| 2 | 2 Timothy | ||
| 1 | Now therefore, my son, take strength from the grace of God which is ours in Christ Jesus. | A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ 2Tm.2.1-13 | |
| 2 | You heard my teaching in the presence of many witnesses; put that teaching into the charge of men you can trust, such men as will be competent to teach others. | ||
| 3 | Take your share of hardship, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. | ||
| 4 | A soldier on active service will not let himself be involved in civilian affairs; he must be wholly at his commanding officer's disposal. | ||
| 5 | Again, no athlete can win a prize unless he has kept the rules. | ||
| 6 | The farmer who gives his labour has first claim on the crop. | ||
| 7 | Reflect on what I say, for the Lord will help you to full understanding. | ||
| 8 | Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, born of David's line. | ||
| 9 | This is the theme of my gospel, in whose service I am exposed to hardship, even to the point of being shut up like a common criminal; but the word of God is not shut up. | ||
| 10 | And I endure it all for the sake of God's chosen ones, with this end in view, that they too may attain the glorious and eternal salvation which is in Christ Jesus. | ||
| 11 | Here are words you may trust:
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| 12 | if we endure, we shall reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. | ||
| 13 | If we are faithless, he keeps faith, for he cannot deny himself.' | ||
| 14 | GO ON REMINDING people of this, and adjure them before God to stop disputing about mere words; it does no good, and is the ruin of those who listen. | An Approved Workman 2Tm.2.14-26 | |
| 15 | Try hard to show yourself worthy of God's approval, as a labourer who need not be ashamed; be straightforward, in your proclamation of the truth. | ||
| 16 | Avoid empty and worldly chatter; those who indulge in it will stray further and further into godless courses, | ||
| 17 | and the infection of their teaching will spread like a gangrene. | ||
| 18 | Such are Hymenaeus and Philetus; they have shot wide of the truth in saying that our resurrection has already taken place, and are upsetting people's faith. | ||
| 19 | But God has laid a foundation, and it stands firm, with this inscription: 'The Lord knows his own', and, 'Everyone who takes the Lord's name upon his lips must forsake wickedness.' | - The Lord knows those who are his 2Tm.2.19 - Nu.16.5 | |
| 20 | Now in any great house there are not only utensils of gold and silver, but also others of wood or earthenware; the former are valued, the latter held cheap. | ||
| 21 | To be among those which are valued and dedicated, a thing of use to the Master of the house, a man must cleanse himself from all those evil things; then he will be fit for any honourable purpose. | ||
| 22 | Turn from the wayward impulses of youth, and pursue justice, integrity, love, and peace with all who invoke the Lord in singleness of mind. | ||
| 23 | Have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations. You know they breed quarrels, | ||
| 24 | and the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but kindly towards all. | ||
| 25 | He should be a good teacher, tolerant, and gentle when discipline is needed for the refractory. The Lord may grant them a change of heart and show them the truth, | ||
| 26 | and thus they may come to their senses and escape from the devil's snare, in which they have been caught and held at his will. | ||
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