Be Strong in Grace
1 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace l that is in Christ Jesus. 2 What you have heard from me m in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful n men D who will be able to teach others also.
3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. o 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. p 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead q and descended from David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. 10 This is why I endure r all things for the elect: s so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. t 11 This saying is trustworthy: u
For if we died with him, v
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign w with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.
An Approved Worker
14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God E not to fight about words. x This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. 15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. y 16 Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness, z 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus a and Philetus are among them. 18 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, b and are ruining the faith of some. c 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: d The Lord knows those who are his, F,e and let everyone who calls on the name f of G the Lord turn away from wickedness. g
20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, h but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable H use and some for dishonorable. I,i 21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, J he will be a special K instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. j
22 Flee k from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, l along with those who call on the Lord m from a pure heart. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. 24 The Lord’s n servant must not quarrel, o but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, L and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. p Perhaps God will grant them repentance q leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, r who has taken them captive to do his will. s