2 Timothy 2
2
God's Soldier and Workman
1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus; 18who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
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2 Timothy 2: KJV
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Rights in the Authorized (King James) Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Published by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.
Learn More About King James Version2 Timothy 2
2
Timothy’s Conduct. 1#This passage manifests a characteristic deep concern for safeguarding the faith and faithfully transmitting it through trustworthy people (2 Tm 2:1–2; cf. 2 Tm 1:14; 1 Tm 6:20; Ti 1:9). Comparisons to the soldier’s detachment, the athlete’s sportsmanship, and the farmer’s arduous work as the price of recompense (2 Tm 2:4–6) emphasize the need of singleness of purpose in preaching the word, even at the cost of hardship, for the sake of Christ (2 Tm 2:3).So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well. 3Bear your share of hardship along with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.#1:8; 4:5; Phlm 2. 4To satisfy the one who recruited him, a soldier does not become entangled in the business affairs of life.#1 Cor 9:6. 5Similarly, an athlete cannot receive the winner’s crown except by competing according to the rules.#1 Cor 9:25. 6The hardworking farmer ought to have the first share of the crop.#1 Cor 9:7–10. 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.#Prv 2:6.
8#The section begins with a sloganlike summary of Paul’s gospel about Christ (2 Tm 2:8) and concludes with what may be part of an early Christian hymn (2 Tm 2:11b–12a; most exegetes include the rest of 2 Tm 2:12 and all of 2 Tm 2:13 as part of the quotation). The poetic lines suggest that through baptism Christians die spiritually with Christ and hope to live with him and reign with him forever, but the Christian life includes endurance, witness, and even suffering, as the final judgment will show and as Paul’s own case makes clear; while he is imprisoned for preaching the gospel (2 Tm 2:9), his sufferings are helpful to the elect for obtaining the salvation and glory available in Christ (2 Tm 2:10), who will be true to those who are faithful and will disown those who deny him (2 Tm 2:12–13).Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel,#Rom 1:3; 1 Cor 15:4, 20 / Rom 2:16; Gal 1:11; 2:2. 9for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.#Phil 1:12–14. 10Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory.#Col 1:24; 1 Tm 1:15. 11This saying is trustworthy:
If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;#Rom 6:8.
12if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him
he will deny us.#Mt 10:22, 33; Lk 12:9.
13If we are unfaithful
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.#Nm 23:19; Rom 3:3–4; 1 Cor 10:13; Ti 1:2.
III. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING FALSE TEACHING
Warning Against Useless Disputes. 14#For those who dispute about mere words (cf. 2 Tm 2:23–24) and indulge in irreligious talk to the detriment of their listeners (2 Tm 2:16–19), see notes on 1 Tm 1:3–7; 6:20–21. Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Tm 2:17), while accepting the Christian’s mystical death and resurrection in Christ through baptism, claimed that baptized Christians are already risen with Christ in this life and thus that there is no future bodily resurrection or eternal glory to come. The first quotation in 2 Tm 2:19 is from Nm 16:5; the other quotation is from some unidentified Jewish or Christian writing.Remind people of these things and charge them before God#Before God: many ancient manuscripts read “before the Lord.” to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen.#1 Tm 6:4. 15Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.#1:8; 2 Cor 6:7; Eph 1:13; Col 1:5. 16Avoid profane, idle talk, for such people will become more and more godless,#1 Tm 4:7. 17and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,#1 Tm 1:20. 18who have deviated from the truth by saying that [the] resurrection has already taken place and are upsetting the faith of some.#2 Thes 2:2. 19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription, “The Lord knows those who are his”; and, “Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil.”#Is 28:16; 1 Cor 3:10–15 / Nm 16:5; Jn 10:14.
20In a large household there are vessels not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for lofty and others for humble use. 21If anyone cleanses himself of these things, he will be a vessel for lofty use, dedicated, beneficial to the master of the house, ready for every good work.#3:17. 22So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord#Those who call on the Lord: those who believe in Christ and worship him as Lord, i.e., Christians (Acts 9:14–16, 20–21; Rom 10:12–13; cf. 2 Tm 2:19, literally, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord”). with purity of heart.#Gal 5:22; 1 Tm 6:11 / Rom 10:13; 1 Cor 1:2. 23Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels.#1 Tm 1:4; 4:7; 6:4; Ti 3:9. 24A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant,#1 Tm 3:2–3. 25correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth,#3:7; 1 Tm 2:4. 26#Some interpreters would render this passage, “Thus they may come to their senses and, forced to do his (i.e., God’s) will, may escape the devil’s trap.” This interpretation of the Greek is possible, but the one accepted in the text seems more likely.and that they may return to their senses out of the devil’s snare,#1 Tm 3:7. where they are entrapped by him, for his will.
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