Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Timothy 3:10

"But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience," — 2 Timothy 3:10 (ASV)

But you have fully known my doctrine, and so on. The marginal note says, been a diligent follower of. The marginal reading is more in accordance with the usual meaning of the Greek word, which means, properly, to accompany side by side, to follow closely, to trace out, to examine (Luke 1:3), and to conform to.

The meaning here, however, seems to be that Timothy had an opportunity to trace out, that is, to examine closely the manner of life of the apostle Paul. He had been his companion for so long that he had had the fullest opportunity of knowing how he had lived and taught, and how he had endured persecutions.

The object of this reference to his own life and sufferings is evidently to encourage Timothy to endure persecutions and trials in the same manner. (Compare to 2 Timothy 3:14). He saw, in the events that were already beginning to develop, that trials were inevitable; he knew that all who desire to live holy lives must suffer persecution; and therefore he sought to prepare Timothy’s mind for the proper endurance of trials by referring to his own case. The word doctrine here refers to his teaching, or manner of giving instruction. It does not refer, as the word now does, to the opinions he held. (See Barnes on 1 Timothy 4:16).

Regarding the opportunities Timothy had for knowing Paul's manner of life, see the introduction to this epistle and Paley's Horae Paulinae, on this passage. Timothy had been Paul's companion for a considerable portion of time after his conversion. The persecutions referred to here (2 Timothy 3:11) are those that occurred in the vicinity of Timothy's native place, and with which he would have had a particular opportunity to be acquainted. This circumstance, and the fact that Paul did not refer to other persecutions in more remote places, is one of the "undesigned coincidences" that Paley emphasized so much in his incomparable little work, the Horae Paulinae.

Manner of life. Literally, leading, guidance; then, the method in which one is led—one's manner of life. (Compare to 1 Thessalonians 2:1).

Purpose. Plans or designs.

Faith. Perhaps fidelity or faithfulness.

Long-suffering. Patience with the evil passions of others and their efforts to injure him. (See the word explained in Barnes on 1 Corinthians 13:4).

Charity. (See Barnes on 1 Corinthians 13:1 and following).

Patience, "A calm temper, which suffers evils without murmuring or discontent." —Webster.