2 TIMOTHY Chapter 2 - A Workman Approved By God

A Workman Approved By God

You then, my son,

BE STRONG IN THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS.

2 And the things you have heard me say

In the Presence of many Witnesses

Entrust to Reliable men

Who will also be Qualified to Teach others.

3 ENDURE HARDSHIP WITH US

LIKE A GOOD SOLDIER OF CHRIST JESUS.

4 NO ONE SERVING AS A SOLDIER

GETS INVOLVED IN CIVILIAN AFFAIRS--

HE WANT TO PLEASE HIS COMMANDING OFFICER.

5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an Athlete,

He does not receive the Victor's Crown

Unless he Competes according to the Rules.

6 The Hardworking Farmer

Should be the first to receive a Share of the Crops.

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, Descended from David.

THIS IS MY GOSPEL, FOR WHICH I AM SUFFERING

EVEN TO THE POINT OF BEING CHAINED LIKE A CRIMINAL.

But God's Word is not Chained.

10 THEREFORE I ENDURE EVERYTHING FOR THE SAKE OF THE ELECT,

THAT THEY TOO MAY OBTAIN THE SALVATION

THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS, WITH ETERNAL GLORY.

11 Here is a Trustworthy saying:

If we Died with Him,

We will also Live with Him;

12 If we Endure,

We will also Reign with Him.

If we Disown Him,

He will Disown us;

13 If we are Faithless,

He will remain Faithful,

For He cannot Disown Himself.

14 Keep reminding them of these things.

WARN THEM BEFORE GOD

AGAINST QUARRELING ABOUT WORDS;

It is of no value, and only Ruins those who listen.

15 Do your best to Present yourself to God as one approved,

A Workman who does not need to be Ashamed

And who Correctly handles the Word of Truth.

16 Avoid godless chatter,

Because those who Indulge in it

Will become more and more ungodly.

17 Their Teaching will Spread like Gangrene.

Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

18 Who have Wandered Away from the Truth.

They say that the Resurrection has already taken place,

And they Destroy the Faith of some.

19 NEVERTHELESS, GOD'S FOUNDATION STANDS FIRM,

SEALED WITH THIS INSCRIPTION:

'THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS,' AND

EVERYONE WHO CONFESSES THE NAME OF THE LORD

MUST RUN 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 Noble Purposes and some for Ignoble.

21 If a man cleanses himself form the latter,

He will be an Instrument for Noble Purposes,

Made Holy, Useful to the Master

And Prepared to do any Good Work.

22 FLEE THE DESIRES OF YOUTH,

And Purpose Righteousness, Faith,Love and Peace,

Along with those who call on the Lord out of a Pure Heart.

23 Don't have anything to do with Foolish and Stupid Arguments,

Because you know they Produce Quarrels.

24 And the Lord's Servant must not Quarrel;

Instead, he must be Kind to everyone,

Able to Teach, not Resentful.

25 Those who oppose him he must Gently Instruct,

In the Hope that God will grant them Repentance

Leading them to a knowledge of the Truth,

26 And that they will come to their senses

AND ESCAPE FROM THE TRAP OF THE DEVIL,

WHO HAS TAKEN THEM CAPTIVE TO DO HIS WILL.

(2 Timothy 2)