Thanksgiving for Timothy's Sincere Faith

2 Tim 1:3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.

I thank God whom I serve: Ancient letters frequently included thanksgivings to God or gods on behalf of the addressee, who was often praised in the thanksgiving. (NT Background)

as did my ancestors: His mention of his forefathers shows the importance he attaches to the Jewish heritage through which the Christian faith came. (NBC) Paul notes that both he (“my ancestors”) and Timothy (“your grandmother . . . your mother”) have a heritage of faith. (ESV SB)

Paul's reference to his forefathers (God-fearing Jewish believers who lived before Christ's death) seems unusual. However throughout this epistle Paul looked backward into the past and ahead into the future, when he would no longer be alive. This reference reveals that Paul regarded his own ministry as part of the continuation of God's great ongoing plan of the ages. He was one of the faithful throughout history that have loyally served God sincerely, with a "clear conscience."

with a clear conscience: see 1 Tim 1:5; As a Jew the apostle would know that morality and worship and service go hand in hand. When worshipping God the believer must have no ulterior motives, his mind and purpose must be untainted. (Guthrie)

Why clear conscience? Could it be Paul is stating that the transference from Judaism to Christianity is free from guilt in his conscious? The clearly points to inner purity in approaching God. (For i know whom i have believed)

"These two themes—association with Paul and a spiritual heritage—form the basis of Paul's encouragement in the first half of the epistle and are woven throughout the second half. They provide a personal look into Paul's heart and reveal his love and concern for his good friend Timothy." (Mounce)


as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.: “Unceasingly” or “constantly” probably means in Paul’s regular times of prayer. Many Palestinian Jews prayed during the morning and afternoon offerings in the temple; they also said special blessings on rising in the morning and going to bed at night. Palestinian Jews reckoned days from sundown to sundown, so “night and day” is not an unnatural sequence.(NT Background)

The frequency of prayer for Timothy would intensify the longing to see him. Such expressions as these illuminate the spiritual stature of the apostle who in constant and hazardous journeyings could so maintain and attitude of continuous intercession. His practice provides an example for all servants of the gospel. (Guthrie)

It is typical of the apostle to assure his readers of his constant prayers for them. It may seem somewhat exaggerated for him to claim to do this day and night, but see Acts 20:31 for a similar all–inclusive claim. There is no denying the importance that Paul attached to prayer.(NBC)