‏ 2 Timothy 2

Be Strong in Grace

1 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace a that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And what you have heard from me b in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful c men who will be able to teach others also.

3Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. d 4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. e 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

8Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead f and descended from David. This is according to my gospel. 9I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God’s message is not bound. 10This is why I endure g all things for the elect: h so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. i 11 This saying is trustworthy: j

For if we have died with Him, k
we will also live with Him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign l with Him;
if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful,
for He cannot deny Himself.

An Approved Worker

14 Remind them of these things, charging them before God
Other mss read before the Lord
not to fight about words; n this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. o 16 But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness. p 17 And their word will spread like gangrene; Hymenaeus q and Philetus are among them. 18 They have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, r and are overturning the faith of some. s 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: t

The Lord knows those who are His, u , v and
Everyone who names the name w of the Lord
must turn away from unrighteousness. x

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, y but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable
Or special
use, some for dishonorable.
Or ordinary
,
ab
21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,
Lit from these
he will be a special
Or an honorable
instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. ae

22 Flee af from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, ag along with those who call on the Lord ah from a pure heart. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. 24The Lord’s ai
slave: The strong Greek word doulos cannot be accurately translated in English by "servant" or "bond servant"; the HCSB translates this word as "slave," not out of insensitivity to the legitimate concerns of modern English speakers, but out of a commitment to accurately convey the brutal reality of the Roman empire's inhumane institution as well as the ownership called for by Christ.
slave must not quarrel, ak but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,
Or everyone, skillful in teaching
and patient,
25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. am Perhaps God will grant them repentance an leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, ao having been captured by him to do his will. ap
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