^15 (A)Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

⁴ But as ^(A)we have been approved by God ^(B)to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, ^(C)not as pleasing men, but God ^(D)who tests our hearts.

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

⁶ If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, ^(A)nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.

¹⁰ Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent ^(A)to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

The Judgment Seat of Christ

⁹ Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

¹⁸ For ^(A)not he who commends himself is approved, but ^(B)whom the Lord commends.

Take Heed to Your Ministry

¹² Let no one ^[a]despise your youth, but be an ^(A)example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, ^[b]in spirit, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to ^[c]doctrine. ^14 (B)Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy ^(C)with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. ¹⁵ Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. ¹⁶ Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

² But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor ^[a]handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth ^(A)commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

¹⁵ Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my ^[a]decease.

¹⁰ For ^(A)do I now ^(B)persuade men, or God? Or ^(C)do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.