John Calvin 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)

Flee youthful desires. This is an inference from what was previously stated; for, after mentioning useless questions, and having been led by this circumstance to censure Hymenaeus and Philetus, whose ambition and vain curiosity had led them away from the right faith, he again exhorts Timothy to keep at a distance from so dangerous a plague. For this purpose, he advises him to avoid “youthful desires.”

By this term, he does not mean either a propensity to uncleanness, or any of those licentious courses or sinful lusts in which young men frequently indulge, but rather any impetuous passions to which the excessive fervor of that age is prone. If some debate has arisen, young men more quickly become heated, are more easily irritated, more frequently blunder through lack of experience, and rush forward with greater confidence and rashness than men of more mature age. With good reason, therefore, Paul advises Timothy, being a young man, to be strictly on his guard against the vices of youth, which otherwise might easily drive him to useless disputes.

But follow righteousness. He recommends the opposite qualities, so that they may restrain his mind from breaking out into any youthful excesses; as if he had said, “These are the things to which you ought to give your whole attention and your whole exertions.” And first he mentions righteousness, that is, the right way of living; and afterwards he adds faith and love, in which it principally consists. Peace is closely connected with the present subject, for those who delight in the questions which he forbids must be contentious and fond of debating.

With all that call on the Lord. Here, by a figure of speech in which a part is taken for the whole, “calling on God” is generally taken to mean worship, if it is not thought preferable to refer it to profession. But this is the chief part of the worship of God, and for that reason “calling on God” often signifies the whole of religion or the worship of God. However, when Paul instructs him to seek “peace with all that call upon the Lord,” it is doubtful whether, on the one hand, he holds out all believers as an example (as if he had said that Timothy ought to pursue this in common with all the true worshippers of God), or, on the other hand, he enjoins Timothy to cultivate peace with them. The latter meaning appears to be more suitable.