| 10. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with a third-class conditional using the particle ean {Ἐὰν | Eàn} with the aorist subjunctive elthē {ἔλθῃ | él-thē}, indicating a future-oriented possibility (“if he comes”). The conjunction de {δὲ | dé} provides a mild transitional contrast from the prior instruction. The subject of this clause is Timotheos {Τιμόθεος | Ti-mó-the-os}. The main verb blepete {βλέπετε | blé-pe-te} is a present active imperative commanding the community to “see” or “ensure,” which takes a hina purpose clause: hina aphobōs genētai pros hymas {ἵνα ἀφόβως γένηται πρὸς ὑμᾶς | hína a-phó-bōs gé-nē-tai pròs hy-mâs}. In this clause, the adverb aphobōs {ἀφόβως | a-phó-bōs} modifies the subjunctive genētai {γένηται | gé-nē-tai}, expressing the goal that his presence “be free of fear” in relation to them, indicated by the prepositional phrase pros hymas. The explanatory conjunction gar {γὰρ | gàr} introduces the rationale: to gar ergon kyriou ergazetai {τὸ γὰρ ἔργον κυρίου ἐργάζεται | tò gàr ér-gon ky-rí-ou er-gá-ze-tai}, with to ergon {τὸ ἔργον | tò ér-gon} the specific “work” as the nominative subject, and the genitive kyriou {κυρίου | ky-rí-ou} marking the Lord’s ownership. The verb ergazetai {ἐργάζεται | er-gá-ze-tai} in the middle voice emphasizes Timothy’s active participation in that ministry. Finally, the comparative clause hōs kagō {ὡς κἀγώ | hōs ka-gṓ} aligns Timothy’s service with Paul’s own work, rendered “just as I am/do” to maintain the comparison. |