El buen soldado de Jesucristo

Tú, pues, hijo mío(A), fortalécete en la gracia(B) que hay en Cristo Jesús(C). Y lo que has oído de mí(D) en la presencia de muchos testigos(E), eso encarga[a](F) a hombres fieles(G) que sean idóneos para enseñar también a otros(H). Sufre penalidades[b](I) conmigo, como buen soldado(J) de Cristo Jesús(K). Ningún soldado en servicio activo se enreda(L) en los negocios de la vida diaria, a fin de poder agradar al que lo reclutó como soldado. Y también el que[c] compite como atleta(M), no gana el premio[d] si no compite de acuerdo con las reglas[e]. El labrador que trabaja(N) debe ser el primero en recibir su parte de los frutos[f]. Considera lo que digo, pues el Señor te dará entendimiento en todo. Acuérdate de Jesucristo, resucitado de entre los muertos(O), descendiente de David(P), conforme a mi evangelio(Q); por[g] el cual sufro penalidades(R), hasta el encarcelamiento(S) como un malhechor(T); pero la palabra de Dios(U) no está presa(V). 10 Por tanto, todo lo soporto(W) por amor a los escogidos(X), para que también ellos obtengan(Y) la salvación(Z) que está en Cristo Jesús(AA), y con ella gloria eterna(AB). 11 Palabra fiel es esta(AC):

Que si morimos con Él(AD), también viviremos con Él;
12 si perseveramos, también reinaremos con Él(AE);
si le negamos[h](AF), Él también nos negará;
13 si somos infieles[i], Él permanece fiel(AG), pues no puede negarse a sí mismo(AH).

El buen obrero de Dios

14 Recuérdales esto, encargándoles(AI) solemnemente en la presencia de Dios, que no contiendan sobre palabras(AJ), lo cual para nada aprovecha y lleva a los oyentes a la ruina. 15 Procura con diligencia presentarte a Dios aprobado(AK), como obrero que no tiene de qué avergonzarse, que maneja con precisión la palabra de verdad(AL). 16 Evita[j](AM) las palabrerías vacías y profanas(AN), porque los dados a ellas, conducirán más y más a la impiedad[k], 17 y su palabra[l] se extenderá como gangrena[m]; entre los cuales están Himeneo y Fileto(AO), 18 que se han desviado de la verdad diciendo que la resurrección ya tuvo lugar(AP), trastornando así la fe de algunos(AQ). 19 No obstante, el sólido fundamento de Dios permanece(AR) firme, teniendo este sello(AS): El Señor conoce a los que son suyos(AT), y: Que se aparte de la iniquidad todo aquel que menciona el nombre del Señor(AU). 20 Ahora bien, en una casa grande no solamente hay vasos de oro y de plata, sino también de madera y de barro, y unos para honra y otros para deshonra(AV). 21 Por tanto, si alguno se limpia de estas cosas(AW), será un vaso para honra, santificado, útil para el Señor, preparado para toda buena obra(AX). 22 Huye, pues, de las pasiones juveniles(AY) y sigue[n] la justicia(AZ), la fe(BA), el amor y la paz, con los que invocan al Señor(BB) con[o] un corazón puro(BC). 23 Pero rechaza los razonamientos necios[p] e ignorantes(BD), sabiendo que producen[q] altercados[r](BE). 24 Y el siervo del Señor(BF) no debe ser rencilloso, sino amable para con todos, apto para enseñar(BG), sufrido, 25 corrigiendo tiernamente a los que se oponen(BH), por si acaso Dios les da el arrepentimiento(BI) que conduce al pleno conocimiento de la verdad(BJ), 26 y volviendo en sí, escapen del lazo del diablo(BK), habiendo estado cautivos de él(BL) para hacer su voluntad.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timoteo 2:2 O, confía
  2. 2 Timoteo 2:3 O, trabajos, o, fatigas
  3. 2 Timoteo 2:5 Lit., si alguno
  4. 2 Timoteo 2:5 Lit., no es coronado
  5. 2 Timoteo 2:5 Lit., legítimamente
  6. 2 Timoteo 2:6 O, la cosecha
  7. 2 Timoteo 2:9 Lit., en
  8. 2 Timoteo 2:12 Lit., si le negáremos
  9. 2 Timoteo 2:13 O, incrédulos
  10. 2 Timoteo 2:16 Lit., Mas evita
  11. 2 Timoteo 2:16 Lit., ellas progresarán más en la impiedad
  12. 2 Timoteo 2:17 O, conversación, o, plática
  13. 2 Timoteo 2:17 O, cáncer
  14. 2 Timoteo 2:22 O, busca
  15. 2 Timoteo 2:22 Lit., desde
  16. 2 Timoteo 2:23 O, las especulaciones necias
  17. 2 Timoteo 2:23 Lit., engendran
  18. 2 Timoteo 2:23 Lit., peleas

The Appeal Renewed

You then, my son,(A) be strong(B) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say(C) in the presence of many witnesses(D) entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering,(E) like a good soldier(F) of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown(G) except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.(H) Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,(I) descended from David.(J) This is my gospel,(K) for which I am suffering(L) even to the point of being chained(M) like a criminal. But God’s word(N) is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything(O) for the sake of the elect,(P) that they too may obtain the salvation(Q) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.(R)

11 Here is a trustworthy saying:(S)

If we died with him,
    we will also live with him;(T)
12 if we endure,
    we will also reign with him.(U)
If we disown him,
    he will also disown us;(V)
13 if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,(W)
    for he cannot disown himself.

Dealing With False Teachers

14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;(X) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.(Y) 16 Avoid godless chatter,(Z) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus(AA) and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,(AB) and they destroy the faith of some.(AC) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,(AD) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”(AE) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord(AF) must turn away from wickedness.”

20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.(AG) 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.(AH)

22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love(AI) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord(AJ) out of a pure heart.(AK) 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.(AL) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.(AM) 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,(AN) 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,(AO) who has taken them captive to do his will.

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

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.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

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.

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

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.