2 Timothy 2

Be Strong in Grace

1 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace  * 2:1 Gl 1:6; 2Pt 3:18 that is in Christ Jesus. 2 What you have heard from me  * 2:2 2Tm 1:13 in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful  * 2:2 Nm 12:7 men  * 2:2 Or faithful people who will be able to teach others also.

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  * 2:3 1Tm 1:184 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.  * 2:6 1Co 9:107 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead  * 2:8 Mt 17:9; Jn 21:14 and descended from David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. 10 This is why I endure  * 2:10 Jms 1:12 all things for the elect:  * 2:10 Mt 24:22 so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.  * 2:10 Lk 9:32; 24:26; Jn 17:24; 2Co 3:18; 1Pt 5:1,4; 2Pt 3:1811 This saying is trustworthy:  * 2:11 1Tm 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; Ti 3:8

For if we died with him,  * 2:11 Jn 8:51

we will also live with him;

12 if we endure, we will also reign  * 2:12 Rv 20:4 with him;

if we deny him, he will also deny us;

13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful,

for he cannot deny himself.

An Approved Worker

14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God  * 2:14 Other mss read before the Lord not to fight about words.  * 2:14 1Tm 6:4 This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. 15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.  * 2:15 Eph 1:13; Col 1:5; Jms 1:1816 Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness,  * 2:16 Jd 1817 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus  * 2:17 1Tm 1:20 and Philetus are among them. 18 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place,  * 2:18 Ac 17:32; 1Co 15:12–17; 2Th 2:1–2 and are ruining the faith of some.  * 2:18 1Tm 1:19; 6:2119 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription:  * 2:19 Jos 23:7; Est 9:4; Is 26:13; Rm 15:20; Eph 1:21The Lord knows those who are his,* 2:19 Nm 16:5,* 2:19 Nm 16:5; Pr 2:6; Jn 10:14,27; 1Co 8:3 and let everyone who calls on the name  * 2:19 Ac 15:14 of  * 2:19 Lit everyone who names the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.  * 2:19 Lv 24:11,16; Nm 16:26–27; Jos 23:7; Ps 6:9; 33:15; Pr 3:7; Is 26:13; 52:11; Jr 20:9

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels,  * 2:20 Rm 9:21 but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable  * 2:20 Or special use and some for dishonorable.  * 2:20 Or ordinary,* 2:20 Rm 9:2121 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,  * 2:21 Lit from these he will be a special  * 2:21 Or an honorable instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.  * 2:21 2Co 9:8; Gl 3:10; 1Tm 5:10

22 Flee  * 2:22 1Tm 4:12; 6:11; Jms 4:7 from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,  * 2:22 Lk 12:51; 2Tm 1:2; Heb 12:14; 3Jn 14 along with those who call on the Lord  * 2:22 Gn 13:4 from a pure heart. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. 24 The Lord’s  * 2:24 Rv 11:8 servant must not quarrel,  * 2:24 Jn 6:52; Ac 7:26; Jms 4:2 but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,  * 2:24 Or everyone, skillful in teaching and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness.  * 2:25 Jms 3:13 Perhaps God will grant them repentance  * 2:25 Ac 26:20; Rm 2:4; 2Co 7:9–10 leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil,  * 2:26 1Tm 3:7 who has taken them captive to do his will.  * 2:26 Jn 1:13