2 Timothy 2
2
A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus
1Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
3Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. 5And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. 6And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. 7Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
8Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. 9And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 10So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
11This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
12If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
13If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is.
14Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.
An Approved Worker
15Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17This kind of talk spreads like cancer,#2:17 Greek gangrene. as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.
19But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”#2:19a Num 16:5. and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”#2:19b See Isa 52:11.
20In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
22Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
23Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
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2 Timothy 2
2
Exhortation to Be Strong in Grace
1 You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2and the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these things to faithful people who will be competent to teach others also. 3Suffer together with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one who serves as a soldier is entangled in the activities of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. 5And also if anyone competes he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6The farmer who works hard must be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will grant you understanding in all these things.
A Trustworthy Saying
8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David according to my gospel, 9in connection with which I suffer misfortune to the point of imprisonment#Literally “bonds” as a criminal, but the word of God is not bound. 10Because of this, I endure all things for the sake of the chosen, in order that they also may obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11The saying is trustworthy:
For if we died with him, we will also live with him;
12if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
13if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful—he cannot deny himself#Literally “he is not able to deny himself”.#Some manuscripts have “because he is not able to deny himself”
A Worker Approved to God and Not Ashamed
14Remind people of these things, solemnly urging them before the Lord#Some manuscripts have “before God” not to dispute about words. This is in no way beneficial and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, a worker having no need to be ashamed, guiding the word of truth along a straight path. 16But avoid pointless chatter, for it will progress to greater ungodliness, 17and their message will spread#Literally “will experience spreading” like gangrene, among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18who have deviated concerning the truth by#*Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saying”) which is understood as means saying the resurrection has already taken place, and they are upsetting the faith of some. 19However, the solid foundation of God stands firm, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,”#A quotation from Num 16:5 and “Everyone who names the name of the Lord must abstain from unrighteousness.”
20Now in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthenware ones, some of which are for honorable use, and some of which are for ordinary use. 21Therefore, if someone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
22But flee from youthful desires, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, in company with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart. 23But avoid foolish and uninformed controversies, because you#*Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal know that they produce quarrels. 24And the slave of the Lord must not quarrel, but be kind toward everyone, skillful in teaching, tolerant, 25correcting those who are opposed with gentleness, seeing whether perhaps God may grant them repentance to a knowledge of the truth, 26and they will come to their senses again and escape from the trap of the devil, being held captive by him to do his will.
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