Verse Lens · Concise explanation
2 Timothy 1:4 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 4. 4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse turns remembered tears into longing for presence and joy.
A grandmother's faith is remembered so a gift can be fanned, not scored
This verse is one part of that explanation in 2 Timothy 1:3–7. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- 2 Timothy 1:3–7
Read 2 Timothy 1:4 with 1:3–7. This verse turns remembered tears into longing for presence and joy. The complete unit establishes this movement: The writer remembers Timothy continually, recalls sincere faith associated with Lois and Eunice, and urges him to rekindle God's gift because the Spirit forms power, love, and sound judgment rather than cowardice.
Why This Verse Appears Here
Memory of relationship and inherited formation supplies encouragement before the letter asks Timothy to accept costly witness. Within that movement, this verse turns remembered tears into longing for presence and joy.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“mindful of thy tears”
In plain language: The relationship includes honest grief rather than stoic performance.
turns remembered tears into longing for presence and joy. Faithful friendship can hold tears and longing without shame.
Why it matters: The wording helps identify this verse's distinct contribution to the complete unit.
How certain? strongWhat Remains True
Faithful friendship can hold tears and longing without shame.
How It Can Shape Life
- Make room for grief in mentoring relationships.
Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read 2 Timothy 1:3–7 — Remembered Faith Leads to Rekindled GiftSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing KJV wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 2 Timothy 1:3–7, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, morphology targets, and base text for original-language discussion.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/2Tim.txt, 1:3–7
Open the 2 Timothy Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — 2 Timothy with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005–2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level syntax, KJV-era wording, textual alternatives, and interpretive notes.
Exact location: NET Bible official 2 Timothy PDF, 1:3–7 translation and attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open the official NET 2 Timothy PDF ↗