Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Timothy 2:22

"after righteousness, faith, love, pace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." — 2 Timothy 2:22 (ASV)

Timothy was still a rather young man, probably in his early thirties, and so the aged apostle warns him: “Flee the evil desires of youth.” The implication is that he must keep on fleeing youthful lusts and pursuing positive virtues instead. It is not enough to run away from wrong; we must run after what is good. This is the only way to escape temptations to evil (cf. Romans 12:21). Timothy must pursue four things: “righteousness, faith, love and peace” (see also 1 Timothy 6:11). Although Timothy must purge the church of false teachers, he had to be careful to promote “love and peace” among the Christian believers committed to his care. “Faith” (GK 4411) may also be translated “faithfulness”; both ideas fit well here.