2Timothy

Second Timothy is Paul's final letter, written from prison facing imminent death, urging Timothy to remain faithful and continue the ministry. Paul thanks God for Timothy's sincere faith which dwelt first in his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. Paul reminds Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God received through the laying on of Paul's hands. God gave believers a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and self-control.

Don't be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord or of Paul His prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by God's power who saved and called believers with a holy calling, not because of works but according to His purpose and grace given in Christ Jesus before the ages began. Christ abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Paul isn't ashamed though he suffers, knowing whom he has believed and convinced that Christ is able to guard what has been entrusted to Paul until that Day. Follow the pattern of sound words heard from Paul.

Guard the good deposit entrusted to Timothy by the Holy Spirit. All in Asia turned away from Paul, but Onesiphorus refreshed Paul and wasn't ashamed of his chains. Timothy should be strong in Christ's grace, entrusting what he heard from Paul to faithful men who will teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits. An athlete isn't crowned unless competing according to rules. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, offspring of David, as preached in Paul's gospel for which he suffers, bound with chains as a criminal. But God's word is not bound.

Therefore Paul endures everything for the elect's sake. If believers died with Christ, they will live with Him; if they endure, they will reign with Him. Remind people of these things, charging them before God not to quarrel about words which does no good but ruins hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Avoid irreverent babble which will lead people into more ungodliness. The Lord knows those who are His. Let everyone who names the Lord's name depart from iniquity. In a great house there are vessels of gold and silver but also wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.

If anyone cleanses himself, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master, ready for every good work. Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. The Lord's servant must be kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting opponents with gentleness. In the last days there will be times of difficulty.

People will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness but denying its power. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season. The time is coming when people won't endure sound teaching but accumulate teachers to suit their passions.

Paul has fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for him the crown of righteousness which the Lord will award to him on that Day, and also to all who have loved His appearing.