Add parallel Print Page Options

Paul’s Final Instructions

17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.

Read full chapter

17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.(A) Keep away from them.(B)

Read full chapter

19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.

Read full chapter

19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.(A)

Read full chapter

Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.

Read full chapter

If anyone teaches otherwise(A) and does not agree to the sound instruction(B) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited(C) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words(D) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth(E) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

Read full chapter

An Exhortation to Proper Living

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers[a] who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received[b] from us.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 3:6a Greek from every brother.
  2. 3:6b Some manuscripts read you received.

Warning Against Idleness

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,(A) we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from(B) every believer who is idle and disruptive(C) and does not live according to the teaching[a] you received from us.(D)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or tradition

They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

Read full chapter

having a form of godliness(A) but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.(B)

Read full chapter

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers[a] of this world, rather than from Christ.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2:8 Or the spiritual principles; also in 2:20.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,(A) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world(B) rather than on Christ.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 2:8 Or the basic principles; also in verse 20

Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really[a]—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2:4 Greek some false brothers.

This matter arose because some false believers(A) had infiltrated our ranks to spy on(B) the freedom(C) we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.

Read full chapter

10 If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.

Read full chapter

10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.(A)

Read full chapter

Warnings against False Teachings

When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth.

Read full chapter

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,(A) stay there in Ephesus(B) so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines(C) any longer

Read full chapter

I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came[a] in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we[b] have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.

10 If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. 11 Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 7 Or will come.
  2. 8 Some manuscripts read you.

I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ(A) as coming in the flesh,(B) have gone out into the world.(C) Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.(D) Watch out that you do not lose what we[a] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.(E) Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ(F) does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.(G) 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.(H) 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares(I) in their wicked work.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 John 1:8 Some manuscripts you

The Danger of False Teachers

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.

Read full chapter

False Teachers and Their Destruction

But there were also false prophets(A) among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.(B) They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord(C) who bought them(D)—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct(E) and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.

Read full chapter

14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 3:15 Greek as a brother.

14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them,(A) in order that they may feel ashamed.(B) 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.(C)

Read full chapter

17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

Read full chapter

17 Join together in following my example,(A) brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.(B)

Read full chapter