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)
2 Timothy 2
New International Version
The appeal renewed
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
King James Version
1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.2And 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.3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.6The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.14Of 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.15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.19Nevertheless 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.20But 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.21If 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.22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
2 Timothy 2
New International Reader’s Version
Paul again encourages Timothy to be faithful
1My son, be strong in the grace that is yours in Christ Jesus.2You have heard me teach in front of many witnesses. Pass on to people you can trust the things you’ve heard me say. Then they will be able to teach others also.3Like a good soldier of Christ Jesus, join with me in suffering.4A soldier does not take part in things that don’t have anything to do with the army. Instead, he tries to please his commanding officer.5It is the same for anyone who takes part in a sport. They don’t receive the winner’s crown unless they play by the rules.6The farmer who works hard should be the first to receive a share of the crops.7Think about what I’m saying. The Lord will help you understand what all of it means.8Remember Jesus Christ. He came from David’s family line. He was raised from the dead. That is my good news.9I am suffering for it. I have even been put in chains like someone who has committed a crime. But God’s word is not held back by chains.10So I put up with everything for the good of God’s chosen people. Then they also can be saved. Christ Jesus saves them. He gives them glory that will last for ever.11Here is a saying you can trust. If we died with him, we will also live with him.12If we don’t give up, we will also rule with him. If we say we don’t know him, he will also say he doesn’t know us.13Even if we are not faithful, he remains faithful. He must be true to himself.
What to do about false teachers
14Keep reminding God’s people of these things. While God is watching, warn them not to argue about words. That doesn’t have any value. It only destroys those who listen.15Do your best to please God. Be a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed. Teach the message of truth correctly.16Stay away from godless chatter. Those who take part in it will become more and more ungodly.17Their teaching will spread like a deadly disease. Hymenaeus and Philetus are two of those teachers.18They have turned away from the truth. They say that the time when people will rise from the dead has already come. They destroy the faith of some people.19But God’s solid foundation stands firm. Here is the message written on it. ‘The Lord knows who his own people are.’ Also, ‘All who say they believe in the Lord must turn away from evil.’ (Nu 16:5)20In a large house there are things made out of gold and silver. But there are also things made out of wood and clay. Some have special purposes. Others have common purposes.21Suppose someone stays away from what is common. Then the Master will be able to use them for special purposes. They will be made holy. They will be ready to do any good work.22Run away from the evil things that young people long for. Try hard to do what is right. Have faith, love and peace. Do these things together with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.23Don’t have anything to do with arguing. It is stupid and foolish. You know it only leads to fights.24Anyone who serves the Lord must not be hard to get along with. Instead, they must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach. The one who serves must not hold anything against anyone.25They must gently teach those who are against them. Maybe God will give a change of heart to those who are against you. That will lead them to know the truth.26Maybe they will come to their senses. Maybe they will escape the devil’s trap. He has taken them as prisoners to do what he wanted.