“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” – 2 Timothy 2:7-26 (KJV)
Think about what I am saying, because the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, a descendant[a] of David, in accordance with my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they also may obtain[b] the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, along with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy:
Indeed, if we have died with him, we will also live with him;
If we endure, we will also reign with him;
If we deny him, he will also deny us;
If we are faithless, he remains faithful, because he cannot deny himself.
Remind people of these things, as you solemnly charge them in the presence of God[c] not to fight about words, which does no good and only ruins those who listen. Make every effort to present yourself to God as one who is approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, correctly handling[d] the word of truth. As for pointless chatter, avoid it, for it will lead to an ever greater measure of godlessness, and their message will spread like gangrene. This includes Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have veered away from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are overturning the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s foundation stands firm, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,”[e] and “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord keep away from wickedness.”[f]
In a large house there are articles[g] not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay—some for honorable use and some for dishonorable use. So if anyone cleanses himself thoroughly from these things, he will be an instrument[h] for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master, and prepared to do every good work.
Flee from the lusts young people have and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant arguments, since you know they breed quarrels. It is necessary that a servant of the Lord not quarrel but be kind toward everyone, able to teach, able to bear evil without resentment, and gentle in correcting those who oppose him. God may grant them repentance, leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the Devil’s trap, after they were captured by him to do his will.
Footnotes:
[a] 2 Timothy 2:8 Or of the seed
[b] 2 Timothy 2:10 Or experience
[c] 2 Timothy 2:14 Some witnesses to the text read the Lord.
[d] 2 Timothy 2:15 Or rightly dividing (literally cutting straight or cutting a straight path)
[e] 2 Timothy 2:19 Numbers 16:5
[f] 2 Timothy 2:19 Numbers 16:26; Isaiah 52:11; 26:13
[g] 2 Timothy 2:20 Literally vessels, or dishes, or jars
[h] 2 Timothy 2:21 Literally a vessel