Thomas Aquinas Commentary 2 Timothy 1:3-5

"I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of thee in my supplications, night and day longing to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in thee also." — 2 Timothy 1:3-5 (ASV)

1. Here begins the epistolary message, in which the Apostle does two main things:

   • First, he warns Timothy about present persecutions.
   • Second, he warns him about coming dangers to the Church, beginning with the words, know also this (2 Timothy 3:1).

   Regarding the first point on persecutions, he does two things:

   • First, he exhorts Timothy to stay engaged in preaching, which was the cause and occasion of persecution at that time.
   • Second, he urges him to endure tribulations for Christ, beginning with the words, you, therefore, my son (2 Timothy 2:1).

   Regarding the first of these (exhorting him to preach), he does three things:

   • First, he reminds Timothy of his gifts.
   • Second, he urges him to make good use of these gifts by being persistent in preaching, beginning with the words, for which cause I admonish you (2 Timothy 1:6).
   • Third, he presents himself as an example: wherein I am appointed a preacher and an apostle and teacher (2 Timothy 1:11).

   Regarding the first of these (reminding him of his gifts), he does two things:

   • First, he mentions the love he has for Timothy.
   • Second, he mentions the good qualities that prompted this affection, beginning with the words, being mindful of your tears.

2. Paul’s affection is shown in two ways: through prayer and desire. He thanks God for the love he has for Timothy, because it is the love of charity, which is a special gift. It is as if he is saying, “I consider it a grace to have such a sincere love for you.”

   He says, to my God whom I serve from my forefathers. This is not a service learned from his physical parents, because Christ came to save sinners, of which I am the chief (1 Timothy 1:15), but a service inherited from his ancestors—namely, the patriarchs and prophets, who served God sincerely. He says, from my forefathers, because sons more readily imitate their father’s greatness, both because they are instructed by them, as Tobias was, and because they more readily imitate those they admire.

   And how has he served God? With a pure conscience. For as it is said, Your eyes are too pure to behold evil, and you cannot look on iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13). And elsewhere, For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience (2 Corinthians 1:12). For this reason, he gives thanks that without ceasing I have a remembrance of you in my prayers, both in the day of prosperity and the night of adversity.

   His affection is also shown in his desire. Thus, he says, desiring to see you for their mutual encouragement, as he writes elsewhere: for I long to see you (Romans 1:11).

3. Then, when he says, being mindful of your tears, he points out the good that was in Timothy. He mentions two things:

   • First, he recalls Timothy’s love for him.
   • Second, he recalls Timothy’s faith in God, beginning with the words, calling to mind the faith.

4. He says, therefore, being mindful of your tears, which Timothy shed when Paul left him at Ephesus, prepared for martyrdom. Or, it could refer to the tears Timothy shed during prayer. Paul adds, that I may be filled with joy; that is, this memory fills me with joy. As he says elsewhere, complete my joy (Philippians 2:2).

5. Likewise, Paul is mindful of Timothy’s faith in God. He does two things:

   • First, he calls to mind Timothy’s faith.
   • Second, he shows that this faith was inherited from his family and was not something new.

   Hence, he says, calling to mind that faith which is in you unfeigned. Faith is necessary for a church leader, who is its guardian: without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). He specifies that this faith is unfeigned, or sincere, because true faith is demonstrated through good works: Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works (James 2:18). As Paul also writes, now the end of the commandment is charity from a pure heart and a good conscience and an unfeigned faith (1 Timothy 1:5). And as Scripture says, the Holy Spirit will flee from the deceitful .

   This faith is not new, but dwelt first in your grandmother, Lois, and in your mother, Eunice. In Acts, it is stated that Timothy was the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer (Acts 16:1). Paul concludes, But I am certain—either through revelation or through clear signs—that it is in you also.