Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Paul exhorts Timothy to steadfastness and patience in persecution, and to continue in the doctrine that he had taught him. A commendation of Onesiphorous.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God to preach the promise of life, which life is in Christ Jesus.

² To Timothy, his beloved son.

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

³ I thank God, whom I serve apart from my fathers with a pure conscience, as without ceasing I make mention of you in my prayers night and day, ⁴ desiring to see you, mindful of your tears. I am filled with joy ⁵ when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and am assured that it dwells in you also. ⁶ And so I remind you to stir up the gift of God that is in you by the putting on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given to us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and soberness of mind.

⁸ Be not ashamed to testify of our Lord; neither be ashamed of me, who am bound for his sake. But suffer adversity also with the gospel, through the power of God, ⁹ who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our deeds, but according to his own purpose and grace. Which grace was given through Christ Jesus before the world was, ¹⁰ but is now declared openly by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has put away death, and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

¹¹ Of this gospel I am appointed a preacher and apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles – ¹² for which cause I also suffer these things. Nevertheless, I am not ashamed. For I know whom I have believed, and am sure that he is able to keep that which I have committed to his keeping for that day.

¹³ See that you have the example of the wholesome words that you heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ That good thing that was committed to your keeping, keep in the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.

⁵ And the apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith. ⁶ And the Lord said, If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, and were to say to this sycamine tree, Pluck yourself up by the roots and plant yourself in the sea, it would obey you.

⁷ Who among you, if he had a servant plowing or feeding sheep, would say to him when he came in from the field, Go quickly, and sit down to food? ⁸ And not rather say to him, Prepare for me to sup, and gird yourself up, and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you shall eat and drink? ⁹ Does he thank that servant because he did that which was commanded of him? I think not. ¹⁰ So likewise you, when you have done all the things that are commanded of you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do.