2 Timothy 2:1–19

The Appeal Renewed

2You then, my son,^u be strong^v in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ²And the things you have heard me say^w in the presence of many witnesses^x entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. ³Join with me in suffering,^y like a good soldier^z of Christ Jesus. ⁴No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown^a except by competing according to the rules. ⁶The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.^{b 7}Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,^c descended from David.^d This is my gospel,^{e 9}for which I am suffering^f even to the point of being chained^g like a criminal. But God’s word^h is not chained. ¹⁰Therefore I endure everythingⁱ for the sake of the elect,^j that they too may obtain the salvation^k that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.^l

¹¹Here is a trustworthy saying:^m

If we died with him,

we will also live with him;ⁿ

¹²if we endure,

we will also reign with him.^o

If we disown him,

he will also disown us;^p

¹³if we are faithless,

he remains faithful,^q

for he cannot disown himself.

Dealing With False Teachers

¹⁴Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;^r it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵Do 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.^{s 16}Avoid godless chatter,^t because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus^u and Philetus, ¹⁸who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,^v and they destroy the faith of some.^{w 19}Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,^x sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”^y and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord^z must turn away from wickedness.”