Attributed commentary excerpt
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 2:26
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · 19th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
recover themselves--Greek, "awake to soberness," namely from the spiritual intoxication whereby they have fallen into the snare of the devil. the snare-- (Eph 6:11, "the wiles of the devil": Ti1 3:7; Ti1 6:9). taken captive by him at his will--so as to follow the will of "THAT" (the Greek emphatically marks Satan thus) foe. However, different Greek pronouns stand for "him" and "his"; and the Greek for "taken captive" means not "captured for destruction," but "for being saved alive," as in Luk 5:10, "Thou shalt catch men to save them unto life"; also there is no article before the Greek participle, which the English Version "who are taken captive," would require. Therefore, translate, "That they may awake . . . taken as saved (and willing) captives by him (the servant of the Lord, Ti2 2:24), so as to follow the will of HIM (the Lord, Ti2 2:24, or "God," Ti2 2:25)." There are here two evils, the "snare" and sleep, from which they are delivered: and two goods to which they are translated, awaking and deliverance. Instead of Satan's thrall comes the free and willing captivity of obedience to Christ (Co2 10:5). It is God who goes before, giving repentance (Ti2 2:25); then the work of His servant following is sure to be crowned with success, leading the convert henceforth to "live to the will of God" (Act 22:14; Pe1 4:2). Next: 2 Timothy Chapter 3
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