A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

You then, (A)my child, (B)be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and (C)what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses (D)entrust to faithful men,[a] (E)who will be able to teach others also. (F)Share in suffering as (G)a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier (H)gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. (I)An athlete is not (J)crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is (K)the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, (L)risen from the dead, the (M)offspring of David, (N)as preached in my gospel, (O)for which I am suffering, (P)bound with chains as a criminal. But (Q)the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore (R)I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain (S)the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with (T)eternal glory. 11 The saying is (U)trustworthy, for:

(V)If we have died with him, we will also (W)live with him;
12 (X)if we endure, we will also reign with him;
(Y)if we deny him, he also will deny us;
13 (Z)if we are faithless, (AA)he remains faithful—

for (AB)he cannot deny himself.

A Worker Approved by God

14 Remind them of these things, and (AC)charge them before God[b] (AD)not to quarrel about words, (AE)which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,[c] a worker (AF)who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But (AG)avoid (AH)irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are (AI)Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, (AJ)saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: (AK)“The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone (AL)who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:2 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women, depending on the context
  2. 2 Timothy 2:14 Some manuscripts the Lord
  3. 2 Timothy 2:15 That is, one approved after being tested

The Appeal Renewed

You then, my son,(A) be strong(B) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 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. Join with me in suffering,(E) like a good soldier(F) 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(G) except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.(H) Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,(I) descended from David.(J) This is my gospel,(K) for which I am suffering(L) even to the point of being chained(M) like a criminal. But God’s word(N) is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything(O) for the sake of the elect,(P) that they too may obtain the salvation(Q) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.(R)

11 Here is a trustworthy saying:(S)

If we died with him,
    we will also live with him;(T)
12 if we endure,
    we will also reign with him.(U)
If we disown him,
    he will also disown us;(V)
13 if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,(W)
    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;(X) 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.(Y) 16 Avoid godless chatter,(Z) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus(AA) and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,(AB) and they destroy the faith of some.(AC) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,(AD) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”(AE) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord(AF) must turn away from wickedness.”

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