2 Timothy 1–2

Salutation

¹Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

²To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving and Encouragement

³I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.^{* 4}Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.^{* 6}For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands, ⁷for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.^*

⁸Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, in the power of God,^{* 9}who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace, and this grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,^{a* 10}but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ,^b who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.^{* 11}For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher,^{c* 12}and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day the deposit I have entrusted to him.^{d* 13}Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.^{* 14}Guard the good deposit entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

¹⁵You are aware that all who are in Asia have turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain;^{* 17}when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly^e searched for me and found me ¹⁸—may the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well how much service he rendered in Ephesus.^*

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

²You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, ²and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.^{* 3}Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. ⁵And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules.^{* 6}It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. ⁷Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, ⁹for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.^{* 10}Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.^{* 11}The saying is sure:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

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

if we deny him, he will also deny us;^*

¹³if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

he^f cannot deny himself.^*

A Worker Approved by God

¹⁴Remind them of this, and warn them before the Lord^g that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening.^{* 15}Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. ¹⁶Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people^h into more and more impiety,^{* 17}and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,^{* 18}who have swerved from the truth, saying resurrectionⁱ has already occurred. They are upsetting the faith of some.^{* 19}But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.”^*

²⁰In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special^j use, some for ordinary.^{k* 21}All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned^l will become special^m utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work.^{* 22}Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.^{* 23}Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.^{* 24}And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient,^{* 25}correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth^{* 26}and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.ⁿ