2 Timothy, you are like my own child. Let God make you strong. He is kind, so trust him to help you, because you belong to Christ Jesus. 2 You have heard the message that I have taught. Many other people also heard it and they agree that it is true. Now you must tell the same message to other people who will be able to teach it to even more people. They should be people that you can trust as honest people and who can teach well.
3 Be patient through the troubles that we Christians have. Be brave and strong, like a good soldier for Christ Jesus. 4 Any soldier who fights in a war does not become busy with other things. He only wants to fight well to make his captain happy. 5 It is the same with an athlete who runs a race. [ a ] He cannot win the race unless he obeys the rules. 6 A farmer works hard to grow plants for food. So he should be the first person to receive some of that food. 7 Think carefully about what I am saying to you. The Lord will help you to understand all these things.
8 Jesus Christ is a descendant of King David. [ b ] God caused him to become alive again after his death. Remember that! These facts are part of the good news that I tell people. 9 And I have many troubles because I tell that good news to people. They have even put me in a prison, like someone who has done something bad. But nobody can keep God's message in a prison!
10 So I continue to be patient and brave during all these troubles. I do that so that I can help the people that God has chosen to belong to him. I want God to save them too, because of what Christ Jesus has done for them. As a result, they will live with God for ever, in the beautiful place where he lives.
11 We all know that this is true:
‘If we have died with Christ in this world,
we will also live with him in the future world. [ c ]
12 If we continue to be strong during troubles here,
we will also rule with him there in heaven.
But if we say that we do not know Christ,
he will also say that he does not know us.
13 Even if we no longer trust him,
he will still be someone that people can trust.
He will always remain true to his nature.’ [ d ]
14 Continue to tell these things to God's people there, so that they remember them. Use God's authority and warn them not to quarrel about words. To quarrel about little things does not help anyone. Instead, it destroys those people who listen.
15 Always try very much to serve God in a way that makes him happy. Then he will accept you as a good worker that he can trust. You must teach God's true message correctly. Then you will have no reason to be ashamed of your work. 16 But stay away from people who talk about silly things that are not important to God. A message like that causes people to live more and more in a way that does not please God. 17 It causes people to become sick in their spirits. More and more people become sick as a result. Hymenaeus and Philetus are two of the people who teach that kind of false message. 18 They no longer teach God's true message. They say that God will not raise dead people any more, because he has already given life to dead people. In this way they have confused the minds of some people, so that they no longer believe in Christ.
19 But the group of true believers remains strong, like the foundation under a building. God has written his message there. It says, ‘The Lord knows who his own people are.’ [ e ] It also says, ‘Everyone who says that he belongs to the Lord must stop doing bad things.’
20 In a big house, there are different kinds of dishes. There are some dishes that people have made from gold or from silver. They see those dishes as valuable things. There are also dishes that people have made from wood or from clay. Those dishes are not special things and they may get dirty. 21 It is like that with people who serve God as their Master. People who keep themselves clean from those bad things will be like valuable dishes. Their master can use them for a special purpose. They will be ready for him to use them for every kind of good work.
22 Be careful not to do the kind of bad things that young people often want to do. Instead, always try to do what is right and fair. Continue to trust God. Love other people and live in peace with them. Join with people who are clean inside and who pray to the Lord.
23 Do not join with people who want to argue about silly things that do not mean anything. You know that silly things like that only cause people to quarrel. 24 As the Lord's servant, you must not quarrel. Instead, you must be kind to everyone. You must be able to teach them well. And you must be patient when people cause you to have trouble. 25 When people speak against God's true message, teach them carefully. Help them to understand what is right. Maybe God will change how they think so that they believe the true message. 26 Their minds will start to think clearly. It is the Devil who has made them believe wrong things. He has made them do what he wants. Now they can get free from his power.
2 Timothy, you are a son to me. Be strong in the grace that we have because we belong to Christ Jesus. 2 What you have heard me teach publicly you should teach to others. Share these teachings with people you can trust. Then they will be able to teach others these same things. 3 As a good soldier of Christ Jesus, accept your share of the troubles we have. 4 A soldier wants to please his commanding officer, so he does not spend any time on activities that are not a part of his duty. 5 Athletes in a race must obey all the rules to win. 6 The farmer who works hard deserves the first part of the harvest. 7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand it all.
8 Remember Jesus Christ. He is from the family of David. After Jesus died, he was raised from death. This is the Good News that I tell people. 9 And because I tell that message, I am suffering. I am even bound with chains like someone who has really done wrong. But God’s message is not bound. 10 So I patiently accept all these troubles. I do this to help the people God has chosen so that they can have the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. With this salvation comes glory that never ends.
11 Here is a true statement:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him.
12 If we remain faithful even in suffering,
we will also rule with him.
If we refuse to say we know him,
he will refuse to say he knows us.
13 If we are not faithful,
he will still be faithful,
because he cannot be false to himself.
14 Keep on telling everyone these truths. And warn them before God not to argue about words. Such arguments don’t help anyone, and they ruin those who listen to them. 15 Do your best to be the kind of person God will accept, and give yourself to him. Be a worker who has no reason to be ashamed of his work, one who applies the true teaching in the right way.
16 Stay away from people who talk about useless things that are not from God. That kind of talk will lead a person more and more against God. 17 Their evil teaching will spread like a sickness inside the body. Hymenaeus and Philetus are men like that. 18 They have left the true teaching. They say that the day when people will be raised from death has already come and gone. And they are destroying the faith of some people.
19 But God’s strong foundation never moves, and these words are written on it: “The Lord knows those who belong to him.” [ a ] Also, these words are written there: “Everyone who says they believe in the Lord must stop doing wrong.”
20 In a large house there are things made of gold and silver. But there are also things made of wood and clay. Some of these are used for special purposes, others for ordinary jobs. 21 The Lord wants to use you for special purposes, so make yourself clean from all evil. Then you will be holy, and the Master can use you. You will be ready for any good work.
22 Stay away from the evil things a young person like you typically wants to do. Do your best to live right and to have faith, love, and peace, together with others who trust in the Lord with pure hearts. 23 Stay away from foolish and stupid arguments. You know that these arguments grow into bigger arguments. 24 As a servant of the Lord, you must not argue. You must be kind to everyone. You must be a good teacher, and you must be patient. 25 You must gently teach those who don’t agree with you. Maybe God will let them change their hearts so that they can accept the truth. 26 The devil has trapped them and now makes them do what he wants. But maybe they can wake up to see what is happening and free themselves from the devil’s trap.
2 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And 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.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14 Of 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.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless 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.
20 But 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.
21 If 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.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
2 You therefore, my [ a ] ( A ) son, ( B ) be strong in the grace that is in ( C ) Christ Jesus. 2 The things ( D ) which you have heard from me in the presence of ( E ) many witnesses, ( F ) entrust these to ( G ) faithful [ b ] people who will be ( H ) able to teach others also. 3 ( I ) Suffer hardship with me , as a good ( J ) soldier of ( K ) Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service ( L ) entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him . 5 And if someone likewise ( M ) competes as an athlete, he is not [ c ] crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules. 6 ( N ) The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, ( O ) risen from the dead, ( P ) descendant of David, ( Q ) according to my gospel, 9 [ d ] for which I ( R ) suffer hardship even to ( S ) imprisonment as a ( T ) criminal; but ( U ) the word of God ( V ) is not imprisoned. 10 For this reason ( W ) I endure all things for ( X ) the sake of [ e ] those who are chosen, ( Y ) so that they also may obtain the ( Z ) salvation which is in ( AA ) Christ Jesus and with it ( AB ) eternal glory. 11 ( AC ) The statement is trustworthy:
For ( AD ) if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 If we endure, ( AE ) we will also reign with Him;
If we [ f ] ( AF ) deny Him, He will also deny us;
13 If we are faithless, ( AG ) He remains faithful, for ( AH ) He cannot deny Himself.
14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly ( AI ) exhort them in the presence of God not to ( AJ ) dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the listeners. 15 Be diligent to ( AK ) present yourself approved to God as a worker who [ g ] does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling ( AL ) the word of truth. 16 But ( AM ) avoid ( AN ) worldly and empty chatter, for [ h ] it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their [ i ] talk will spread like [ j ] gangrene. Among them are ( AO ) Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth, claiming that ( AP ) the resurrection has already taken place; and they are jeopardizing ( AQ ) the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the ( AR ) firm foundation of God stands, having this ( AS ) seal: “ ( AT ) The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “ ( AU ) Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.”
20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver implements, but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and ( AV ) some are for honor while others are for dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from ( AW ) these things , he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, ( AX ) prepared for every good work. 22 Now ( AY ) flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, ( AZ ) faith, love, and peace with those who ( BA ) call on the Lord ( BB ) from a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant ( BC ) speculations, knowing that they ( BD ) produce [ k ] quarrels. 24 ( BE ) The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, ( BF ) skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, 25 ( BG ) with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, ( BH ) if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to ( BI ) the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from ( BJ ) the snare of the devil, having been ( BK ) held captive [ l ] by him to do his will.
2 You then, my son, ( A ) be strong ( B ) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say ( C ) in the presence of many witnesses ( D ) entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, ( E ) like a good soldier ( F ) of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown ( G ) except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ( H ) 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, ( I ) descended from David. ( J ) This is my gospel, ( K ) 9 for which I am suffering ( L ) even to the point of being chained ( M ) like a criminal. But God’s word ( N ) is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything ( O ) for the sake of the elect, ( P ) that they too may obtain the salvation ( Q ) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. ( R )
11 Here is a trustworthy saying: ( S )
If we died with him,
we will also live with him; ( T )
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him. ( U )
If we disown him,
he will also disown us; ( V )
13 if we are faithless,
he remains faithful, ( W )
for he cannot disown himself.
14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; ( X ) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do 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. ( Y ) 16 Avoid godless chatter, ( Z ) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus ( AA ) and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, ( AB ) and they destroy the faith of some. ( AC ) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, ( AD ) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” ( AE ) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord ( AF ) must turn away from wickedness.”
20 In 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. ( AG ) 21 Those 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. ( AH )
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love ( AI ) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord ( AJ ) out of a pure heart. ( AK ) 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ( AL ) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ( AM ) 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ( AN ) 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, ( AO ) who has taken them captive to do his will.
