You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules.The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;

if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;

if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

2 Timothy 2

Serving Faithfully Despite Hardship

1 So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.2 And entrust what you heard me sayt in the presence of many others as witnessest to faithful peoplet who will be competentt to teach others as well.3 Take your share of sufferingt as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not pleaset the one who recruited him.5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winnert unless he competes according to the rules.s6 The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops.

7 Think about what I am saying andt the Lord will give you understanding of all this.t
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David;t such is my gospel,t9 for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonmentt as a criminal, but God’s messaget is not imprisoned!t10 So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God,t that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory.t

11 This sayings is trustworthy:s
If we died with him, we will also live with him.

12 If we endure, we will also reign with him.t
If we denyt him,t he will also deny us.

13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.s

Dealing with False Teachers

14 Remind peoplet of these things and solemnly charge themt before the Lords not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen.t15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.s16 But avoid profane chatter,s because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness,t17 and their message will spread its infectiont like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group.t18 They have strayed from the trutht by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people’s faith.

19 However, God’s solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,”s and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lordt must turn away from evil.”
20 Now in a wealthy homet there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use.t21 So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior,t he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.22 But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with otherst who call on the Lord from a pure heart.s23 But reject foolish and ignorantt controversies, because you know they breed infighting.t24 And the Lord’s slavets must not engage in heated disputest but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,25 correctings opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the trutht

26 and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captivet to do his will.t