New Testament
2 Timothy 2
Overview
Paul charges Timothy to be strengthened by grace and to entrust what he has heard to faithful men who will teach others—a fourfold chain of gospel transmission (Paul, Timothy, faithful men, others). He then stacks three vivid pictures of disciplined endurance: the single-minded soldier, the rule-keeping athlete, and the hard-working farmer who first receives the crop, urging Timothy to think them over because the Lord gives understanding. The center is the gospel summary: "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David," for which Paul suffers bound like a criminal, yet "the word of God is not bound." A trustworthy saying follows—if we died with Him we will live; if we endure we will reign; if we deny Him He will deny us; yet if we are faithless, He remains faithful. Paul then turns to handling controversy: avoid quarrels about words that ruin hearers, rightly handle the word of truth, and shun godless chatter like that of Hymenaeus and Philetus, who claim the resurrection has already happened. He grounds assurance in God's firm foundation, then closes by calling Timothy to be a clean vessel for honorable use, to flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, and to correct opponents with gentleness, hoping God grants them repentance and escape from the devil's snare.
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.