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;
Parallel translations
- WEB I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day
- BSB I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers.
- NKJV I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,
- NASB I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day,
- NLT Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul thanks God, whom he serves with a clear conscience, and assures Timothy of his constant prayers night and day. His ministry flows out of gratitude and unceasing intercession.
Overview
Paul sees his service as continuous with the faith of his ancestors, worshiping the same God of Israel now fully revealed in Christ. A 'pure conscience' marks integrity before God, a recurring concern in the Pastoral Epistles. His relentless prayer for Timothy models how spiritual leaders carry those they love before God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- Rom 1:8–9First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
- Heb 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
- Acts 23:1And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
- Acts 24:14But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
- Acts 22:3I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
- 1 Tim 1:5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
- 1 Tim 1:19Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
- Acts 24:16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
- Acts 27:23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
- 2 Tim 3:15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
- Gal 1:14And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
- 2 Tim 1:5When 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.
- 2 Cor 1:12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
- 1 Th 3:10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
- 1 Th 1:2–3We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
- Eph 1:16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
- Luke 2:37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
- Acts 26:4My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
- Rom 9:1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
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Christ Jesus 'abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel' — the risen Lord whose word and kingdom endure to the end.
How 2 Timothy 1:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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