2 Timothy 2
New King James Version
Be Strong in Grace
2 You therefore, (A)my son, (B)be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 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. 3 You therefore must (C)endure[a] hardship (D)as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 (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. 5 And also (F)if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and [b]may the Lord (G)give you understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, (H)of the seed of David, (I)was raised from the dead (J)according to my gospel, 9 (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
- 2 Timothy 2:3 NU You must share
- 2 Timothy 2:7 NU the Lord will give you
- 2 Timothy 2:10 chosen ones
- 2 Timothy 2:14 battle
- 2 Timothy 2:16 empty chatter
- 2 Timothy 2:16 lead
- 2 Timothy 2:19 NU, M the Lord
- 2 Timothy 2:21 set apart
2 Timothy 2
Amplified Bible
Be Strong
2 So you, my son, be strong [constantly strengthened] and empowered in the grace that is [to be found only] in Christ Jesus. 2 The things [the doctrine, the precepts, the admonitions, the sum of my ministry] which you have heard me teach [a]in the presence of many witnesses, entrust [as a treasure] to reliable and faithful men who will also be capable and qualified to teach others. 3 Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service gets entangled in the [ordinary business] affairs of civilian life; [he avoids them] so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve. 5 And if anyone competes as an athlete [in competitive games], he is not crowned [with the wreath of victory] unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard-working farmer [who labors to produce crops] ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7 Think over the things I am saying [grasp their application], for the Lord will grant you insight and understanding in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ [the ever-living Lord who has] risen from the dead, [as the prophesied King] descended from David [king of Israel], according to my gospel [the good news that I preach],(A) 9 for that [gospel] I am suffering even to [the point of] wearing chains like a criminal; but the word of God is not chained or imprisoned! 10 For this reason I [am ready to] patiently endure all things for the sake of those who are the elect (God’s chosen ones), so that they too may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it the reward of eternal glory. 11 This is a faithful and trustworthy saying:
If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12
If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He will also deny us;
13
If we are faithless, He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself.
An Unashamed Workman
14 Remind the people of these facts, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good, and [upsets and undermines and] ruins [the faith of] those who listen. 15 Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. 16 But avoid all irreverent babble and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have deviated from the truth. They claim that the resurrection has already taken place, and they undermine the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God [which He has laid] stands [sure and unshaken despite attacks], bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord stand apart from wickedness and withdraw from wrongdoing.”(B)
20 Now in a large house there are not only [b]vessels and objects of gold and silver, but also vessels and objects of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honorable (noble, good) use and some for dishonorable (ignoble, common). 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Run away from youthful lusts—pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those [believers] who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations [useless disputes over unedifying, stupid controversies], since you know that they produce strife and give birth to quarrels. 24 The servant of the Lord must not participate in quarrels, but must be kind to everyone [even-tempered, preserving peace, and he must be], skilled in teaching, patient and tolerant when wronged. 25 He must correct those who are in opposition with courtesy and gentleness in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and be led to the knowledge of the truth [accurately understanding and welcoming it], 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 2:2 Lit through.
- 2 Timothy 2:20 Like Rom 9:20-23, the analogy here has its roots in OT poetry (e.g. Ps 31:12; Prov 26:23) and prophecy (e.g. Is 45:9; Jer 18:2-6). Paul speaks of believers and unbelievers in Rom 9, but here he seems to be describing God’s household or family, in which all the vessels (containers, utensils) represent believers. While the objects in Rom 9:21 do not change, the vessels here are capable of changing their status and the use to which God puts them by keeping themselves from sinful behavior and influences (v 21).
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.
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
Young's Literal Translation
2 Thou, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that [is] in Christ Jesus,
2 and the things that thou didst hear from me through many witnesses, these things be committing to stedfast men, who shall be sufficient also others to teach;
3 thou, therefore, suffer evil as a good soldier of Jesus Christ;
4 no one serving as a soldier did entangle himself with the affairs of life, that him who did enlist him he may please;
5 and if also any one may strive, he is not crowned, except he may strive lawfully;
6 the labouring husbandman it behoveth first of the fruits to partake;
7 be considering what things I say, for the Lord give to thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised out of the dead, of the seed of David, according to my good news,
9 in which I suffer evil -- unto bonds, as an evil-doer, but the word of God hath not been bound;
10 because of this all things do I endure, because of the choice ones, that they also salvation may obtain that [is] in Christ Jesus, with glory age-during.
11 Stedfast [is] the word: For if we died together -- we also shall live together;
12 if we do endure together -- we shall also reign together; if we deny [him], he also shall deny us;
13 if we are not stedfast, he remaineth stedfast; to deny himself he is not able.
14 These things remind [them] of, testifying fully before the Lord -- not to strive about words to nothing profitable, but to the subversion of those hearing;
15 be diligent to present thyself approved to God -- a workman irreproachable, rightly dividing the word of the truth;
16 and the profane vain talkings stand aloof from, for to more impiety they will advance,
17 and their word as a gangrene will have pasture, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 who concerning the truth did swerve, saying the rising again to have already been, and do overthrow the faith of some;
19 sure, nevertheless, hath the foundation of God stood, having this seal, `The Lord hath known those who are His,' and `Let him depart from unrighteousness -- every one who is naming the name of Christ.'
20 And 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, then, any one may cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified and profitable to the master -- to every good work having been prepared,
22 and the youthful lusts flee thou, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those calling upon the Lord out of a pure heart;
23 and the foolish and uninstructed questions be avoiding, having known that they beget strife,
24 and a servant of the Lord it behoveth not to strive, but to be gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient under evil,
25 in meekness instructing those opposing -- if perhaps God may give to them repentance to an acknowledging of the truth,
26 and they may awake out of the devil's snare, having been caught by him at his will.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
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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.
