2Ti 2 | ISV | STEP | Remain Committed to Christ Jesus As for you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2

1 Remain Committed to Christ JesusAs for you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.Eph 6:10; 1Tim 1:2; 2Tim 1:2 2 What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.1Tim 1:18; 3:2; 2Tim 1:13; Titus 1:9 3 Join me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.1Tim 1:18; 2Tim 1:8; 4:5 4 No one serving in the military gets mixed up in civilian matters, for his aim is to please his commanding officer.1Cor 9:25 5 Moreover, no one who is an athlete wins a prize unless he competes according to the rules.1Cor 9:25-26 6 Furthermore, it is the hard working farmer who should have the first share of the crops.1Cor 9:10 7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you to understand all these things.

8 Meditate on ^{▼▼Or Remember} Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead and is a descendant of David. This is the gospel I tell others. ^{▼▼Lit. of David, according to my gospel}Acts 2:30; 13:23; Rom 1:3-4; 2:16; 1Cor 15:1, 4, 20 9 Because of it I am experiencing trouble, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. However, God's word is not chained.Acts 9:16; 28:31; Eph 3:1; 6:19-20; Phil 1:7, 13-14; Col 4:3, 18; 2Tim 1:12 10 For that reason, I endure everything for the sake of those who have been chosen so that they, too, may receive the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, along with eternal glory.2Cor 1:6; Eph 3:13; Col 1:24 11 This saying is trustworthy: ^{▼▼This formula accompanied early Christian sayings on which full reliance could be placed.}Rom 6:5, 8; 2Cor 4:10; 1Tim 1:15

In dying with Christ, ^{▼▼Lit. him}

true life we gain. ^{▼▼Lit. we will live with him}

12 Enduring, we with him shall reign.Matt 10:33; Mark 8:38; Luke 12:9; Rom 8:17; 1Pet 4:13

Who him denies,

he will disclaim.

13 Our faith may fail,

his never wanesNum 23:19; Rom 3:3; 9:6—

For thus he is,

he cannot change! ^{▼▼Lit. he cannot deny himself}

14 Remind others about these things, and warn them in the sight of God ^{▼▼Other mss. read of the Lord} not to argue over words. Arguing ^{▼▼Lit. It} does not do any good but only destroys those who are listening.1Tim 1:4; 5:21; 2Tim 4:1; Titus 3:9, 11 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as an approved worker who has nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of truth with precision. 16 However, avoid pointless discussions. For people will become more and more ungodly,1Tim 4:7; 6:20; Titus 1:14 17 and what they say will spread everywhere like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are like that.1Tim 1:20 18 They have abandoned the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place, and so they destroy the faith of others.1Cor 15:12; 1Tim 6:21

19 However, God's solid foundation still stands. It has this inscription on it: “The Lord knows those who belong to him,” ^{▼▼Num 16:5} and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.” ^{▼▼Num 16:26}Num 16:5; Nah 1:7; Matt 24:24; John 10:14, 27; Rom 8:35; 1John 2:19 20 In a large house there are not only utensils made of gold and silver, but also those made of wood and clay. Some are for special use, while others are for ordinary use.Rom 9:21; 1Tim 3:15 21 Therefore, if anyone stops associating with ^{▼▼Lit. cleanses himself from} these people, he will become a special utensil, set apart for the owner's use, prepared for every good work.Isa 52:11; 2Tim 3:17; Titus 3:1

22 Flee from youthful passions. Instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness, ^{▼▼Or faith} love, and peace together with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.Acts 9:14; 1Cor 1:2; 1Tim 1:5; 4:12; 6:11 23 Do not have anything to do with foolish and stupid discussions, because you know they breed arguments.1Tim 1:4; 4:7; 6:4; 2Tim 2:16; Titus 3:9 24 A servant ^{▼▼Or slave} of the Lord must not argue. Instead, he must be kind to everyone, teachable, ^{▼▼Or able to teach} willing to suffer wrong,1Tim 3:2-3; Titus 1:9; 3:2 25 and gentle in refuting his opponents. After all, maybe God will allow them to repent and to come to a full knowledge of the truth,Acts 8:22; Gal 6:1; 1Tim 2:4; 6:11; 2Tim 3:7; Titus 1:1; 1Pet 3:15 26 so that they might escape from the devil's snare, even though they've been held captive by him to do his will.1Tim 3:7