8-13 Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead. It’s what you’ve heard from me all along. It’s what I’m sitting in jail for right now—but God’s Word isn’t in jail! That’s why I stick it out here—so that everyone God calls will get in on the salvation of Christ in all its glory. This is a sure thing:

If we die with him, we’ll live with him;
If we stick it out with him, we’ll rule with him;
If we turn our backs on him, he’ll turn his back on us;
If we give up on him, he does not give up—
    for there’s no way he can be false to himself.

14-18 Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God’s people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they’re not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples, throwing believers off stride and missing the truth by a mile by saying the resurrection is over and done with.

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Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,(A) descended from David.(B) This is my gospel,(C) for which I am suffering(D) even to the point of being chained(E) like a criminal. But God’s word(F) is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything(G) for the sake of the elect,(H) that they too may obtain the salvation(I) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.(J)

11 Here is a trustworthy saying:(K)

If we died with him,
    we will also live with him;(L)
12 if we endure,
    we will also reign with him.(M)
If we disown him,
    he will also disown us;(N)
13 if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,(O)
    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;(P) 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.(Q)

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