2 Timothy 1-2

Christian Standard Bible

Greeting

1 Paul,^(A) an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will,^(B) for the sake of the promise of life^(C) in Christ Jesus:

² To Timothy, my dearly loved son.

Grace, mercy, and peace^(D) from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving

³ I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience^(E) as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.^{(F) 4} Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I recall your sincere faith^(G) that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice^(H) and now, I am convinced, is in you also.

⁶ Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.^{(I) 7} For God has not given us a spirit of fear,^(J) but one of power,^[a](K) love,^(L) and sound judgment.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

⁸ So don’t be ashamed^(M) of the testimony about our Lord,^(N) or of me his prisoner.^(O) Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power^(P) of God. ⁹ He has saved us and called us with a holy calling,^(Q) not according to our works,^(R) but according to his own purpose^(S) and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. ¹⁰ This has now been made evident through the appearing^(T) of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death^(U) and has brought life^(V) and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ For this gospel I was appointed^(W) a herald, apostle, and teacher,^{[b] 12} and that is why I suffer^(X) these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me^[c](Y) until that day.^(Z)

Be Loyal to the Faith

¹³ Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching^(AA) that you have heard from me,^(AB) in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. ¹⁵ You know that all those in the province of Asia^(AC) have deserted me,^(AD) including Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ May the Lord grant mercy^(AE) to the household of Onesiphorus,^(AF) because he often refreshed me^(AG) and was not ashamed of my chains.^{(AH) 17} On the contrary, when he was in Rome,^(AI) he diligently searched for me and found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant that he obtain mercy^(AJ) from him on that day. You know very well how much he ministered at Ephesus.^(AK)

Be Strong in Grace

2 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace^(AL) that is in Christ Jesus. ² What you have heard from me^(AM) in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful^(AN) men^[d] who will be able to teach others also.

³ Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.^{(AO) 4} No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. ⁵ Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.^{(AP) 7} Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead^(AQ) and descended from David, according to my gospel, ⁹ for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. ¹⁰ This is why I endure^(AR) all things for the elect:^(AS) so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.^{(AT) 11} This saying is trustworthy:^(AU)

An Approved Worker

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and charge them before God^[e] not to fight about words.^(AX) This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.^{(AY) 16} Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness,^{(AZ) 17} and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus^(BA) and Philetus are among them. ¹⁸ They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place,^(BB) and are ruining the faith of some.^{(BC) 19} Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription:^(BD) The Lord knows those who are his,^[f](BE) and let everyone who calls on the name^(BF) of^[g] the Lord turn away from wickedness.^(BG)

²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels,^(BH) but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable^[h] use and some for dishonorable.^{[i](BI) 21} So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,^[j] he will be a special^[k] instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.^(BJ)

²² Flee^(BK) from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,^(BL) along with those who call on the Lord^(BM) from a pure heart. ²³ But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. ²⁴ The Lord’s^(BN) servant must not quarrel,^(BO) but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,^[l] and patient, ²⁵ instructing his opponents with gentleness.^(BP) Perhaps God will grant them repentance^(BQ) leading them to the knowledge of the truth. ²⁶ Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil,^(BR) who has taken them captive to do his will.^(BS)