Greeting

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

To Timothy, my dearly loved son.

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

Thanksgiving

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) Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. 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.

Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.(I) 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

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. 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)

Footnotes

  1. 1:7 Or For the Spirit God gave us does not make us fearful, but gives us power
  2. 1:11 Other mss add of the Gentiles
  3. 1:12 Or guard what I have entrusted to him, or guard my deposit

Greeting

From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, to promote the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.

To Timothy, my dear child.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving and prayer

I’m grateful to God, whom I serve with a good conscience as my ancestors did. I constantly remember you in my prayers day and night. When I remember your tears, I long to see you so that I can be filled with happiness. I’m reminded of your authentic faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m sure that this faith is also inside you. Because of this, I’m reminding you to revive God’s gift that is in you through the laying on of my hands. God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.

Don’t be ashamed of the testimony

So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord or of me, his prisoner. Instead, share the suffering for the good news, depending on God’s power. God is the one who saved and called us with a holy calling. This wasn’t based on what we have done, but it was based on his own purpose and grace that he gave us in Christ Jesus before time began. 10 Now his grace is revealed through the appearance of our savior, Christ Jesus. He destroyed death and brought life and immortality into clear focus through the good news. 11 I was appointed a messenger, apostle, and teacher of this good news. 12 This is also why I’m suffering the way I do, but I’m not ashamed. I know the one in whom I’ve placed my trust. I’m convinced that God is powerful enough to protect what he has placed in my trust until that day. 13 Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you heard from me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Protect this good thing that has been placed in your trust through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

15 You know that everyone in Asia has turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord show mercy to Onesiphorus’ household, because he supported me many times and he wasn’t ashamed of my imprisonment. 17 After I arrived in Rome, he quickly looked for me and found me. 18 May the Lord allow him to find his mercy on that day (and you know very well how much he served me in Ephesus).