the false teacher: anyone who deviates and refuses the Lord's healthy words sets himself outside the godliness-shaped teaching. The apodosis (his verdict) follows in v.4.
εἴifconjunction (first-class condition)
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone, anyone'; the indefinite leaves the deviant teacher unnamed but pointedly real.
ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖteaches a different doctrinePres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἑτεροδιδασκαλέωverb of the protasis→ customary presentἑτεροδιδασκαλέω: 'teach otherwise/differently' (ἕτερος + διδάσκω); a Pastorals coinage (cf. 1:3) for promoting doctrine alien to the apostolic norm.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle
προσέρχεταιadheres/comes toPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · προσέρχομαιverb of the protasis (coordinate)→ customary presentπροσέρχομαι: 'come/draw near to'; here a figurative 'assent to, hold to' — failing to attach himself to wholesome words.
ὑγιαίνουσινsound/healthyPres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ὑγιαίνωattributive participle (with λόγοις)→ present (general)ὑγιαίνω: 'be healthy/sound' (cf. 'hygiene'); a Pastorals metaphor — doctrine as health over against the 'diseased' craving of v.4.
λόγοιςwordsDativedative object of προσέρχεταιλόγος: 'word, message'; the wholesome instruction that constitutes the apostolic deposit.
τοῖςthoseDativearticle (resumptive, with genitive)
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of source (the words' author)κύριος: 'Lord'; the sound words derive from Christ — perhaps his own teaching, the doctrinal standard.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῇtheDativearticle
κατ'according topreposition + accusative (standard/conformity)
εὐσέβειανgodlinessAccusativeobject of κατά (norm)εὐσέβεια: 'piety, godliness, reverence' (εὖ + σέβομαι); a Pastorals keyword — doctrine and devout life are inseparable.
διδασκαλίᾳteachingDativedative object of προσέρχεται (coordinate)διδασκαλία: 'teaching, doctrine'; the instruction whose mark is genuine godliness.
4
τετύφωται, μηδὲν ἐπιστάμενος, ἀλλὰ νοσῶν περὶ ζητήσεις καὶ λογομαχίας, ἐξ ὧν γίνεται φθόνος, ἔρις, βλασφημίαι, ὑπόνοιαι πονηραί,
he is puffed up, understanding nothing, but morbidly obsessed with controversies and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, slanders, evil suspicions,
Apodosis / verdictasyndetonThe verdict on the condition of v.3: conceit masking ignorance, and a pathological appetite for verbal combat. A vice-list traces the rotten fruit of such teaching.
τετύφωταιhe is puffed up/conceitedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · τυφόωmain verb (apodosis)→ intensive perfect (settled condition)τυφόω: lit. 'wrap in smoke,' hence 'becloud, befog' the mind → 'be conceited, beclouded'; the perfect marks a fixed state of self-important fog.
μηδὲνnothingAccusativedirect object of ἐπιστάμενοςμηδείς: 'no one, nothing'; the stark counterpart to the teacher's pretension — he grasps nothing.
ἐπιστάμενοςunderstandingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐπίσταμαιconcessive/adverbial participle→ present (durative)ἐπίσταμαι: 'know, understand'; genuine comprehension, which the conceited teacher wholly lacks.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
νοσῶνbeing sick/obsessedPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · νοσέωadverbial participle (manner)→ present (durative)νοσέω: 'be ill, ailing'; with περί, 'have a morbid craving for' — the antonym of the 'sound' (ὑγιαίνω) words of v.3.
περὶabout/forpreposition + accusative (reference)
ζητήσειςcontroversies/debatesAccusativeobject of περίζήτησις: 'investigation, controversy, dispute'; speculative wrangling rather than edifying inquiry.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λογομαχίαςdisputes about wordsAccusativeobject of περί (coordinate)λογομαχία: 'word-battle, quarrel over words' (λόγος + μάχη); empty verbal combat — a vivid Pastorals coinage.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
ὧνwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ἐξ)
γίνεταιcome/arisePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (rel. clause; sg. with plural subjects)→ gnomic presentγίνομαι: 'come to be, arise'; the singular verb heads a list of plural results — the verbal disease breeds these.
φθόνοςenvyNominativesubject (first in vice-list)φθόνος: 'envy, jealousy'; resentment of another's good — the seedbed of contention.
ἔριςstrifeNominativesubject (coordinate)ἔρις: 'strife, contention, quarreling'; open discord between persons.
βλασφημίαιslandersNominativesubject (coordinate)βλασφημία: 'slander, abusive speech, blasphemy'; injurious words against others (or God).
ὑπόνοιαιsuspicionsNominativesubject (coordinate)ὑπόνοια: 'suspicion, conjecture' (ὑπό + νοέω, 'think under/beneath'); malicious surmising about motives.
πονηραίevilNominativeattributive adjective (with ὑπόνοιαι)πονηρός: 'evil, wicked, malignant'; qualifies the suspicions as actively malicious.
5
διαπαρατριβαὶ διεφθαρμένων ἀνθρώπων τὸν νοῦν καὶ ἀπεστερημένων τῆς ἀληθείας, νομιζόντων πορισμὸν εἶναι τὴν εὐσέβειαν.
constant frictions among people corrupted in mind and robbed of the truth, supposing that godliness is a means of gain.
Climax of the vice-listasyndetonThe list culminates in chronic irritation among the morally and intellectually ruined, whose root error is exposed: they treat religion as a profit scheme — the very theme the next paragraph overturns.
διαπαρατριβαὶconstant frictions/wranglingsNominativesubject (final item, with γίνεται of v.4)διαπαρατριβή: 'continual friction, irritation, mutual wrangling' (δια- intensive + παρατριβή, 'rubbing'); a rare, vivid word for perpetual chafing.
διεφθαρμένωνcorruptedPerf Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · διαφθείρωattributive participle (with ἀνθρώπων)→ intensive perfect (ruined state)διαφθείρω: 'corrupt utterly, ruin, deprave' (δια- intensive); the perfect marks a settled depravity of mind.
ἀνθρώπωνpeopleGenitivegenitive (source/relationship of frictions)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being, person'; the persons among whom the frictions arise.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with νοῦν)
νοῦνmindAccusativeaccusative of respect (with διεφθαρμένων)νοῦς: 'mind, understanding'; the faculty in which they are corrupted — an accusative of reference.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπεστερημένωνrobbed/deprivedPerf Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · ἀποστερέωattributive participle (coordinate)→ intensive perfect (deprived state)ἀποστερέω: 'rob, defraud, deprive'; the passive — they have been stripped of the truth they once might have held.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἀληθείαςtruthGenitivegenitive of separation (with ἀπεστερημένων)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the gospel reality of which they are deprived — verbs of deprivation take the genitive.
νομιζόντωνsupposingPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · νομίζωattributive participle (coordinate)→ present (durative)νομίζω: 'suppose, think, consider'; here a false reckoning — they account piety a money-making trade.
πορισμὸνa means of gainAccusativepredicate accusative (of indir. discourse)πορισμός: 'means of gain, source of profit' (from πορίζω, 'provide'); a money-spinner — the word picked up and inverted in v.6.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive of indirect discourse (after νομιζόντων)→ stative present
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with εὐσέβειαν)
εὐσέβειανgodlinessAccusativeaccusative subject of εἶναιεὐσέβεια: 'godliness, piety'; the very thing they cynically monetize — Paul will reclaim it as true gain (v.6).
6
Ἔστιν δὲ πορισμὸς μέγας ἡ εὐσέβεια μετὰ αὐταρκείας·
But godliness with contentment is great gain;
Corrective antithesisδὲPaul turns the slogan inside out: there is indeed 'gain' in godliness — but only when joined to self-sufficiency, not when chased for profit. This launches the meditation on money.
ἜστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (fronted, emphatic copula)→ gnomic present
δὲbutconjunction (contrast with v.5)
πορισμὸςgainNominativepredicate nominativeπορισμός: 'means of gain, profit'; deliberately echoing v.5 — real profit lies elsewhere than the false teachers think.
μέγαςgreatNominativeattributive adjective (with πορισμός)μέγας: 'great, large'; the gain is genuinely great — but spiritual, not monetary.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with εὐσέβεια)
εὐσέβειαgodlinessNominativesubjectεὐσέβεια: 'godliness, piety'; the articular subject — true devotion is the great gain when paired with contentment.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
αὐταρκείαςcontentment/self-sufficiencyGenitiveobject of μετά (accompanying condition)αὐτάρκεια: 'self-sufficiency, contentment' (αὐτός + ἀρκέω, 'suffice'); a Stoic ideal redeemed — contentment grounded in God, not in goods.
7
οὐδὲν γὰρ εἰσηνέγκαμεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον, ὅτι οὐδὲ ἐξενεγκεῖν τι δυνάμεθα·
for we brought nothing into the world, so that neither can we carry anything out;
Ground (transience of possessions)γὰρThe reason contentment is fitting: we enter and exit life empty-handed. The maxim (echoing Job 1:21; Eccl 5:15) strips possessions of ultimate value.
οὐδὲνnothingAccusativedirect object of εἰσηνέγκαμενοὐδείς: 'no one, nothing'; the emphatic 'nothing' fronted for stress — we came with empty hands.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
εἰσηνέγκαμενwe brought inAor Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰσφέρωmain verb→ constative aoristεἰσφέρω: 'bring/carry in' (εἰς + φέρω); of our entrance into the world at birth — destitute of property.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κόσμονworldAccusativeobject of εἰςκόσμος: 'world'; the realm of earthly life into which we are born and from which we depart.
ὅτιso that/becauseconjunction (consecutive/causal; debated)ὅτι: here likely 'so that, with the result that' — the empty entrance matched by an empty exit; some read it 'because' (it is certain that…).
οὐδὲneithernegative conjunction (correlative)
ἐξενεγκεῖνto carry outAor Act Inf · ἐκφέρωcomplementary infinitive (with δυνάμεθα)→ constative aoristἐκφέρω: 'carry/bring out' (ἐκ + φέρω); the deliberate counterpart to εἰσφέρω — nothing leaves with us at death.
τιanythingAccusativedirect object of ἐξενεγκεῖντις: 'something, anything'; not a single thing accompanies us out of the world.
δυνάμεθαwe are ablePres Mid Indic 1 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb→ gnomic presentδύναμαι: 'be able, can'; the timeless impossibility — no one can take possessions beyond death.
8
ἔχοντες δὲ διατροφὰς καὶ σκεπάσματα, τούτοις ἀρκεσθησόμεθα.
but having food and covering, with these we will be content.
Conclusion (sufficiency)δὲThe practical upshot: the bare necessities of food and shelter are enough; contentment is resolved as a settled disposition, not a wistful hope.
ἔχοντεςhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωconditional/temporal participle ('if/when we have')→ present (concurrent)ἔχω: 'have, possess'; the participle sets the condition — given that we have the basics.
δὲbutconjunction (development)
διατροφὰςfood/sustenanceAccusativedirect object of ἔχοντεςδιατροφή: 'nourishment, food' (from διατρέφω, 'nourish'); the plural denotes provisions/means of sustenance.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σκεπάσματαcovering/shelterAccusativedirect object (coordinate)σκέπασμα: 'covering' (from σκεπάζω, 'cover'); embracing both clothing and shelter — what protects the body.
τούτοιςwith theseDativedative of cause/means (with ἀρκεσθησόμεθα)οὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative gathers food and covering as the sphere of contentment.
ἀρκεσθησόμεθαwe will be contentFut Pass Indic 1 Pl · ἀρκέωmain verb→ gnomic/volitive future (settled resolve)ἀρκέω: 'be enough, suffice'; passive 'be satisfied, content' — cognate with αὐτάρκεια (v.6); the future carries a quasi-imperatival resolve.
9
οἱ δὲ βουλόμενοι πλουτεῖν ἐμπίπτουσιν εἰς πειρασμὸν καὶ παγίδα καὶ ἐπιθυμίας πολλὰς ἀνοήτους καὶ βλαβεράς, αἵτινες βυθίζουσιν τοὺς ἀνθρώπους εἰς ὄλεθρον καὶ ἀπώλειαν.
But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and harmful desires, which sink people into ruin and destruction.
Contrast (the will to wealth)δὲOver against contentment stands the resolve to get rich — itself the danger, not wealth as such. The metaphors of trap and drowning portray a downward, fatal trajectory.
οἱthose whoNominativearticle (substantizes ptc. βουλόμενοι)
δὲbutconjunction (contrast)
βουλόμενοιwanting/resolvingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · βούλομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (durative)βούλομαι: 'will, want, resolve'; the deliberate set of the will toward riches — the disposition, not mere possession, is the trap.
πλουτεῖνto be richPres Act Inf · πλουτέωcomplementary infinitive (with βουλόμενοι)→ present (durative)πλουτέω: 'be rich, grow wealthy'; the object of the craving — to gain abundance.
ἐμπίπτουσινfall intoPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐμπίπτωmain verb→ gnomic presentἐμπίπτω: 'fall into' (ἐν + πίπτω); the verb of stumbling headlong into a pit or snare.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
πειρασμὸνtemptation/trialAccusativeobject of εἰςπειρασμός: 'testing, temptation'; the enticement to evil that wealth-seeking opens up.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παγίδαa snareAccusativeobject of εἰς (coordinate)παγίς: 'trap, snare' (for birds/game); the hidden device that catches the unwary — a frequent figure for the devil's lure (cf. 3:7).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιθυμίαςdesiresAccusativeobject of εἰς (coordinate)ἐπιθυμία: 'desire, craving, lust'; here illicit appetites multiplied by the pursuit of money.
πολλὰςmanyAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἐπιθυμίας)
ἀνοήτουςsenseless/foolishAccusativeattributive adjective (coordinate)ἀνόητος: 'unintelligent, foolish' (ἀ- + νοέω); cravings void of sense, blind to consequence.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βλαβεράςharmfulAccusativeattributive adjective (coordinate)βλαβερός: 'injurious, harmful' (from βλάπτω, 'hurt'); the desires actively damage the one who harbors them.
αἵτινεςwhichNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative; subject)ὅστις: 'which (very things)'; the qualitative relative — desires of such a kind that they drown people.
βυθίζουσινsink/plungePres Act Indic 3 Pl · βυθίζωmain verb (rel. clause)→ gnomic presentβυθίζω: 'sink, plunge into the deep' (from βυθός, 'depth'); the picture of a man dragged under water to drown.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀνθρώπουςpeopleAccusativedirect object of βυθίζουσινἄνθρωπος: 'person, human'; the victims dragged down by their own cravings.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (result/goal)
ὄλεθρονruinAccusativeobject of εἰςὄλεθρος: 'destruction, ruin'; comprehensive devastation, here likely both temporal and eschatological.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπώλειανdestruction/perditionAccusativeobject of εἰς (coordinate)ἀπώλεια: 'loss, destruction, perdition'; the term for final ruin — the pairing intensifies the fatal end.
10
ῥίζα γὰρ πάντων τῶν κακῶν ἐστιν ἡ φιλαργυρία, ἧς τινες ὀρεγόμενοι ἀπεπλανήθησαν ἀπὸ τῆς πίστεως καὶ ἑαυτοὺς περιέπειραν ὀδύναις πολλαῖς.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils, by craving which some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves through with many pains.
Ground (maxim on money-love)γὰρThe proverbial ground for v.9: money-love is a root from which every evil can spring. The relative clause illustrates with concrete casualties — apostasy and self-inflicted anguish.
ῥίζαa rootNominativepredicate nominative (fronted, anarthrous)ῥίζα: 'root'; anarthrous — 'a root,' not the only root; the source from which evils grow.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
πάντωνof allGenitiveattributive (with κακῶν)πᾶς: 'all, every'; here 'all kinds of' — money-love can spawn evil of every sort, not literally every individual evil.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
κακῶνevilsGenitivegenitive of source/relationship (with ῥίζα)κακός: 'bad, evil'; substantival 'evils' — the manifold harms rooted in avarice.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ gnomic present
ἡtheNominativearticle (with φιλαργυρία)
φιλαργυρίαlove of moneyNominativesubject (articular)φιλαργυρία: 'love of money, avarice' (φίλος + ἄργυρος, 'silver'); the affection itself, not the coin, is the root.
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive object of ὀρεγόμενοι)
τινεςsomeNominativesubject (indefinite)τις: 'some'; the unnamed casualties — real persons swept off by avarice.
ὀρεγόμενοιcraving/reaching forPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ὀρέγομαιadverbial participle (means/cause)→ present (durative)ὀρέγομαι: 'reach out for, aspire to, crave' (+ gen.); the picture of stretching the hand greedily after money.
ἀπεπλανήθησανwandered away/were led astrayAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀποπλανάωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἀποπλανάω: 'lead astray, cause to wander off' (ἀπό + πλανάω); passive 'were led astray' — money lured them off the path.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἀπό (the faith departed from)πίστις: 'faith'; here 'the faith' as the body of belief — they apostatized in pursuit of wealth.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἑαυτοὺςthemselvesAccusativereflexive direct object (of περιέπειραν)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'themselves'; the wound is self-inflicted — avarice turns the weapon on its own bearer.
περιέπειρανpierced throughAor Act Indic 3 Pl · περιπείρωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristπεριπείρω: 'pierce all around, impale' (περί + πείρω); a graphic image — they ran themselves through, as on a spit, with griefs.
ὀδύναιςwith pains/sorrowsDativedative of means/instrumentὀδύνη: 'pain, anguish, sorrow'; the sharp griefs that are the wound's effect — both mental torment and ruin.
πολλαῖςmanyDativeattributive adjective (with ὀδύναις)
11
Σὺ δέ, ὦ ἄνθρωπε θεοῦ, ταῦτα φεῦγε· δίωκε δὲ δικαιοσύνην, εὐσέβειαν, πίστιν, ἀγάπην, ὑπομονήν, πραϋπαθίαν.
But you, O man of God, flee these things; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.
Direct charge (contrast)δέAn emphatic 'But you' turns from the avaricious to Timothy. The dignified address 'man of God' frames a double imperative: flight from greed's snare and a strenuous pursuit of a six-fold virtue cluster.
ΣὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun, fronted)σύ: 'you' (sg.); the emphatic pronoun sets Timothy in sharp contrast to the money-lovers just described.
δέbutadversative conjunction
ὦOinterjection (with vocative)ὦ: the vocative interjection lending solemnity to the address.
ἄνθρωπεmanVocativevocative of addressἄνθρωπος: 'man, person'; in 'man of God' it echoes the OT title for prophets (e.g. Moses, Elijah) — Timothy stands in that line.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of relationship/possessionθεός: God; the title 'man of God' marks one who belongs to and serves God — a charged, dignifying phrase.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect object of φεῦγεοὗτος: 'these'; the foregoing — avarice and its attendant vices.
φεῦγεfleePres Act Impv 2 Sg · φεύγωmain verb (command)→ customary present (continual flight)φεύγω: 'flee, run from'; the present urges habitual, ongoing avoidance — not a single act but a settled aversion.
δίωκεpursuePres Act Impv 2 Sg · διώκωmain verb (command, antithetical)→ customary present (continual pursuit)διώκω: 'pursue, chase, press after'; the deliberate counterpart to φεύγω — hunt these virtues as one would flee the vices.
δὲand/butconjunction (antithesis)
δικαιοσύνηνrighteousnessAccusativedirect object of δίωκεδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness, uprightness'; here practical, ethical right-doing — the first of the virtues to chase.
εὐσέβειανgodlinessAccusativedirect object (coordinate)εὐσέβεια: 'godliness, piety'; reverent devotion — the very thing the greedy counterfeited (v.5).
πίστινfaith/faithfulnessAccusativedirect object (coordinate)πίστις: 'faith, faithfulness'; trust toward God and trustworthiness in conduct.
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativedirect object (coordinate)ἀγάπη: 'love'; self-giving regard for God and neighbor — the crown of the virtue cluster.
ὑπομονήνenduranceAccusativedirect object (coordinate)ὑπομονή: 'steadfast endurance, perseverance' (ὑπό + μένω, 'remain under'); patient bearing-up under pressure.
πραϋπαθίανgentlenessAccusativedirect object (coordinate)πραϋπάθεια: 'gentleness of spirit, meekness' (πραΰς + πάθος); a rare term — a mild, even-tempered disposition under provocation.
12
ἀγωνίζου τὸν καλὸν ἀγῶνα τῆς πίστεως, ἐπιλαβοῦ τῆς αἰωνίου ζωῆς, εἰς ἣν ἐκλήθης καὶ ὡμολόγησας τὴν καλὴν ὁμολογίαν ἐνώπιον πολλῶν μαρτύρων.
Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of eternal life, to which you were called and confessed the good confession before many witnesses.
Charge (athletic imagery)asyndetonThe athletic-military metaphor sharpens the charge: the Christian life is a contest to be fought and a prize to be seized — grounded in Timothy's prior call and public confession.
ἀγωνίζουfight/contendPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἀγωνίζομαιmain verb (command)→ customary present (sustained contest)ἀγωνίζομαι: 'compete, struggle, contend' (from ἀγών, 'contest'); the imagery of the athlete/soldier straining in a match.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀγῶνα)
καλὸνgood/nobleAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἀγῶνα)καλός: 'good, noble, fine'; the contest is honorable and worthy — not merely 'good' but admirable.
ἀγῶναfight/contestAccusativecognate accusative (with ἀγωνίζου)ἀγών: 'contest, struggle, fight'; the cognate object intensifies — 'contend the noble contest' (cf. 2 Tim 4:7).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with πίστεως)
πίστεωςfaithGenitivegenitive of reference/source (the contest's sphere)πίστις: 'faith'; the contest belongs to and is waged for the faith.
ἐπιλαβοῦtake hold of/seizeAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐπιλαμβάνομαιmain verb (command)→ ingressive/effective aoristἐπιλαμβάνομαι: 'lay hold of, grasp' (+ gen.); a decisive seizing — lay claim to the prize of the contest.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
αἰωνίουeternalGenitiveattributive adjective (with ζωῆς)αἰώνιος: 'eternal, age-lasting'; the life of the coming age, both gift and goal.
ζωῆςlifeGenitivegenitive object of ἐπιλαβοῦζωή: 'life'; eternal life — the prize Timothy is to grasp firmly.
εἰςto/forpreposition + accusative (goal/reference)
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἰς)
ἐκλήθηςyou were calledAor Pass Indic 2 Sg · καλέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call, summon'; the effectual divine call to which eternal life is the appointed end.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὡμολόγησαςyou confessedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ὁμολογέωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristὁμολογέω: 'confess, profess, acknowledge' (ὁμός + λέγω, 'say the same'); Timothy's public avowal — likely at baptism/ordination.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ὁμολογίαν)
καλὴνgood/nobleAccusativeattributive adjective (with ὁμολογίαν)καλός: 'good, noble'; the confession matches the contest — both 'noble.'
ὁμολογίανconfessionAccusativecognate accusative (with ὡμολόγησας)ὁμολογία: 'confession, profession'; the formal acknowledgment of faith made publicly.
ἐνώπιονbefore/in the presence ofimproper preposition + genitive (presence)ἐνώπιον: 'before, in the sight of'; marks the public, witnessed character of the confession.
πολλῶνmanyGenitiveattributive adjective (with μαρτύρων)
μαρτύρωνwitnessesGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιονμάρτυς: 'witness'; the congregation present at Timothy's confession, lending it solemn accountability.
13
παραγγέλλω σοι ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ζῳογονοῦντος τὰ πάντα καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ μαρτυρήσαντος ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου τὴν καλὴν ὁμολογίαν,
I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,
Solemn adjurationasyndetonPaul invokes the two highest witnesses — the life-giving God and the confessing Christ — to underwrite a formal charge. Christ's confession before Pilate becomes the pattern for Timothy's own.
παραγγέλλωI charge/commandPres Act Indic 1 Sg · παραγγέλλωmain verb (performative)→ instantaneous/performative presentπαραγγέλλω: 'charge, command, give orders'; a weighty term of military/legal command — the present enacts the charge as it is spoken.
σοιyouDativeindirect object (recipient of the charge)
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (presence)ἐνώπιον: 'before, in the presence of'; the charge is laid in the sight of the divine witnesses.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with θεοῦ)
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιονθεός: God; the first guarantor of the charge — the Author of life.
τοῦthe (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc. ζῳογονοῦντος)
ζῳογονοῦντοςwho gives lifePres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ζῳογονέωattributive participle (describing θεοῦ)→ customary/durative presentζῳογονέω: 'give life to, keep alive, make alive' (ζῷον + γίνομαι); God the life-giver — fitting before a charge that looks to resurrection life.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with πάντα)
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object of ζῳογονοῦντοςπᾶς: 'all'; τὰ πάντα = 'all things, the universe' — God animates the whole creation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιον (coordinate)Χριστός: 'Anointed, Christ'; the second guarantor — the exemplary confessor.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition to Χριστοῦ
τοῦthe (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc. μαρτυρήσαντος)
μαρτυρήσαντοςwho testified/witnessedAor Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · μαρτυρέωattributive participle (describing Christ)→ constative aoristμαρτυρέω: 'bear witness, testify'; Christ's steadfast confession at his trial sets the template for faithful witness unto death.
ἐπὶbefore/in the time ofpreposition + genitive (presence/occasion)ἐπί: + gen. 'before, in the presence of' (or 'in the time of'); marks the historical setting of Christ's confession.
ΠοντίουPontiusGenitiveobject of ἐπίΠόντιος: 'Pontius,' the nomen of the prefect — anchoring the confession in datable history (cf. the creeds).
ΠιλάτουPilateGenitiveapposition to ΠοντίουΠιλᾶτος: Pilate, prefect of Judea; the magistrate before whom Jesus made his testimony.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ὁμολογίαν)
καλὴνgood/nobleAccusativeattributive adjective (with ὁμολογίαν)καλός: 'good, noble'; deliberately echoing v.12 — Timothy's confession mirrors Christ's.
ὁμολογίανconfessionAccusativecognate/internal accusative (with μαρτυρήσαντος)ὁμολογία: 'confession, profession'; the content of Christ's witness before Pilate.
14
τηρῆσαί σε τὴν ἐντολὴν ἄσπιλον ἀνεπίλημπτον μέχρι τῆς ἐπιφανείας τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ,
that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Content of the chargeasyndetonThe substance of the adjuration: keep 'the commandment' — the whole charge of the gospel ministry — flawless until Christ's appearing. The horizon is eschatological.
τηρῆσαίto keepAor Act Inf · τηρέωinfinitive of indirect command (after παραγγέλλω)→ constative aoristτηρέω: 'keep, guard, observe'; the infinitive carries the content of the charge — preserve the commandment intact.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἐντολήν)
ἐντολὴνcommandmentAccusativedirect object of τηρῆσαιἐντολή: 'command, charge'; here likely the whole gospel mandate/ministry entrusted to Timothy, not a single precept.
ἄσπιλονwithout stain/spotlessAccusativeobject complement (predicate of ἐντολήν)ἄσπιλος: 'spotless, unblemished' (ἀ- + σπίλος, 'stain'); the commandment is to be kept undefiled — perhaps with a nuance of Timothy's own purity.
ἀνεπίλημπτονirreproachable/beyond reproachAccusativeobject complement (coordinate)ἀνεπίλημπτος: 'irreproachable, not to be laid hold of' (ἀ- + ἐπιλαμβάνομαι); giving no handle for accusation — a Pastorals leadership virtue (cf. 3:2).
μέχριuntilimproper preposition + genitive (time, terminus)μέχρι: 'until, as far as'; marks the end-point — the duty runs to Christ's return.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ἐπιφανείας)
ἐπιφανείαςappearing/manifestationGenitiveobject of μέχριἐπιφάνεια: 'appearing, manifestation' (cf. 'epiphany'); a Pastorals term for Christ's glorious return (and his first advent, 2 Tim 1:10).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with κυρίου)
κυρίουLordGenitivepossessive genitive (whose appearing)κύριος: 'Lord'; the returning sovereign Jesus, whose epiphany sets the deadline.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition to κυρίου
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
15
ἣν καιροῖς ἰδίοις δείξει ὁ μακάριος καὶ μόνος δυνάστης, ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν βασιλευόντων καὶ κύριος τῶν κυριευόντων,
which he will display in his own times — the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of those who reign and Lord of those who exercise lordship,
Relative doxologyἣνThe mention of the appearing triggers a soaring doxology to God, who alone fixes its time. A cascade of regal titles asserts his unrivaled sovereignty over every earthly power.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of δείξει; antecedent ἐπιφανείας)
καιροῖςat times/seasonsDativedative of time (when)καιρός: 'appointed time, season'; the right, decreed moments — God controls the timing of the appearing.
ἰδίοιςhis ownDativeattributive adjective (with καιροῖς)ἴδιος: 'one's own, proper'; the times belong to God's own determination — 'in his own seasons.'
δείξειwill display/showFut Act Indic 3 Sg · δείκνυμιmain verb (rel. clause)→ predictive futureδείκνυμι: 'show, display, make visible'; God will stage the manifestation of Christ at his appointed hour.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with δυνάστης)
μακάριοςblessedNominativeattributive adjective (subject phrase)μακάριος: 'blessed, happy'; of God, the self-sufficient, ever-blessed One (cf. 1:11).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μόνοςonlyNominativeattributive adjective (subject phrase)μόνος: 'only, alone'; asserts God's uniqueness — the sole true Sovereign over against all pretenders.
δυνάστηςSovereign/RulerNominativesubject of δείξειδυνάστης: 'ruler, potentate, sovereign' (from δύναμαι); 'the only Potentate' — the supreme power above all rulers.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)
βασιλεὺςKingNominativeapposition to δυνάστηςβασιλεύς: 'king'; 'King of kings' — supremacy over all who hold royal power (cf. Dan 2:47; Rev 19:16).
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc. βασιλευόντων)
βασιλευόντωνwho reign/are kingsPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · βασιλεύωsubstantival participle (genitive of subordination)→ present (durative)βασιλεύω: 'reign, be king'; the cognate participle — those exercising kingship are themselves subject to him.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κύριοςLordNominativeapposition (coordinate title)κύριος: 'lord, master'; 'Lord of lords' — the parallel title to 'King of kings.'
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc. κυριευόντων)
κυριευόντωνwho exercise lordship/rulePres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · κυριεύωsubstantival participle (genitive of subordination)→ present (durative)κυριεύω: 'rule, lord it over, have dominion'; the cognate participle — all who exercise lordship answer to him.
16
ὁ μόνος ἔχων ἀθανασίαν, φῶς οἰκῶν ἀπρόσιτον, ὃν εἶδεν οὐδεὶς ἀνθρώπων οὐδὲ ἰδεῖν δύναται· ᾧ τιμὴ καὶ κράτος αἰώνιον· ἀμήν.
who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no one of humankind has seen or is able to see; to whom be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
Doxology climaxasyndetonThe doxology crests in God's transcendence — sole possessor of immortality, dweller in inaccessible light, invisible to all flesh — and closes with an ascription of honor and everlasting power, sealed with 'Amen.'
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc. ἔχων)
μόνοςalone/onlyNominativeattributive adjectiveμόνος: 'only, alone'; God uniquely possesses deathlessness in himself — none else.
ἔχωνhaving/possessingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωsubstantival participle (apposition to subject)→ present (durative/stative)ἔχω: 'have, possess'; God holds immortality intrinsically, not derivatively.
ἀθανασίανimmortalityAccusativedirect object of ἔχωνἀθανασία: 'immortality, deathlessness' (ἀ- + θάνατος, 'death'); the divine attribute of underived, unending life.
φῶςlightAccusativedirect object of οἰκῶνφῶς: 'light'; the brilliance that veils God's presence — a biblical figure for his unapproachable glory.
οἰκῶνdwelling/inhabitingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · οἰκέωadverbial/attributive participle→ present (durative)οἰκέω: 'dwell, inhabit'; God's habitation is light no creature can enter.
ἀπρόσιτονunapproachableAccusativeattributive adjective (with φῶς)ἀπρόσιτος: 'unapproachable, inaccessible' (ἀ- + πρόσειμι, 'approach'); a NT hapax — the light is too dazzling to draw near.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἶδεν)
εἶδενhas seen/sawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see, perceive'; no human eye has ever beheld God in his essence (cf. John 1:18).
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject of εἶδενοὐδείς: 'no one'; the absolute negation — not a single human has seen him.
ἀνθρώπωνof humankindGenitivepartitive genitive (with οὐδείς)ἄνθρωπος: 'human'; the partitive limits the negation to the realm of mortals.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction
ἰδεῖνto seeAor Act Inf · ὁράωcomplementary infinitive (with δύναται)→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; the infinitive — not merely 'has not seen' but 'cannot see' him.
δύναταιis ablePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb→ gnomic presentδύναμαι: 'be able, can'; the timeless incapacity of the creature to behold the uncreated.
ᾧto whomDativedative of possession/advantage (doxology)
τιμὴhonorNominativesubject of implied ascription (ἔστω)τιμή: 'honor, esteem'; ascribed to God in the doxology — 'to him be honor.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κράτοςdominion/mightNominativesubject (coordinate)κράτος: 'strength, dominion, might'; sovereign power ascribed to God — exercised, ruling might.
αἰώνιονeternalNominativeattributive adjective (with κράτος)αἰώνιος: 'eternal, everlasting'; the dominion ascribed is without end.
ἀμήνamenliturgical affirmation (indeclinable)ἀμήν: Hebrew 'truly, so be it'; the worshiping seal affirming the doxology.
17
Τοῖς πλουσίοις ἐν τῷ νῦν αἰῶνι παράγγελλε μὴ ὑψηλοφρονεῖν μηδὲ ἠλπικέναι ἐπὶ πλούτου ἀδηλότητι, ἀλλ' ἐπὶ θεῷ τῷ παρέχοντι ἡμῖν πάντα πλουσίως εἰς ἀπόλαυσιν,
Charge those who are rich in the present age not to be high-minded, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us all things to enjoy,
Renewed charge (the rich)asyndetonAfter the doxology, Paul returns to wealth, now addressing those who already have it. The antithesis is decisive: hope is to rest not on uncertain riches but on the bountiful God.
ΤοῖςtheDativearticle (with πλουσίοις)
πλουσίοιςrichDativeindirect object (substantival adj.; recipients of charge)πλούσιος: 'rich, wealthy'; the well-to-do believers — not condemned for wealth but warned of its perils.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time/sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle (with αἰῶνι)
νῦνpresent/nowadverb used attributively (with αἰῶνι)νῦν: 'now'; 'the now age' — the present world-order, set against the age to come (v.19).
αἰῶνιageDativedative of time/sphereαἰών: 'age, era'; the temporal frame qualifying their riches as belonging only to this passing world.
παράγγελλεcharge/commandPres Act Impv 2 Sg · παραγγέλλωmain verb (command to Timothy)→ customary present (imperatival)παραγγέλλω: 'charge, command'; the same weighty verb as v.13 — Timothy is to lay this directive on the rich.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)
ὑψηλοφρονεῖνto be high-minded/proudPres Act Inf · ὑψηλοφρονέωinfinitive of indirect command (content of charge)→ present (durative)ὑψηλοφρονέω: 'be proud, haughty' (ὑψηλός + φρονέω, 'think high'); the besetting sin of the wealthy — arrogance of mind.
μηδὲnornegative conjunction (coordinate)
ἠλπικέναιto have set hopePerf Act Inf · ἐλπίζωinfinitive of indirect command (coordinate)→ intensive perfect (settled, fixed hope)ἐλπίζω: 'hope, set one's hope'; the perfect marks a fixed reliance — a settled trust mistakenly anchored in money.
ἐπὶon/uponpreposition + dative (object of hope)
πλούτουof richesGenitivegenitive (with ἀδηλότητι)πλοῦτος: 'wealth, riches'; the unstable thing on which hope must not rest.
ἀδηλότητιuncertaintyDativeobject of ἐπί (the thing hoped in)ἀδηλότης: 'uncertainty, instability' (from ἄδηλος, 'unclear'); a NT hapax — 'the uncertainty of riches,' i.e. how unreliable wealth is.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
ἐπὶon/uponpreposition + dative (true object of hope)
θεῷGodDativeobject of ἐπί (rightful ground of hope)θεός: God; the secure object of hope set against unreliable riches.
τῷthe (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc. παρέχοντι)
παρέχοντιwho provides/furnishesPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · παρέχωattributive participle (describing θεῷ)→ customary/durative presentπαρέχω: 'provide, furnish, supply' (παρά + ἔχω); God the lavish giver — the antidote to trusting wealth is trusting the Giver of wealth.
ἡμῖνusDativeindirect object (of παρέχοντι)
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object of παρέχοντιπᾶς: 'all'; God supplies the whole of what we have richly.
πλουσίωςrichly/abundantlyadverb (manner)πλουσίως: 'richly, abundantly'; a deliberate echo of πλούσιος — the true riches come from God's generosity.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
ἀπόλαυσινenjoymentAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)ἀπόλαυσις: 'enjoyment, full enjoyment' (from ἀπολαύω); God gives material things not merely for use but for grateful enjoyment — wealth is not intrinsically evil.
18
ἀγαθοεργεῖν, πλουτεῖν ἐν ἔργοις καλοῖς, εὐμεταδότους εἶναι, κοινωνικούς,
to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share,
Positive charge (continued)asyndetonThe positive side of the charge to the rich: a string of infinitives prescribes an active beneficence — true wealth measured in good works, liberality, and openhanded sharing.
ἀγαθοεργεῖνto do goodPres Act Inf · ἀγαθοεργέωinfinitive of indirect command (continuing v.17)→ customary present (durative)ἀγαθοεργέω: 'do good, work good' (ἀγαθός + ἔργον); active beneficence — the rich are to be doers of good.
πλουτεῖνto be richPres Act Inf · πλουτέωinfinitive (coordinate)→ customary presentπλουτέω: 'be rich'; ironically redeployed — the wealthy are to be 'rich' in a better currency, good works.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἔργοιςworksDativedative of sphere (with πλουτεῖν)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; the true wealth — a portfolio of good deeds.
καλοῖςgood/nobleDativeattributive adjective (with ἔργοις)καλός: 'good, noble, fine'; the recurring Pastorals word for admirable works (cf. vv.12–13).
εὐμεταδότουςgenerous/ready to giveAccusativepredicate accusative (with εἶναι)εὐμετάδοτος: 'liberal, ready to impart' (εὖ + μεταδίδωμι, 'share'); a NT hapax — disposed to give a share freely.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive (coordinate; copula)→ stative present
κοινωνικούςready to share/sociableAccusativepredicate accusative (coordinate, with εἶναι)κοινωνικός: 'ready to share, generous in fellowship' (from κοινωνία); willing to hold goods in common with others' need — a NT hapax.
19
ἀποθησαυρίζοντας ἑαυτοῖς θεμέλιον καλὸν εἰς τὸ μέλλον, ἵνα ἐπιλάβωνται τῆς ὄντως ζωῆς.
storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future, that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Result/aim of generosityasyndetonGenerosity is reframed as eschatological investment: by giving now, the rich lay up treasure for the age to come, the only secure 'foundation,' so as to grasp 'real' life (echoing the prize of v.12).
ἀποθησαυρίζονταςstoring up/treasuring upPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἀποθησαυρίζωadverbial participle (result/means; agrees with implied subj. of vv.17–18)→ present (durative)ἀποθησαυρίζω: 'store up, lay up treasure' (ἀπό + θησαυρίζω, from θησαυρός, 'treasure'); paradoxically, giving away is the way to amass true treasure (cf. Matt 6:20).
ἑαυτοῖςfor themselvesDativedative of advantage (reflexive)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'themselves'; the gain returns to the givers — a treasure laid up to their own future benefit.
θεμέλιονfoundationAccusativedirect object of ἀποθησαυρίζονταςθεμέλιος: 'foundation'; here a 'treasure' that functions as a secure footing for the life to come — a mixed but vivid metaphor.
καλὸνgood/fineAccusativeattributive adjective (with θεμέλιον)καλός: 'good, fine'; the foundation laid up is a sound, lasting one.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/reference)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes μέλλον)
μέλλονfuture/time to comePres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · μέλλωsubstantival participle (object of εἰς)→ present (durative)μέλλω: 'be about to, be future'; τὸ μέλλον = 'the future, the coming age' — the horizon of the investment.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
ἐπιλάβωνταιthey may take hold ofAor Mid Subj 3 Pl · ἐπιλαμβάνομαιverb of the ἵνα clause (subjunctive)→ ingressive/effective aoristἐπιλαμβάνομαι: 'lay hold of, grasp' (+ gen.); the same verb as v.12 — the rich, like Timothy, are to seize true life.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ζωῆς)
ὄντωςtruly/reallyadverb (with ζωῆς)ὄντως: 'really, truly' (from the ptc. of εἰμί); 'the life that is really life' — over against the hollow security of wealth.
ζωῆςlifeGenitivegenitive object of ἐπιλάβωνταιζωή: 'life'; the real, eternal life — the same prize set before Timothy in v.12.
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Ὦ Τιμόθεε, τὴν παραθήκην φύλαξον, ἐκτρεπόμενος τὰς βεβήλους κενοφωνίας καὶ ἀντιθέσεις τῆς ψευδωνύμου γνώσεως,
O Timothy, guard the deposit, turning away from the profane empty chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge,
Closing personal chargeὮA direct, emotional vocative opens the letter's closing appeal: guard 'the deposit' (the entrusted gospel), shunning the profane prattle and antitheses of a counterfeit 'knowledge.'
ὮOinterjection (with vocative)ὦ: the vocative interjection, here lending warm, urgent directness to the personal address.
ΤιμόθεεTimothyVocativevocative of direct addressΤιμόθεος: 'Timothy' ('honoring God'); the named addressee — the appeal turns intensely personal at the close.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with παραθήκην)
παραθήκηνdeposit/what is entrustedAccusativedirect object of φύλαξονπαραθήκη: 'deposit, trust' (from παρατίθημι, 'place beside, entrust'); a banking term — the gospel/sound doctrine committed to Timothy for safekeeping (cf. 2 Tim 1:14).
φύλαξονguard/keepAor Act Impv 2 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (command)→ ingressive/constative aorist (urgent, decisive)φυλάσσω: 'guard, protect, keep watch'; the aorist gives a sharp, summary urgency — 'guard it!'
ἐκτρεπόμενοςturning away/avoidingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐκτρέπωadverbial participle (means/attendant circumstance)→ present (durative)ἐκτρέπω: 'turn aside/away' (ἐκ + τρέπω); middle 'avoid, shun' — guarding the deposit entails steering clear of the false teaching.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with κενοφωνίας)
βεβήλουςprofane/godlessAccusativeattributive adjective (with κενοφωνίας)βέβηλος: 'profane, unhallowed' (lit. 'permitted to be trodden,' i.e. not sacred); irreverent, worldly babble.
κενοφωνίαςempty chatter/babbleAccusativedirect object of ἐκτρεπόμενοςκενοφωνία: 'empty talk, vain babbling' (κενός + φωνή, 'empty voice'); hollow, fruitless discourse — a Pastorals coinage (cf. 2 Tim 2:16).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀντιθέσειςcontradictions/oppositionsAccusativedirect object (coordinate)ἀντίθεσις: 'opposition, contradiction' (ἀντί + θέσις); the rival assertions of the false teaching — a NT hapax (later lending its name to Marcion's 'Antitheses').
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with γνώσεως)
ψευδωνύμουfalsely-named/so-calledGenitiveattributive adjective (with γνώσεως)ψευδώνυμος: 'falsely named' (ψευδής + ὄνομα); the 'knowledge' wears a borrowed, untrue title — a NT hapax.
γνώσεωςknowledgeGenitivegenitive of source (whose antitheses)γνῶσις: 'knowledge'; the pretended higher 'knowledge' of the errorists — perhaps an incipient proto-gnostic claim.
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ἥν τινες ἐπαγγελλόμενοι περὶ τὴν πίστιν ἠστόχησαν. Ἡ χάρις μεθ' ὑμῶν.
which some, by professing, have missed the mark concerning the faith. Grace be with you.
Warning + benedictionἥνA final warning: professing this false knowledge has caused some to deviate from the faith. The letter then ends abruptly with a terse grace-benediction — Paul's signature close.
ἥνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐπαγγελλόμενοι; antecedent γνώσεως)
τινεςsomeNominativesubject (indefinite)τις: 'some'; again the unnamed casualties (cf. v.10) — those who embraced the false 'knowledge.'
ἐπαγγελλόμενοιprofessing/laying claim toPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐπαγγέλλομαιadverbial participle (means/cause)→ present (durative)ἐπαγγέλλομαι: 'profess, lay claim to, promise'; here 'professing' the counterfeit knowledge — the claim itself proved their undoing.
περὶconcerningpreposition + accusative (reference)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πίστιν)
πίστινfaithAccusativeobject of περί (reference)πίστις: 'faith'; 'the faith' as the body of Christian belief — the target they missed.
ἠστόχησανmissed the mark/went astrayAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀστοχέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἀστοχέω: 'miss the mark, deviate, swerve' (ἀ- + στόχος, 'aim'); the archer's failure to hit the target — they swerved from the faith (cf. 1:6).
ἩtheNominativearticle (with χάρις)
χάριςgraceNominativesubject of implied optative (εἴη)χάρις: 'grace, favor'; the customary Pauline benediction — God's gracious favor invoked on the readers.
μεθ'withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of μετά (the plural 'you' widens the close to the congregation)σύ: 'you' (pl.); though the letter addresses Timothy, the plural 'you' shows it is meant to be heard by the whole church.