1
Παῦλος ἀπόστολος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ κατ' ἐπιταγὴν θεοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τῆς ἐλπίδος ἡμῶν
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
The epistolary superscription: sender named and his apostleship grounded not in his own will but in a divine 'command' — already lending authority to the charges that follow.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject (nominative of superscription)Παῦλος: the apostle's Roman cognomen; the Greek letter-opening names the sender first.
ἀπόστολοςapostleNominativeapposition to Παῦλοςἀπόστολος: 'one sent,' commissioned envoy; from ἀποστέλλω — authority delegated, not self-assumed.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of possession/sourceΧριστός: 'Anointed,' the Messiah; here functionally a name-title for Jesus, naming whose envoy Paul is.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition to Χριστοῦ
κατ'according topreposition + accusative (standard/cause)
ἐπιταγὴνcommandAccusativeobject of κατά (basis of the apostolate)ἐπιταγή: 'command, injunction, authoritative order' (ἐπί + τάσσω); Paul's office rests on a royal directive, a Pastoral favorite (cf. Tit 1:3).
θεοῦof GodGenitivesubjective genitive (God who commands)θεός: God; the ultimate author of the command.
σωτῆροςSaviorGenitiveapposition to θεοῦσωτήρ: 'Savior, deliverer'; in the Pastorals applied both to God (here) and to Christ — a title contesting imperial 'savior' claims.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivecoordinate genitive (second source of the command)
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition to Χριστοῦ
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἐλπίδοςhopeGenitiveapposition to Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦἐλπίς: 'hope'; Christ is not merely the giver of hope but its very content and object (cf. Col 1:27).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
2
Τιμοθέῳ γνησίῳ τέκνῳ ἐν πίστει· χάρις ἔλεος εἰρήνη ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς καὶ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν.
to Timothy, a true child in the faith: grace, mercy, peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
The addressee named and tenderly characterized, then the expanded triadic greeting — 'mercy' added to the usual grace-and-peace, fitting a letter so concerned with mercy received (v.13, 16).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
Τιμοθέῳto TimothyDativeindirect object (addressee)Τιμόθεος: 'honoring God' (τιμή + θεός); Paul's coworker and delegate, here left in charge at Ephesus.
γνησίῳtrue/genuineDativeattributive adjectiveγνήσιος: 'legitimate, genuine, true-born'; originally of a child born in wedlock — Timothy is Paul's authentic spiritual offspring.
τέκνῳchildDativeapposition to Τιμοθέῳτέκνον: 'child' (from τίκτω, 'bear'); a term of affection — Timothy was begotten through Paul's gospel ministry.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
πίστειfaithDativedat. of sphere (the relationship's domain)πίστις: 'faith'; the shared faith is the sphere within which the father-child bond exists.
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (nom. in greeting formula)χάρις: 'grace'; God's unmerited favor, reshaping the Greek χαίρειν greeting.
ἔλεοςmercyNominativesubject (coordinate, asyndeton)ἔλεος: 'mercy, compassion'; added in the Pastorals to the usual greeting — apt where Paul is the supreme object of mercy (v.13, 16).
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject (coordinate)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the Hebrew šālôm — wholeness and well-being, the third member of the blessing.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source)
πατρὸςFatherGenitiveapposition to θεοῦπατήρ: 'Father'; the relational name for God, paired with Christ as the joint source.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivecoordinate object of ἀπό (source)
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition to Χριστοῦ
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitiveapposition (title)κύριος: 'Lord'; the LXX rendering of YHWH, confessed of Jesus — set in parallel with the Father as one source of blessing.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
3
Καθὼς παρεκάλεσά σε προσμεῖναι ἐν Ἐφέσῳ πορευόμενος εἰς Μακεδονίαν, ἵνα παραγγείλῃς τισὶν μὴ ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖν
As I urged you to remain in Ephesus while I was going to Macedonia, so that you might charge certain persons not to teach a different doctrine
The body opens with a 'just as' clause whose main verb never arrives (anacoluthon): it recalls the standing commission Timothy received — to stay and silence the false teachers — and so states the letter's reason.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
Καθὼςascomparative conjunction (anacoluthon)καθώς: 'just as, even as'; introduces a clause whose answering apodosis is left grammatically unfinished — Paul resumes the thought without it.
παρεκάλεσάI urgedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb (καθώς clause)→ constative aoristπαρακαλέω: 'urge, exhort, appeal' (παρά + καλέω, 'call alongside'); a strong but pastoral request, not a bare order.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
προσμεῖναιto remainAor Act Inf · προσμένωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristπροσμένω: 'remain with, stay on' (πρός + μένω); to continue at a post rather than move on.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ἘφέσῳEphesusDativedat. of placeἜφεσος: Ephesus, the major Asian city where Timothy was stationed — the letter's setting.
πορευόμενοςwhile goingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πορεύομαιadverbial ptc. of time (concurrent)→ present (concurrent action)πορεύομαι: 'go, journey, travel'; the participle sets the circumstance — Paul was en route to Macedonia.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ΜακεδονίανMacedoniaAccusativeobject of εἰς (destination)Μακεδονία: Macedonia, the northern province Paul was traveling to.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
παραγγείλῃςyou might chargeAor Act Subj 2 Sg · παραγγέλλωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ constative aoristπαραγγέλλω: 'command, charge, give strict orders' (a military/official term); the verb sets the authoritative tone — Timothy is to issue orders.
τισὶνcertain onesDativeindirect object (the addressees of the charge)τις: 'someone, certain ones'; the vague, almost dismissive reference to the unnamed false teachers.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)
ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖνto teach a different doctrinePres Act Inf · ἑτεροδιδασκαλέωinfinitive (content of the charge)→ present (ongoing prohibition)ἑτεροδιδασκαλέω: 'teach otherwise/differently' (ἕτερος, 'another of a different kind' + διδάσκω); a coinage of the Pastorals for doctrine deviating from the apostolic norm.
4
μηδὲ προσέχειν μύθοις καὶ γενεαλογίαις ἀπεράντοις, αἵτινες ἐκζητήσεις παρέχουσιν μᾶλλον ἢ οἰκονομίαν θεοῦ τὴν ἐν πίστει.
nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship of God that is by faith.
The charge's second half: not to be absorbed in myths and genealogies, whose fruit is mere speculation, contrasted with the gospel's true work — God's ordered economy received by faith.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
μηδὲnornegative conjunction (continues μή)μηδέ: 'and not, nor'; links a second prohibited activity to the first.
προσέχεινto devote themselvesPres Act Inf · προσέχωinfinitive (parallel to ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖν)→ present (habitual)προσέχω: 'turn the mind to, devote oneself, occupy oneself with' (πρός + ἔχω); to fasten attention on something.
μύθοιςmythsDativedat. object of προσέχωμῦθος: 'tale, fable, myth' (cf. 'mythology'); fanciful religious stories, here pejorative — the opposite of the truth (cf. 4:7; 2 Tim 4:4).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γενεαλογίαιςgenealogiesDativedat. object of προσέχωγενεαλογία: 'genealogy, pedigree'; speculative ancestral lore — perhaps Jewish-haggadic embellishments of the OT lineages.
ἀπεράντοιςendlessDativeattributive adjectiveἀπέραντος: 'endless, interminable' (ἀ- + πέρας, 'limit'); the genealogies have no terminus and yield no profit.
αἵτινεςwhichNominativeindefinite/qualitative relative pronoun (subject)ὅστις: the qualitative relative — 'which (being of such a kind that)'; characterizes the myths by their effect.
ἐκζητήσειςspeculationsAccusativedirect object of παρέχουσινἐκζήτησις: 'useless inquiry, speculation' (ἐκ + ζητέω); investigations that lead nowhere — endless debate, not edification.
παρέχουσινpromote/providePres Act Indic 3 Pl · παρέχωmain verb (rel. clause)→ gnomic present (general truth)παρέχω: 'furnish, provide, occasion' (παρά + ἔχω); the myths supply speculation as their product.
μᾶλλονratheradverb (comparison)μᾶλλον … ἤ: 'rather than'; sets the worthless speculations over against the true divine economy.
ἢthancomparative particle
οἰκονομίανstewardship/planAccusativeaccusative (second member of comparison)οἰκονομία: 'management of a household, stewardship, administration' (οἶκος + νόμος); God's ordered plan of salvation, and the responsible administration of it (cf. Eph 1:10; some read 'training, instruction').
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive (source/possession)
τὴνthe (one)Accusativearticle (modifies οἰκονομίαν)
ἐνin/bypreposition + dative (sphere/means)
πίστειfaithDativedat. of sphere (the realm of the stewardship)πίστις: 'faith'; God's economy operates in the sphere of faith, not of mythological curiosity.
5
τὸ δὲ τέλος τῆς παραγγελίας ἐστὶν ἀγάπη ἐκ καθαρᾶς καρδίας καὶ συνειδήσεως ἀγαθῆς καὶ πίστεως ἀνυποκρίτου,
Now the goal of the charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith,
Over against speculation, Paul names the positive aim: the charge exists to produce love — and love sprung from a threefold root of pure heart, good conscience, and unfeigned faith.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
τὸtheNominativearticle
δὲnow/butconnective conjunction (contrast)
τέλοςgoal/endNominativesubjectτέλος: 'end, goal, aim, purpose'; not merely termination but the intended outcome — what the charge is for.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
παραγγελίαςcharge/commandGenitiveobjective/possessive genitiveπαραγγελία: 'order, charge, instruction'; the cognate noun of παραγγέλλω (v.3) — the directive Timothy is to deliver.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἀγάπηloveNominativepredicate nominativeἀγάπη: 'love'; self-giving love for God and neighbor — the true fruit the law and charge aim at (cf. Rom 13:10).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
καθαρᾶςpureGenitiveattributive adjectiveκαθαρός: 'clean, pure, undefiled'; a heart cleansed of double motives — cf. Ps 24:4; Matt 5:8.
καρδίαςheartGenitiveobject of ἐκ (first source of love)καρδία: 'heart'; in Semitic thought the seat of will, mind, and affections — the whole inner person.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συνειδήσεωςconscienceGenitiveobject of ἐκ (second source)συνείδησις: 'conscience, moral consciousness' (σύν + οἶδα, 'co-knowing'); the inner faculty that judges one's own conduct — a key Pastoral term.
ἀγαθῆςgoodGenitiveattributive adjectiveἀγαθός: 'good'; a conscience unburdened by unrepented sin — over against the seared conscience of 4:2.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (third source)πίστις: 'faith'; genuine trust, the wellspring from which love flows.
ἀνυποκρίτουsincere/unhypocriticalGenitiveattributive adjectiveἀνυπόκριτος: 'without hypocrisy, genuine' (ἀ- + ὑποκρίνομαι, 'play a part'); a faith that is not stage-acted (cf. Rom 12:9; 2 Tim 1:5).
6
ὧν τινες ἀστοχήσαντες ἐξετράπησαν εἰς ματαιολογίαν,
from which some, having missed the mark, have turned aside into empty talk,
The dark foil to v.5: certain persons, missing those three aims, have veered off course into vacuous chatter — the false teachers diagnosed.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
ὧνwhich (things)Genitiverelative pronoun (gen. of separation w/ ἀστοχήσαντες)ὅς: relative pronoun; the antecedent is the trio of v.5 — heart, conscience, faith — which they have abandoned.
τινεςsomeNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'some, certain ones'; again the deliberately vague pointer to the deviants.
ἀστοχήσαντεςhaving missed the markAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀστοχέωadverbial ptc. (cause/attendant circ.)→ constative aoristἀστοχέω: 'miss the mark, deviate, fail of aim' (ἀ- + στόχος, 'target'); to lose sight of the goal — the very τέλος of v.5.
ἐξετράπησανhave turned asideAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐκτρέπωmain verb→ constative aoristἐκτρέπω: 'turn aside, deviate' (here pass./dep. in sense); to be diverted off the path (cf. 5:15; 6:20).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal of the swerve)
ματαιολογίανempty talkAccusativeobject of εἰς (the destination of their deviation)ματαιολογία: 'empty/fruitless talk, vain babbling' (μάταιος, 'futile' + λόγος); speech that is impressive but void of substance.
7
θέλοντες εἶναι νομοδιδάσκαλοι, μὴ νοοῦντες μήτε ἃ λέγουσιν μήτε περὶ τίνων διαβεβαιοῦνται.
desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they are saying nor the things about which they make confident assertions.
Their pretension exposed: they crave the prestige of law-teachers while comprehending neither their own words nor the matters they dogmatize about — confidence without understanding.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
θέλοντεςdesiringPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · θέλωadverbial ptc. (concessive/causal)→ present (ongoing desire)θέλω: 'wish, want, desire'; they aspire to a role their ignorance disqualifies them for.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίcomplementary infinitive→ stative present
νομοδιδάσκαλοιteachers of the lawNominativepredicate nominativeνομοδιδάσκαλος: 'law-teacher' (νόμος + διδάσκαλος); one who instructs in the Mosaic law — their coveted status (cf. Lk 5:17; Acts 5:34).
μὴnotnegative particle (with participle)
νοοῦντεςunderstandingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · νοέωadverbial ptc. (concessive)→ present (ongoing)νοέω: 'perceive, understand, comprehend' (cf. νοῦς, 'mind'); they lack the very comprehension a teacher must have.
μήτεneithercorrelative negative conjunctionμήτε … μήτε: 'neither … nor'; the double negation underscores the totality of their ignorance.
ἃthe things whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of λέγουσιν)
λέγουσινthey sayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (rel. clause)→ present (ongoing)λέγω: 'say, speak'; they do not even grasp their own assertions.
μήτεnorcorrelative negative conjunction
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
τίνωνwhat thingsGenitiveinterrogative pronoun (object of περί)τίς: interrogative 'what?'; here in an indirect question — the very topics they pronounce on.
διαβεβαιοῦνταιthey make confident assertionsPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · διαβεβαιόομαιmain verb (indirect question)→ present (ongoing)διαβεβαιόομαι: 'affirm strongly, insist confidently' (διά-intensive + βεβαιόω, 'make firm'); dogmatic assurance — the more striking given their ignorance (cf. Tit 3:8).
8
Οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι καλὸς ὁ νόμος, ἐάν τις αὐτῷ νομίμως χρῆται,
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
A shared conviction conceded: the problem is not the law itself, which is good, but its misuse; its goodness holds 'if' it is employed according to its proper design.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
Οἴδαμενwe knowPerf Act Indic 1 Pl · οἶδαmain verb→ intensive perfect (present sense)οἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present force); the formula 'we know that' appeals to common Christian conviction (cf. Rom 7:14).
δὲnowconnective conjunction
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
καλὸςgoodNominativepredicate adjective (fronted, emphatic)καλός: 'good, fine, excellent, fit-for-purpose'; the law's intrinsic goodness affirmed (cf. Rom 7:12, 16).
ὁtheNominativearticle
νόμοςlawNominativesubjectνόμος: 'law'; the Mosaic law, whose misuse by the would-be teachers prompts this clarification.
ἐάνifconjunction (3rd-class condition)ἐάν: 'if'; introduces the condition under which the law's goodness operates.
τιςanyoneNominativesubject of χρῆται (indefinite pronoun)
αὐτῷitDativedat. object of χράομαι
νομίμωςlawfullyadverb (manner)νομίμως: 'lawfully, in accordance with rule' (cognate with νόμος); a deliberate wordplay — using the law law-fully, as designed.
χρῆταιusesPres Mid Subj 3 Sg · χράομαιsubjunctive (protasis of condition)→ present (general)χράομαι: 'use, make use of, employ' (+ dat.); the law's value depends on the manner of its use.
9
εἰδὼς τοῦτο ὅτι δικαίῳ νόμος οὐ κεῖται, ἀνόμοις δὲ καὶ ἀνυποτάκτοις, ἀσεβέσι καὶ ἁμαρτωλοῖς, ἀνοσίοις καὶ βεβήλοις, πατρολῴαις καὶ μητρολῴαις, ἀνδροφόνοις,
knowing this, that the law is not laid down for a righteous person, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,
What 'lawful use' presupposes: the law is not aimed at the righteous but functions as an indictment of the lawless — and a long vice-list begins, loosely tracking the Decalogue's second table.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
εἰδὼςknowingPerf Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · οἶδαadverbial ptc. (causal/circumstantial)→ intensive perfect (present sense)οἶδα: 'know'; the participle grounds 'lawful use' in the recognition that follows.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (anticipates the ὅτι clause)
ὅτιthatconjunction (epexegetical of τοῦτο)
δικαίῳfor a righteous personDativedat. of advantage/reference (fronted)δίκαιος: 'righteous, just'; the law is not 'laid against' the already-righteous, who need no such restraint.
νόμοςlawNominativesubject
οὐnotnegative particle
κεῖταιis laid downPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · κεῖμαιmain verb→ stative presentκεῖμαι: 'lie, be laid down, be enacted'; a legal idiom — 'the law is on the books' against a class of persons.
ἀνόμοιςfor the lawlessDativedat. of reference (first vice)ἄνομος: 'lawless, without law' (ἀ- + νόμος); those who recognize no law — the law's true target.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀνυποτάκτοιςunruly/rebelliousDativedat. of referenceἀνυπότακτος: 'insubordinate, undisciplined' (ἀ- + ὑποτάσσω, 'subordinate'); refusing all submission to authority.
ἀσεβέσιungodlyDativedat. of referenceἀσεβής: 'impious, ungodly' (ἀ- + σέβομαι, 'revere'); without reverence toward God — paired with the next.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἁμαρτωλοῖςsinnersDativedat. of referenceἁμαρτωλός: 'sinner' (from ἁμαρτάνω, 'miss the mark'); the morally errant generally.
ἀνοσίοιςunholyDativedat. of referenceἀνόσιος: 'unholy, irreligious' (ἀ- + ὅσιος, 'devout'); wanting in the piety owed to God and the sacred.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βεβήλοιςprofaneDativedat. of referenceβέβηλος: 'profane, unhallowed' (lit. 'treadable,' accessible to all — not set apart); irreverent toward holy things (cf. 4:7; 6:20).
πατρολῴαιςfather-strikersDativedat. of referenceπατρολῴας: 'one who strikes/kills his father' (πατήρ + ἀλοάω, 'smite'); a breach of the fifth commandment — begins the second-table sequence.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μητρολῴαιςmother-strikersDativedat. of referenceμητρολῴας: 'one who strikes/kills his mother' (μήτηρ + ἀλοάω); the parallel atrocity against the mother.
ἀνδροφόνοιςmurderersDativedat. of referenceἀνδροφόνος: 'man-slayer, murderer' (ἀνήρ + φόνος, 'slaughter'); corresponds to 'You shall not murder' (sixth commandment).
10
πόρνοις, ἀρσενοκοίταις, ἀνδραποδισταῖς, ψεύσταις, ἐπιόρκοις, καὶ εἴ τι ἕτερον τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ ἀντίκειται,
for the sexually immoral, men who lie with males, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is opposed to the sound teaching,
The catalogue continues through further breaches of the Decalogue's second table (adultery, theft of persons, false witness), then closes open-endedly: anything contrary to 'sound teaching' — the standard against which all is measured.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
πόρνοιςsexually immoralDativedat. of referenceπόρνος: 'fornicator, sexually immoral person'; sexual sin broadly — corresponds to the seventh commandment.
ἀρσενοκοίταιςmen who lie with malesDativedat. of referenceἀρσενοκοίτης: 'male who beds a male' (ἄρσην, 'male' + κοίτη, 'bed'); a term coined from the LXX of Lev 18:22; 20:13 (cf. 1 Cor 6:9).
ἀνδραποδισταῖςkidnappers/slave-tradersDativedat. of referenceἀνδραποδιστής: 'kidnapper, slave-dealer' (one who enslaves the free); the gravest form of theft — stealing a person, sharpening the eighth commandment.
ψεύσταιςliarsDativedat. of referenceψεύστης: 'liar' (from ψεύδομαι); against the ninth commandment — false witness.
ἐπιόρκοιςperjurersDativedat. of referenceἐπίορκος: 'perjurer, one who swears falsely' (ἐπί + ὅρκος, 'oath'); lying under oath — the aggravated form of false witness.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἴifconjunction (introduces open-ended summary)εἴ τι: 'whatever, if anything'; an open clause sweeping in every remaining vice.
τιanythingNominativesubject of ἀντίκειται (indefinite pronoun)
ἕτερονelseNominativeattributive adjective (modifies τι)ἕτερος: 'other, different'; anything of a different sort that likewise opposes sound teaching.
τῇtheDativearticle
ὑγιαινούσῃsound/healthyPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Fem · ὑγιαίνωattributive participle (modifies διδασκαλίᾳ)→ present (characteristic state)ὑγιαίνω: 'be healthy, sound' (cf. 'hygiene'); a distinctive Pastoral metaphor — doctrine as health-giving, over against the diseased teaching of the deviants (cf. 6:3; 2 Tim 1:13).
διδασκαλίᾳteaching/doctrineDativedat. object of ἀντίκειταιδιδασκαλία: 'teaching, instruction, doctrine'; the body of apostolic instruction — the measuring rod for all conduct and creed.
ἀντίκειταιis opposedPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀντίκειμαιmain verb (rel./conditional clause)→ present (general)ἀντίκειμαι: 'be opposed to, stand against' (ἀντί + κεῖμαι); whatever sets itself against sound teaching falls under the law's indictment.
11
κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς δόξης τοῦ μακαρίου θεοῦ, ὃ ἐπιστεύθην ἐγώ.
according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted.
The 'sound teaching' is defined by its source: the glorious gospel of the blessed God, committed to Paul — a transition that swings the chapter from law to grace and into Paul's own testimony.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm/standard)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
εὐαγγέλιονgospelAccusativeobject of κατά (the governing standard)εὐαγγέλιον: 'good news'; the sound teaching conforms to the gospel — its ultimate norm.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
δόξηςgloryGenitiveattributive/content genitiveδόξα: 'glory, splendor'; the gospel reveals and conveys God's glory — 'the gospel that displays his glory.'
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
μακαρίουblessedGenitiveattributive adjectiveμακάριος: 'blessed, happy, fortunate'; of God, denoting his self-sufficient, untroubled blessedness — a Hellenistic-Jewish epithet (cf. 6:15).
θεοῦGodGenitivesubjective/possessive genitive (whose glory)
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (retained acc. w/ pass. verb)ὅς: relative pronoun; antecedent is εὐαγγέλιον — the gospel Paul was charged to keep and proclaim.
ἐπιστεύθηνI was entrustedAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · πιστεύωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπιστεύω (pass.): 'be entrusted with'; the passive of committal — Paul was made trustee of the gospel (cf. Gal 2:7; 1 Thess 2:4).
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἐγώ: 'I'; the emphatic pronoun spotlights Paul, launching the personal testimony of vv.12–17.
12
Χάριν ἔχω τῷ ἐνδυναμώσαντί με Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν, ὅτι πιστόν με ἡγήσατο θέμενος εἰς διακονίαν,
I give thanks to the one who strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service,
The mention of his trust sparks gratitude: Paul thanks Christ, who empowered him and — astonishingly — judged him faithful and put him into ministry, the seed of the testimony to follow.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ΧάρινthanksAccusativedirect object (idiom χάριν ἔχω)χάρις: here in the idiom χάριν ἔχω, 'I have/render thanks, I am grateful.'
ἔχωI have/renderPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (idiom w/ χάριν)→ present (ongoing gratitude)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; in χάριν ἔχω = 'I am thankful.'
τῷto the (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐνδυναμώσαντίwho strengthenedAor Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · ἐνδυναμόωsubstantival participle (indirect object)→ constative aoristἐνδυναμόω: 'empower, strengthen, make strong' (ἐν + δύναμις); the divine enablement that fits Paul for service (cf. Phil 4:13; 2 Tim 4:17).
μεmeAccusativedirect object of the participle
ΧριστῷChristDativeapposition to τῷ ἐνδυναμώσαντι
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition to Χριστῷ
τῷtheDativearticle
κυρίῳLordDativeapposition (title)κύριος: 'Lord'; the exalted title under which Christ both empowers and commissions.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
πιστόνfaithfulAccusativeobject complement (double accusative w/ ἡγήσατο)πιστός: 'faithful, trustworthy, reliable'; the verdict Christ rendered on Paul — grace, not merit, since he was a persecutor (v.13).
μεmeAccusativedirect object of ἡγήσατο
ἡγήσατοhe counted/consideredAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἡγέομαιmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ constative aoristἡγέομαι: 'consider, regard, esteem'; to reckon someone to be something — Christ deemed Paul reliable.
θέμενοςappointing/puttingAor Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · τίθημιadverbial ptc. (result/means)→ constative aoristτίθημι (mid.): 'put, place, appoint'; Christ set Paul into ministry — the concrete expression of counting him faithful.
εἰςinto/forpreposition + accusative (goal/purpose)
διακονίανservice/ministryAccusativeobject of εἰς (the appointment's end)διακονία: 'service, ministry' (cf. 'deacon'); the apostolic service to which Paul was assigned.
13
τὸ πρότερον ὄντα βλάσφημον καὶ διώκτην καὶ ὑβριστήν· ἀλλὰ ἠλεήθην, ὅτι ἀγνοῶν ἐποίησα ἐν ἀπιστίᾳ,
though formerly I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man; but I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief,
The marvel sharpened: the man so appointed was once a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent opponent — yet (ἀλλά) he was shown mercy, the ground being that he acted in ignorant unbelief.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
τὸtheAccusativearticle (adverbial accusative)
πρότερονformerlyadverb (time; τὸ πρότερον = 'previously')πρότερον: 'earlier, formerly'; marks the contrast between Paul's past and his present mercy.
ὄνταbeingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · εἰμίconcessive ptc. (agrees w/ με of v.12)→ present (past-referring, concurrent w/ main clause)εἰμί: 'be'; the participle continues from 'me' in v.12 — 'me, though being formerly …'
βλάσφημονblasphemerAccusativepredicate accusative (w/ ὄντα)βλάσφημος: 'blasphemer, reviler'; one who slanders — Paul had reviled Christ and forced others to blaspheme (Acts 26:11).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διώκτηνpersecutorAccusativepredicate accusativeδιώκτης: 'persecutor' (from διώκω, 'pursue, hunt down'); Paul had hounded the church (Gal 1:13).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὑβριστήνinsolent/violent manAccusativepredicate accusativeὑβριστής: 'violent, insolent, overbearing person' (cf. ὕβρις); one who outrages others with arrogant cruelty.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the sharp pivot from Paul's guilt to God's mercy.
ἠλεήθηνI received mercyAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · ἐλεέωmain verb→ constative aoristἐλεέω: 'have mercy, show compassion'; the passive — Paul was the recipient, not the agent, of mercy (echoing ἔλεος of v.2).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
ἀγνοῶνbeing ignorantPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀγνοέωadverbial ptc. (manner/cause)→ present (concurrent)ἀγνοέω: 'not know, be ignorant' (ἀ- + γινώσκω); Paul acted without recognizing the truth — not the high-handed sin that mercy bypasses (cf. Num 15:30–31).
ἐποίησαI acted/did itAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do, make, act'; summarizes Paul's hostile conduct.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (state/sphere)
ἀπιστίᾳunbeliefDativedat. of sphere/mannerἀπιστία: 'unbelief, faithlessness' (ἀ- + πίστις); the condition out of which Paul's ignorance sprang — not innocence, but unbelief that mercy reached.
14
ὑπερεπλεόνασεν δὲ ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν μετὰ πίστεως καὶ ἀγάπης τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.
and the grace of our Lord overflowed all the more, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Mercy is not merely granted but lavished: grace 'super-abounded,' bringing with it the very faith and love Paul once lacked — the gifts that replaced his unbelief.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ὑπερεπλεόνασενoverflowed all the moreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπερπλεονάζωmain verb (fronted, emphatic)→ constative aorist (with superabundant force)ὑπερπλεονάζω: 'be present in superabundance, overflow exceedingly' (ὑπέρ + πλεονάζω, 'abound'); a rare intensive — grace beyond all measure (cf. Rom 5:20).
δὲandconnective conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
χάριςgraceNominativesubjectχάρις: 'grace'; God's unmerited favor — here the active power that overwhelmed Paul's sin.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of sourceκύριος: 'Lord'; the grace originates from Christ the Lord.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of μετά (accompaniment)πίστις: 'faith'; the very trust Paul lacked 'in unbelief' (v.13), now given as grace's companion.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀγάπηςloveGenitivecoordinate object of μετάἀγάπη: 'love'; paired with faith — together the antidote to the blasphemy and violence of his past.
τῆςthe (one)Genitivearticle (modifies πίστεως & ἀγάπης)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (locus of faith and love)Χριστός: the sphere 'in Christ Jesus' — faith and love exist and flourish only in union with him.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition to Χριστῷ
15
πιστὸς ὁ λόγος καὶ πάσης ἀποδοχῆς ἄξιος, ὅτι Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς ἦλθεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἁμαρτωλοὺς σῶσαι· ὧν πρῶτός εἰμι ἐγώ.
The saying is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am foremost.
A solemn citation formula ('the saying is trustworthy') frames the gospel in miniature — Christ came to save sinners — which Paul instantly applies to himself in the superlative: he is the chief of them.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
πιστὸςtrustworthyNominativepredicate adjective (fronted)πιστός: 'faithful, trustworthy, reliable'; the formula πιστὸς ὁ λόγος ('faithful is the saying') marks a quotable, weighty maxim, a Pastoral signature (cf. 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11; Tit 3:8).
ὁtheNominativearticle
λόγοςsaying/wordNominativesubjectλόγος: 'word, saying, statement'; here a fixed traditional formula being cited.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάσηςfull/allGenitiveattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all, full, complete'; 'worthy of all acceptance' — deserving to be received without reservation.
ἀποδοχῆςacceptanceGenitivegenitive (w/ ἄξιος, of worth)ἀποδοχή: 'acceptance, approval, reception' (from ἀποδέχομαι); a term of welcome — the saying merits hearty embrace.
ἄξιοςworthyNominativepredicate adjective (governs gen.)ἄξιος: 'worthy, deserving'; takes a genitive of that which is merited.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introduces the saying's content)
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject (of the saying)
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativeapposition to Χριστός
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the saying)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; 'came into the world' presupposes Christ's prior existence — an incarnation statement.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κόσμονworldAccusativeobject of εἰς (destination)κόσμος: 'world'; the sphere of human existence into which Christ entered.
ἁμαρτωλοὺςsinnersAccusativedirect object of σῶσαιἁμαρτωλός: 'sinner'; the very class the law condemns (v.9) — the objects of saving grace.
σῶσαιto saveAor Act Inf · σῴζωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aoristσῴζω: 'save, rescue, deliver, heal'; the very purpose of the incarnation — deliverance of sinners.
ὧνof whomGenitivepartitive genitive (relative pronoun)
πρῶτόςforemost/chiefNominativepredicate nominative (superlative)πρῶτος: 'first, foremost, chief'; not merely earliest but worst — Paul ranks himself the prime example of a saved sinner.
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'am'; the present tense is striking — 'I am foremost,' not merely 'was.'
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
16
ἀλλὰ διὰ τοῦτο ἠλεήθην, ἵνα ἐν ἐμοὶ πρώτῳ ἐνδείξηται Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς τὴν ἅπασαν μακροθυμίαν, πρὸς ὑποτύπωσιν τῶν μελλόντων πιστεύειν ἐπ' αὐτῷ εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον.
But for this reason I received mercy, so that in me, the foremost, Christ Jesus might display his perfect patience, as an example to those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.
Paul's preeminence in sin serves a purpose: precisely the worst case becomes the showcase of Christ's limitless patience — a living pattern assuring all future believers of mercy's reach.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; turns from confession of guilt to the gracious design behind the mercy.
διὰforpreposition + accusative (cause)διὰ τοῦτο: 'for this reason, on this account'; points forward to the ἵνα purpose.
τοῦτοthis reasonAccusativeobject of διά (cataphoric)
ἠλεήθηνI received mercyAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · ἐλεέωmain verb→ constative aoristἐλεέω: 'have mercy'; repeated from v.13 — the mercy now interpreted as purposeful display.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/locus)
ἐμοὶmeDativeobject of ἐν (the showcase)ἐγώ (emphatic dat. ἐμοί): 'in me' — Paul himself as the canvas of the demonstration.
πρώτῳthe foremostDativeapposition to ἐμοίπρῶτος: 'foremost, chief'; echoing v.15 — the worst sinner is the fittest exhibit of patience.
ἐνδείξηταιmight displayAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · ἐνδείκνυμιsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ constative aoristἐνδείκνυμι: 'show forth, demonstrate, exhibit' (ἐν + δείκνυμι); to put on public display (cf. Rom 9:22).
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativeapposition to Χριστός
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἅπασανperfect/entireAccusativeattributive adjectiveἅπας: 'all, the whole, entire' (strengthened πᾶς); his patience displayed to the full — its complete extent.
μακροθυμίανpatience/forbearanceAccusativedirect object of ἐνδείξηταιμακροθυμία: 'patience, long-suffering, forbearance' (μακρός, 'long' + θυμός, 'temper'); a slowness to anger that bears long with offenders.
πρὸςas/towardpreposition + accusative (purpose/result)
ὑποτύπωσινexample/patternAccusativeobject of πρός (intended effect)ὑποτύπωσις: 'outline, pattern, prototype, example' (from ὑποτυπόω, 'sketch'); Paul as the template of mercy (cf. 2 Tim 1:13).
τῶνof the (ones)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μελλόντωνwho were goingPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · μέλλωsubstantival participle (objective gen.)→ present (future-referring)μέλλω: 'be about to, be destined to'; with the infinitive denotes those who would later come to faith.
πιστεύεινto believePres Act Inf · πιστεύωcomplementary infinitive (w/ μελλόντων)→ present (ongoing)πιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; saving faith directed toward Christ.
ἐπ'in/onpreposition + dative (object of trust)ἐπί + dat. after πιστεύω: 'believe upon, rest faith on' — a Septuagintal construction.
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐπί (the one trusted)
εἰςfor/untopreposition + accusative (goal/result)
ζωὴνlifeAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of faith)ζωή: 'life'; the saving end of believing — life of the age to come.
αἰώνιονeternalAccusativeattributive adjectiveαἰώνιος: 'eternal, everlasting' (from αἰών, 'age'); the unending life of the coming age.
17
Τῷ δὲ βασιλεῖ τῶν αἰώνων, ἀφθάρτῳ, ἀοράτῳ, μόνῳ θεῷ, τιμὴ καὶ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων· ἀμήν.
Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
The testimony erupts into praise: a liturgical doxology heaping titles on God — eternal King, imperishable, unseen, sole deity — closing the unit with 'Amen' before the charge resumes.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
Τῷto theDativearticle (dat. of the one praised)
δὲnowconnective/transitional conjunction
βασιλεῖKingDativedat. of recipient (of honor and glory)βασιλεύς: 'king'; God as sovereign — over against the false 'savior' and 'king' claims of empire.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
αἰώνωνagesGenitivegenitive (of subordination/duration)αἰών: 'age, era, eternity'; 'King of the ages' = the eternal sovereign over all epochs (cf. the Hebrew 'King everlasting').
ἀφθάρτῳimmortal/imperishableDativeattributive adjective (in apposition)ἄφθαρτος: 'incorruptible, imperishable, immortal' (ἀ- + φθείρω, 'corrupt'); God is beyond decay (cf. 6:16; Rom 1:23).
ἀοράτῳinvisibleDativeattributive adjective (in apposition)ἀόρατος: 'unseen, invisible' (ἀ- + ὁράω); God dwells in unapproachable light, unseen by mortals (cf. 6:16; Col 1:15).
μόνῳonlyDativeattributive adjectiveμόνος: 'only, alone, sole'; the monotheistic confession — one God alone (cf. 6:15–16; Jude 25).
θεῷGodDativeapposition to βασιλεῖ
τιμὴhonorNominativesubject (of implied verb 'be')τιμή: 'honor, esteem, value'; the homage due to God.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δόξαgloryNominativesubject (coordinate)δόξα: 'glory, splendor'; the radiant weight ascribed to God in worship.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (extent of time)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναςagesAccusativeobject of εἰς (duration)αἰών: 'age'; εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων = 'unto the ages of the ages,' a Semitic superlative for unending eternity.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
αἰώνωνagesGenitivegenitive (intensifying, Semitic idiom)
ἀμήνameninterjection (liturgical affirmation)ἀμήν: transliterated Hebrew 'truly, so be it'; the worshipping community's seal on the doxology.
18
Ταύτην τὴν παραγγελίαν παρατίθεμαί σοι, τέκνον Τιμόθεε, κατὰ τὰς προαγούσας ἐπὶ σὲ προφητείας, ἵνα στρατεύῃ ἐν αὐταῖς τὴν καλὴν στρατείαν,
This charge I entrust to you, my child Timothy, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
Returning from the digression, Paul formally deposits 'this charge' with Timothy, anchoring it in earlier prophecies over him, with a military aim: to fight the noble campaign equipped by those very prophecies.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ΤαύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative (modifies παραγγελίαν)οὗτος: 'this'; resumes the παραγγελία of vv.3, 5 after the intervening testimony.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
παραγγελίανchargeAccusativedirect object (fronted, emphatic)παραγγελία: 'charge, command, instruction'; the directive entrusted to Timothy.
παρατίθεμαίI entrustPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · παρατίθημιmain verb→ present (performative)παρατίθημι (mid.): 'deposit, entrust, commit for safekeeping' (παρά + τίθημι); a banking/legal image — handing over a trust to be guarded (cf. 2 Tim 2:2).
σοιto youDativeindirect object
τέκνονchildVocativevocative of direct address (apposition)τέκνον: 'child'; the affectionate address resumes the bond of v.2.
ΤιμόθεεTimothyVocativevocative of direct addressΤιμόθεος: vocative — Paul names his delegate directly as he hands over the charge.
κατὰin accordance withpreposition + accusative (norm)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
προαγούσαςpreviously made/going beforePres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Fem · προάγωattributive participle (modifies προφητείας)→ present (with past reference)προάγω: 'lead forward, go before, precede' (πρό + ἄγω); here of prophecies uttered earlier that pointed Timothy to his ministry.
ἐπὶabout/uponpreposition + accusative (reference)
σὲyouAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the prophecies' subject)
προφητείαςpropheciesAccusativeobject of κατά (the norm)προφητεία: 'prophecy'; Spirit-given utterances that designated Timothy for service (cf. 4:14).
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
στρατεύῃyou may wage warPres Mid Subj 2 Sg · στρατεύομαιsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ present (ongoing campaign)στρατεύομαι: 'serve as a soldier, wage war, campaign'; the Christian ministry as military service (cf. 2 Tim 2:3–4).
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means)
αὐταῖςthemDativeobject of ἐν (refers to the prophecies)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
καλὴνgood/nobleAccusativeattributive adjectiveκαλός: 'good, noble, fine'; the warfare is honorable — a worthy cause (cf. 6:12).
στρατείανwarfare/campaignAccusativecognate accusative (w/ στρατεύῃ)στρατεία: 'campaign, military service, warfare'; the cognate noun — 'fight the good fight' (cf. 2 Cor 10:4).
19
ἔχων πίστιν καὶ ἀγαθὴν συνείδησιν, ἥν τινες ἀπωσάμενοι περὶ τὴν πίστιν ἐναυάγησαν·
holding faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have made shipwreck of their faith,
The soldier's armor named — faith and a good conscience — at once turned into a warning: some who thrust the good conscience away have suffered the shipwreck of their faith.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἔχωνholdingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωadverbial ptc. (manner/means)→ present (ongoing possession)ἔχω: 'have, hold, keep'; the equipment for the warfare is held, not laid aside.
πίστινfaithAccusativedirect object of ἔχωνπίστις: 'faith'; the believing trust that the soldier must keep gripped.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀγαθὴνgoodAccusativeattributive adjectiveἀγαθός: 'good'; the conscience kept clear, as in v.5.
συνείδησινconscienceAccusativedirect object of ἔχωνσυνείδησις: 'conscience'; coupled with faith — doctrine and life inseparable; abandon one and the other founders.
ἥνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀπωσάμενοι; antecedent συνείδησιν)
τινεςsomeNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'some, certain ones'; again the unnamed apostates, now to be specified in v.20.
ἀπωσάμενοιhaving rejected/thrust awayAor Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀπωθέωadverbial ptc. (cause/means)→ constative aoristἀπωθέω (mid.): 'push away, thrust aside, reject' (ἀπό + ὠθέω, 'shove'); a deliberate shoving-off of conscience — willful, not accidental.
περὶconcerning/with regard topreposition + accusative (reference)περί + acc.: 'with respect to'; specifies the sphere of the disaster — their faith.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πίστινfaithAccusativeobject of περί (the wreck's location)πίστις: 'faith'; here likely 'the faith' as both personal trust and the body of belief — wrecked when conscience is jettisoned.
ἐναυάγησανmade shipwreckAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ναυαγέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristναυαγέω: 'suffer shipwreck, be wrecked' (ναῦς, 'ship' + ἄγνυμι, 'break'); a vivid metaphor — the faith run aground and broken up (cf. 2 Cor 11:25).
20
ὧν ἐστιν Ὑμέναιος καὶ Ἀλέξανδρος, οὓς παρέδωκα τῷ Σατανᾷ ἵνα παιδευθῶσιν μὴ βλασφημεῖν.
among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may be taught not to blaspheme.
The vague 'some' is now made concrete: two named men, whom Paul has consigned to Satan — a severe remedial discipline, not vindictive but corrective, aimed at unteaching their blasphemy.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ὧνof whomGenitivepartitive genitive (relative pronoun)
ἐστινarePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula; sg. w/ first of pair)→ stative present
ὙμέναιοςHymenaeusNominativepredicate nominativeὙμέναιος: Hymenaeus, a named opponent — later linked with denial of the resurrection (2 Tim 2:17–18).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἈλέξανδροςAlexanderNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)Ἀλέξανδρος: Alexander, a second named opponent (cf. perhaps 2 Tim 4:14, 'Alexander the coppersmith').
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of παρέδωκα)
παρέδωκαI handed overAor Act Indic 1 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver up, consign' (παρά + δίδωμι); the formula of disciplinary excommunication (cf. 1 Cor 5:5).
τῷtoDativearticle
ΣατανᾷSatanDativeindirect object (recipient of the handing-over)Σατανᾶς: 'Satan, the adversary' (from Hebrew śāṭān); to be put outside the church's protection into Satan's sphere — yet for a remedial end.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
παιδευθῶσινthey may be taught/disciplinedAor Pass Subj 3 Pl · παιδεύωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ constative aoristπαιδεύω: 'instruct, train, discipline, correct' (from παῖς, 'child'); discipline as corrective education — the goal is reform, not ruin.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)
βλασφημεῖνto blasphemePres Act Inf · βλασφημέωcomplementary infinitive (content of the lesson)→ present (habitual)βλασφημέω: 'blaspheme, slander, revile'; the very sin Paul himself once committed (v.13) — discipline aims to break the habit.