Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,

and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Testing of Your Faith

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,

Support and Opposition

Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are,

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

“‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.