SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:19
¶ Pero el fundamento de Dios est firme, el cual tiene este sello: Conoce el Seor a los que son suyos; y: Aprtese de iniquidad todo aquel que invoca el nombre de Cristo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:19
Verse 19. The foundation of God standeth sure] The word qemeliov signifies literally a foundation, and especially the foundation of a building; and metaphorically, the building itself, and often a noble mansion or palace. In this place the apostle compares the religion of Christ to a great or noble mansion. See 2 Tim. ii. 20. And as this religion is founded on the authority and power of the Almighty, it necessarily must stand sure and be permanent. This house has an inscription on it, for so sfragiv, seal, is frequently understood; and this is evidently an allusion to the ancient temples. Above the door of the temple of Delphi there was the Greek word ei thou art, on which Plutarch has written an express treatise. In many of the Mohammedan mosques the walls are covered with inscriptions, which are ordinarily sentences taken from the Koran, relative to the majesty of God, or the nature of his worship. And we know that there was an inscription on the mitre of the high priest among the Jews, viz: hwhyl dq kodesh laihovah, "Holiness to the Lord;" Exod. xxviii. 36; xxxix. 30. See also Zechariah xiv. 20. And this inscription may here be represented as being made with the seal of God, for he stamps this on all things belonging to himself and his worship.
But some suppose qemeliov here to signify a contract or covenant by which two parties are bound to fulfill certain conditions and duties, the obligation to which, each takes on him by sealing the instrument with his seal. Among the Asiatics, these seals have scarcely ever any image or figure on them, but always some very expressive inscription. I have seen many of these, and several of them are now before me. The twofold inscription, i.e. one on the seal of each party, may be here alluded to; that on God's seal is, egnw kuriov touv ontav autou? The Lord approveth of them that are his. That on the seal of his followers is, aposthtw apo adikiav pav o onomazwn to onoma kuriou. Let every one who nameth the name of the Lord (every Christian) depart from iniquity. Thus each has his peculiar inscription.
kuriou, Lord, instead of cristou, Christ, is the reading of almost all the MSS. of importance, and the principal versions.
The Lord knoweth] i.e. Approves, watches over, and provides for, them that are his true followers. To this his followers most cheerfully subscribe, and say: Let every one that nameth this Lord avoid every appearance of evil.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-21 - Those disposed to strive, commonly strive about matters of smal moment. But strifes of words destroy the things of God. The apostl mentions some who erred. They did not deny the resurrection, but the corrupted that true doctrine. Yet nothing can be so foolish of erroneous, but it will overturn the temporary faith of some professors This foundation has two writings on it. One speaks our comfort. Non can overthrow the faith of any whom God hath chosen. The other speak our duty. Those who would have the comfort of the privilege, must make conscience of the duty Christ gave himself for us, that he might redee us from all iniquity, Tit 2:14. The church of Christ is like dwelling: some furniture is of great value; some of smaller value, an put to meaner uses. Some professors of religion are like vessels of wood and earth. When the vessels of dishonour are cast out to be destroyed, the others will be filled with all the fulness of God. We must see to it that we are holy vessels. Every one in the church who God approves, will be devoted to his Master's service, and thus fitte for his use.
Greek Textus Receptus
ο 3588 μεντοι 3305 στερεος 4731 θεμελιος 2310 του 3588 θεου 2316 εστηκεν 2476 5707 2476 5758 εχων 2192 5723 την 3588 σφραγιδα 4973 ταυτην 3778 εγνω 1097 5627 κυριος 2962 τους 3588 οντας 5607 5752 αυτου 846 και 2532 αποστητω 868 5628 απο 575 αδικιας 93 πας 3956 ο 3588 ονομαζων 3687 5723 το 3588 ονομα 3686 χριστου 5547
Vincent's NT Word Studies
19. Nevertheless (mentoi). Mostly in John. o P. Only here in Pastorals. The foundation of God standeth sure (o stereov qemeliov tou qeou esthken). Wrong. Stereov sure is attributive, not predicative. Rend. the firm foundation of God standeth. The phrase foundation of God, N.T.o . Qemeliov foundation is an adjective, and liqov stone is to be supplied. It is not to be taken by metonymy for oijkia house verse 20), but must be interpreted consistently with it, 137 and, in a loose way, represents or foreshadows it. So we speak of an endowed institution as a foundation. By;' the sure foundation of God" is meant the church, which is "the pillar and stay of the truth" (1 Tim. iii. 15), by means of which the truth of God is to withstand the assaults of error. The church has its being in the contents of "the sound teaching" (1 Tim. i. 10), which is "according to godliness" (1 Tim. vi. 3), and which is deposited in it. "The mystery of godliness " is intrusted to it (1 Tim. iii. 16). Its servants possess "the mystery of the faith" (1 Tim. iii. 9). In 1 Cor. iii. 11, Christ is represented as " the chief corner-stone." In Eph. ii. 20, the church is built "upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets," with Christ as the corner-stone, and grows into a "holy temple (naon) in the Lord." Here, the church itself is the foundation, and the building is conceived as a great dwelling-house. While the conception of the church here does not contradict that of Paul, the difference is apparent between it and the conception in Ephesians, where the church is the seat of the indwelling and energy of the Holy Spirit. Comp. 1 Cor. iii. 16,17. Stereov firm only here, Heb. v. 12, 14, and 1 Pet. v. 9 (note). %Esthken standeth, in contrast with overthrow verse 18).
Seal (sfragida). Mostly in Revelation. Only here in Pastorals. In Paul, Rom. iv. 11; 1 Cor. ix. 2. Used here rather in the sense of inscription or motto. Comp. Deuteronomy. vi. 9; xi. 20; Apoc. xxi. 14. There are two inscriptions on the foundation stone, the one guaranteeing the security, the other the purity, of the church. The two go together. The purity of the church is indispensable to its security.
The Lord knoweth them that are his (egnw kuriov touv ontav autou). The first inscription: God knows his own. Comp. Num. xvi. 5; 1 Cor. xiii. 12. For egnw knoweth, see on Gal. iv. 9. Them that are his, his ejklektoi chosen; see verse 10; Tit. i. 1; Rom. viii. 33; Col. iii. 12; 1 Pet. ii. 9; Apoc. xvii. 14. Not, however, in any hard, predestinarian sense. 138 Comp. John x. 14; Matt. vii. 23; Luke xiii. 25, 27.
Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. The second inscription, concerning the purity of the church. For of Christ rend. of the Lord (kuriou). Onomazwn nameth, only here in Pastorals. It means to give a name to, to style, as Mark. iii. 14; Luke vi. 14; 1 Corinthians v. 11: to pronounce a name as having a special virtue, as in incantation. as Acts xix. 13: to utter a name as acknowledging and appropriating what the name involves, as a confession of faith and allegiance. So here. Comp. Rom. xv. 20; 1 Cor. v. 11; Isa. xxvi. 13. For onoma name, see on 1 Thess. i. 12. Aposthtw ajpo ajdikiav depart from iniquity. For the verb, see on 1 Tim. iv. 1. Mostly in Luke and Acts. Comp. Num. xvi. 26; Isaiah. 52. 11. Whatever may be implied in God's election, it does not relieve Christians of the duty of strict attention to their moral character and conduct. Comp. Philippians. ii. 12. The gift of grace (Eph. ii. 8) is exhibited in making one a coworker with God (1 Corinthians iii. 9). The salvation bestowed by grace is to be "carried out" (Philippians. ii. 12) by man with the aid of grace (Rom. vi. 8-19; 2 Corinthians vi. 1). What this includes and requires appears in Philippians. iii. 10; iv. 1-7; Eph. iv. 13-16, 22 ff.; Col. ii. 6, 7.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:19 {However} (mentoi). Strong adversative, "however." {Firm} (stereos). Old adjective, solid, compact, in N.T. only here, #1Pe 5:9; Heb 5:12,14. See sterewma in #Col 2:5. For qemelios see #1Co 3:11; Rom 15:20; 1Ti 6:19. Cf. hedraiwma in #1Ti 3:15. {Seal} (sfragis). See #1Co 9:2; Ro 4:11. {Knoweth} (egnw). Timeless aorist active indicative of ginwskw. Quotation from #Nu 16:5. {Let every one depart} (apostetw pas). Paraphrase of #Nu 16:27; Isa 26:13; 52:11; Jer 20:9. Second aorist active imperative of afistemi (intransitive use), "Let every one stand off from." Probably another echo of the rebellion of Korah.
