Be Strong in Grace
1You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
3Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. 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. 7Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel, 9for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. 10This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11This saying is trustworthy:
For 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.
An Approved Worker
14Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to fight about words. This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. 15Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. 16Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness, 17and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them. 18They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some. 19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.
20Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable use and some for dishonorable. 21So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
22Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. 24The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. 26Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.