2 Timothy 1.4-Paul Greatly Desired to See Timothy When He Remembered His Tears In Order That He Would Become Filled with Joy
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Thursday February 5, 2015
Second Timothy: Second Timothy 1:4-Paul Greatly Desired to See Timothy When He Remembered His Tears In Order That He Would Become Filled with Joy
Lesson # 7
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. (NASB95)
“Longing” is the verb epipotheō (ἐπιποθέω), which means “to greatly desire” indicating that Paul “greatly desired” to see Timothy when he recalled his young disciple’s tears.
The participle form of this verb could interpreted as a temporal participle which would indicate Paul made it his habit of expressing gratitude to the Father for Timothy, “while simultaneously” the apostle greatly desired to see Timothy.
The participle can be interpreted as a result participle which would indicate that Paul expressed gratitude to the Father for Timothy when he brought him into remembrance during his intercessory prayer requests during the day and night “with the result that” he greatly desired to see Timothy as he recalled his tears.
Though both interpretations fit, it is better to interpret the participle form of the verb epipotheō as a result participle because almost all participles whether adverbial or not, are temporal in at least a secondary sense, thus if a more specific semantic value is intended, one must choose that.
Thus to interpret this participle as a result participle is more specific than interpreting it as a temporal participle which is indicated by the fact that later on in verse 4 Paul says that he greatly desired to see Timothy when he remembered his tears.
Therefore, here in verse 4 Paul is identifying specifically for Timothy what he remembered about him when Paul says that he remembered him in verse 3.
“Even as I recall” is the verb mimnēskomai (μιμνῄσκομαι), which pertains to recalling information from one’s memory but without necessarily the implication that persons have actually been forgotten.
The participle form of this verb is a temporal participle indicating that Paul greatly desired to see Timothy “as” or “when” he remembered his disciple’s tears.
Some interpret this as a causal participle meaning it is presenting the reason why Paul greatly desired to see Timothy but verse 5 is explicitly stating the reason why Paul greatly desired to see Timothy.
Also, even though the causal participle can follow the main verb, it usually does not but rather usually precedes the main verb.
“So that I may be filled with joy” presents the purpose of Paul greatly desiring to see Timothy.
Second Timothy 1:3 I make it my habit of expressing gratitude to God (the Father), whom I make it a habit of serving with a clear conscience as the forefathers, when I always make it my habit of bringing you into remembrance during my intercessory prayer requests during the day as well as during the night. 4 Consequently, I greatly desire to see you when I remember your tears in order that I would become filled with joy. (Author’s translation)
In Second Timothy 1:3, the apostle Paul encourages Timothy by informing him that he made it his habit of expressing gratitude to the Father for him whom he made it his habit of serving with a clear conscience as the forefathers.
Then he says that while expressing gratitude to the Father for him he always made it his habit of bringing him into remembrance during his intercessory prayer requests during the day and during the night.
Now, here in Second Timothy 1:4, Paul presents the result of him expressing his gratitude to the Father for Timothy when remembering him during his intercessory prayer requests.
Therefore, the apostle is telling Timothy that he greatly desires to see him as a result of remembering him during his intercessory prayer requests for him and expressing gratitude to the Father for him.
In other words, Paul’s remembrance of Timothy’s tears resulted in his great desire to see him.
Undoubtedly Timothy’s tears were the result of being separated from Paul at his arrest.
This does not imply that Timothy was weak since Paul would not have given him great responsibility as he did when he sent him to the great city Ephesus.
Lenski commenting on Timothy’s tears writes “This does not imply that Timothy was unmanly, womanish, soft; or that he was fearful because of the prospect of being left alone with his management of the Asian churches. What shall we then say about Paul’s ‘many tears’ shed in Ephesus (Acts 20:19, 31), the sore weeping of the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:37), Paul’s other tears (2 Cor. 2:4)? Were these, too, unmanly, cowardly, and fearful? Noble tears, flowing from deep affection, most loyal devotion to this spiritual father, who inspired profoundest attachment in all his assistants! As for courage and ability, Paul was not so foolish as to leave a man in a post which he could not fill.”
So Second Timothy 1:4 expresses Paul’s deep affection for Timothy.
Romans 12:10 Concerning affection among spiritual brothers and sisters, all of you must continue to make it your habit to be affectionate with one another. Concerning honor, all of you continue to make it your habit to regard one another more highly than yourselves. (Author’s translation)
Affection is a tender attachment to someone or a fondness for someone.
Outward affection between believers is a badge of discipleship as well since it demonstrates that they are obeying the Lord’s command in John 13:34 to love one another as He has loved them.
It is a mark and characteristic of Christian fellowship.
When believers outwardly express affection for one another it demonstrates to the world that they belong to Christ.
The fact that Paul expresses his personal love and affection for Timothy expresses the emotional attachment the apostle had for him.
Indeed, he had led Timothy to faith in Jesus Christ.
The apostle Paul had already described Timothy as his spiritual child and his spiritual father.
By expressing his personal love and affection for Timothy, Paul is telling Timothy how much he values him and their relationship and friendship.
By Paul telling Timothy that he has a personal love and affection for him would make clear to Timothy that it was a difficult decision for Paul to part ways with him at his arrest.
Then in Second Timothy 1:4, Paul tells Timothy that the purpose of his desiring to see him is so that he would become filled with joy.
This does not imply that Paul was miserable without Timothy since Paul learned to be content in each and every circumstance (cf. Philippians 4:11).
Rather, the apostle is encouraging Timothy by telling him that his personal presence will bring him great joy.
The believer is commanded to rejoice (1 Thessalonians 5:16).
The Holy Spirit produces the joy of the Lord (Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 14:17; 15:13).
This is called the fruit of the Spirit, which is the production of Christ-like character in the believer who experiences fellowship with God by being obedient to the Father’s will, which the Holy Spirit reveals to the believer through the communication of the Word of God.
Joy, happiness and contentment are one of the nine manifestations of the work of God the Holy Spirit in the Christian’s life (Galatians 5:22-23).
The fruit of the Spirit can only take place in the life of the believer who is influenced by means of the Spirit.
This takes place when the believer obeys the Spirit who reveals the Father’s will through the communication of the Word of God.
Since the Holy Spirit reveals the Father’s will through the teaching of the Word of God and inspired the Scriptures, the joy of the Lord is the direct result of obeying the Word of God (Psalm 19:8; 119:14, 16, 111, 162; Jeremiah 15:16).
The joy of the Lord is the direct result of trusting in the promises of God (Psalm 28:7) and is the direct result of experiencing fellowship with God (Psalm 16:11; 89:15-16; 64:10; 63:5-7; 1 Chronicles 16:27; John 15:1-17).
The believer is to serve the Lord with joy (Psalm 100:1-5).
Joy is related to unity (2 Corinthians 13:11) and is produced by the Holy Spirit in the believer enables them to experience joy, happiness and contentment in the midst of adverse circumstances and situations (Philippians 4:10-13).
When Paul wrote Second Timothy as we noted in our introduction, he was suffering his second Roman imprisonment while languishing in the infamous Mamertine dungeon in the city of Rome which was a subterranean building consisting of two vaulted chambers.
Therefore, it was during these terrible circumstances that Paul wrote Second Timothy and yet, he had joy.
Paul’s joy, happiness and contentment in the midst of his adverse circumstances and persecution reveals that (1) his circumstances did not dictate his mental attitude, nor did it dictate his happiness (2) he was not a slave to circumstances or to people (3) he was cognizant or aware of the fact that God had everything under control and therefore, his circumstances because the Lord Jesus Christ controls history and that God had a plan for his life, which would glorify Him (Psalm 97:1; 1 Chronicles 16:31-33).
Paul’s joy, happiness and contentment were direct result of his occupation with the Person of Christ (Philippians 1:19-21).