1You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
2and the things you heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be competent to teach others also.
3Suffer hardship together with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the affairs of daily life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.
5And if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
6The hardworking farmer must be the first to partake of the crops.
7Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, from the seed of David, according to my gospel,
9in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains, like a criminal—but the word of God is not chained.
10For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we will also live with him;
12if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
13if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
14Keep reminding them of these things, solemnly charging them before God not to quarrel about words—it is of no use, leading only to the ruin of those who listen.
15Be diligent to present yourself to God as approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
16But avoid profane, empty chatter, for they will advance further into ungodliness,
17and their word will spread like gangrene—among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18who have missed the mark concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened, and they overturn the faith of some.
19Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal: “The Lord knew those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”
20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay—some for honor and some for dishonor.
21If then anyone cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
22Flee the youthful desires, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23But refuse foolish and uninstructed controversies, knowing that they breed quarrels.
24And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, skilled in teaching, patient when wronged,
25in gentleness correcting those who oppose him, in case God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to knowledge of the truth,
26and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been captured by him to do his will.
Open in the interactive reader →