I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.
Parallel translations
- WEB longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy;
- KJV Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
- BSB Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
- NKJV greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy,
- NASB longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.
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 longs to see Timothy again, recalling his tears at their parting, so that reunion would bring him joy. Genuine affection binds these gospel partners.
Overview
The memory of Timothy's tears, likely from a previous separation, reveals the depth of their relationship. Paul, facing death, yearns for the comfort of his friend's presence. Such love between believers reflects the bonds the gospel creates and shows that godly ministry is deeply personal, not merely official.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- 2 Tim 4:9Be diligent to come to me soon,
- 1 Th 2:17But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,
- Phil 1:8For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
- 2 Tim 4:21Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
- John 16:24Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
- John 16:22Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
- Rev 21:4He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.”
- Acts 20:37–38They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
- Acts 20:31Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.
- Jer 31:13Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
- Rom 15:30–32Now I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
- Isa 61:3to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified.
- 1 Jn 1:4And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.
- Rev 7:17for the Lamb who is in the middle of the throne shepherds them, and leads them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
- Rom 1:11For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established;
- Acts 20:19serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;
- Ps 126:5Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.
- Phil 2:26since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
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 1:4 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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