1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, (1Co 1:1; 2Co 1:1; Tit 1:2; Heb 9:15)2To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (1Co 4:17; 1Ti 1:2; 2Ti 2:1; 3Jo 1:4)
Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You
3I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. (Ac 22:3; Ac 23:1; Ac 24:14; Ro 1:8; Ro 1:9; 1Ti 3:9)4As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. (Ac 20:37; Php 1:8; 2Ti 4:9; 2Ti 4:21)5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (Ps 86:16; Ps 116:16; Ac 16:1; Ro 12:9; 1Ti 1:5; 2Ti 3:15)6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, (1Th 5:19; 1Ti 4:14)7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (Lu 24:49; Joh 14:27; Ac 1:8; Ro 8:15; Re 21:8)8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, (Mr 8:38; 1Co 1:6; Eph 3:1; 2Ti 1:16; 2Ti 2:3; 2Ti 2:9; 2Ti 4:5)9who saved us and called us to[1] a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,[2] (Ro 3:27; Ro 8:28; Ro 16:25; Eph 1:4; 1Ti 1:1; Tit 1:2; Tit 3:4; Tit 3:5; Heb 3:1)10and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, (Job 33:30; Ro 2:7; Ro 16:26; 1Co 15:26; 1Co 15:54; 2Th 2:8; Heb 2:14)11for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, (1Ti 2:7)12which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.[3] (Ps 10:14; 1Co 3:13; 1Ti 6:20; 2Ti 1:8; 2Ti 1:18; 2Ti 2:9; 2Ti 4:8; 1Pe 4:19)13Follow the pattern of the sound[4] words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (Ro 2:20; Ro 6:17; 1Ti 1:10; 1Ti 1:14; 2Ti 2:2; 2Ti 3:14; Tit 1:9; Re 3:3)14By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. (Ro 8:9; 2Ti 1:12)15You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. (Ac 19:10; 2Ti 4:10; 2Ti 4:16)16May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, (Ac 28:20; 2Ti 1:8; 2Ti 4:19; Phm 1:7; Phm 1:20)17but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— (Mt 25:36)18may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus. (2Ti 1:12; Heb 6:10)