Bible Reading December 11 
2 Timothy 1:1--4:22
Context1:1 From Paul, 1 an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to further the promise 2 of life in Christ Jesus, 1:2 to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!
1:3 I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, 3 when I remember you in my prayers as I do constantly night and day. 4 1:4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, 5 so that I may be filled with joy. 1:5 I recall 6 your sincere faith 7 that was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure 8 is in you.
1:6 Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess 9 through the laying on of my hands. 1:7 For God did not give us a Spirit 10 of fear but of power and love and self-control. 1:8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord 11 or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by 12 God’s power accept your share of suffering 13 for the gospel. 1:9 He is the one who saved us 14 and called us with a holy calling, not based on 15 our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 16 1:10 but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He 17 has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel! 1:11 For this gospel 18 I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher. 19 1:12 Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. 20 But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set 21 and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me 22 until that day. 23 1:13 Hold to the standard 24 of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 25 1:14 Protect that good thing 26 entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
1:15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia 27 deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 1:16 May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my imprisonment. 28 1:17 But when he arrived in Rome, 29 he eagerly searched for me and found me. 1:18 May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day! 30 And you know very well all the ways he served me in Ephesus. 31
2:1 So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2:2 And entrust what you heard me say 32 in the presence of many others as witnesses 33 to faithful people 34 who will be competent 35 to teach others as well. 2:3 Take your share of suffering 36 as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2:4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please 37 the one who recruited him. 2:5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner 38 unless he competes according to the rules. 39 2:6 The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. 2:7 Think about what I am saying and 40 the Lord will give you understanding of all this. 41
2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; 42 such is my gospel, 43 2:9 for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment 44 as a criminal, but God’s message 45 is not imprisoned! 46 2:10 So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, 47 that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory. 48 2:11 This saying 49 is trustworthy: 50
If we died with him, we will also live with him.
2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with him. 51
If we deny 52 him, 53 he will also deny us.
2:13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself. 54
2:14 Remind people 55 of these things and solemnly charge them 56 before the Lord 57 not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen. 58 2:15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. 59 2:16 But avoid profane chatter, 60 because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, 61 2:17 and their message will spread its infection 62 like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. 63 2:18 They have strayed from the truth 64 by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people’s faith. 2:19 However, God’s solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” 65 and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord 66 must turn away from evil.”
2:20 Now in a wealthy home 67 there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use. 68 2:21 So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, 69 he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2:22 But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others 70 who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 71 2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant 72 controversies, because you know they breed infighting. 73 2:24 And the Lord’s slave 74 must not engage in heated disputes 75 but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, 2:25 correcting 76 opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth 77 2:26 and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captive 78 to do his will. 79
3:1 But understand this, that in the last days difficult 80 times will come. 3:2 For people 81 will be lovers of themselves, 82 lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3:3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, 3:4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. 3:5 They will maintain the outward appearance 83 of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. 84 3:6 For some of these insinuate themselves 85 into households and captivate weak women 86 who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions. 3:7 Such women are always seeking instruction, 87 yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 3:8 And just as Jannes and Jambres 88 opposed Moses, so these people – who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith 89 – also oppose the truth. 3:9 But they will not go much further, 90 for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres. 91
3:10 You, however, 92 have followed my teaching, my 93 way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, 3:11 as well as the persecutions and sufferings 94 that happened to me in Antioch, 95 in Iconium, and in Lystra. 96 I endured these persecutions and the Lord delivered me from them all. 3:12 Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 3:13 But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, 97 deceiving others and being deceived themselves. 98 3:14 You, however, must continue 99 in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know 100 who taught you 101 3:15 and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 3:16 Every scripture 102 is inspired by God 103 and useful for teaching, for reproof, 104 for correction, and for training in righteousness, 3:17 that the person dedicated to God 105 may be capable 106 and equipped for every good work.
4:1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 4:2 Preach the message, 107 be ready 108 whether it is convenient or not, 109 reprove, rebuke, exhort 110 with complete patience and instruction. 4:3 For there will be a time when people 111 will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, 112 they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. 113 4:4 And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths. 114 4:5 You, however, be self-controlled 115 in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry. 4:6 For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart 116 is at hand. 4:7 I have competed well; 117 I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! 4:8 Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day – and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on 118 his appearing.
4:9 Make every effort to come to me soon. 4:10 For Demas deserted me, since he loved 119 the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. 120 Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help 121 to me in ministry. 122 4:12 Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 123 4:13 When you come, bring with you the cloak I left in Troas with Carpas and the scrolls, especially the parchments. 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. 124 The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds. 125 4:15 You be on guard against him 126 too, because he vehemently opposed our words. 4:16 At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message 127 would be fully proclaimed 128 for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion’s mouth! 4:18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely 129 into his heavenly kingdom. To him 130 be glory for ever and ever! 131 Amen.
4:19 Greetings to 132 Prisca and Aquila 133 and the family of Onesiphorus. 4:20 Erastus stayed in Corinth. 134 Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. 4:21 Make every effort to come before winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. 135 4:22 The Lord 136 be with your spirit. Grace be with you. 137
[1:1] 1 tn Grk “Paul.” The word “from” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate the sender of the letter.
[1:1] 2 tn Grk “for the promise…” or possibly “in accordance with the promise…”
[1:3] 3 tn Grk “from my ancestors.”
[1:3] 4 tn Or “as I do constantly. By night and day I long to see you…”
[1:4] 5 tn Grk “longing to see you, remembering your tears” (as a continuation of the preceding clause). Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
[1:5] 6 tn Grk “recalling” (as a continuation of the preceding clause). Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
[1:5] 7 tn Grk “the sincere faith in you.”
[1:6] 9 tn Grk “that is in you.”
[1:7] 10 tn Or “a spirit,” denoting the human personality under the Spirit’s influence as in 1 Cor 4:21; Gal 6:1; 1 Pet 3:4. But the reference to the Holy Spirit at the end of this section (1:14) makes it likely that it begins this way also, so that the Holy Spirit is the referent.
[1:8] 11 tn Grk “the testimony of our Lord.”
[1:8] 12 tn Or “according to.”
[1:8] 13 tn Grk “suffer hardship together,” implying “join with me in suffering.”
[1:9] 14 tn More literally, “who saved us,” as a description of God in v. 8. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
[1:9] 15 tn Or “according to,” or “by.”
[1:9] 16 tn Grk “before eternal times.”
[1:10] 17 tn Grk “having broken…and having brought…” (describing Christ). Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here (and at the beginning of v. 11) in the translation.
[1:11] 19 tc Most
[1:12] 20 tn Grk “suffer these things.”
[1:12] 21 tn Or “in whom I have believed.”
[1:12] 22 sn What has been entrusted to me (Grk “my entrustment,” meaning either (1) “what I have entrusted to him” [his life, destiny, etc.] or (2) “what he has entrusted to me” [the truth of the gospel]). The parallel with v. 14 and use of similar words in the pastorals (1 Tim 6:20; 2 Tim 2:2) argue for the latter sense.
[1:12] 23 sn That day is a reference to the day when Paul would stand before Christ to give account for his service (cf. 2 Tim 1:18; 1 Cor 3:13; 2 Cor 5:9-10).
[1:13] 25 tn Grk “in faith and love in Christ Jesus.”
[1:14] 26 sn That good thing (Grk “the good deposit”) refers to the truth of the gospel committed to Timothy (cf. 1 Tim 6:20).
[1:15] 27 tn Grk “Asia”; in the NT this always refers to the Roman province of Asia, made up of about one-third of the west and southwest end of modern Asia Minor. Asia lay to the west of the region of Phrygia and Galatia. The words “the province of” are supplied to indicate to the modern reader that this does not refer to the continent of Asia.
[1:17] 29 map For location see JP4 A1.
[1:18] 30 sn That day is a reference to the day when Onesiphorus (v. 16) stands before Christ to give account for his service (cf. v. 12; 1 Cor 3:13; 2 Cor 5:9-10).
[1:18] 31 tn Grk “all the ways he served in Ephesus.”
[2:2] 32 tn Grk “what you heard from me” (cf. 1:13).
[2:2] 33 tn Grk “through many witnesses.” The “through” is used here to show attendant circumstances: “accompanied by,” “in the presence of.”
[2:2] 34 tn Grk “faithful men”; but here ἀνθρώποις (anqrwpoi") is generic, referring to both men and women.
[2:2] 35 tn Or “able” (see Paul’s use of this word in regard to ministry in 2 Cor 2:16; 3:5-6).
[2:3] 36 tn Grk “suffer hardship together,” implying “join with me and others in suffering” (cf. 1:8).
[2:4] 37 tn Grk “that he may please.”
[2:5] 38 tn Grk “will not be crowned,” speaking of the wreath awarded to the victor.
[2:5] 39 sn According to the rules (Grk “lawfully, by law”) referring to the rules of competition. In the ancient world these included requirements for training as well as rules for the competition itself.
[2:7] 40 tn The Greek word here usually means “for,” but is used in this verse for a milder continuation of thought.
[2:7] 41 tn Grk “in all things.”
[2:8] 42 tn Grk “of David’s seed” (an idiom for physical descent).
[2:8] 43 tn Grk “according to my gospel.”
[2:9] 44 tn Or “chains,” “bonds.”
[2:9] 46 tn Or “chained,” “bound.”
[2:10] 48 tn Grk “with eternal glory.”
[2:11] 49 sn This saying (Grk “the saying”) refers to the following citation. See 1 Tim 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; Titus 3:8 for other occurrences of this phrase.
[2:11] 50 sn The following passage has been typeset as poetry because many scholars regard this passage as poetic or hymnic. These terms are used broadly to refer to the genre of writing, not to the content. There are two broad criteria for determining if a passage is poetic or hymnic: “(a) stylistic: a certain rhythmical lilt when the passages are read aloud, the presence of parallelismus membrorum (i.e., an arrangement into couplets), the semblance of some metre, and the presence of rhetorical devices such as alliteration, chiasmus, and antithesis; and (b) linguistic: an unusual vocabulary, particularly the presence of theological terms, which is different from the surrounding context” (P. T. O’Brien, Philippians [NIGTC], 188-89). Classifying a passage as hymnic or poetic is important because understanding this genre can provide keys to interpretation. However, not all scholars agree that the above criteria are present in this passage, so the decision to typeset it as poetry should be viewed as a tentative decision about its genre.
[2:12] 51 tn Grk “died together…will live together…will reign together,” without “him” stated explicitly. But “him” is implied by the parallel ideas in Rom 6:8; 8:17 and by the reference to Christ in vv. 12b-13.
[2:12] 52 tn Or “renounce,” “disown,” “repudiate.” It is important to note that the object of Christ’s denial is “us.” The text does not contain an implied object complement (“he will deny us [x]”), which would mean that Christ was withholding something from us (for example, “The owner denied his pets water”), since the verb ἀρνέομαι (arneomai) is not one of the category of verbs that normally occurs in these constructions (see ExSyn 182-89).
[2:12] 53 tn Grk “if we renounce,” but the “him” is implied by the parallel clauses.
[2:13] 54 sn If we are unfaithful…he cannot deny himself. This could be (1) a word of warning (The Lord will exact punishment; he cannot deny his holiness) or (2) a word of hope (Because of who he is, he remains faithful to us despite our lapses). The latter is more likely, since Paul consistently cites God’s faithfulness as a reassurance, not as a warning (cf. especially Rom 3:3; also 1 Cor 1:9; 10:13; 2 Cor 1:18; 1 Thess 5:24; 2 Thess 3:3).
[2:14] 55 tn Grk “remind of these things,” implying “them” or “people” as the object.
[2:14] 56 tn Grk “solemnly charging.” The participle διαμαρτυρόμενος (diamarturomeno") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[2:14] 57 tc ‡ Most witnesses (A D Ψ 048 1739 1881 Ï sy) have κυρίου (kuriou, “Lord”) instead of θεοῦ (qeou, “God”) here, while a few have Χριστοῦ (Cristou, “Christ”; 206 {429 1758}). θεοῦ, however, is well supported by א C F G I 614 629 630 1175 al. Internally, the Pastorals never elsewhere use the expression ἐνώπιον κυρίου (enwpion kuriou, “before the Lord”), but consistently use ἐνώπιον θεοῦ (“before God”; cf. 1 Tim 2:3; 5:4, 21; 6:13; 2 Tim 4:1). But this fact could be argued both ways: The author’s style may be in view, or scribes may have adjusted the wording to conform it to the Pastorals’ universal expression. Further, only twice in the NT (Jas 4:10 [v.l. θεοῦ]; Rev 11:4 [v.l. θεοῦ]) is the expression ἐνώπιον κυρίου found. That such an expression is not found in the corpus Paulinum seems to be sufficient impetus for scribes to change the wording here. Thus, although the external evidence is somewhat on the side of θεοῦ, the internal evidence is on the side of κυρίου. A decision is difficult, but κυρίου is the preferred reading.
[2:14] 58 tn Grk “[it is] beneficial for nothing, for the ruin of those who listen.”
[2:15] 59 sn Accurately is a figure of speech that literally means something like “cutting a straight road.” In regard to the message of truth, it means “correctly handling” or “imparting it without deviation.”
[2:16] 60 sn Profane chatter was apparently a characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus (cf. 1 Tim 1:3-4; 4:7; 6:20).
[2:16] 61 tn Grk “they [who engage in it] will progress even more in ungodliness.”
[2:17] 63 tn Grk “of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, this last clause has been made a new sentence in the translation.
[2:18] 64 tn Grk “have deviated concerning the truth.”
[2:19] 65 sn A quotation from Num 16:5.
[2:19] 66 tn Grk “names the name of the Lord.”
[2:20] 67 tn Grk “a great house.”
[2:20] 68 tn Grk “for dishonor,” probably referring to vessels used for refuse or excrement.
[2:21] 69 tn Grk “from these,” alluding to the errors and deeds of the false teachers described in vv. 14-19.
[2:22] 70 tn Grk “and peace, with those.”
[2:22] 71 sn In company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart alludes to the value of the community of believers for the development of Christian virtues.
[2:23] 72 tn Or “uninstructed,” “silly.”
[2:23] 73 tn Or “fights,” although this could suggest weapons and blows, whereas in the present context this is not the primary focus. Although “quarrel” is frequently used here (NAB, NIV, NRSV) it may be understood to refer to a relatively minor disagreement.
[2:24] 74 tn Traditionally, “servant” or “bondservant.” Though δοῦλος (doulos) is normally translated “servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BDAG notes that “‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times…in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BDAG 260 s.v.). The most accurate translation is “bondservant” (sometimes found in the ASV for δοῦλος), in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.
[2:24] 75 tn Grk “must not fight” or “must not quarrel.” The Greek verb is related to the noun translated “infighting” in v. 23.
[2:25] 76 sn Correcting is the word for “child-training” or “discipline.” It is often positive (training, educating) but here denotes the negative side (correcting, disciplining).
[2:25] 77 tn Grk “repentance unto knowledge of the truth.”
[2:26] 78 tn Grk “having been captured by him.”
[2:26] 79 tn Grk “for that one’s will,” referring to the devil, but with a different pronoun than in the previous phrase “by him.” Some have construed “for his will” with the earlier verb and referred the pronoun to God: “come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap (though they have been captured by him) in order to do His will.” In Classical Greek the shift in pronouns would suggest this, but in Koine Greek this change is not significant. The more natural sense is a reference to the devil’s will.
[3:1] 80 tn Or perhaps, “dangerous,” “fierce.”
[3:2] 81 tn Grk “men”; but here ἄνθρωποι (anqrwpoi) is generic, referring to both men and women.
[3:2] 82 tn Or “self-centered.” The first two traits in 2 Tim 3:2 and the last two in 3:4 are Greek words beginning with the root “lovers of,” and so bracket the list at beginning and end.
[3:5] 84 tn Grk “and avoid these,” with the word “people” implied.
[3:6] 85 tn Grk “For from these are those who sneak.”
[3:7] 87 tn Grk “always learning,” continuing the description of the women from v. 6. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
[3:8] 88 sn Jannes and Jambres were the traditional names of two of Pharaoh’s magicians who opposed Moses at the time of the Exodus.
[3:8] 89 tn Grk “disapproved concerning the faith.”
[3:9] 90 tn Grk “for they will not progress any more.”
[3:9] 91 tn Grk “as theirs came to be,” referring to the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres. The referent of “theirs” (Jannes and Jambres) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[3:10] 92 sn There is a strong emphasis on the pronoun you in contrast to the people described in vv. 2-9.
[3:10] 93 tn The possessive “my” occurs only at the beginning of the list but is positioned in Greek to apply to each of the words in the series.
[3:11] 94 tn Grk “persecutions, sufferings,” as a continuation of the series from v. 10.
[3:11] 95 map For location see JP1 E2; JP2 E2; JP3 E2; JP4 E2.
[3:11] 96 sn In Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra. See Acts 13-14 for the account of these persecutions.
[3:13] 97 tn Grk “will advance to the worse.”
[3:13] 98 tn Grk “deceiving and being deceived.”
[3:14] 99 tn Grk “but you, continue,” a command.
[3:14] 100 tn Grk “knowing,” giving the reasons for continuing as v. 14 calls for.
[3:14] 101 tn Grk “those from whom you learned.”
[3:16] 102 tn Or “All scripture.”
[3:16] 103 sn Inspired by God. Some have connected this adjective in a different way and translated it as “every inspired scripture is also useful.” But this violates the parallelism of the two adjectives in the sentence, and the arrangement of words makes clear that both should be taken as predicate adjectives: “every scripture is inspired…and useful.”
[3:16] 104 tn Or “rebuke,” “censure.” The Greek word implies exposing someone’s sin in order to bring correction.
[3:17] 105 tn Grk “the man of God,” but ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpos) is most likely used here in a generic sense, referring to both men and women.
[3:17] 106 tn This word is positioned for special emphasis; it carries the sense of “complete, competent, able to meet all demands.”
[4:2] 108 tn Or “be persistent.”
[4:2] 109 tn Grk “in season, out of season.”
[4:3] 111 tn Grk “they”; the referent (the people in that future time) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[4:3] 112 tn Grk “in accord with.”
[4:3] 113 tn Grk “having an itching in regard to hearing,” “having itching ears.”
[4:4] 114 sn These myths were legendary tales characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus and Crete. See parallels in 1 Tim 1:4; 4:7; and Titus 1:14.
[4:5] 115 tn Or “sober,” “temperate.”
[4:6] 116 tn Grk “of my departure.”
[4:7] 117 sn The expression I have competed well (Grk “I have competed the good competition”) uses words that may refer to a race or to a boxing or wrestling match: “run the good race” or “fight the good fight.” The similar phrase in 1 Tim 1:18 uses a military picture and is more literally “war the good warfare.”
[4:8] 118 tn Grk “all who have loved.”
[4:10] 119 tn Grk “having loved.”
[4:10] 120 map For location see JP1 C1; JP2 C1; JP3 C1; JP4 C1.
[4:11] 122 tn Or “in serving me.”
[4:12] 123 map For location see JP1 D2; JP2 D2; JP3 D2; JP4 D2.
[4:14] 124 tn Grk “showed me much evil.”
[4:14] 125 sn An allusion to Ps 28:4.
[4:15] 126 tn Grk “against whom,” as a continuation of the previous clause. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
[4:17] 127 tn Or “the preaching.”
[4:17] 128 tn Grk “might be completely fulfilled.”
[4:18] 130 tn Grk “to whom.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
[4:18] 131 tn Grk “unto the ages of the ages,” an emphatic way of speaking about eternity in Greek.
[4:19] 133 sn On Prisca and Aquila see also Acts 18:2, 18, 26; Rom 16:3-4; 1 Cor 16:19. In the NT “Priscilla” and “Prisca” are the same person. The author of Acts uses the full name Priscilla, while Paul uses the diminutive form Prisca.
[4:20] 134 map For location see JP1 C2; JP2 C2; JP3 C2; JP4 C2.
[4:21] 135 tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelfoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited).
[4:22] 136 tc The reading ὁ κύριος (Jo kurio", “the Lord”) is well supported by א* F G 33 1739 1881 sa, but predictable expansions on the text have occurred at this point: A 104 614 pc read ὁ κύριος ᾿Ιησοῦς (Jo kurio" Ihsou", “the Lord Jesus”), while א2 C D Ψ Ï sy bo have ὁ κύριος ᾿Ιησοῦς Χριστός (Jo kurio" Ihsou" Cristo", “the Lord Jesus Christ”). As B. M. Metzger notes, although in a late book such as 2 Timothy, one might expect the fuller title for the Lord, accidental omission of nomina sacra is rare (TCGNT 582). The shorter reading is thus preferred on both external and internal grounds.
[4:22] 137 tc Most witnesses (א2 D Ψ Ï lat sy) conclude this letter with ἀμήν (amhn, “amen”). Such a conclusion is routinely added by scribes to NT books because a few of these books originally had such an ending (cf. Rom 16:27; Gal 6:18; Jude 25). A majority of Greek witnesses have the concluding ἀμήν in every NT book except Acts, James, and 3 John (and even in these books, ἀμήν is found in some witnesses). It is thus a predictable variant. Further, there are several excellent witnesses of the Alexandrian and Western texts (א* A C F G 6 33 81 1739* 1881 sa) that lack the particle, rendering the omission the preferred reading.
