Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

6The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, andprepared unto every good work.

22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Thou therefore, my sonne, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Iesus.

2And the things that thou hast heard of mee among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithfull men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3Thou therefore indure hardnesse, as a good souldier of Iesus Christ.

4No man that warreth, intangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life, that hee may please him who hath chosen him to be a souldier.

5And if a man also striue for masteries, yet is hee not crowned except hee striue lawfully.

6The husbandman that laboureth, must bee first partaker of the fruites.

7Consider what I say, and the Lord giue thee vnderstanding in all things.

8Remember that Iesus Christ of the seede of Dauid, was raised from the dead, according to my Gospel:

9Wherein I suffer trouble as an euill doer, euen vnto bonds: but the word of God is not bound.

10Therefore I indure all things for the elects sakes, that they may also obtaine the saluation which is in Christ Iesus, with eternall glory.

11It is a faithfull saying: for if we bee dead with him, wee shall also liue with him.

12If we suffer, we shall also reigne with him: if wee denie him, hee also will denie vs.

13If we beleeue not, yet he abideth faithfull, he cannot denie himselfe.

14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord, that they striue not about words to no profite, but to the subuerting of the hearers.

15Studie to shewe thy selfe approued vnto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly diuiding the word of trueth.

16But shun profane and vaine bablings, for they will increase vnto more vngodlinesse.

17And their word will eate as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus.

18Who concerning the trueth haue erred, saying that the resurrection is past alreadie, and ouerthrow the faith of some.

19Neuerthelesse the foundation of God standeth sure, hauing the seale, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let euery one that nameth the Name of Christ, depart from iniquitie.

20But in a great house, there are not onely vessels of gold, and of siluer, but also a wood, & of earth: and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21If a man therefore purge himselfe from these, he shal be a vessell vnto honour, sanctified, and meete for the Masters vse, and prepared vnto euery good worke.

22Flie also youthfull lusts: but follow righteousnesse, faith, charitie, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23But foolish and vnlearned questions auoid, knowing that they doe gender strifes.

24And the seruant of the Lord must not striue: but bee gentle vnto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25In meekenesse instructing those that oppose themselues, if God peraduenture will giue them repentance to the acknowledging of the trueth.

26And that they may recouer themselues out of the snare of the deuill, who are taken captiue by him at his will.

 

1 So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well. 3 Bear your share of hardship along with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 To satisfy the one who recruited him, a soldier does not become entangled in the business affairs of life. 5 Similarly, an athlete cannot receive the winner's crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to have the first share of the crop. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; 12 if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. 13 If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. 14 Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen. 15 Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation. 16 Avoid profane, idle talk, for such people will become more and more godless, 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have deviated from the truth by saying that (the) resurrection has already taken place and are upsetting the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription, "The Lord knows those who are his"; and, "Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil." 20 In a large household there are vessels not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for lofty and others for humble use. 21 If anyone cleanses himself of these things, he will be a vessel for lofty use, dedicated, beneficial to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 22 So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith,love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart. 23 Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels. 24 A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant, 25 correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they may return to their senses out of the devil's snare, where they are entrapped by him, for his will.

v 1. “Therefore” refers back to the sufferings of Paul and others for the faith. Timothy was a son in the sense of Paul having led him to the Lord.

v 2. This has no reference to oral tradition or apostolic succession, but the need to pass on the present gospel to contemporaries and the next generation.

v 3. A Roman soldier had to endure hardness. In addition to heavy weapons he carried a saw, a basket, a pick ax, a thong of leather, a hook, and three days rations.

v 4. The Roman soldier was not allowed to marry, engage in agriculture, trade, or manufactures. He was a soldier and was expected to be totally at the service of his commander. Such dedicated Christian service Paul charges to Timothy.

v 5. It was not only necessary to train but to obey all the rules of the games. Our fastest track runner may be disqualified by stepping into the wrong lane. Paul knew the rules so didn’t run uncertainly, 1 Cor. 9:26. Our rules for living are laid out in scriptures.

v 6. We have some blessings here and now, souls won, believers growing etc.

v 7,8. Timothy would be carrying on the work begun by Paul, so ignoring fruitless questions and endless genealogies (Trying to find hidden meanings such as people today do with 666 etc.), 1 Tim.1:4-7, he needed to keep teaching what Paul had taught, that Jesus was the promised Messiah & He had risen from the dead.

v 9. Though Paul was in prison, his letters to churches were going out, and new ranks of believers surpassed the number who were executed.

v 10. Paul could endure his troubles knowing that it was a factor in more, whom God had called, coming to Christ. This is a reminder of a former missionary friend in Spain who was severely persecuted and jailed for preaching. He kept preaching and converting others in jail, so they kicked him out of jail.

v 11-13. These are truths which someone set in a form which could be easily remembered  and repeated by those under trials. 1, We die to our old life and have a new life in Christ. 2, As Christ suffered, so may we day by day, but eventually we will reign with Him. 3, Like Peter, believers may deny Christ, but if we do we will lose rewards in heaven. 4, Though we may waver in unbelief, He remains faithful.

v 14. The people needed to be reminded of those 4 facts, and solemnly charged to avoid what we might call theological controversies that undermine true faith.

v 15. Whereas some Ephesians had a show of metaphysical knowledge and worldly discussions, Timothy was to be a specialist in studying the Word of God.All Christians, especially those teaching, should diligently study the Word, properly understand it, and skillfully teach it.  

v 16,17. Not just outright heresy but empty useless discussions lead away from the truth and eventually ungodliness. Such teachings will eat away like a cancer, as many young theological students have found and succumbed, as did those two men.

v 18. They had departed from the truth by arguing that the resurrection was already past, and the faith of some had already been undermined. Several errors were prevalent concerning resurrection:
Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection of the body.
Greeks believed in immortality, but not in resurrection of the body.
Stoics scoffed at life after death.
Gnostics thought all matter was evil, so they had no interest in a future combination of body (matter) and spirit, implied by resurrection.

v 19. Many building foundations had a seal, “inscription” written on them with the owner and purpose of the building stated. Verse 19 b (The Lord knoweth them that are His) is the inscription the Lord has written on the foundation of the Church. Good conduct doesn't save, but we may doubt the salvation of those continuing in sin. If we claim Christ we should turn from sin.

v 20,21. In these somewhat obscure comparisons, the great house is the whole professing Christian church. The gold and silver are vessels unto honor, the saved, while the wood and earth vessels to dishonor are mere professors. Believers must  have some contact with the world in life and to reach them, but should separate from defiling associations with them or their corrupting influence may diminish our usefulness to the Lord. A stronger warning concerning false teachers is 2 Jn. 10,11.

v 22. In some things we need to stand and fight, but regarding the temptations of youth, the best course is to flee. Don’t leave a vacuum which they may refill, but diligently replace them with all these Christian virtues.

v 23. Samples of these unlearned questions: “If God is all powerful can He make a stone so big He can not lift it?” Why does God allow war? Where did Cain get his wife? Such things are usually only for arguing or trying to embarrass the believer, and the conversation needs to be steered toward salvation.

v 24-26. Personal witnessing may be very trying with some one involved in cults and false doctrines, but instead of arguing, gentle patience is vital to succeed. (Not as one young believer who said he wanted to smack him in the mouth.) Correct them with humble courtesy with the hope that the Holy Spirit will bring them to their senses and convince them of the truth.  As He convicts them they may break loose from the clutches of Satan by repenting and turning to God. Disobedient believers can also be taken captive by Satan at his will. Protective measures are found in certain key words in v 15-26. Verses 15 study; 16 shun; 19 depart; 21purge; 22 flee, follow, call, or pray; 23 avoid; 24 gentle, teach, patient; 25 instructing; 26 recover. Some consider apt to teach first implies being teachable