Serving Faithfully Despite Hardship

2:1 So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2:2 And entrust what you heard me say1 in the presence of many others as witnesses2 to faithful people3 who will be competent4 to teach others as well. 2:3 Take your share of suffering5 as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2:4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please6 the one who recruited him. 2:5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner7 unless he competes according to the rules.8 2:6 The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. 2:7 Think about what I am saying and9 the Lord will give you understanding of all this.10

2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David;11 such is my gospel,12 2:9 for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment13 as a criminal, but God’s message14 is not imprisoned!15 2:10 So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God,16 that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory.17 2:11 This saying18 is trustworthy:19

If we died with him, we will also live with him.

2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with him.20

If we deny21 him,22 he will also deny us.

2:13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.23