2 Timothy 2King James Version
Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men. Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Paul gives Timothy three vivid pictures of faithful ministry: the disciplined soldier, the rule-following athlete, and the hardworking farmer who eats first of the harvest. He charges him to pass sound teaching to reliable men, endure hardship for the sake of the elect, and handle the word honestly while steering clear of destructive theological drift.
Christian ministry demands the focused sacrifice of a soldier, athlete, and farmer. Endurance is the job, not a phase of it.
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2:15) Paul sets the standard for how Timothy should handle scripture: with craftsman-level care, accountable to God alone.
Timothy reading this in Ephesus, perhaps aware of Hymenaeus and Philetus spreading their teaching nearby. Paul's three illustrations hit him in sequence: soldier, athlete, farmer. Each one demands total focus on a single purpose. The charge is clear and heavy at once.
Paul, writing from prison. Timothy, who must become a reliable transmitter of sound teaching. Hymenaeus and Philetus, false teachers who claimed the resurrection had already occurred and were toppling the faith of others.
Chapter 2 is the ministry manual at the center of the letter. Paul knows he is dying; Timothy must carry the work forward. The call to pass truth to faithful men who will teach others is generational thinking from a man with no more generations left.
Paul's urgency is practical, not panicked. He has peace because the word of God cannot be chained, even when he is. That confidence steadies every line.
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.