2 Timothy — Chapter 2

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1Thou 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, and prepared 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.

1Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

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

3Suffer hardship with [me], as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

5And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowded, except he have contended lawfully.

6The husbandmen that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits.

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

8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel:

9wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.

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

11Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him:

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

13if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.

14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging [them] in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.

15Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

16But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

17and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: or whom is Hymenaeus an Philetus;

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

19Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.

20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor.

21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master`s use, prepared unto every good work.

22after righteousness, faith, love, pace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.

24And the Lord`s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,

25in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,

26and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.

1So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2And what you heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.

3Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him.

5Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules.

6The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops.

7Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this.

8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel,

9for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God’s message is not imprisoned!

10So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they, too, may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory.

11This saying is trustworthy: If we died with him, we will also live with him.

12If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.

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

14Remind people of these things and solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen.

15Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.

16But avoid profane chatter because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness,

17and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group.

18They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people’s faith.

19However, God’s solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.”

20Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use.

21So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

22But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

23But reject foolish and ignorant controversies because you know they breed infighting.

24And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,

25correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth,

26and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captive to do his will.

1You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

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

4No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

5Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.

6The farmer who labors must be the first to get a share of the crops.

7Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News,

9in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained.

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

11This saying is trustworthy: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him.

12If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.

13If we are faithless, he remains faithful. For he can’t deny himself.”

14Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.

15Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

16But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness,

17and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.

19However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”

20Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor.

21If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.

22Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.

24The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,

25in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,

26and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Timothy is charged to be strong in grace, endure hardship as a good soldier, and handle the word of truth correctly — fleeing youthful lusts, pursuing righteousness, and gently correcting opponents so that God may grant them repentance.

Authorship & Background

Author: Paul the Apostle (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 2 is Paul's instruction manual for faithful ministry. He uses seven metaphors for the minister: a son (v.1), a teacher (v.2), a soldier (vv.3-4), an athlete (v.5), a farmer (v.6), a workman (v.15), and a vessel (vv.20-21). The chapter also addresses false teaching (vv.14-18), God's firm foundation (v.19), and the character of the Lord's servant (vv.24-26).
Passing the Baton (vv.1-2): Four generations of transmission: Paul → Timothy → faithful men → others also. The gospel must be entrusted to reliable people who can teach others.
Three Metaphors for Endurance (vv.3-7): Soldier — single-minded, not entangled in civilian affairs (vv.3-4). Athlete — competes according to the rules (v.5). Farmer — works hard and shares in the harvest first (v.6).
The Gospel's Power (vv.8-13): Remember the risen Christ (v.8). Paul suffers in chains, "but the word of God is not bound" (v.9). The "faithful saying" (vv.11-13): die with Him = live with Him; suffer = reign; deny Him = denied; faithless = He remains faithful.
Handling Truth (vv.14-19): Don't quarrel about words (v.14). Be an approved workman who "rightly divides the word of truth" (v.15). Avoid empty talk (v.16). God's foundation stands firm (v.19).
The Lord's Servant (vv.20-26): Be a vessel of honor — cleansed, useful, prepared (v.21). Flee youthful lusts; pursue righteousness (v.22). Don't quarrel; be gentle, teachable, patient (vv.24-25). The goal: opponents may repent and escape the devil's snare (vv.25-26).

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers the seven metaphors, the faithful saying, rightly dividing the Word, vessels of honor, and the Lord's servant.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Rightly Dividing the Word" on v.15 (MTP Vol. 21, No. 1217) "Rightly dividing — cutting straight, handling accurately. A workman who cuts crooked ruins the material. A minister who handles Scripture carelessly ruins souls. Study — be diligent, work hard at understanding. Show yourself approved — not to men but to God. A workman that needeth not to be ashamed — because his work is done well. This is the minister's calling: careful, accurate, diligent handling of God's truth." Sermon: "The Word of God Not Bound" on v.9 (MTP Vol. 11, No. 617) "The word of God is not bound. They bound Paul — chained him to a soldier, locked him in a cell. But the Word? It flew over prison walls, ran through the empire, reached Caesar's household. You can silence the preacher but not the message. You can kill the messenger but not the truth. The Word of God is free — always has been, always will be."

Videos

The Bible Project — 2 Timothy Overview

Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)

Reflection

  • 1. "Commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others" (v.2). Who are you discipling? Who are you entrusting truth to? The gospel advances through multiplication, not just addition.
  • 2. "Endure hardness, as a good soldier" (v.3). Are you enduring or quitting when ministry gets hard? What "civilian affairs" are entangling you and distracting from your mission?
  • 3. "The word of God is not bound" (v.9). Even when you feel limited, silenced, or ineffective — the Word is free. How does this encourage you in difficult seasons?
  • 4. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God" (v.15). How diligent are you in studying Scripture? Are you handling it accurately or carelessly? What would it look like to be a workman "not ashamed"?
  • 5. "If a man purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour" (v.21). What needs to be cleansed from your life so you can be more useful to God? Usefulness requires purity.
  • 6. "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle" (v.24). When you disagree with someone, are you gentle and patient? Or combative and harsh? The goal is their repentance, not your victory.