2 Timotius 2:24

2:24 And the Lord’s slave ¹  must not engage in heated disputes ²  but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,

2 Timotius 3:12

3:12 Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

2 Timotius 3:17

3:17 that the person dedicated to God ³  may be capable ⁴  and equipped for every good work.

2 Timotius 4:14

4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. ⁵  The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds. ⁶ 

[2:24]  ¹ tn Traditionally, “servant” or “bondservant.” Though δοῦλος (doulos) is normally translated “servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BDAG notes that “‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times…in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BDAG 260 s.v.). The most accurate translation is “bondservant” (sometimes found in the ASV for δοῦλος), in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.

[2:24]  sn Undoubtedly the background for the concept of being the Lord’s slave or servant is to be found in the Old Testament scriptures. For a Jew this concept did not connote drudgery, but honor and privilege. It was used of national Israel at times (Isa 43:10), but was especially associated with famous OT personalities, including such great men as Moses (Josh 14:7), David (Ps 89:3; cf. 2 Sam 7:5, 8) and Elijah (2 Kgs 10:10); all these men were “servants (or slaves) of the Lord.”

[2:24]  ² tn Grk “must not fight” or “must not quarrel.” The Greek verb is related to the noun translated “infighting” in v. 23.

[3:17]  ³ tn Grk “the man of God,” but ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpos) is most likely used here in a generic sense, referring to both men and women.

[3:17]  ⁴ tn This word is positioned for special emphasis; it carries the sense of “complete, competent, able to meet all demands.”

[4:14]  ⁵ tn Grk “showed me much evil.”

[4:14]  ⁶ sn An allusion to Ps 28:4.