2 Timothy 1-2

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Greeting

1 Paul,^(A) an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will,^(B) for the promise of life^(C) in Christ Jesus:

²To Timothy, my dearly loved son.

Grace, mercy, and peace^(D) from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving

³I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience^(E) as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.^(F) ⁴Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy, ⁵clearly recalling your sincere faith^(G) that first lived in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice,^(H) and that I am convinced is in you also.

⁶Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze^[a] the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.^(I) ⁷For God has not given us a spirit^[b] of fearfulness,^(J) but one of power,^(K) love,^(L) and sound judgment.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

⁸So don’t be ashamed^(M) of the testimony about our Lord,^(N) or of me His prisoner.^(O) Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power^(P) of God.

⁹He has saved us and called us
with a holy calling,^(Q)
not according to our works,^(R)
but according to His own purpose^(S) and grace,
which was given to us in Christ Jesus
before time began.
¹⁰This has now been made evident
through the appearing^(T) of our Savior Christ Jesus,
who has abolished death^(U)
and has brought life^(V) and immortality to light
through the gospel.

¹¹For this gospel I was appointed^(W) a herald, apostle, and teacher,^[c] ¹²and that is why I suffer^(X) these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me^[d]^(Y) until that day.^(Z)

Be Loyal to the Faith

¹³Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching^(AA) that you have heard from me,^(AB) in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴Guard, through the Holy Spirit who lives in us, that good thing entrusted to you. ¹⁵This you know: All those in Asia^(AC) have turned away from me,^(AD) including Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶May the Lord grant mercy^(AE) to the household of Onesiphorus,^(AF) because he often refreshed me^(AG) and was not ashamed of my chains.^(AH) ¹⁷On the contrary, when he was in Rome,^(AI) he diligently searched for me and found me. ¹⁸May the Lord grant that he obtain mercy^(AJ) from Him on that day. And you know very well how much he ministered at Ephesus.^(AK)

Be Strong in Grace

2 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace^(AL) that is in Christ Jesus. ²And what you have heard from me^(AM) in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful^(AN) men who will be able to teach others also.

³Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.^(AO) ⁴No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. ⁵Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.^(AP) ⁷Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead^(AQ) and descended from David. This is according to my gospel. ⁹I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God’s message is not bound. ¹⁰This is why I endure^(AR) all things for the elect:^(AS) so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.^(AT) ¹¹This saying is trustworthy:^(AU)

For if we have died with Him,^(AV)
we will also live with Him;
¹²if we endure, we will also reign^(AW) with Him;
if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
¹³if we are faithless, He remains faithful,
for He cannot deny Himself.

An Approved Worker

¹⁴Remind them of these things, charging them before God^[e] not to fight about words;^(AX) this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers. ¹⁵Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.^(AY) ¹⁶But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness.^(AZ) ¹⁷And their word will spread like gangrene; Hymenaeus^(BA) and Philetus are among them. ¹⁸They have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place,^(BB) and are overturning the faith of some.^(BC) ¹⁹Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription:^(BD)

The Lord knows those who are His,^(BE)^[f] and
Everyone who names the name^(BF) of the Lord
must turn away from unrighteousness.^(BG)

²⁰Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls,^(BH) but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable^[g] use, some for dishonorable.^[h]^(BI) ²¹So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,^[i] he will be a special^[j] instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.^(BJ)

²²Flee^(BK) from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,^(BL) along with those who call on the Lord^(BM) from a pure heart. ²³But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. ²⁴The Lord’s^(BN) slave must not quarrel,^(BO) but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,^[k] and patient, ²⁵instructing his opponents with gentleness.^(BP) Perhaps God will grant them repentance^(BQ) leading them to the knowledge of the truth. ²⁶Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap,^(BR) having been captured by him to do his will.^(BS)