---
title: "Commentary on Timothy, Titus and Philemon"
author: "John Calvin"
translator: "William Pringle"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 69 of 77
url: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-timothy-titus-and-philemon/69/
cite: "John Calvin, tr. William Pringle, Commentary on Timothy, Titus and Philemon, section 69. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-timothy-titus-and-philemon/69/"
---

# Commentary on Timothy, Titus and Philemon

*John Calvin, tr. William Pringle*

Calvin on the pastoral letters and the letter to Philemon.

## 69. Chapter 1

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-timothy-titus-and-philemon/69/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-timothy-titus-and-philemon/69/#p-N

[¶0] 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life, which is in Christ Jesus,

[¶1] 2 To Timothy, my beloved son, grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Lord.

[¶2] 3 I give thanks to God, whom I worship from my ancestors, in a pure conscience, as I make continual mention of thee in my prayers night and day,

[¶3] 4 Desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

[¶4] 5 Calling to remembrance that unfeigned faith which is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that (it dwelleth) in thee also.

[¶5] 6 For which cause I advise thee to stir up the gift of God which is in thee, by the laying on of my hands;

[¶6] 7 For God hath not given to us a spirit of cowardice, but of power, and of love, and of soberness.

[¶7] 8 Be not ashamed, therefore, of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, who am his prisoner; but be thou a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God;

[¶8] 9 Who hath saved us and hath called us with a holy calling; not according to our works, but according to his purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before eternal ages,

[¶9] 10 But hath now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath indeed destroyed death, and hath brought to light life and immortality by the gospel.

[¶10] 11 To which I have been appointed a herald, and an apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles;

[¶11] 12 For which cause also I suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have intrusted to him till that day.

[¶12] 13 Hold the form of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

[¶13] 14 Guard the excellent thing to thee by the Holy Spirit, who dwelleth in us.

[¶14] 15 Thou knowest this, that all that are in Asia have forsaken me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

[¶15] 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,

[¶16] 17 But when he was in Rome, he sought me out diligently, and found me.

[¶17] 18 May the Lord grant to him that he may find mercy with the Lord on that day; and how many things he ministered to me at Ephesus, thou knowest well.