Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
Paul stands toward Timothy as a father toward his son in the gospel. He wrote while lonely and imprisoned. He was mindful of Timothy's tears and prayed for him unceasingly night and day. He greatly desired to see Timothy. Seeing Timothy again would fill him with joy.
He feared Timothy might arrive too late because his own life was uncertain. The affection between them was unusually strong and sacred.
His longing expressed responsibility for spiritual welfare beyond mere head knowledge, a burden that those he taught would know the true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. That burden is illustrated in Timothy, who was trained from childhood in the knowledge of the Scriptures, was often called together for prayer, and was charged not only to read and teach the Word but to become a diligent student of it.
Paul stands toward Timothy as a father toward his son in the gospel. He wrote while lonely and imprisoned. He was mindful of Timothy's tears and prayed for him unceasingly night and day. He greatly desired to see Timothy. Seeing Timothy again would fill him with joy.
He feared Timothy might arrive too late because his own life was uncertain. The affection between them was unusually strong and sacred.
His longing expressed responsibility for spiritual welfare beyond mere head knowledge, a burden that those he taught would know the true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. That burden is illustrated in Timothy, who was trained from childhood in the knowledge of the Scriptures, was often called together for prayer, and was charged not only to read and teach the Word but to become a diligent student of it.