2 Timothy 2:1–19

Exhortation to Be Strong in Grace

2You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, ²and the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these things to faithful people who will be competent to teach others also. ³Suffer together with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No one who serves as a soldier is entangled in the activities of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. ⁵And also if anyone competes he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶The farmer who works hard must be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will grant you understanding in all these things.

A Trustworthy Saying

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David according to my gospel, ⁹in connection with which I suffer misfortune to the point of imprisonment^a as a criminal, but the word of God is not bound. ¹⁰Because of this, I endure all things for the sake of the chosen, in order that they also may obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. ¹¹The saying is trustworthy:

For if we died with him, we will also live with him;

¹²if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he also will deny us;

¹³if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful—he cannot deny himself^b.^c

A Worker Approved to God and Not Ashamed

¹⁴Remind people of these things, solemnly urging them before the Lord^d not to dispute about words. This is in no way beneficial and leads to the ruin of the hearers. ¹⁵Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, a worker having no need to be ashamed, guiding the word of truth along a straight path. ¹⁶But avoid pointless chatter, for it will progress to greater ungodliness, ¹⁷and their message will spread^e like gangrene, among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸who have deviated concerning the truth by^* saying the resurrection has already taken place, and they are upsetting the faith of some. ¹⁹However, the solid foundation of God stands firm, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,”^f and “Everyone who names the name of the Lord must abstain from unrighteousness.”