The Charge to Timothy Renewed

¹⁸ Timothy, my son,^(A) I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you,^(B) so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,^(C)

¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy^(A) when the body of elders^(B) laid their hands on you.^(C)

²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted^(A) to your care. Turn away from godless chatter^(B) and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,^(A) and in view of his appearing^(B) and his kingdom, I give you this charge:^{(C) 2} Preach^(D) the word;^(E) be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke^(F) and encourage^(G)—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.^(H) Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.^(I)

The Appeal Renewed

2 You then, my son,^(A) be strong^(B) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things you have heard me say^(C) in the presence of many witnesses^(D) entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. ³ Join with me in suffering,^(E) like a good soldier^(F) of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown^(G) except by competing according to the rules.

²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father^(A) he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(A) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(B) against the powers^(C) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(D) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(E) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(F) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(G) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(H) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(I) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(J) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(K) and the sword of the Spirit,^(L) which is the word of God.^(M)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(N) on all occasions^(O) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(P) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(Q) for all the Lord’s people.

⁷ I have fought the good fight,^(A) I have finished the race,^(B) I have kept the faith.

¹² Fight the good fight^(A) of the faith. Take hold of^(B) the eternal life^(C) to which you were called when you made your good confession^(D) in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate^(E) made the good confession,^(F) I charge you^{(G) 14} to keep this command without spot or blame^(H) until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(I)