Be Strong

You therefore, my [a](A)son, (B)be strong in the grace that is in (C)Christ Jesus. The things (D)which you have heard from me in the presence of (E)many witnesses, (F)entrust these to (G)faithful [b]people who will be (H)able to teach others also. (I)Suffer hardship with me, as a good (J)soldier of (K)Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service (L)entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. And if someone likewise (M)competes as an athlete, he is not [c]crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules. (N)The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, (O)risen from the dead, (P)descendant of David, (Q)according to my gospel, [d]for which I (R)suffer hardship even to (S)imprisonment as a (T)criminal; but (U)the word of God (V)is not imprisoned. 10 For this reason (W)I endure all things for (X)the sake of [e]those who are chosen, (Y)so that they also may obtain the (Z)salvation which is in (AA)Christ Jesus and with it (AB)eternal glory. 11 (AC)The statement is trustworthy:

For (AD)if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 If we endure, (AE)we will also reign with Him;
If we [f](AF)deny Him, He will also deny us;
13 If we are faithless, (AG)He remains faithful, for (AH)He cannot deny Himself.

An Unashamed Worker

14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly (AI)exhort them in the presence of God not to (AJ)dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the listeners. 15 Be diligent to (AK)present yourself approved to God as a worker who [g]does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling (AL)the word of truth. 16 But (AM)avoid (AN)worldly and empty chatter, for [h]it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their [i]talk will spread like [j]gangrene. Among them are (AO)Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth, claiming that (AP)the resurrection has already taken place; and they are jeopardizing (AQ)the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the (AR)firm foundation of God stands, having this (AS)seal: “(AT)The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “(AU)Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.”

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver implements, but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and (AV)some are for honor while others are for dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from (AW)these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, (AX)prepared for every good work. 22 Now (AY)flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, (AZ)faith, love, and peace with those who (BA)call on the Lord (BB)from a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant (BC)speculations, knowing that they (BD)produce [k]quarrels. 24 (BE)The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, (BF)skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, 25 (BG)with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, (BH)if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to (BI)the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from (BJ)the snare of the devil, having been (BK)held captive [l]by him to do his will.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:1 Or child
  2. 2 Timothy 2:2 Or men
  3. 2 Timothy 2:5 I.e., with a wreath
  4. 2 Timothy 2:9 Lit in which
  5. 2 Timothy 2:10 Or the chosen
  6. 2 Timothy 2:12 Lit will deny
  7. 2 Timothy 2:15 Or has no reason to
  8. 2 Timothy 2:16 Lit they will make further progress in ungodliness
  9. 2 Timothy 2:17 Lit word
  10. 2 Timothy 2:17 Or cancer
  11. 2 Timothy 2:23 Lit fightings
  12. 2 Timothy 2:26 Or by him, to do His will

Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. [a]Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully. The husbandman that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits. Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my [b]gospel: wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 Faithful is the [c]saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him: 12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us: 13 if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.

14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of [d]the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear. 15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, [e]handling aright the word of truth. 16 But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness, 17 and their word will [f]eat as doth a gangrene: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 men who concerning the truth have [g]erred, saying that [h]the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, [i]The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, [j]Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. 20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work. 22 But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes. 24 And the Lord’s [k]servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, 25 in meekness [l]correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may [m]recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been [n]taken captive [o]by him unto his will.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:3 Or, Take thy part in suffering hardship, as etc.
  2. 2 Timothy 2:8 See marginal note on 1:8.
  3. 2 Timothy 2:11 Or, saying; for if etc.
  4. 2 Timothy 2:14 Many ancient authorities read God.
  5. 2 Timothy 2:15 Or, holding a straight course in the word of truth. Or, rightly dividing the word of truth
  6. 2 Timothy 2:17 Or, spread
  7. 2 Timothy 2:18 Greek missed the mark. 1 Tim. 1:6.
  8. 2 Timothy 2:18 Some ancient authorities read a resurrection.
  9. 2 Timothy 2:19 Num. 16:5?
  10. 2 Timothy 2:19 Isa. 26:13?
  11. 2 Timothy 2:24 Greek bondservant.
  12. 2 Timothy 2:25 Or, instructing
  13. 2 Timothy 2:26 Greek return to soberness.
  14. 2 Timothy 2:26 Greek taken alive.
  15. 2 Timothy 2:26 Or, by him, unto the will of God. Compare 2 Cor. 10:5. Greek by him, unto the will of him. In the Greek the two pronouns are different.