2 Timothy 2
Wycliffe Bible
2 Therefore thou, my son, be comforted in grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And what things thou hast heard of me by many witnesses, betake thou these to faithful men, which shall be able also to teach other men.
3 Travail thou as a good knight of Christ Jesus. [Travail thou as a good knight of Jesus Christ.]
4 No man holding knighthood to God, wrappeth himself [enwrappeth himself] with worldly needs, that he please to him, to whom he hath proved himself.
5 For he that fighteth in a battle [For why and he that striveth in a battle], shall not be crowned, but he fight lawfully.
6 It behooveth an earth-tiller to receive first of the fruits.
7 Understand thou what things I say [Understand what things I say]. For the Lord shall give to thee understanding in all things.
8 Be thou mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ of the seed of David hath risen again from death [from dead], after my gospel,
9 in which I travail unto bonds, as working evil [as evil working], but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I suffer all things [Therefore I sustain all things] for the chosen, that also they get the health, that is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory.
11 A true word [is this that I say], that if we be dead together [to the world], also we shall live together [in bliss];
12 if we suffer, [and] we shall reign together [with Christ]; if we deny [him], [and] he shall deny us;
13 if we believe not, he dwelleth faithful, he may not deny himself.
14 Teach thou these things [Forsooth these things I admonish], witnessing before God. Do not thou strive in words; for to nothing it is profitable, but to the subverting of men that hear.
15 Busily keep [Busily care, or keep,] to give thyself an approved, praiseable workman to God, without shame, rightly treating the word of truth.
16 But eschew thou unholy and vain speeches, for why those profit much to unfaithfulness, [Forsooth shun thou unholy and vain speeches, soothly they profit much to unpiety,]
17 and the word of them creepeth as a canker. Of whom Philetus is, and Hymenaeus,
18 which felled down [the which fell down] from the truth, saying that the rising again is now done, and they subverted the faith of some men [and turned upside-down the faith of some men].
19 But the firm foundament of God standeth, having this mark [having this mark, either signet], The Lord knoweth which be his, and, Each man that nameth the name of the Lord, departeth from wickedness [depart from wickedness].
20 But in a great house be not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of tree and of earth; and so some be into honour, and some into despite.
21 Therefore, if any man cleanseth himself from these [Therefore if any man shall cleanse himself from these], he shall be a vessel hallowed into honour, and profitable to the Lord, ready to all good work [ready into all good work].
22 And flee thou [the] desires of youth, but follow thou rightwiseness, faith, charity, peace, with them that inwardly call the Lord [that in-call the Lord] of a clean heart.
23 And eschew thou foolish questions, and without knowing [Forsooth shun thou foolish questions, and without discipline], witting that those gender chidings.
24 But it behooveth the servant of the Lord to chide not [to not chide]; but to be mild to all men, able to teach, patient,
25 with temperance reproving them that against-stand the truth, that sometime God give to them repenting, that they know the truth [that sometime God give them penance to know the truth],
26 and that they rise again from the snares of the devil, of whom they be held prisoners at his will [of whom they be holden captive at his will].
2 Timothy 2
New Matthew Bible
As in the first chapter, so here Paul exhorts Timothy to be constant in trouble, to suffer manfully, and to abide fast in the wholesome doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And what things you have heard from me, many bearing witness, the same deliver to faithful men who are competent to teach others.
3 Therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man who wars entangles himself with worldly business, because he wants to please him who has chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And though a man strive to win a competition, yet he is not crowned unless he strives lawfully. 6 The husbandman who labours must first receive of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say. May the Lord give you understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, being of the seed of David, rose again from death, as declared in my gospel – 9 for which gospel I suffer trouble as an evil-doer, even in bonds. But the word of God was not bound. 10 For this I suffer all things, for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a true saying: if we are dead with him, we also will live with him. 12 If we are patient, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. 13 If we do not believe, yet he abides faithful; he cannot deny himself. 14 Of these things put them in remembrance. And warn them before the Lord not to strive about words, which accomplishes nothing but to pervert the hearers.
15 Be diligent to show yourself laudable to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 Unspiritual and vain voices pass over. For they will increase to greater ungodliness, 17 and their words will consume even as does a canker – of whose number are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who as concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and do destroy the faith of divers persons.
19 But the sure foundation of God remains, and has this seal: the Lord knows those that are his. And let everyone who calls on the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 Notwithstanding, in a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth: some for honour, and some for dishonour. 21 But if a man purges himself from such fellows, he will be a vessel sanctified unto honour, meet for the Lord and prepared for all good works.
22 Lusts of youth avoid. Follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. 23 Foolish and unlearned controversies put from you, remembering that they do but engender strife. 24 But the servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be peaceable towards all, able to teach, and one that can be patient with the evil, 25 and can correct those who resist – if perhaps God at any time will give them repentance to know the truth, 26 so that they may come to themselves again out of the snare of the devil, who are now taken by him at his will.
2 Timothy 2
1599 Geneva Bible
2 2 The better to set out perseverance in the Christian warfare, 3 he taketh similitudes, 4 from soldiers, 6 and from husbandmen. 10 He showeth that his bonds are for the profit of the Saints: 15 Then he warneth Timothy to divide the word of truth aright, 17 to beware of the examples of the wicked, 22 and to do all things modestly.
1 Thou [a]therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And what things thou hast heard of me, by [b]many witnesses, the same deliver to faithful men, which shall be able to teach others also.
3 [c]Thou therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth, entangleth himself with the affairs of [d]this life, because he would please him that hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 [e]And if any man also strive for a mastery, he is not crowned, except he strive as he ought to do.
6 [f]The husbandman must labor before he receive the fruits.
7 [g]Consider what I say: and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8 [h]Remember that Jesus Christ, made of the seed of David, was raised again from the dead according to my Gospel,
9 [i]Wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds: but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I suffer all things for the elect’s sake, that they might also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11 [j]It is a true saying, For if we be (A)[k]dead together with him: we also shall live together with him.
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign together with him: (B)if we deny him, he also will deny us.
13 If (C)we believe not, yet abideth he faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, and [l]protest before the Lord, that they strive not about words, which is to no profit, but to the perverting of the hearers.
15 [m]Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, dividing the word of truth [n]aright.
16 [o]Stay profane, and vain babblings: [p]for they shall increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word shall fret as a canker: of which sort is Hymenaeus and Philetus.
18 Which as concerning the truth have erred from the mark, saying that the resurrection is past already, and do destroy the faith of certain.
19 [q]But the foundation of God remaineth sure, and hath this seal, The Lord knoweth who are his: and, Let everyone that [r]calleth on the Name of Christ, depart from iniquity.
20 [s]Notwithstanding in a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, (D)and some for honor, and some unto dishonor.
21 If any man therefore [t]purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Lord, and prepared unto every good work.
22 [u]Flee also from the lusts of youth, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, and [v]peace, with them that (E)call on the Lord with pure heart,
23 (F)And put away foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they engender strife.
24 But the servant of the Lord must not strive, but must be gentle toward all men, apt to teach, [w]suffering the evil,
25 Instructing them with meekness that are [x]contrary minded, proving if God at any time will give them repentance, that they may acknowledge the truth,
26 And come to amendment out of that snare of the devil, of whom they are taken prisoners, to do his will.
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 2:1 The conclusion of the former exhortation, which hath also added unto it a declaration how that they do not keep that worthy thing that is committed unto them which keep it to themselves, but they rather which do most freely communicate it with others, to the end that many may be partakers of it, without any man’s loss or hindrance.
- 2 Timothy 2:2 When many were by, which can bear witness of these things.
- 2 Timothy 2:3 Another admonition: That the ministry of the word is a spiritual warfare, which no man can so travail in, that he may please his captain, unless he forgo and part with all hindrances which might draw him away from it.
- 2 Timothy 2:4 With affairs of household, or other things that belong to other ordinary businesses.
- 2 Timothy 2:5 The third admonition: The ministry is like to a game or justing, wherein men strive for the victory, and no man is crowned unless he strive according to the laws which are prescribed, be they never so hard and painful.
- 2 Timothy 2:6 Another similitude tending to the same end: no man may look for the harvest, unless he first take pains to plow and sow his ground.
- 2 Timothy 2:7 All these things cannot be understood, and much less practiced, unless we ask of God and he gives us understanding.
- 2 Timothy 2:8 He confirmeth plainly two principles of our faith, which are always assaulted of heretics, the one whereof (to wit, that Christ is the true Messiah made man of the seed of David) is the ground of our salvation: and the other is the highest part of it, to wit, that he is risen again from the dead.
- 2 Timothy 2:9 The taking away of an objection: Truth it is, that he is kept in prison, as an evildoer, yet there is no cause, why therefore some should go about to derogate credit from his Gospel, seeing that notwithstanding God did bless his ministry, nay rather, that example of this his captivity and patience did sundry ways confirm the Church in the hope of a better life.
- 2 Timothy 2:11 The fourth admonition: we ought not to contend upon words and questions, which are not only unprofitable, but also for the most part hurtful: but rather upon this, how we may frame ourselves to all manner of patience, and to die also with Christ (that is to say, for Christ’s Name) because that is the plain way to the most glorious life: as contrariwise the falling away of men can diminish no part of the truth of God, although by such means, they procure most certain destruction to themselves.
- 2 Timothy 2:11 If we be afflicted with Christ, and for Christ’s sake.
- 2 Timothy 2:14 Call God to witness, or as a Judge: as Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and Paul himself did, Acts 20.
- 2 Timothy 2:15 The fifth admonition: A minister must not be an idle disputer, but a faithful steward in dividing aright the word of truth, insomuch that he must stop the mouths of other vain babblers.
- 2 Timothy 2:15 By adding nothing to it, neither overslipping anything, neither mangling it, nor renting it in sunder, nor wresting of it: but marking diligently what his hearers are able to hear, and what is fit to edifying.
- 2 Timothy 2:16 Mark and watch, and see they creep not on further.
- 2 Timothy 2:16 He discovereth the subtlety of Satan, who beginning with these principles draweth us by little and little to ungodliness through the means of that wicked and profane babbling, still creeping on: which he proveth by the horrible example of them that taught that, the resurrection was already past.
- 2 Timothy 2:19 A digression: wherein he salveth that offense that rose by their falling away: showing first, that the elect are out of all danger of any such falling away: secondly, that they are known to God and not to us: and therefore it is no marvel if we count hypocrites oftentimes for true brethren: but we must take heed that we be not like them, but rather that we be indeed, such as we are said to be.
- 2 Timothy 2:19 That serveth and worshippeth him, and is as it were named of him, a faithful man or Christian.
- 2 Timothy 2:20 The taking away of an objection: it is no dishonor to the good man of the house, that he hath not in a great house all vessels of one sort and for one service, but we must look to this, that we be found vessels prepared to honor.
- 2 Timothy 2:21 By these words is meant the execution of the matter, and not the cause: for in that we purge ourselves, it is not to be attributeth to any free will that is in us, but to God, who freely and wholly worketh in us a good and an effectual will.
- 2 Timothy 2:22 Returning to the matter from whence he digressed, verse 16, he warneth him to exercise himself in weighty matters, and such as pertain to godliness.
- 2 Timothy 2:22 The sixth admonition: We must above all things eschew all bitterness of mind both in teaching all men, and also in calling them back which have gone out of the way.
- 2 Timothy 2:24 To win them through our patient bearing with them, but not to please them or excuse them in their wickedness.
- 2 Timothy 2:25 He meaneth such as do not yet see the truth.
2 Timothy 2
Authorized (King James) Version
2 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 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. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 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. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9 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 Hymenæus 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.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.