love, patience, persecutions, sufferings.” The original has the definite article with each word, thus setting each item off as distinct, but all preceded by the pronoun “my.” To get the force of it we should repeat “my” with each word. There is neither egotism nor boasting in this compressed biography. Paul’s purpose in thus setting forth his life and sufferings is to stir Timothy with renewed determination to face the difficulties of life in the same resolute and devoted spirit. Attempts to discover