2 Timothy 2 · Clearspring

Grace and Perseverance

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.+

The Lord’s Approved Workman

¹⁴Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God 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,” 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, 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.+

Grace and Perseverance

The Lord’s Approved Workman

Study 2 Timothy 2