2 Timothy 2
Lexham English Bible
Exhortation to Be Strong in Grace
2 You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these things to faithful people who will be competent to teach others also. 3 Suffer together with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one who serves as a soldier is entangled in the activities of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. 5 And also if anyone competes he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The farmer who works hard must be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will grant you understanding in all these things.
A Trustworthy Saying
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David according to my gospel, 9 in connection with which I suffer misfortune to the point of imprisonment[a] as a criminal, but the word of God is not bound. 10 Because of this, I endure all things for the sake of the chosen, in order that they also may obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy:
For 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 also will deny us;
13 if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful—he cannot deny himself[b].[c]
A Worker Approved to God and Not Ashamed
14 Remind people of these things, solemnly urging them before the Lord[d] not to dispute about words. This is in no way beneficial and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, a worker having no need to be ashamed, guiding the word of truth along a straight path. 16 But avoid pointless chatter, for it will progress to greater ungodliness, 17 and their message will spread[e] like gangrene, among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have deviated concerning the truth by[f] saying the resurrection has already taken place, and they are upsetting the faith of some. 19 However, the solid foundation of God stands firm, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,”[g] and “Everyone who names the name of the Lord must abstain from unrighteousness.”
20 Now in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthenware ones, some of which are for honorable use, and some of which are for ordinary use. 21 Therefore, if someone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 But flee from youthful desires, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, in company with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and uninformed controversies, because you[h] know that they produce quarrels. 24 And the slave of the Lord must not quarrel, but be kind toward everyone, skillful in teaching, tolerant, 25 correcting those who are opposed with gentleness, seeing whether perhaps God may grant them repentance to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they will come to their senses again and escape from the trap of the devil, being held captive by him to do his will.
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 2:9 Literally “bonds”
- 2 Timothy 2:13 Literally “he is not able to deny himself”
- 2 Timothy 2:13 Some manuscripts have “because he is not able to deny himself”
- 2 Timothy 2:14 Some manuscripts have “before God”
- 2 Timothy 2:17 Literally “will experience spreading”
- 2 Timothy 2:18 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saying”) which is understood as means
- 2 Timothy 2:19 A quotation from Num 16:5
- 2 Timothy 2:23 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal
2 Timothy 2
New International Reader's Version
Paul Again Encourages Timothy to Be Faithful
2 My son, be strong in the grace that is yours in Christ Jesus. 2 You have heard me teach in front of many witnesses. Pass on to people you can trust the things you’ve heard me say. Then they will be able to teach others also. 3 Like a good soldier of Christ Jesus, join with me in suffering. 4 A soldier does not take part in things that don’t have anything to do with the army. Instead, he tries to please his commanding officer. 5 It is the same for anyone who takes part in a sport. They don’t receive the winner’s crown unless they play by the rules. 6 The farmer who works hard should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Think about what I’m saying. The Lord will help you understand what all of it means.
8 Remember Jesus Christ. He came from David’s family line. He was raised from the dead. That is my good news. 9 I am suffering for it. I have even been put in chains like someone who has committed a crime. But God’s word is not held back by chains. 10 So I put up with everything for the good of God’s chosen people. Then they also can be saved. Christ Jesus saves them. He gives them glory that will last forever.
11 Here is a saying you can trust.
If we died with him,
we will also live with him.
12 If we don’t give up,
we will also rule with him.
If we say we don’t know him,
he will also say he doesn’t know us.
13 Even if we are not faithful,
he remains faithful.
He must be true to himself.
What to Do About False Teachers
14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. While God is watching, warn them not to argue about words. That doesn’t have any value. It only destroys those who listen. 15 Do your best to please God. Be a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed. Teach the message of truth correctly. 16 Stay away from godless chatter. Those who take part in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like a deadly sickness. Hymenaeus and Philetus are two of those teachers. 18 They have turned away from the truth. They say that the time when people will rise from the dead has already come. They destroy the faith of some people. 19 But God’s solid foundation stands firm. Here is the message written on it. “The Lord knows who his own people are.” (Numbers 16:5) Also, “All who say they believe in the Lord must turn away from evil.”
20 In a large house there are things made out of gold and silver. But there are also things made out of wood and clay. Some have special purposes. Others have common purposes. 21 Suppose someone stays away from what is common. Then the Master will be able to use them for special purposes. They will be made holy. They will be ready to do any good work.
22 Run away from the evil things that young people long for. Try hard to do what is right. Have faith, love and peace. Do these things together with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with arguing. It is dumb and foolish. You know it only leads to fights. 24 Anyone who serves the Lord must not be hard to get along with. Instead, they must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach. The one who serves must not hold anything against anyone. 25 They must gently teach those who are against them. Maybe God will give a change of heart to those who are against you. That will lead them to know the truth. 26 Maybe they will come to their senses. Maybe they will escape the devil’s trap. He has taken them as prisoners to do what he wanted.
2 Timotheus 2
Schlachter 1951
Ein edler Streiter Jesu Christi
2 Du nun, mein Sohn, erstarke in der Gnade, die in Christus Jesus ist. 2 Und was du von mir gehört hast durch viele Zeugen, das vertraue treuen Menschen an, welche fähig sein werden, auch andere zu lehren.
3 Du nun leide[a] Ungemach, als ein edler Streiter Jesu Christi! 4 Wer Kriegsdienst tut, verflicht sich nicht in Geschäfte des Lebensunterhalts, damit er dem gefalle, der ihn ausgehoben hat. 5 Und wenn auch jemand sich an Wettkämpfen beteiligt, wird er nicht gekrönt, wenn er nicht nach den Regeln kämpft. 6 Der Ackersmann, der den Acker bebaut, hat den ersten Anspruch an die Früchte. 7 Bedenke, was ich dir sage! Denn der Herr wird dir Einsicht in alles geben.
8 Halt im Gedächtnis Jesus Christus, der von den Toten auferstanden ist, aus Davids Samen, nach meinem Evangelium, 9 in dessen Dienst ich Ungemach leide, sogar Ketten wie ein Übeltäter; aber das Wort Gottes ist nicht gekettet. 10 Darum erdulde ich alles um der Auserwählten willen, damit auch sie das Heil erlangen, das in Christus Jesus ist, mit ewiger Herrlichkeit.
11 Glaubwürdig ist das Wort: Sind wir mitgestorben, so werden wir auch mitleben; 12 dulden wir, so werden wir mitherrschen; verleugnen wir, so wird er uns auch verleugnen; 13 sind wir untreu, so bleibt er treu; denn er kann sich selbst nicht verleugnen.
Um die Erhaltung von Lehre und Glauben
14 Daran erinnere, und bezeuge ernstlich vor dem Herrn, daß man nicht um Worte zanke, was zu nichts nütze ist als zur Verwirrung der Zuhörer. 15 Gib dir Mühe, dich Gott als bewährt zu erweisen, als einen Arbeiter, der sich nicht zu schämen braucht, der das Wort der Wahrheit richtig behandelt[b]. 16 Der unheiligen Schwätzereien aber entschlage dich; denn sie fördern nur noch mehr die Gottlosigkeit, 17 und ihr[c] Wort frißt um sich wie ein Krebsgeschwür. 18 Zu ihnen gehören Hymenäus und Philetus, welche von der Wahrheit abgekommen sind, indem sie sagen, die Auferstehung sei schon geschehen, und so den Glauben etlicher Leute umgestürzt haben. 19 Aber der feste Grund Gottes bleibt bestehen und trägt dieses Siegel:“Der Herr kennt die Seinen[d]“, und: „es trete ab von der Ungerechtigkeit, wer den Namen des Herrn nennt!“
20 In einem großen Hause gibt es aber nicht nur goldene und silberne Gefäße, sondern auch hölzerne und irdene, und die einen zur Ehre, die andern zur Unehre. 21 Wenn nun jemand sich von solchen reinigt, wird er ein Gefäß zur Ehre sein, geheiligt und dem Hausherrn nützlich, zu jedem guten Werke zubereitet.
Um die Erhaltung eines ordentlichen Lebenswandels
22 Fliehe die jugendlichen Lüste, jage aber der Gerechtigkeit, dem Glauben, der Liebe, dem Frieden nach samt denen, die den Herrn aus reinem Herzen anrufen. 23 Die törichten und unziemlichen Streitfragen aber meide, da du weißt, daß sie nur Streit erzeugen. 24 Ein Knecht des Herrn aber soll nicht streiten, sondern milde sein gegen jedermann, lehrtüchtig, fähig die Bösen zu tragen, 25 mit Sanftmut die Widerspenstigen zurechtweisend, ob ihnen Gott nicht noch Buße geben möchte zur Erkenntnis der Wahrheit 26 und sie wieder nüchtern werden, aus der Schlinge des Teufels heraus, von welchem sie lebendig gefangen worden sind für seinen Willen.
Footnotes
- 2 Timotheus 2:3 leide - w. leide mit, s. 1:8
- 2 Timotheus 2:15 behandelt, eig. gerade schneidet
- 2 Timotheus 2:17 ihr, d.h. solcher Leute
- 2 Timotheus 2:19 + 4M 16:5 (Septuag.)
2012 by Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 1951 by Geneva Bible Society