2 Timothy 1 · Verse 4

2 Timothy 1:4

Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
2 Timothy 1:4, King James Version

2 Timothy 1:4 in other translations

BSBRecalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
WEBlonging to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy;
ASVlonging to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
YLTdesiring greatly to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that with joy I may be filled,
DARBYearnestly desiring to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
BBEDesiring to see you, keeping in my memory your weeping, so that I may be full of joy;
WebsterGreatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

What does 2 Timothy 1:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. desiring--Greek, "with yearning as for one much missed." mindful of thy tears--not only at our parting (Ac 20:37), but also often when under pious feelings. that I may be filled with joy--to be joined with "desiring to see thee" (Ro 1:11, 12; 15:32).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4. Greatly desiring to see thee. See 2Ti 4:9,21. It was probably on account of this earnest desire that this epistle was written. He wished to see him, not only on account of the warm friendship which he had for him, but because he would be useful to him in present circumstances. See Intro., paragraph 3.

Being mindful of thy tears. Alluding probably to the tears which he shed at parting from him. The occasion to which he refers is not mentioned; but nothing is more probable than that Timothy would weep when separated from such a father and friend. It is not wrong thus to weep, for religion is not intended to make us stoics or savages.

That I may be filled with joy. By seeing you again. It is easy to imagine what joy it would give Paul, then a prisoner, and forsaken by nearly all his friends, and about to die, to see a friend whom he loved as he did this young man. Learn, hence, that there may be very pure and warm friendship between an old and young man, and that the warmth of true friendship is not diminished by the near prospect of death.

(e) "desiring" 2Ti 4:6

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 Being mindful of thy tears - Whether the apostle refers to the affecting parting with the Ephesian Church, mentioned Act 20:37, or to the deep impressions made on Timothy's heart when he instructed him in the doctrine of Christ crucified, or to some interview between themselves, it is not certainly known. The mention of this by the apostle is no small proof of his most affectionate regards for Timothy, whom he appears to have loved as a father loves his only son.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:1-5

The promise of eternal life to believers in Christ Jesus, is the leading subject of ministers who are employed according to the will of God. The blessings here named, are the best we can ask for our beloved friends, that they may have peace with God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Whatever good we do, God must have the glory. True believers have in every age the same religion as to substance. Their faith is…

Read the full comment on 2 Timothy 1:1-5 →

2 Timothy 1:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐπιποθῶνepipothōnlongingG1971
σεseyouG4771
ἰδεῖν,ideinto see,G1492
μεμνημένοςmemnēmenoshaving yourself recalledG3403
σουsouyourG4771
τῶνtōn<the>G3588
δακρύων,dakruōntears,G1144
ἵναinaso thatG2443
χαρᾶςcharaswith joyG5479
πληρωθῶplērōthōI may be filledG4137

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Timothy 1:4

  • 2 Timothy 4:9

    Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:1

    But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy. …

  • Philippians 1:8

    For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

  • 2 Timothy 4:21

    Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

  • Revelation 21:4

    And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

  • Psalms 126:5

    They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

  • Acts 20:37-38

    And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

  • Acts 20:31

    Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

  • Acts 20:19

    Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

  • 1 John 1:4

    And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

  • Isaiah 61:3

    To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

  • John 16:22

    And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
desiring.
4:9,21; Ro 1:11; 15:30-32; Php 1:8; 2:26; 1Th 2:17-20; 3:1
being.
Ac 20:19,31,37,38; Re 7:17; 21:4
filled.
Ps 126:5; Isa 61:3; Jer 31:13; Joh 16:22,24; 1Jo 1:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Timothy 1:3

    I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

  • 2 Timothy 1:4

    Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

  • 2 Timothy 1:5

    When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Read all of 2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 1:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Deseando verte, acordándome de tus lágrimas, para ser lleno de gozo;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		(désirant ardemment de te voir, me souvenant de tes larmes, afin que je sois rempli de joie,)
German
Elberfelder 1871		voll Verlangen, dich zu sehen, indem ich eingedenk bin deiner Tränen, auf daß ich mit Freude erfüllt sein möge;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		desiderans te videre, memor lacrimarum tuarum, ut gaudio implear,