As in the first chapter, so here Paul exhorts Timothy to be constant in trouble, to suffer manfully, and to abide fast in the wholesome doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And what things you have heard from me, many bearing witness, the same deliver to faithful men who are competent to teach others.
3 Therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man who wars entangles himself with worldly business, because he wants to please him who has chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And though a man strive to win a competition, yet he is not crowned unless he strives lawfully. 6 The husbandman who labours must first receive of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say. May the Lord give you understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, being of the seed of David, rose again from death, as declared in my gospel – 9 for which gospel I suffer trouble as an evil-doer, even in bonds. But the word of God was not bound. 10 For this I suffer all things, for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a true saying: if we are dead with him, we also will live with him. 12 If we are patient, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. 13 If we do not believe, yet he abides faithful; he cannot deny himself. 14 Of these things put them in remembrance. And warn them before the Lord not to strive about words, which accomplishes nothing but to pervert the hearers.
15 Be diligent to show yourself laudable to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 Unspiritual and vain voices pass over. For they will increase to greater ungodliness, 17 and their words will consume even as does a canker – of whose number are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who as concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and do destroy the faith of divers persons.
19 But the sure foundation of God remains, and has this seal: the Lord knows those that are his. And let everyone who calls on the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 Notwithstanding, in a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth: some for honour, and some for dishonour. 21 But if a man purges himself from such fellows, he will be a vessel sanctified unto honour, meet for the Lord and prepared for all good works.
22 Lusts of youth avoid. Follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. 23 Foolish and unlearned controversies put from you, remembering that they do but engender strife. 24 But the servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be peaceable towards all, able to teach, and one that can be patient with the evil, 25 and can correct those who resist – if perhaps God at any time will give them repentance to know the truth, 26 so that they may come to themselves again out of the snare of the devil, who are now taken by him at his will.
