2 Timothy 2 · Verse 7

2 Timothy 2:7

Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
2 Timothy 2:7, King James Version

2 Timothy 2:7 in other translations

BSBConsider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.
WEBConsider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
ASVConsider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things.
YLTbe considering what things I say, for the Lord give to thee understanding in all things.
DARBYThink of what I say, for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things.
BBEGive thought to what I say; for the Lord will give you wisdom in all things.
WebsterConsider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

What does 2 Timothy 2:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. Consider the force of the illustrations I have given from the soldier, the contender in the games, and the husbandmen, as applying to thyself in thy ministry. and the Lord give, &c.--The oldest manuscripts read, "for the Lord will give thee understanding." Thou canst understand my meaning so as personally to apply it to thyself; for the Lord will give thee understanding when thou seekest it from Him "in all things." Not intellectual perception, but personal appropriation of the truths metaphorically expressed, was what he needed to be given him by the Lord.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 7. Consider what I say. 1Timm 4:15. The sense is, "Think of the condition of the soldier, and the principles on which he is enlisted; think of the aspirant for the crown in the Grecian games; think of the farmer, patiently toiling in the prospect of the distant harvest; and then go to your work with a similar spirit." These things are worth attention. When the minister of the gospel thinks of his hardships, of his struggles against an evil world, and of his arduous and constant discouraging toil, let him think of the soldier, of the man who struggles for this world's honours, and of the patient farmer --and be content. How patiently do they bear all, and yet for what inferior rewards! And the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Enable you to see the force of these considerations, and to apply them to your own case. Such are often the discouragements of the ministry; so prone is the mind to despondency, that we need the help of the Lord to enable us to apply the most obvious considerations, and to derive support from the most plain and simple truths and promises.

(b) "the Lord" Prov 2:6

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 7 Consider what I say - Apply my metaphors and similitudes in a proper manner. And the Lord give thee understanding - But instead of δῳη, may he give, ACDEFG, several others, besides versions and fathers, have δωσει he will give. Consider thou properly, and God will give thee a proper understanding of all things that concern thy own peace, and the peace and prosperity of his Church. Think as well as read.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:1-7

As our trials increase, we need to grow stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. This is opposed to our being strong in our own strength. All Christians, but especially ministers, must be faithful to their Captain, and resolute in his cause. The great care of a Christian must be to please Christ. We are to strive to get the mastery of our lusts…

Read the full comment on 2 Timothy 2:1-7 →

2 Timothy 2:7 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.

νόειnoeido considerG3539
ὃho[the] thingG3739
λέγω·legōI am saying;G3004
δώσειdōseiwill grantG1325
γάρgarforG1063
σοιsoiyouG4771
ὁhotheG3588
κύριοςkuriosLordG2962
σύνεσινsunesinunderstandingG4907
ἐνeninG1722
πᾶσιν.¶pasinall things.G3956

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

Cross references for 2 Timothy 2:7

  • James 1:5

    If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

  • 1 John 5:20

    And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

  • Genesis 41:38-39

    And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

  • Luke 24:45

    Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

  • Ephesians 1:17-18

    That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

  • Proverbs 2:3-6

    Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

  • John 14:26

    But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

  • 1 Timothy 4:15

    Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

  • Luke 21:15

    For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

  • Colossians 1:9

    For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

  • James 3:17

    But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

  • John 16:13

    Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Consider.
De 4:39; 32:29; Ps 64:9; Pr 24:32; Isa 1:3; 5:12; Lu 9:44; Php 4:8
1Ti 4:15; Heb 3:1; 7:4; 12:3; 13:7
and.
Ge 41:38,39; Ex 36:1,2; Nu 27:16,17; 1Ch 22:12; 29:19; 2Ch 1:8-12
Ps 119:73,125,144; 143:8,9; Pr 2:3-6; Isa 28:26; Da 1:17; Lu 21:15
Lu 24:45; Joh 14:26; 16:13; Ac 7:10; 1Co 12:8; Eph 1:17,18; Col 1:9
Jas 1:5; 3:15,17; 1Jo 5:20

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

Context

  • 2 Timothy 2:6

    The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

  • 2 Timothy 2:7

    Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

  • 2 Timothy 2:8

    Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Read all of 2 Timothy 2

2 Timothy 2:7 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Considera lo que digo; y el Señor te dé entendimiento en todo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Considère ce que je dis; car le Seigneur te donnera de l’intelligence en toutes choses.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Bedenke, was ich sage; denn der Herr wird dir Verständnis geben in allen Dingen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Intellige quæ dico: dabit enim tibi Dominus in omnibus intellectum.