2 Timothy 2
New Life Version
Be a Good Soldier
2 So you, my son, be strong in the loving-favor of Christ Jesus. 2 What you have heard me say in front of many people, you must teach to faithful men. Then they will be able to teach others also. 3 Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No soldier fighting in a war can take time to make a living. He must please the one who made him a soldier. 5 Anyone who runs in a race must follow the rules to get the crown. 6 A hard-working farmer should receive first some of what he gathers from the field. 7 Think about these things and the Lord will help you understand them.
8 Remember this! Jesus Christ, Who was born from the early family of David, was raised from the dead! This is the Good News I preach. 9 I suffer much and am in prison as one who has done something very bad. I am in chains, but the Word of God is not chained. 10 I suffer all things so the people that God has chosen can be saved from the punishment of their sin through Jesus Christ. Then they will have God’s shining-greatness that lasts forever. 11 These things are true. If we die with Him, we will live with Him also. 12 If we suffer and stay true to Him, then we will be a leader with Him. If we say we do not know Him, He will say He does not know us. 13 If we have no faith, He will still be faithful for He cannot go against what He is.
Foolish Talk
14 Tell your people about these things again. In the name of the Lord, tell them not to argue over words that are not important. It helps no one and it hurts the faith of those who are listening. 15 Do your best to know that God is pleased with you. Be as a workman who has nothing to be ashamed of. Teach the words of truth in the right way. 16 Do not listen to foolish talk about things that mean nothing. It only leads people farther away from God. 17 Such talk will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like this. 18 They have turned from the truth. They say the dead have already been raised. The faith of some people has been made weak because of such foolish talk. 19 But the truth of God cannot be changed. It says, “The Lord knows those who are His.” And, “Everyone who says he is a Christian must turn away from sin!”
20 In a big house there are not only things made of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some are of more use than others. Some are used every day. 21 If a man lives a clean life, he will be like a dish made of gold. He will be respected and set apart for good use by the owner of the house.
22 Turn away from the sinful things young people want to do. Go after what is right. Have a desire for faith and love and peace. Do this with those who pray to God from a clean heart. 23 Let me say it again. Have nothing to do with foolish talk and those who want to argue. It can only lead to trouble. 24 A servant owned by God must not make trouble. He must be kind to everyone. He must be able to teach. He must be willing to suffer when hurt for doing good. 25 Be gentle when you try to teach those who are against what you say. God may change their hearts so they will turn to the truth. 26 Then they will know they had been held in a trap by the devil to do what he wanted them to do. But now they are able to get out of it.
Read full chapter
2 Timothy 2
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 Hymenaeus 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.
Read full chapterCopyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.