2 Timothy Chapter 2 · Verse 22

Authorized King James Version

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Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Original Language Analysis

τὰς G3588
τὰς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δὲ also G1161
δὲ also
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 19
but, and, etc
νεωτερικὰς youthful G3512
νεωτερικὰς youthful
Strong's: G3512
Word #: 3 of 19
appertaining to younger persons, i.e., juvenile
ἐπιθυμίας lusts G1939
ἐπιθυμίας lusts
Strong's: G1939
Word #: 4 of 19
a longing (especially for what is forbidden)
φεῦγε Flee G5343
φεῦγε Flee
Strong's: G5343
Word #: 5 of 19
to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish
δίωκε follow G1377
δίωκε follow
Strong's: G1377
Word #: 6 of 19
compare the base of g1169 and g1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute
δὲ also G1161
δὲ also
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 7 of 19
but, and, etc
δικαιοσύνην righteousness G1343
δικαιοσύνην righteousness
Strong's: G1343
Word #: 8 of 19
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
πίστιν faith G4102
πίστιν faith
Strong's: G4102
Word #: 9 of 19
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
ἀγάπην charity G26
ἀγάπην charity
Strong's: G26
Word #: 10 of 19
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
εἰρήνην peace G1515
εἰρήνην peace
Strong's: G1515
Word #: 11 of 19
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
μετὰ with G3326
μετὰ with
Strong's: G3326
Word #: 12 of 19
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπικαλουμένων them that call on G1941
ἐπικαλουμένων them that call on
Strong's: G1941
Word #: 14 of 19
to entitle; by implication, to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.)
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 15 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριον the Lord G2962
κύριον the Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 16 of 19
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἐκ out of G1537
ἐκ out of
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 17 of 19
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
καθαρᾶς a pure G2513
καθαρᾶς a pure
Strong's: G2513
Word #: 18 of 19
clean (literally or figuratively)
καρδίας heart G2588
καρδίας heart
Strong's: G2588
Word #: 19 of 19
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

Analysis & Commentary

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Paul gives practical counsel for personal purity. "Flee also youthful lusts" (tas de neanik as epithymias pheuge, τὰς δὲ νεανικὰς ἐπιθυμίας φεῦγε). The verb pheugō (φεύγω) means run away from, escape—same word describing Joseph fleeing Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:12). "Youthful lusts" (neanikas epithymias, νεανικὰς ἐπιθυμίας) includes but isn't limited to sexual temptation—also pride, ambition, controversy-seeking, rashness, impulsiveness characteristic of youth. Timothy, likely in his thirties, still needed this warning.

Negatives alone insufficient; Paul adds positives: "but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace" (diōke de dikaiosynēn pistin agapēn eirēnēn, δίωκε δὲ δικαιοσύνην πίστιν ἀγάπην εἰρήνην). The verb diōkō (διώκω) means pursue eagerly, chase—same intensity as fleeing but opposite direction. Four virtues encompass Christian character: dikaiosynē (righteousness, right living), pistis (faith, faithfulness, trustworthiness), agapē (self-sacrificial love), eirēnē (peace, harmony, reconciliation).

Crucially, this pursuit occurs "with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (meta tōn epikaloumenōn ton kyrion ek katharas kardias, μετὰ τῶν ἐπικαλουμένων τὸν κύριον ἐκ καθαρᾶς καρδίας). Christian growth isn't solitary but communal. We need fellowship with genuine believers whose worship is sincere, not hypocritical. "Pure heart" (katharas kardias, καθαρᾶς καρδίας) indicates undivided loyalty, sincere devotion, authentic faith unmarred by mixed motives.

Historical Context

Timothy's youth and temperament made him vulnerable to specific temptations. Ancient youth were stereotypically viewed as impulsive, pleasure-seeking, argumentative, and proud. Timothy's leadership in Ephesus—a wealthy, cosmopolitan city with temple prostitution and philosophical debates—exposed him to sexual temptation, intellectual pride, and contentious controversy. Paul's counsel addresses these specific dangers while emphasizing community: spiritual growth occurs best in fellowship with sincere believers who pursue godliness together.

Questions for Reflection