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2 Timothy 1-4
The Message
2 Timothy 1-4
The Message
1 1-2 I, Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God’s plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus. I write this to you, Timothy, the son I love so much. All the best from our God and Christ be yours!
To Be Bold with God’s Gifts
3-4 Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all the time—I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion.
5-7 That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.
8-10 So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.
11-12 This is the Message I’ve been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It’s also the cause of all this trouble I’m in. But I have no regrets. I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end.
13-14 So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.
15-18 I’m sure you know by now that everyone in the province of Asia deserted me, even Phygelus and Hermogenes. But God bless Onesiphorus and his family! Many’s the time I’ve been refreshed in that house. And he wasn’t embarrassed a bit that I was in jail. The first thing he did when he got to Rome was look me up. May God on the Last Day treat him as well as he treated me. And then there was all the help he provided in Ephesus—but you know that better than I.
Doing Your Best for God
2 1-7 So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!—to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It’s the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.
8-13 Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead. It’s what you’ve heard from me all along. It’s what I’m sitting in jail for right now—but God’s Word isn’t in jail! That’s why I stick it out here—so that everyone God calls will get in on the salvation of Christ in all its glory. This is a sure thing:
If we die with him, we’ll live with him;
If we stick it out with him, we’ll rule with him;
If we turn our backs on him, he’ll turn his back on us;
If we give up on him, he does not give up—
for there’s no way he can be false to himself.
14-18 Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God’s people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they’re not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples, throwing believers off stride and missing the truth by a mile by saying the resurrection is over and done with.
19 Meanwhile, God’s firm foundation is as firm as ever, these sentences engraved on the stones:
god knows who belongs to him.
steer clear of evil, all you who name god as god.
20-21 In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.
22-26 Run away from childish indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil’s trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.
Difficult Times Ahead
3 1-5 Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.
6-9 These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.” They get exploited every time and never really learn. These men are like those old Egyptian frauds Jannes and Jambres, who challenged Moses. They were rejects from the faith, twisted in their thinking, defying truth itself. But nothing will come of these latest impostors. Everyone will see through them, just as people saw through that Egyptian hoax.
Keep the Message Alive
10-13 You’ve been a good apprentice to me, a part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings—suffering along with me in all the grief I had to put up with in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. And you also well know that God rescued me! Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it. Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse.
14-17 But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
4 1-2 I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.
3-5 You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.
6-8 You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.
* * *
9-13 Get here as fast as you can. Demas, chasing fads, went off to Thessalonica and left me here. Crescens is in Galatia province, Titus in Dalmatia. Luke is the only one here with me. Bring Mark with you; he’ll be my right-hand man since I’m sending Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring the winter coat I left in Troas with Carpus; also the books and parchment notebooks.
14-15 Watch out for Alexander the coppersmith. Fiercely opposed to our Message, he caused no end of trouble. God will give him what he’s got coming.
16-18 At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran like scared rabbits. But it doesn’t matter—the Master stood by me and helped me spread the Message loud and clear to those who had never heard it. I was snatched from the jaws of the lion! God’s looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!
19-20 Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila; also, the family of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed behind in Corinth. I had to leave Trophimus sick in Miletus.
21 Try hard to get here before winter.
Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all your friends here send greetings.
22 God be with you. Grace be with you.
2 Timothy 1-4
New International Version
2 Timothy 1-4
New International Version
1 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)
2 To Timothy,(D) my dear son:(E)
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.(F)
Thanksgiving
3 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) 4 Recalling your tears,(J) I long to see you,(K) so that I may be filled with joy. 5 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.
Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel
6 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) 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,(O) but gives us power,(P) love and self-discipline. 8 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. 9 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, 10 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. 11 And of this gospel(Z) I was appointed(AA) a herald and an apostle and a teacher.(AB) 12 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)
13 What you heard from me,(AF) keep(AG) as the pattern(AH) of sound teaching,(AI) with faith and love in Christ Jesus.(AJ) 14 Guard(AK) the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.(AL)
Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty
15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia(AM) has deserted me,(AN) including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 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) 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 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
2 You then, my son,(AU) be strong(AV) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say(AW) in the presence of many witnesses(AX) entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering,(AY) like a good soldier(AZ) of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown(BA) except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.(BB) 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,(BC) descended from David.(BD) This is my gospel,(BE) 9 for which I am suffering(BF) even to the point of being chained(BG) like a criminal. But God’s word(BH) is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything(BI) for the sake of the elect,(BJ) that they too may obtain the salvation(BK) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.(BL)
11 Here is a trustworthy saying:(BM)
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;(BN)
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.(BO)
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;(BP)
13 if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,(BQ)
for he cannot disown himself.
Dealing With False Teachers
14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words;(BR) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 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.(BS) 16 Avoid godless chatter,(BT) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus(BU) and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,(BV) and they destroy the faith of some.(BW) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,(BX) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”(BY) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord(BZ) must turn away from wickedness.”
20 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.(CA) 21 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.(CB)
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love(CC) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord(CD) out of a pure heart.(CE) 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.(CF) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.(CG) 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,(CH) 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,(CI) who has taken them captive to do his will.
3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.(CJ) 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,(CK) boastful, proud,(CL) abusive,(CM) disobedient to their parents,(CN) ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous,(CO) rash, conceited,(CP) lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness(CQ) but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.(CR)
6 They are the kind who worm their way(CS) into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.(CT) 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses,(CU) so also these teachers oppose(CV) the truth. They are men of depraved minds,(CW) who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men,(CX) their folly will be clear to everyone.
A Final Charge to Timothy
10 You, however, know all about my teaching,(CY) my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch,(CZ) Iconium(DA) and Lystra,(DB) the persecutions I endured.(DC) Yet the Lord rescued(DD) me from all of them.(DE) 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,(DF) 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,(DG) deceiving and being deceived.(DH) 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,(DI) 15 and how from infancy(DJ) you have known the Holy Scriptures,(DK) which are able to make you wise(DL) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed(DM) and is useful for teaching,(DN) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,(DO) 17 so that the servant of God[a](DP) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.(DQ)
4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,(DR) and in view of his appearing(DS) and his kingdom, I give you this charge:(DT) 2 Preach(DU) the word;(DV) be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke(DW) and encourage(DX)—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.(DY) Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.(DZ) 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.(EA) 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,(EB) do the work of an evangelist,(EC) discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,(ED) and the time for my departure is near.(EE) 7 I have fought the good fight,(EF) I have finished the race,(EG) I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me(EH) the crown of righteousness,(EI) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day(EJ)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.(EK)
Personal Remarks
9 Do your best to come to me quickly,(EL) 10 for Demas,(EM) because he loved this world,(EN) has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.(EO) Crescens has gone to Galatia,(EP) and Titus(EQ) to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke(ER) is with me.(ES) Get Mark(ET) and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus(EU) to Ephesus.(EV) 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas,(EW) and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander(EX) the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.(EY) 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.(EZ) 17 But the Lord stood at my side(FA) and gave me strength,(FB) so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.(FC) And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.(FD) 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack(FE) and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.(FF) To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(FG)
Final Greetings
19 Greet Priscilla[b] and Aquila(FH) and the household of Onesiphorus.(FI) 20 Erastus(FJ) stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus(FK) sick in Miletus.(FL) 21 Do your best to get here before winter.(FM) Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.[c]
22 The Lord be with your spirit.(FN) Grace be with you all.(FO)
Footnotes
- 2 Timothy 3:17 Or that you, a man of God,
- 2 Timothy 4:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
- 2 Timothy 4:21 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
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