Paul's Second Letter To Timothy

2 Timothy 1

Paul's Greeting to Timothy

1 Paul, by God's will an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the promise of life which is in Jesus Christ.

2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Gracious favor, compassion, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Timothy’s Family of Faith

3 I give thanks to God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. For without ceasing I hold the remembrance of you in my prayers, night and day:

4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy;

5 Taking into remembrance the sincere faith that is in you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice; and I am persuaded is in you also.

Use Your Gift to Serve God

6 For this reason I remind you to revive the fire God's gift which is in you by the laying on of my hands.

7 For God hasn't given us a spirit of fear or timidity; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Therefore don't be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but willingly suffer hardship along with me for the sake of the Good News, according to God's power;

9 Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and gracious favor, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages of time,

10 But now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who indeed has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News,

Paul’s Appointment for Service

11 To which I was appointed a herald, and an apostle, and a teacher of the nations.

12 For which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, because I know him in whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have entrusted to him until that Day.

Hold Fast to Sound Words

13 Hold on to the pattern of sound words, which you heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

14 Guard the good deposit which was entrusted to you, by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

15 You already know this, that everyone in Asia has turned away from me; among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16 May the Lord have compassion on the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

17 But, when he was in Rome, he very diligently sought me out, and found me.

18 May the Lord grant that he may find compassion from the Lord on that Day: for you know very well all the ways he served me in Ephesus.

2 Timothy 2

Be Strong in the Cheerful Favor of Christ

1 You therefore, my child, be strong in the gracious favor which is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people, who will also be able to teach others.

3 You therefore must endure hardship, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No one serving as a soldier entangles themself with the affairs of this life; that they may please the one who enlisted them as a soldier.

5 And also if anyone competes in athletics competition, they are not crowned unless they compete according to the rules.

6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.

7 Consider the things I am saying; and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and was of the seed of David, according to my Good News:

9 For which I suffer hardship even unto shackles, as a wrong-doer; yet God's Word is not bound.

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

11 This is a faithful saying: for if we died together with him, we will also live together with him;

12 If we endure under hardship, we will also reign together with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us;

13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful; because he cannot deny himself.

Study God's Word

14 Remind them of these things, testifing earnestly before the Lord not to argue about words, for that profits nothing, upsetting and undermining the faith of those who are listening.

15 Endeavour to present yourself acceptable before God: a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But avoid ungodly and fruitless discussions, for they will increase to more ungodly behavior.

17 And their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort;

18 Who have missed the mark concerning the truth, asserting that the resurrection has already taken place; and they are overthrowing the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless God's firm foundation stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his own," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ turn away from unrighteousness." 

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and others for dishonor.

21 Therefore if anyone cleanses themself from these, they will be a vessel for honor; made holy and set apart and useful for the Master, prepared for every good deed.

22 But flee youthful desires; and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patient when wronged,

25 In humility correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them a change of heart and mind, so that they may know the truth;

26 And that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

2 Timothy 3

Evil Men in the Final Days

1 Know this also, that in the final days difficult times will come.

2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of those who are good,

4 Betrayers, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of reverent behavior, but denying the source of its power: from such turn away.

6 For they are the kind of people who work their way into people’s homes, and captivate vulnerable women who are loaded down with sin and controlled by various desires.

7 Ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now just as Jannes and Jambres turned to stand against Moses, so these also stand against the truth: people of utterly corrupt minds, unqualified concerning the faith. [Note: These were the 2 Egyptian sorcerers who oppossed Moses when he stood before Pharaoh.]

9 But they will advance no farther: for their stupidity will become apparent to everyone, just as theirs also became.

Paul's Example and the Purpose of Scripture

10 But you have closely followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,

11 Persecutions, and sufferings such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord delivered me out of them all.

12 And indeed, all who desire to live reverent lives in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

13 But wicked people and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them;

15 And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man and woman of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good deed. [Literally, human being.]

2 Timothy 4

Be A Faithful Servant of God

1 Therefore in the presence of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom, I earnestly appeal to you—Proclaim the Word!

2 Be prepared in season, and out of season; correct those in error, warn those who sin, and encourage others; with all patience and instruction.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound teaching, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up teachers for themselves;

4 And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

5 But you be sober-minded in everything, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist (one who proclaims good news), fulfill your ministry.

Paul Is Ready for His Rewards

6 For I am already being poured out, and the time of my departure draws near.

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith:

8 Now the crown of righteousness is reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not only to me, but also for everyone who has loved his appearing.

Personal Instructions

9 Make an effort to come to me quickly;

10 For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present age, and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark, and bring him with you: because he is useful to me for service.

12 And I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.

13 When you come, bring the traveling cloak which I left with Carpus at Troas, and the books, especially the leather parchments.

14 Alexander the coppersmith did many evil things against me: May the Lord repay him according to his works:

15 You too, must watch out for him, for he has exceedingly opposed our words.

God Remains Faithful

16 In my first defense no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.

17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be fully proclaimed through me, and that all the nations might hear. Also I was delivered out of the lion's mouth.

18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory throughout the ages of the ages. Amen! (Indeed!)

Final Greetings

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus stayed in Corinth; but Trophimus, who had no strength, I left in Miletus.

21 Make an effort to come before winter. Eubulus embraces you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Gracious favor be with you!

Amen! (Indeed!)