2 Timothy 2

Chapter 2

Be Strong

¹You therefore, my ^1ason, ^bbe strong in the grace that is in ^cChrist Jesus.

²The things ^awhich you have heard from me in the presence of ^bmany witnesses, ^centrust these to ^dfaithful men who will be ^eable to teach others also.

^3aSuffer hardship with me, as a good ^bsoldier of ^cChrist Jesus.

⁴No soldier in active service ^aentangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

⁵Also if anyone ^acompetes as an athlete, he ¹does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

^6aThe hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

⁷Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, ^arisen from the dead, ^bdescendant of David, ^caccording to my gospel,

⁹¹for which I ^asuffer hardship even to ^bimprisonment as a ^ccriminal; but ^dthe word of God ^eis not imprisoned.

¹⁰For this reason ^aI endure all things for ^bthe sake of those who are chosen, ^cso that they also may obtain the ^dsalvation which is in ^eChrist Jesus and with it ^feternal glory.

^11aIt is a trustworthy statement:

For ^bif we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

¹²If we endure, ^awe will also reign with Him;

If we ^1bdeny Him, He also will deny us;

¹³If we are faithless, ^aHe remains faithful, for ^bHe cannot deny Himself.

An Unashamed Workman

¹⁴Remind them of these things, and solemnly ^acharge them in the presence of God not to ^bwrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

¹⁵Be diligent to ^apresent yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling ^bthe word of truth.

¹⁶But ^aavoid ^bworldly and empty chatter, for ¹it will lead to further ungodliness,

¹⁷and their ¹talk will spread like ²gangrene. Among them are ^aHymenaeus and Philetus,

¹⁸men who have gone astray from the truth saying that ^athe resurrection has already taken place, and they upset ^bthe faith of some.

¹⁹Nevertheless, the ^afirm foundation of God stands, having this ^bseal, “^cThe Lord knows those who are His,” and, “^dEveryone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

²⁰Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and ^asome to honor and some to dishonor.

²¹Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from ^athese things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, ^bprepared for every good work.

²²Now ^aflee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, ^bfaith, love and peace, with those who ^ccall on the Lord ^dfrom a pure heart.

²³But refuse foolish and ignorant ^aspeculations, knowing that they ^bproduce ¹quarrels.

^24aThe Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, ^bable to teach, patient when wronged,

^25awith gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, ^bif perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to ^cthe knowledge of the truth,

²⁶and they may come to their senses and escape from ^athe snare of the devil, having been ^bheld captive ¹by him to do his will.