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)