2 Timothy 2

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

1 You then, w my child, x be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and y what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses z entrust to faithful men a who will be able to teach others also. 3 b Share in suffering as c a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier d gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 e An athlete is not f crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is g the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, h risen from the dead, the i offspring of David, j as preached in my gospel, 9 k for which I am suffering, l bound with chains as a criminal. But m the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore n I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain o the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with p eternal glory.

11 The saying is q trustworthy, for:
r If we have died with him, we will also s live with him;
 12 t if we endure, we will also reign with him;
u if we deny him, he also will deny us;

13 v if we are faithless, w he remains faithful -
for x he cannot deny himself.

A Worker Approved by God

14 Remind them of these things, and y charge them before God 1 z not to quarrel about words, a which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, 2 a worker b who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But c avoid d irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are e Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, f saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: g "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone h who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."

20 Now in i a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, j some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, k if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, 3 he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, l ready for every good work.

22 So m flee n youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with o those who call on the Lord p from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant q controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And r the Lord's servant 4 must not be quarrelsome but s kind to everyone, t able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents u with gentleness. God v may perhaps grant them repentance w leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from x the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

  1. Cross References
    2 Timothy 1:2
    To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
  2. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:10
    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
  3. Cross References
    2 Timothy 1:13
    Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
  4. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:18
    This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare.
  5. Cross References
    Titus 1:5
    This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you -
  6. Cross References
    2 Timothy 1:8
    Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
    2 Timothy 4:5
    As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
  7. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:18
    This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare.
  8. Cross References
    2 Peter 2:20
    For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
  9. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:25
    Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
  10. Cross References
    2 Timothy 4:8
    Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
  11. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:10
    Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.
    Hebrews 6:7
    For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.
  12. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:20
    But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 1:1
    The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
  14. Cross References
    Romans 2:16
    On that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
  15. Cross References
    2 Timothy 1:8
    Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
    2 Timothy 1:12
    Which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.
  16. Cross References
    Philippians 1:7
    It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
  17. Cross References
    2 Timothy 4:17
    But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
    Philippians 1:13
    So that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
  18. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:13
    So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
    Colossians 1:24
    Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.
    1 Corinthians 13:7
    Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
  19. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:6
    If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.
  20. Cross References
    1 Peter 5:10
    And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
  21. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:15
    The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
  22. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:10
    Who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
    Romans 6:8
    Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
  23. Cross References
    Revelation 20:4
    Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
  24. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 1:4 - 5
    Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
    Romans 8:17
    And if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
    Hebrews 10:36
    For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
    Revelation 20:4
    Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
  25. Cross References
    Matthew 10:33
    But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
  26. Cross References
    Romans 3:3
    What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?
  27. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:9
    God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
  28. Cross References
    Numbers 23:19
    God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
    Titus 1:2
    In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
  29. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:21
    In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
    1 Timothy 6:13
    I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession.
  30. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:4
    He is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions.
    2 Timothy 2:23
    Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
  31. Cross References
    Titus 3:9
    But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
  32. Cross References
    Philippians 1:20
    As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
  33. Cross References
    Titus 3:9
    But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
  34. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:20
    O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge.
  35. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:20
    Among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
  36. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:12
    Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
  37. Cross References
    Numbers 16:5
    And he said to Korah and all his company, "In t...
    Nahum 1:7
    The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of tr...
    John 10:14
    I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my ow...
    John 10:27
    My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and th...
    Luke 13:27
    But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know whe...
    1 Corinthians 8:3
    But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
  38. Cross References
    Isaiah 26:13
    O Lord our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone we bring to remembrance.
  39. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:15
    If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
  40. Cross References
    Romans 9:21
    Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?
  41. Cross References
    Proverbs 25:4
    Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel.
    Isaiah 52:11
    Depart, depart, go out from there; touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her; purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the Lord.
  42. Cross References
    2 Timothy 3:17
    That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
    Titus 3:1
    Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.
    1 Timothy 5:10
    And having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
  43. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:11
    But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
  44. Cross References
    1 Timothy 4:12
    Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
  45. Cross References
    Acts 7:59
    And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
    Acts 9:14
    And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.
  46. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:5
    The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
  47. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:4
    He is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions.
  48. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:3
    Not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
  49. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:7
    But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
  50. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:2
    Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.
  51. Cross References
    Galatians 6:1
    Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
    Titus 3:2
    To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
    1 Timothy 6:11
    But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
    1 Peter 3:15
    But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
  52. Cross References
    Daniel 4:27
    Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.
    Acts 8:22
    Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
    Acts 5:31
    God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
  53. Cross References
    1 Timothy 2:4
    Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
  54. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:7
    Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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