Be Strong in Grace

You therefore, (A)my son, (B)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 (C)endure[a] hardship (D)as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (E)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 (F)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 [b]may the Lord (G)give you understanding in all things.

Remember that Jesus Christ, (H)of the seed of David, (I)was raised from the dead (J)according to my gospel, (K)for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, (L)even to the point of chains; (M)but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore (N)I endure all things for the sake of the [c]elect, (O)that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 This is a faithful saying:

For (P)if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12 (Q)If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
(R)If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He (S)cannot deny Himself.

Approved and Disapproved Workers

14 Remind them of these things, (T)charging them before the Lord not to [d]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 (U)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 [e]idle babblings, for they will [f]increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. (V)Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, (W)saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless (X)the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord (Y)knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of [g]Christ depart from iniquity.”

20 But in a great house there are not only (Z)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, [h]sanctified and useful for the Master, (AA)prepared for every good work. 22 (AB)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 (AC)a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, (AD)able to teach, (AE)patient, 25 (AF)in humility correcting those who are in opposition, (AG)if God perhaps will grant them repentance, (AH)so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and (AI)escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:3 NU You must share
  2. 2 Timothy 2:7 NU the Lord will give you
  3. 2 Timothy 2:10 chosen ones
  4. 2 Timothy 2:14 battle
  5. 2 Timothy 2:16 empty chatter
  6. 2 Timothy 2:16 lead
  7. 2 Timothy 2:19 NU, M the Lord
  8. 2 Timothy 2:21 set apart

Be Strong in Grace

You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace(A) that is in Christ Jesus. And what you have heard from me(B) in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful(C) men who will be able to teach others also.

Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.(D) No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.(E) Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead(F) and descended from David. This is according to my gospel. I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God’s message is not bound. 10 This is why I endure(G) all things for the elect:(H) so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.(I) 11 This saying is trustworthy:(J)

For if we have died with Him,(K)
we will also live with Him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign(L) with Him;
if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful,
for He cannot deny Himself.

An Approved Worker

14 Remind them of these things, charging them before God[a] not to fight about words;(M) this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.(N) 16 But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness.(O) 17 And their word will spread like gangrene; Hymenaeus(P) and Philetus are among them. 18 They have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place,(Q) and are overturning the faith of some.(R) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription:(S)

The Lord knows those who are His,(T)[b] and
Everyone who names the name(U) of the Lord
must turn away from unrighteousness.(V)

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls,(W) but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable[c] use, some for dishonorable.[d](X) 21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,[e] he will be a special[f] instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.(Y)

22 Flee(Z) from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,(AA) along with those who call on the Lord(AB) from a pure heart. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. 24 The Lord’s(AC) slave must not quarrel,(AD) but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,[g] and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness.(AE) Perhaps God will grant them repentance(AF) leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap,(AG) having been captured by him to do his will.(AH)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 2:14 Other mss read before the Lord
  2. 2 Timothy 2:19 Nm 16:5
  3. 2 Timothy 2:20 Or special
  4. 2 Timothy 2:20 Or ordinary
  5. 2 Timothy 2:21 Lit from these
  6. 2 Timothy 2:21 Or an honorable
  7. 2 Timothy 2:24 Or everyone, skillful in teaching