# Commentary on 2 Timothy - Author: [Ambrosiaster](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/ambrosiaster/) - Latin title: *Commentarius in epistolam ad Timotheum secundam* - Date: ca. 366–384 (approximate) - Source: J.-P. Migne, ed., Patrologiae cursus completus, series Latina, vol. 17 (Paris, 1844-1864) (Latin text: Migne, Patrologia Latina, digitized by Open Greek and Latin (patrologia_latina-dev, University of Leipzig), CC BY-SA 4.0) - Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator - Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/ - Passages: 40 ## Prologue to the Commentary on 2 Timothy - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1/#p-0-1 - Source: PL 17 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paul writes again to urge Timothy toward martyrdom and to warn of coming errors, wishing him the one grace of Father and Son and a succession of fit teachers after him. ### Latin text PROLOG U8. Aliam epistolama scribit ad Timotheum, ut jam eruditam ecclesiastica disciplina, et quæ spes sit promissionis, suo exmplo ad martyrium provocet : et quia futurum est, ut quidam a sana doctrina, eo quod dura illis videatur, ad fabulas convertantur, id est, ad humana commenta. CAPUT PRIMUM. (Vers. 1, !.) Paulus apostolus Jesu Christi per voluntatem Dei secundum promissionem vitæ, quæ est in Christo Jesu, Timotheo dilecto filio. Hujus rei gratia apostolum se Christi Jesu, Dei voluntate appellatum significat; ut quae et quanta promissio in futuro a in fide Christi sit, edoceret; ut prædicatione ejus incrementum faciat in salvandis disciplina Dominica. Idonei enim servi sunt, qui instantia sua et fide nggotia dominorum suorum exaggerant. Qnod ideo huic quasi charissimo lilio scribit, ut h"jus rei imitatur exsistat, eadem cæteris tradens; ut per traducem successionum indeficiens Sit idoneus doctor, per quem asserta veritas multos acquirat ad vitam promissam. Gratia, misericordia, et pax a Deo Patre, et Christo Jesu Domino nottro. Gratiam huic Patris in miseratione exoptat, ut adsit ei: et Christi Jesu Domini nostri, quia heus gratiani suam per Chrislum largitur; ut una gratia sit utriusque. ### English translation (Claude) Prologue. He writes another letter to Timothy, so that by his own example he might stir up to martyrdom one already instructed in church discipline and in what the hope of the promise is; and because it will come to pass that some will turn from sound teaching, because it seems hard to them, to fables, that is, to human inventions. Chapter 1. (Verses 1–2.) “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, beloved son.” He indicates that he was called an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for this purpose, to teach what and how great a promise there is in the future in the faith of Christ, so that by his preaching he may bring increase in saving people by the Lord’s discipline. For those are fit servants who by their diligence and faithfulness increase their masters’ business. He writes this to him as to a most dear son so that he may become an imitator of this, handing on the same things to others; so that through a line of successions there may unfailingly be a fit teacher, through whom the truth asserted may gain many for the promised life. “Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” He wishes him the grace of the Father, in mercy, to be with him, and that of Christ Jesus our Lord, because God bestows his grace through Christ, so that the grace of both is one. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 1:1–2: quotation, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Ambrosiaster, 2 Tim. 0.1 (PL 17; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1). ## Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:3–5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1/#p-1-3 - Source: PL 17:485 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paul thanks God, whom he served like his Jewish forefathers, for Timothy’s inherited sincere faith, and urges him to rekindle the grace of his ordination, since God’s Spirit gives power, love, and sobriety, not fear. ### Latin text Gratias ago Deo meo, cui servio a proavia in conscientia pura, quod indeficientem habeane lui memoriam in precibus meis, nocte dieque multum desiderans te videre, memor lacrymarum tuarum; ut ego gaudio replear, recordationem accipient ejul, quæ eat ill te sinceræ fidei, quæ habitavit primum in avia tua Loide, et matre tua Eunice : certum autem habeo quod et ill te. Quoniam dignum est meminisse bonorum, idcirco Deo gratias agit, quia memur erat Timothei viri mirabilis, ut etiam hoc ipsum Dei donum sit; non enim sine merito est, qui cogitat de bonis viris. Et quia idem Deus christianorum e-t, qui crat Judæorum, et se Deo gratias referre testatur, cui a proavis famulatus est. Quando enim hoc sperabant progenitores ejus, quod hic caeperat prædicare, una eorum fides est. Et quia in parentum successit servitia., et quia in his erat adhuc, cum lIIi Deo servirent, recto ait: Gui a proavis servio. Quomodo? In conscientia pura, inquil; sie enim aliquando persecutus est Ecclesiam, ut Dei amore hoc ageret, non malevolentia. Nam simili modo et in epistola ad Hebræos scriptum cst quia Levi, qui decimas accepit, decimas dedit Melchisedech; quia in Abrahae. inquit, lumbis erat Levi, quando decimas obtutit Melchisedech (Hebr. VII, 9, 10) : ita et Sic a proavis Deo se dicit servisse, quia et Levi in proavo decimas dicitur obtulisse. Est enim Levi pater Jacob, avus Isaac, proavus Abraham. Multum crgo se memorem Timothei profitetur, et avide iłłum desiderare propter lacrymarum eJus recordationem, quas amore fuderat Apostoli, sicut intelligitur, recedentis a se. Non immerito ergo amantem se desiderat, ut gaudio impleatur ex communi lætitia, causa fidei sincera, quam et in avia ejus, et io matre fuisse significat, certissime et in eo. Qmnis itaque hic affectus propter fidem est, quæ erut in eis inviolata. (Vers, 6, 7.) Qua de causa admoneo te, ut recrees donum Dei, quod est in te per impositionem manuum meurum ; non enim dedit nobis Deus spiritum timoris, sed virtutis, et dilectionis, et sobrietatis. Propterea se parentum ejus sinceritatem fidei significat memorasse, ut fortiorem hunc faceret, Quis enim laudem illorum audiens, quorum in eo ipso particeps est, non crescat, addens animum hujusmodi viribus. Sic erGo recreat in se donum gratiæ Dei aCCeptum per ordinationem preshyterii, dum animum suum confovet mentis alacritate, gaudens m semet ipso, sicut in novitate ordinationis gaudetur. Denique subjecit : Acc enim, inquit, dedit nobis Deus, spiritum timoris, sed virtutis. Innovatus enim homo exit de timore, accipiens spiritum lætitiæ propter justificationem ; quia omnis injustus in timore est, non fortis, sed infirmus : nov in dilectione, sed ill odio : nec in mentis slIurictate, sed errore saucius. Si autem his caruerit, per fidem et fortis, et dilectus, et sobrius crit. ### English translation (Claude) “I give thanks to my God, whom I serve from my forefathers with a pure conscience, that I have unceasing remembrance of you in my prayers, night and day greatly longing to see you, remembering your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, recalling the sincere faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you also.” Since it is right to remember good people, he gives thanks to God because he was mindful of Timothy, a wonderful man, so that this very thing too is a gift of God; for one who thinks about good men is not without merit. And because the God of the Christians is the same who was the God of the Jews, he testifies that he gives thanks to God whom he served from his forefathers. For since his ancestors hoped for what he had begun to preach, their faith is one. And because he succeeded to his parents’ service, and was in them still when they served God, he rightly says, “whom I serve from my forefathers.” How? “With a pure conscience,” he says; for even when he once persecuted the church, he did it out of love of God, not out of malice. For in a similar way it is written in the letter to the Hebrews that Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes to Melchizedek, because, it says, Levi was in Abraham’s loins when he offered tithes to Melchizedek (Heb 7:9–10); so too he says he served God from his forefathers, as Levi is said to have offered tithes in his great-grandfather. For Levi’s father is Jacob, his grandfather Isaac, his great-grandfather Abraham. So he declares that he is very mindful of Timothy and longs for him eagerly because he remembers his tears, which he had shed out of love for the apostle, as is understood, when he departed from him. Not undeservedly, then, does he long for the one who loves him, so that he may be filled with joy at their common gladness, because of the sincere faith which he indicates was in his grandmother and his mother, and most surely in him too. So all this affection is because of the faith which was inviolate in them. (Verses 6–7.) “For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and sobriety.” He indicates that he recalled the sincere faith of his parents in order to make him stronger. For who, hearing the praise of those in which he himself shares, would not grow, adding spirit to such strength? So he rekindles in himself the gift of God’s grace received through the ordination of the presbytery, when he warms his spirit with alertness of mind, rejoicing in himself as one rejoices in the newness of ordination. Then he added: “For God,” he says, “did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power.” For the renewed man comes out of fear, receiving the spirit of joy because of justification; for every unrighteous person is in fear, not strong but weak, not in love but in hatred, not in soundness of mind but wounded by error. But if he is free of these, through faith he will be strong and beloved and sober. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 1:3–7: quotation, high confidence - Heb 7:9–10: allusion, high confidence - 1 Tim 4:14: allusion, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ambrosiaster says Paul persecuted the church “out of love of God, not malice”. He calls the laying on of Paul’s hands “the ordination of the presbytery” (cf. 1 Tim 4:14). ### Citation (SBL) Ambrosiaster, 2 Tim. 1.3 (PL 17:485; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/1-3). ## Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:8 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1/#p-1-8 - Source: PL 17:485 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: There is no shame in the gospel or in Paul’s chains: Christ’s cross ended in resurrection, and God lets his servants suffer so their reward is just. ### Latin text Noli itaque erubescere testimonium Domini nostri, neque me vinctum ejus. Constantiam habendam docet, nec trepidari debere in professione. Non est enim unde erubescatur in ea ;qnia si homo visus est Christus, gestis tamen apparuit Deus : etsi crucifixus est, resurrexit tamen a mortuis, et multis videntibus, suscipientes eum nube, m cœlum ascendit (Act. ł. 9). Non est ergo infirmitatis causa, sed potestatis i quia ubi putatur imbecillitas, ibi apparet potentia. Itaque stulte infirmatus ducitur, qui vicisse probatur. Hoc modo nec in Apostolo est, quod ad ruborem pertineat ; quia si pressuris et cædibus humiliatus dicitur, ex ilia parte confundit obtrectatores suos, quia in signis ac prodigiis nutu mirabilis pervidetur; ut intelligatur non infirmitate humiliari, sed voluntate ad quemdam meritorum profectum. Idcirco cnim Deus servos suos ab iniquis humiliari permittit, ne illis injuste præmia dare videatur. ### English translation (Claude) “Do not, then, be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner.” He teaches that constancy must be held and that one ought not to tremble in confessing. For there is nothing in it to be ashamed of; for though Christ was seen as a man, yet by his deeds he appeared as God; though he was crucified, yet he rose from the dead and, while many watched, a cloud receiving him, ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). So it is a matter not of weakness but of power; for where weakness is supposed, there power appears. So he is foolishly thought weak who is proved to have conquered. In the same way there is nothing in the apostle either that pertains to shame; for if he is said to be humbled by afflictions and beatings, on the other side he confounds his detractors, because he is seen to be wonderful at a nod in signs and wonders; so that it is understood that he is humbled not by weakness but by will, for a certain advance in merits. For God allows his servants to be humbled by the wicked for this reason, lest he seem to give them rewards unjustly. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 1:8: quotation, high confidence - Acts 1:9: allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Ambrosiaster, 2 Tim. 1.8 (PL 17:485; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/1-8). ## Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1/#p-1-9 - Source: PL 17:485–487 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God, foreknowing sin, predestined salvation by grace and not by merit, and called unworthy men to lead his people; this hidden gift was revealed in Christ’s coming. ### Latin text Sed callabora in Evangelio secundum virtutem Dei, b qui nos salvos fecit. Quoniam virtute Dei victa esţ mors, ut nos salvi esse possimus; juxta hoc convenit vicem uos ex aliqua parte reddere Redemptori. Quia enim ad omnia ejus beneficia respondere non possumus. vel legationem ejus fiedeliter et instanter agamus. Et vocavit vocatione sua sancta. Vocatio sancta est, cum electi sunt ad gubernandum populum sanctum Dei : ad sanctum autem senior vocatur, qui dux eligitur sanclilalis. Non secundum merita nostra. Verum est; quia si ad liquidum quæras, nullus bominum dignus potest videri vicarins esse Christi; omnes enim quos elegit, prius fuerant peccatores. Quantum ergo ad comparationem cæterorum pertinet, hi digni inventi sunt : quantum vero ad rcm ipsam, omnes indigni sunt. Sed secundum propositum suum, et gratiam quæ duta est notis in Chriato Jesu ante tempora sæcularia. Quoniam dignationesua Deus olim decrevit peccatores salvos facere (præscius enim fuit Deus quid futurum esset in homine, antequam faceret eum, et peccaret). quomodo redintegraretur praedestinavit, quo tempore, et per quos, et qua ratione salvari possint; ut neque merito suo qui salvantur, neque horum per quos vocantur, sed Dei gratia istud dunum præstari videatur per fidem Christi. (Vers. <0.) Nunc vero declarata per illuminationem adventus Salvatoris nostri Jesu Christi. Donum Dei quod ante tempora sæcularia latebat in mysterio, illcarnatione et adventu Christi declaratum testatur, quando caeperunt homines remissam peccatorum accipere. ### English translation (Claude) “But share in the labor of the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us.” Since death was conquered by the power of God so that we might be saved, it is fitting accordingly that we make some return in part to the Redeemer. For because we cannot answer to all his benefits, let us at least carry out his embassy faithfully and earnestly. “And has called us with his holy calling.” It is a holy calling when men are chosen to govern God’s holy people; and an elder is called to holiness who is chosen as a leader of holiness. “Not according to our merits.” It is true; for if you inquire precisely, no human being can seem worthy to be the vicar of Christ; for all whom he chose had previously been sinners. As far as comparison with the rest goes, then, these have been found worthy; but as far as the thing itself goes, all are unworthy. “But according to his purpose and the grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the ages of time.” Since God long ago decreed by his condescension to save sinners (for God foreknew what would happen in man before he made him and he sinned), he predestined how he would be restored, at what time, through whom, and by what means they could be saved; so that this gift may be seen to be granted neither by the merit of those who are saved nor of those through whom they are called, but by the grace of God, through faith in Christ. (Verse 10.) “But now made manifest through the illumination of the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.” He testifies that the gift of God, which before the ages of time lay hidden in mystery, was made manifest by the incarnation and coming of Christ, when people began to receive the remission of sins. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 1:8–10: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - The lemma reads “not according to our merits” where the Greek has “not according to our works”. Ambrosiaster applies the “holy calling” to those chosen to govern the church and calls them “vicars of Christ”; translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Ambrosiaster, 2 Tim. 1.9 (PL 17:485–487; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/1-9). ## Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:11 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1/#p-1-11 - Source: PL 17:487 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Christ destroyed death and brought eternal life to light through the gospel Paul preaches. ### Latin text Qui destruxit quidem mortem, a illum;navit autem vitam æternitate per Evangelium, in quo positus sum ego prædicator, et apostolus, et magister gentium. Qua ratione salvum fecit populum suum Christus, ostendit dicens quia mortem destruxit, quae crat hominis inimica, ne ab inferis posset resurgere: tum demum vitam ilłuminavit æternitate ; ut resurgens a mortuis, jam mori non possit. Obscura enim vitu est, quæ tempore definitur. dum soporatur, dum ignorat, dum male versatur. EI quomodo illuminetur vita, ostendit; quia per Evangelium credentibus datur æternitas. magistro gentium prædicante. ### English translation (Claude) “Who destroyed death and illuminated life with eternity through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher of the gentiles.” He shows by what means Christ saved his people, saying that he destroyed death, which was man’s enemy, so that he could not rise from the underworld; then he illuminated life with eternity, so that, rising from the dead, one can no longer die. For a life that is bounded by time is dark, as it sleeps, as it is ignorant, as it behaves badly. And he shows how life is illuminated: because through the gospel eternity is given to believers, as the teacher of the gentiles preaches. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 1:10–11: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - The lemma begins in the middle of 2 Tim 1:10; the section is numbered 1.11 in the staged text. ### Citation (SBL) Ambrosiaster, 2 Tim. 1.11 (PL 17:487; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/1-11). ## Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:12 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1/#p-1-12 - Source: PL 17:487 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Paul is not ashamed of suffering, for he has entrusted his salvation to Christ, who will guard it until judgment day. ### Latin text . Quumob causam et hæc patior. Prædicaus Dei donum, diabolum patitur inimicum; ut pressuras ei exsuscitet, quia populum de faucibus ejus eruit. Sed non confundor. In hoC securus, quia pro tribulationibus magma promissa merces est, uon confunditur, sed gloriatur ill pressuris, Scio enim cui credidi, et certus lIum quia potensest depositum meum custodireb ill illa die. Hoc est quod dicit, qua spe et fiducia magnficentiæ Salvatoris securus est; qnia quod commendat illi, ill tutn est. Quid autem illi commendat, nisi salutem suam? Ut hic pro illu patiens, satutem inveniatpenes illum, cum caeperit judicare ; ut puniens infideles, istum dignum æterna vita pronuntiet. ### English translation (Claude) “For which reason I also suffer these things.” Preaching the gift of God, he suffers the devil as an enemy, who stirs up afflictions against him because he rescues the people from his jaws. “But I am not ashamed.” Secure in this, that a great reward is promised for tribulations, he is not ashamed but glories in afflictions. “For I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard my deposit until that day.” This is what he says: in what hope and confidence in the Savior’s magnificence he is secure, because what he entrusts to him is safe. And what does he entrust to him but his salvation? So that he, suffering for him here, may find salvation with him when he begins to judge; so that, punishing the unbelievers, he may pronounce him worthy of eternal life. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 1:12: quotation, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Ambrosiaster, 2 Tim. 1.12 (PL 17:487; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/1-12). ## Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:13–14 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1/#p-1-13 - Source: PL 17:487 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Timothy must keep Paul’s teaching through the Spirit; Phygelus and Hermogenes, false friends, deserted Paul, while Onesiphorus was not ashamed to visit him in prison. ### Latin text c Formam habens sanorum verborum, quæ a me audistiin fide et dilectione, quæ est in Christo Jesu, bonum commendatum custodire per Spitirumsanctum,qui "abilat in nobis. Praecepta sua cum gestis formam appellat salutaris doctrinæ, quam istum sequi mandat; ut custodiat ea, Spiritu sancto favente. (Vers. 15, ł6.) Scia enim hoc, quod aversati sunt a me omnes,qui in Atta sunt, ex quibus eat Phygelus et Hermogene" Hi quos memoral, fallacia pleni erant ; aimulabant enim amicitias Apostoli. ut adhærentes ei addiscerent, unde illi calumniam facerent, aut per alios immiterent. Qui posteaquam viderunt manifestatos se, recesserunt ab eo. Det misericordiam Dominus Onesiphori domui; quia sæpe me refrigeravit et super catenam meam non erubuit. Duplici genere refrigerium hoc intelligendum est; quia et in necessitate custodiae solatio suo refrigeravit eum : et si qua illi, sive indigentibus opus erant, ministravit. Spe enim eorum, quæ promissa sunt, nun puduit illum accedere, et requirere hominem positum in custodia ; illi enim quos supra memorat, quia erubM- cebant de cruce Christi, in necessitate deseruerunt Apostolum. ### English translation (Claude) “Holding the pattern of sound words which you heard from me in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus, guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” He calls his precepts, together with his deeds, the pattern of saving teaching, which he commands him to follow, so that he may guard them with the Holy Spirit’s favor. (Verses 15–16.) “For you know this, that all who are in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.” Those he names were full of deceit; for they feigned friendship with the apostle, so that by clinging to him they might learn things from which to bring false charges against him, or to set others on. After they saw that they were exposed, they withdrew from him. “May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain.” This refreshment is to be understood in two ways: he refreshed him with his comfort in the hardship of custody, and he ministered whatever was needed, whether to him or to the needy. For in the hope of what has been promised he was not ashamed to come and seek out a man held in custody; but those he mentions above, because they were ashamed of the cross of Christ, deserted the apostle in his need. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 1:13–16: quotation, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Ambrosiaster, 2 Tim. 1.13 (PL 17:487; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/1-13). ## Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:17–18 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1/#p-1-17 - Source: PL 17:487 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Onesiphorus sought Paul out in Roman custody; Paul prays the Father to grant him mercy from the Son at the judgment, as in Gen 19:24. ### Latin text a Sed cum essem Romæ, sollicite me quæsivit et invenit. Det illi Dominus invenire misericordiamapud Dominumill illa die. Romamveniens Apostolus. cum appellasset Cæsarem,a militibuS custodiebatur ; tunc enim eum Onesiphorus charitatis causa et magislerii magna diligentia requisitum invenit. Cujus visitatio tam acceptabilis fuit Apostolo, ut eum sic Domino commendet, ut inveniat mbericordiam apud Dominum in die judicii ; ut sicut Apostolum requirens invenit, ita et misericordiam quærens, inveniat apud judicem. Huc enim orat, ut præstet ei Dominus Pater caeli et terræ invenire gratiam apud Dominmn humanigeneris. Filium scilicet. Tale est hoc, quale et illud in Genesi : Et pluit, inquit, Dominus sulphur et ignem super Sodomam et Gomorrham a Deo de cœlo (Gen. XIX, 24). Quanta autem Ephesi ministraverit nzilli, meliu. tu nosti. Quoniam solent quidam personis magis quam causis servire, volentes gratificari majoribus ; ideo Apostoluse Onesiphori bonum generale ostendit, lie videretur forte personae secommendasse, dum Apostolo ministrav it; cum constaret illum magnanimum omnibus fuisse. ### English translation (Claude) “But when I was in Rome he sought me diligently and found me. May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day.” When the apostle came to Rome, having appealed to Caesar, he was kept under guard by soldiers; then Onesiphorus, for love and with great diligence, sought out the teacher and found him. His visit was so welcome to the apostle that he commends him to the Lord, that he may find mercy with the Lord on the day of judgment; so that, as he found the apostle by seeking him, so, seeking mercy, he may find it with the judge. For he prays that the Lord, the Father of heaven and earth, may grant him to find grace with the Lord of the human race, that is, the Son. This is like the passage in Genesis: “And the Lord rained sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah from the Lord out of heaven” (Gen 19:24). “And how much he ministered to me at Ephesus you know better.” Since some are wont to serve persons rather than causes, wishing to gratify the great, the apostle therefore shows the general goodness of Onesiphorus, lest he perhaps seem to have commended himself to a person by ministering to the apostle, since it was known that he was generous to all. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 1:17–18: quotation, high confidence - Gen 19:24: quotation, high confidence - Acts 25:11: allusion, medium confidence - Acts 28:16: allusion, medium confidence ### Translation notes - Ambrosiaster reads “the Lord … from the Lord” as the Father and the Son, citing Gen 19:24 (“the Lord rained … from the Lord”). In the Latin of Gen 19:24 he quotes “a Deo” (“from God”), translated “from the Lord”. ### Citation (SBL) Ambrosiaster, 2 Tim. 1.17 (PL 17:487; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/1-17). ## Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:1–2 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1/#p-2-1 - Source: PL 17:487 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Timothy must be strong in grace and entrust the teaching only to faithful men able to teach others. ### Latin text Tu ergo, filimi, cofortare in gratia, qum eat in Christo Jesu , et in iis quæ audivisti a me per multos testes : hæc commenda fidelibushominibus, qui idonei erunt et alios docere. Constantem huncet robustum es,e præcipit ill docendo Gratiam Dei , quae data est in Christo Jesu : et nou solum in gratia , sed eliam in mysteriis, quae sunt de Chrito. Arcana fidelibus et dignis tradi vult , qui alios possint docere, non passim vulgaribus ac negligentibus; magna enim cura eligendus est doctor. ### English translation (Claude) “You, then, my son, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me through many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” He commands him to be constant and robust in teaching the grace of God which was given in Christ Jesus; and not only in grace but also in the mysteries concerning Christ. He wants the secret things handed on to faithful and worthy men who can teach others, not indiscriminately to the common and careless; for a teacher must be chosen with great care. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:1–2: quotation, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Ambrosiaster, 2 Tim. 2.1 (PL 17:487; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/2-1). ## Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:3–4 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1/#p-2-3 - Source: PL 17:487 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: A cleric, as Christ’s soldier, must keep out of worldly business, which serves greed and involves lying. ### Latin text Labora ut bonus miles Christ; Jesu ; nemo enim militans Deo, obligat se negotiis sæculari bus; ut placeat ei, cui ae probavit. Manifestum est quo dicit; quia nemo potest duobus dominis servire (Matth. VI, 24); negotia enim sæcularia avaritiæ serviant necesse est: et nisi mentiti fuerim, transegisse non possunt. Est ergo, sed leve peccatum. Ecclesiasticus autemidcirco Deo se probat, ut huic devotus, oUicium impleat qnod spopOIltlit, in Dei rebus sollicitus, a sæculari negolio alienus ; nun enim convenit unum duplicem professionem habere. ### English translation (Claude) “Labor as a good soldier of Christ Jesus; for no one serving as a soldier of God entangles himself in worldly affairs, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.” What he says is plain: that no one can serve two masters (Matt 6:24); for worldly business must serve avarice, and unless men have lied they cannot have carried it through. It is, then, a sin, but a light one. But the churchman proves himself to God for this reason, that, devoted to him, he may fulfill the office he pledged, careful in God’s affairs, a stranger to worldly business; for it is not fitting for one man to have a double profession. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:3–4: quotation, high confidence - Matt 6:24: quotation, high confidence ### Translation notes - Ambrosiaster calls the lying involved in trade “a sin, but a light one”; translated as written. ### Citation (SBL) Ambrosiaster, 2 Tim. 2.3 (PL 17:487; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/2-3). ## Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:5 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1/#p-2-5 - Source: PL 17:487–489 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: God’s soldier must compete by the rules, devoted wholly to divine service, to win the heavenly crown. ### Latin text f Etsi certet quia, non coronatur, nisi le gitime certaverit. Dei militem tam exercitatum vult esse in Dei operibus, vel officio deputato, ut possit ad gloriae meritum pervenire : tota mente vigilantem divinis obsequiis, praesentia spernentem, coelestia diJigentem; ad hoc enim se probavit, ut hic laborans remuneretur in cœlis. ### English translation (Claude) “And if one competes, he is not crowned unless he has competed lawfully.” He wants God’s soldier to be so trained in God’s works, or in the office assigned him, that he may attain the merit of glory: watchful with his whole mind in divine services, spurning present things, loving heavenly things; for he has proved himself for this, that laboring here he may be rewarded in heaven. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:5: quotation, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Ambrosiaster, 2 Tim. 2.5 (PL 17:487–489; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/2-5). ## Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:6–7 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1/#p-2-6 - Source: PL 17:489 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Timothy, who abstained from the church’s funds, is told that the laborer should take his own share first and then distribute to others. ### Latin text Laborantem agricolam oportet primum de fructibus percipere. Intellige quæ dico; dabit enim tibi Dominus in omnibus intellectum. Tantae abstinentiae sanctus fuit Timotheus, ut etiam a licitis se tcmperaret; boc enim vult intelligi, quia a participatione gazophylacii se abstinebat, cum huc Dominus decreverit, ut qui Evangelium annuntiant, de Evangelio vivant (1 Cor. IX, 14). Ideo apostolus prius hunc sumere praecipit, qui primus est, et sic caeteris distribuere. ### English translation (Claude) “The laboring farmer ought to be the first to partake of the fruits. Understand what I say; for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.” Holy Timothy was of such abstinence that he restrained himself even from lawful things; for he wants this understood: that he abstained from sharing in the treasury, although the Lord decreed that those who proclaim the gospel should live by the gospel (1 Cor 9:14). Therefore the apostle commands that he who is first should take first, and then distribute to the rest. ### Scripture references - 2 Tim 2:6–7: quotation, high confidence - 1 Cor 9:14: allusion, high confidence ### Citation (SBL) Ambrosiaster, 2 Tim. 2.6 (PL 17:489; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/2-6). ## Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:8–9 - URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/ambrosiaster-2-timotheum/0-1/#p-2-8 - Source: PL 17:489 - Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27 Summary: Against heretics who deny the incarnation, Paul insists on the risen Christ of David’s seed; his chains could not bind the word, which he preached even in prison. ### Latin text Memor ello Christum Jesum resurrexissea mortuisex semineDauid secundumEvangetium meum, in quo laboro usque ad vincula, quasi la-