1 So then, my son, grow strong in the grace of Christ Jesus. 2 Take what you heard me say in front of many witnesses and share it with those who are trustworthy, who then can teach others as well. 3 Suffer together with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 A soldier on active duty doesn’t get caught up in the business of everyday life. He wants to please the one who enlisted him. 5 Similarly athletes who compete in the games don’t win a prize if they don’t keep to the rules. 6 The farmer that does all the hard work should be the first to benefit from the crop.
11 This is a trustworthy saying: "If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we keep going, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us. 13 If we are not trustworthy, he is still trustworthy, for he cannot be untrue to himself."