2 Timothy 2:1-4:18

New International Version

The Appeal Renewed

2 You then, my son,^(A) be strong^(B) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things you have heard me say^(C) in the presence of many witnesses^(D) entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. ³ Join with me in suffering,^(E) like a good soldier^(F) of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown^(G) except by competing according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.^{(H) 7} Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,^(I) descended from David.^(J) This is my gospel,^{(K) 9} for which I am suffering^(L) even to the point of being chained^(M) like a criminal. But God’s word^(N) is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything^(O) for the sake of the elect,^(P) that they too may obtain the salvation^(Q) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.^(R)

¹¹ Here is a trustworthy saying:^(S)

Dealing With False Teachers

¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;^(X) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Do 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.^{(Y) 16} Avoid godless chatter,^(Z) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus^(AA) and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,^(AB) and they destroy the faith of some.^{(AC) 19} Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,^(AD) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”^(AE) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord^(AF) must turn away from wickedness.”

²⁰ In 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.^{(AG) 21} Those 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.^(AH)

²² Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love^(AI) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord^(AJ) out of a pure heart.^{(AK) 23} Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.^{(AL) 24} And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.^{(AM) 25} Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,^{(AN) 26} and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,^(AO) who has taken them captive to do his will.

3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.^{(AP) 2} People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,^(AQ) boastful, proud,^(AR) abusive,^(AS) disobedient to their parents,^(AT) ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous,^(AU) rash, conceited,^(AV) lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness^(AW) but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.^(AX)

⁶ They are the kind who worm their way^(AY) into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, ⁷ always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{(AZ) 8} Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses,^(BA) so also these teachers oppose^(BB) the truth. They are men of depraved minds,^(BC) who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. ⁹ But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men,^(BD) their folly will be clear to everyone.

A Final Charge to Timothy

¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching,^(BE) my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch,^(BF) Iconium^(BG) and Lystra,^(BH) the persecutions I endured.^(BI) Yet the Lord rescued^(BJ) me from all of them.^{(BK) 12} In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,^{(BL) 13} while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,^(BM) deceiving and being deceived.^{(BN) 14} But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,^{(BO) 15} and how from infancy^(BP) you have known the Holy Scriptures,^(BQ) which are able to make you wise^(BR) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^(BS) and is useful for teaching,^(BT) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,^{(BU) 17} so that the servant of God^[a](BV) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.^(BW)

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,^(BX) and in view of his appearing^(BY) and his kingdom, I give you this charge:^{(BZ) 2} Preach^(CA) the word;^(CB) be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke^(CC) and encourage^(CD)—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.^(CE) Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.^{(CF) 4} They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.^{(CG) 5} But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,^(CH) do the work of an evangelist,^(CI) discharge all the duties of your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,^(CJ) and the time for my departure is near.^{(CK) 7} I have fought the good fight,^(CL) I have finished the race,^(CM) I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me^(CN) the crown of righteousness,^(CO) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day^(CP)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.^(CQ)

Personal Remarks

⁹ Do your best to come to me quickly,^{(CR) 10} for Demas,^(CS) because he loved this world,^(CT) has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.^(CU) Crescens has gone to Galatia,^(CV) and Titus^(CW) to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke^(CX) is with me.^(CY) Get Mark^(CZ) and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. ¹² I sent Tychicus^(DA) to Ephesus.^{(DB) 13} When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas,^(DC) and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

¹⁴ Alexander^(DD) the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.^{(DE) 15} You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.^{(DF) 17} But the Lord stood at my side^(DG) and gave me strength,^(DH) so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.^(DI) And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.^{(DJ) 18} The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack^(DK) and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.^(DL) To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(DM)