1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.3Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.4No-one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.5Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.11Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;12if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;13if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Dealing with false teachers
14Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,18who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’20In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.21Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.22Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.23Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.24And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.25Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
2 Timothy 2
English Standard Version
A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus
1You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, (Eph 6:10; 2Ti 1:2)2and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men,[1] who will be able to teach others also. (1Ti 1:18; 2Ti 1:13; Tit 1:5)3Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (1Ti 1:18; 2Ti 1:8; 2Ti 4:5)4No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. (2Pe 2:20)5An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (1Co 9:25; 2Ti 4:8)6It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. (1Co 9:10; Heb 6:7)7Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, (Mt 1:1; Ro 2:16; 1Co 15:20)9for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! (Php 1:7; Php 1:13; 2Ti 1:8; 2Ti 1:12; 2Ti 4:17)10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (1Co 13:7; 2Co 1:6; Eph 3:13; Col 1:24; 1Pe 5:10)11The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; (Ro 6:8; 1Th 5:10; 1Ti 1:15; Re 20:4)12if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; (Mt 10:33; Ro 8:17; 2Th 1:4; Heb 10:36; Re 20:4)13if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. (Nu 23:19; Ro 3:3; 1Co 1:9; Tit 1:2)
A Worker Approved by God
14Remind them of these things, and charge them before God[2] not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. (1Ti 5:21; 1Ti 6:4; 1Ti 6:13; 2Ti 2:23; Tit 3:9)15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,[3] a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (Php 1:20)16But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, (1Ti 6:20; Tit 3:9)17and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, (1Ti 1:20)18who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. (1Co 15:12)19But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” (Nu 16:5; Isa 26:13; Na 1:7; Lu 13:27; Joh 10:14; Joh 10:27; 1Co 8:3)20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. (Ro 9:21; 1Ti 3:15)21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable,[4] he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (Pr 25:4; Isa 52:11; 1Ti 5:10; 2Ti 3:17; Tit 3:1)22So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (Ac 7:59; Ac 9:14; 1Ti 1:5; 1Ti 4:12; 1Ti 6:11)23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. (1Ti 6:4)24And the Lord’s servant[5] must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, (1Th 2:7; 1Ti 3:2; 1Ti 3:3)25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, (Da 4:27; Ac 5:31; Ac 8:22; Ga 6:1; 1Ti 2:4; 1Ti 6:11; Tit 3:2; 1Pe 3:15)26and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (1Ti 3:7)