The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy

⭑ Berean Study Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 2 -

(Hebrews 12:1–3)

You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

And 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.

Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.

Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.

The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.

Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel,

for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!

For 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.

This is a trustworthy saying: If we 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, for He cannot deny Himself.

The Lord’s Approved Workman

Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God

(a)

to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.

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

But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,

and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.

Nevertheless, 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.”

A 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.

So 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.

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

But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.

And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.

He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.

Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.

Footnotes

(a)2:14 SBL, BYZ, and TR the Lord

(b)2:19 Numbers 16:5 (see also LXX)

(Hebrews 12:1–3)

You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.

The farmer who labors must be the first to get a share of the crops.

Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring(a) of David, according to my Good News,

in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained.

Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

This saying is trustworthy: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him.

If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.

If we are faithless, he remains faithful; for he can’t deny himself.”

The Lord’s Approved Workman

Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord that they don’t argue about words to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.

Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness,

and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus:

men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.

However, God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,”(b) and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord (c) depart from unrighteousness.”

Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor and some for dishonor.

If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.

Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.

The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient,

in gentleness correcting those who oppose him. Perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,

and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Footnotes

(a)2:8 or, seed

(b)2:19 ℘ Numbers 16:5