Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

People's New Testament

1:4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears. There is something pathetic in this language. The lonely prisoner calls to him the tears of Timothy at their last parting, and feels a yearning desire to see and counsel him face to face once more.

Wesley's Notes

1:4 Being mindful of thy tears - Perhaps frequently shed, as well as at the apostle's last parting with him.

King James Translators' Notes

Greatly...: or, remembering thy tears, I greatly desire to see thee that

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4. desiring-Greek, "with yearning as for one much missed."

mindful of thy tears-not only at our parting (Ac 20:37), but also often when under pious feelings.

that I may be filled with joy-to be joined with "desiring to see thee" (Ro 1:11, 12; 15:32).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

1:1-5 The promise of eternal life to believers in Christ Jesus, is the leading subject of ministers who are employed according to the will of God. The blessings here named, are the best we can ask for our beloved friends, that they may have peace with God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Whatever good we do, God must have the glory. True believers have in every age the same religion as to substance. Their faith is unfeigned; it will stand the trial, and it dwells in them as a living principle. Thus pious women may take encouragement from the success of Lois and Eunice with Timothy, who proved so excellent and useful a minister. Some of the most worthy and valuable ministers the church of Christ has been favoured with, have had to bless God for early religious impressions made upon their minds by the teaching of their mothers or other female relatives.