Study Desk

Paul, an apostle^(a) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(b) in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,^(c)

To Timothy,^(d) my dear son:^(e) Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.^(f)

I thank God,^(g) whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience,^(h) as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.⁽ⁱ⁾

Recalling your tears,^(j) I long to see you,^(k) so that I may be filled with joy.

I am reminded of your sincere faith,^(l) which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice^(m) and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.⁽ⁿ⁾

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,^(o) but gives us power,^(p) love and self-discipline.

So do not be ashamed^(q) of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.^(r) Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel,^(s) by the power of God.

He has saved^(t) us and called^(u) us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done^(v) but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

but it has now been revealed^(w) through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus,^(x) who has destroyed death^(y) and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

And of this gospel^(z) I was appointed^(aa) a herald and an apostle and a teacher.^(ab)

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame,^(ac) because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard^(ad) what I have entrusted to him until that day.^(ae)

What you heard from me,^(af) keep^(ag) as the pattern^(ah) of sound teaching,^(ai) with faith and love in Christ Jesus.^(aj)

Guard^(ak) the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.^(al)

You know that everyone in the province of Asia^(am) has deserted me,^(an) including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus,^(ao) because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed^(ap) of my chains.^(aq)

On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.

May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day!^(ar) You know very well in how many ways he helped me^(as) in Ephesus.^(at)

The Appeal Renewed

You then, my son,^(a) be strong^(b) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

And the things you have heard me say^(c) in the presence of many witnesses^(d) entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Join with me in suffering,^(e) like a good soldier^(f) of Christ Jesus.

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown^(g) except by competing according to the rules.

The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.^(h)

Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,⁽ⁱ⁾ descended from David.^(j) This is my gospel,^(k)

for which I am suffering^(l) even to the point of being chained^(m) like a criminal. But God's word⁽ⁿ⁾ is not chained.

Therefore I endure everything^(o) for the sake of the elect,^(p) that they too may obtain the salvation^(q) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.^(r)

Here is a trustworthy saying:^(s) If we died with him, we will also live with him;^(t)

if we endure, we will also reign with him.^(u) If we disown him, he will also disown us;^(v)

if we are faithless, he remains faithful,^(w) for he cannot disown himself.

Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;^(x) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.^(y)

Avoid godless chatter,^(z) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus^(aa) and Philetus,

who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,^(ab) and they destroy the faith of some.^(ac)

Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm,^(ad) sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his,"^(ae) and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord^(af) must turn away from wickedness."

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.^(ag)

Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.^(ah)

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love^(ai) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord^(aj) out of a pure heart.^(ak)

Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.^(al)

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.^(am)

Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,^(an)

and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,^(ao) who has taken them captive to do his will.