Τὰς δὲ νεωτερικὰς ἐπιθυμίας φεῦγε, δίωκε δὲ δικαιοσύνην, πίστιν, ἀγάπην, εἰρήνην μετὰ τῶν ἐπικαλουμένων τὸν κύριον ἐκ καθαρᾶς καρδίας.
(2 Timothy 2:22)
Flee youthful desires, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.
Verbal Commands: The Grammar of Urgency
The verse is structured around two main imperatives:
- φεῦγε – “flee!” (present active imperative, 2nd person singular from φεύγω)
- δίωκε – “pursue!” (present active imperative, 2nd person singular from διώκω)
The use of present imperative suggests ongoing, habitual action. Paul isn’t commanding Timothy to flee once and be done—it is a constant fleeing and a continual chasing.
Syntax of Contrast: Parallelism and Emphasis
The structure sets up a contrast:
- φεῦγε τὰς νεωτερικὰς ἐπιθυμίας (flee youthful desires)
- δίωκε δικαιοσύνην, πίστιν, ἀγάπην, εἰρήνην (pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace)
The opposition is not merely moral—it is grammatically balanced, with both verbs governing accusative objects, creating a clear ethical contrast reinforced by grammatical symmetry.
Prepositional Phrase: μετὰ + Genitive
The pursuit of the four virtues is not solitary. It is qualified by:
- μετὰ τῶν ἐπικαλουμένων τὸν Κύριον – “with those who call on the Lord”
The participle ἐπικαλουμένων is a present middle/passive participle, genitive plural, agreeing with τῶν, and describing a group characterized by continual invocation of the Lord.
Purity of Heart: Final Genitive Explained
The final phrase ἐκ καθαρᾶς καρδίας (from a pure heart) modifies the participial phrase. It’s a genitive of source, showing the internal disposition of those who call on the Lord.
Morphology Table
| Greek Word | Parsing | Function | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| φεῦγε | Present Active Imperative, 2nd Person Singular | Main verb (command) | Flee |
| δίωκε | Present Active Imperative, 2nd Person Singular | Main verb (command) | Pursue |
| ἐπικαλουμένων | Present Middle/Passive Participle, Genitive Plural | Substantival modifier | Those who are calling on |
| ἐκ καθαρᾶς καρδίας | Genitive feminine singular (both) | Genitive of source | From a pure heart |
The Grammar of Sanctified Pursuit
This verse builds a theology of character through grammatical architecture. Present imperatives demand continual motion—fleeing vice and pursuing virtue. The participial phrase links discipleship to communal worship, while the genitive construction grounds all in purity of heart. The verse is a moral exhortation encoded in grammar: action, direction, community, and source all converge in the syntax of sanctification.
