2 Timothy 2:1–26

¹You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ²And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.

³Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him. ⁵Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops. ⁷Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel, ⁹for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be 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.

¹¹This is a trustworthy saying:

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 will also deny us;

¹³if we are faithless,

He remains faithful,

for He cannot deny Himself.

¹⁴Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God^a to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.

¹⁵Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.

¹⁶But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness, ¹⁷and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.

¹⁹Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,”^b and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”

²⁰A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. ²¹So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit,^c he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.

²²Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

²³But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. ²⁴And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. ²⁵He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. ²⁶Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.