| 1 | So you, my son, be strong (strengthened inwardly) in the grace (spiritual blessing) that is [to be found only] in Christ Jesus. |
| 2 | And the [instructions] which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit
and
entrust [as a deposit] to reliable
and
faithful men who will be competent
and
qualified to teach others also. |
| 3 | Take [with me] your share of the hardships
and
suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus. |
| 4 | No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy
and
please the one who enlisted him. |
| 5 | And if anyone enters competitive games, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully (fairly, according to the rules laid down). |
| 6 | [It is] the hard-working farmer [who labors to produce] who must be the first partaker of the fruits. |
| 7 | Think over these things I am saying [understand them and grasp their application], for the Lord will grant you full insight
and
understanding in everything. |
| 8 | Constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] risen from the dead, [as the prophesied King] descended from David, according to the good news (the Gospel) that I preach. |
| 9 | For that [Gospel] I am suffering affliction
and
even wearing chains like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained
or
imprisoned! |
| 10 | Therefore I [am ready to] persevere
and
stand my ground with patience
and
endure everything for the sake of the elect [God’s chosen], so that they too may obtain [the] salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with [the reward of] eternal glory. |
| 11 | The saying is sure
and
worthy of confidence: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him. |
| 12 | If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny
and
disown
and
reject Him, He will also deny
and
disown
and
reject us. |
| 13 | If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself. |
| 14 | Remind [the people] of these facts and [solemnly] charge them in the presence of the Lord to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good but upsets
and
undermines the faith of the hearers. |
| 15 | Study
and
be eager
and
do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing
and
accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. |
| 16 | But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more
and
more ungodliness. |
| 17 | And their teaching [will devour; it] will eat its way like cancer
or
spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus, |
| 18 | Who have missed the mark
and
swerved from the truth by arguing that the resurrection has already taken place. They are undermining the faith of some. |
| 19 | But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure
and
unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity
and
stand aloof from it. |
| 20 | But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable
and
noble [use] and some for menial
and
ignoble [use]. |
| 21 | So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble
and
unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart
and
useful for honorable
and
noble purposes, consecrated
and
profitable to the Master, fit
and
ready for any good work. |
| 22 | Shun youthful lusts
and
flee from them, and aim at
and
pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. |
| 23 | But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife
and
breed quarrels. |
| 24 | And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone
and
mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled
and
suitable teacher, patient
and
forbearing
and
willing to suffer wrong. |
| 25 | He must correct his opponents with courtesy
and
gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it], |
| 26 | And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God’s] will. |
Cross references:
-
2 Timothy 2:8 : Ps. 16:10.
-
2 Timothy 2:19 : Num. 16:5; Isa. 26:13.
|