Paul, an apostle(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,(B) in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,(C)

To Timothy,(D) my dear son:(E)

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.(F)

Thanksgiving

I thank God,(G) whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience,(H) as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.(I) Recalling your tears,(J) I long to see you,(K) so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith,(L) which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice(M) and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.(N) For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,(O) but gives us power,(P) love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed(Q) of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.(R) Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel,(S) by the power of God. He has saved(T) us and called(U) us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done(V) but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed(W) through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus,(X) who has destroyed death(Y) and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel(Z) I was appointed(AA) a herald and an apostle and a teacher.(AB) 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame,(AC) because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard(AD) what I have entrusted to him until that day.(AE)

13 What you heard from me,(AF) keep(AG) as the pattern(AH) of sound teaching,(AI) with faith and love in Christ Jesus.(AJ) 14 Guard(AK) the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.(AL)

Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty

15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia(AM) has deserted me,(AN) including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus,(AO) because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed(AP) of my chains.(AQ) 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day!(AR) You know very well in how many ways he helped me(AS) in Ephesus.(AT)

The Appeal Renewed

You then, my son,(AU) be strong(AV) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say(AW) in the presence of many witnesses(AX) entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering,(AY) like a good soldier(AZ) of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown(BA) except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.(BB) Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,(BC) descended from David.(BD) This is my gospel,(BE) for which I am suffering(BF) even to the point of being chained(BG) like a criminal. But God’s word(BH) is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything(BI) for the sake of the elect,(BJ) that they too may obtain the salvation(BK) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.(BL)

11 Here is a trustworthy saying:(BM)

If we died with him,
    we will also live with him;(BN)
12 if we endure,
    we will also reign with him.(BO)
If we disown him,
    he will also disown us;(BP)
13 if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,(BQ)
    for he cannot disown himself.

Dealing With False Teachers

14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;(BR) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.(BS) 16 Avoid godless chatter,(BT) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus(BU) and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,(BV) and they destroy the faith of some.(BW) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,(BX) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”(BY) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord(BZ) must turn away from wickedness.”

20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.(CA) 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.(CB)

22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love(CC) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord(CD) out of a pure heart.(CE) 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.(CF) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.(CG) 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,(CH) 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,(CI) who has taken them captive to do his will.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

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

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Greeting

Paul, an apostle of [a]Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the (A)promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

To Timothy, a (B)beloved son:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Timothy’s Faith and Heritage

I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my (C)forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance (D)the [b]genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and (E)your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you (F)to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For (G)God has not given us a spirit of fear, (H)but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

(I)Therefore do not be ashamed of (J)the testimony of our Lord, nor of me (K)His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, (L)not according to our works, but (M)according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus (N)before time began, 10 but (O)has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 (P)to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher [c]of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, (Q)for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Be Loyal to the Faith

13 (R)Hold fast (S)the pattern of (T)sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the (U)household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord (V)grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord (W)in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he (X)ministered [d]to me at Ephesus.

Be Strong in Grace

You therefore, (Y)my son, (Z)be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must (AA)endure[e] hardship (AB)as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (AC)No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also (AD)if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and [f]may the Lord (AE)give you understanding in all things.

Remember that Jesus Christ, (AF)of the seed of David, (AG)was raised from the dead (AH)according to my gospel, (AI)for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, (AJ)even to the point of chains; (AK)but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore (AL)I endure all things for the sake of the [g]elect, (AM)that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 This is a faithful saying:

For (AN)if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12 (AO)If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
(AP)If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He (AQ)cannot deny Himself.

Approved and Disapproved Workers

14 Remind them of these things, (AR)charging them before the Lord not to [h]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 (AS)Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and [i]idle babblings, for they will [j]increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. (AT)Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, (AU)saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless (AV)the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord (AW)knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of [k]Christ depart from iniquity.”

20 But in a great house there are not only (AX)vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, [l]sanctified and useful for the Master, (AY)prepared for every good work. 22 (AZ)Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And (BA)a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, (BB)able to teach, (BC)patient, 25 (BD)in humility correcting those who are in opposition, (BE)if God perhaps will grant them repentance, (BF)so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and (BG)escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 1:1 NU, M Christ Jesus
  2. 2 Timothy 1:5 Lit. unhypocritical
  3. 2 Timothy 1:11 NU omits of the Gentiles
  4. 2 Timothy 1:18 to me from Vg., a few Gr. mss.
  5. 2 Timothy 2:3 NU You must share
  6. 2 Timothy 2:7 NU the Lord will give you
  7. 2 Timothy 2:10 chosen ones
  8. 2 Timothy 2:14 battle
  9. 2 Timothy 2:16 empty chatter
  10. 2 Timothy 2:16 lead
  11. 2 Timothy 2:19 NU, M the Lord
  12. 2 Timothy 2:21 set apart