2 Timothy 2
1 And as for you, my son, be strengthened by the grace which is in Christ Jesus,2 and by the things which you have heard from me through many witnesses. These things encourage faithful men, who shall then be suitable to teach others also.3 Labor like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.4 No man, acting as a soldier for God, entangles himself in worldly matters, so that he may be pleasing to him for whom he has proven himself.5 Then, too, whoever strives in a competition is not crowned, unless he has competed lawfully.6 The farmer who labors ought to be the first to share in the produce.7 Understand what I am saying. For the Lord will give you understanding in all things.8 Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the offspring of David, has risen again from the dead, according to my Gospel.9 I labor in this Gospel, even while chained like an evildoer. But the Word of God is not bound.10 I endure all things for this reason: for the sake of the elect, so that they, too, may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory.11 It is a faithful saying: that if we have died with him, we will also live with him.12 If we suffer, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful: he is not able to deny himself.14 Insist on these things, testifying before the Lord. Do not be contentious about words, for this is useful for nothing but the subversion of listeners.15 Be solicitous in the task of presenting yourself before God as a proven and unashamed worker who has handled the Word of Truth correctly.16 But avoid profane or empty talk. For these things advance one greatly in impiety.17 And their word spreads like a cancer: among these are Hymenaeus and Philetus,18 who have fallen away from the truth by saying that the resurrection is already complete. And so they have subverted the faith of certain persons.19 But the firm foundation of God remains standing, having this seal: the Lord knows those who are his own, and all who know the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.20 But, in a large house, there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also those of wood and of clay; and certainly some are held in honor, but others in dishonor.21 If anyone, then, will have cleansed himself from these things, he shall be a vessel held in honor, sanctified and useful to the Lord, prepared for every good work.22 So then, flee from the desires of your youth, yet truly, pursue justice, faith, hope, charity, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.23 But avoid foolish and undisciplined questions, for you know that these produce strife.24 For the servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but instead he must be meek toward everyone, teachable, patient,25 correcting with self-restraint those who resist the truth. For at any time God may give them repentance, so as to recognize the truth,26 and then they may recover from the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captive at 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