2 Timothy 2

1 You [my son, my child] therefore [then, as a consequence], my child, be strong [be strengthened, grow strong] in the grace [divine influence, kindness] that is in [among, through] Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] Jesus [God is salvation]. word study 2 And the things [which you have learned, truths] that you have heard [listened to and understood] me say [teach and proclaim] among [in the presence of, with] many [a large number of] witnesses [those who have seen and can testify], entrust [commit, pass on] these to faithful [trustworthy, dependable] men [believers, disciples] who will be qualified [sufficient, able] to teach [instruct, guide] others [additional people, those who are different] as well [also, too]. word study 3 Join me [suffer together with me, endure hardship with me] in suffering [enduring evil, undergoing hardship], like [as, when] a good [fair, beautiful] soldier [a common warrior, a spiritual fighter] of Christ [the Anointed One, the Messiah] Jesus [God is salvation, the son of God]. word study 4 A soldier [on active duty, serving in the army] refrains from entangling [involving, getting caught up in] himself in civilian [everyday, worldly] affairs [business, occupations], in order to [so that, with the purpose of] please [be agreeable to, satisfy] the one [his commander, master] who enlisted [chose, recruited] him. word study 5 Likewise, a competitor [athlete, one who strives for mastery] does not receive [is not crowned with] the crown [a wreath of honor] unless he competes [strives, contends] according to the rules [lawfully, in a way that follows the regulations]. word study 6 The hardworking [labouring, toiling] farmer [husbandman, person who works with the land] should be the first [before others, in priority] to partake [receive a share, take part] of the crops [fruits, harvest]. word study 7 Consider [think about, reflect on] what I am saying [telling you, sharing with you], for [because, since] the Lord [God, Master] will give [bestow, grant] you [to you personally] insight [understanding, wisdom] into [in, among] all [every, everything] things [matters, circumstances]. word study 8 Remember Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] Christ [the Anointed One], raised [brought back to life, resurrected] from the dead [the state of being lifeless, spiritually or physically], descended [coming from, originating from] from David [the king of Israel, an ancestor of Jesus], as proclaimed [declared, announced] by my gospel [the good news, the message of salvation], word study 9 for which I suffer [endure hardship, undergo trouble] to the extent of being chained [bound with chains, imprisoned] like a [malefactor, evil-doer] criminal. But the word [Logos, divine message] of God [the one true deity] cannot [is not able to] be chained [bound, restrained]! word study 10 For this reason [because of this purpose] I endure [remain, undergo] all things [every circumstance, every challenge] for the sake of the elect [chosen ones, select], so that they too may obtain [gain, happen upon] the salvation [rescue, spiritual deliverance] that is in Christ Jesus [the Anointed One, the Messiah], with [accompanied by, in the presence of] eternal [forever, age-during] glory [honor, praise]. word study 11 This is a trustworthy [faithful, reliable] saying: If we died [undergo death, stopped behaving as we did in the past] with Him, we will also live [coexist, survive] with Him; word study 12 if we endure [suffer, patiently remain], we will also reign [rule, share power] with Him; if we deny [reject, say no to] Him, He will also deny [refuse, disown] us; word study 13 if we are [unbelieving, without faith] faithless, He remains [steadfast, trustworthy] faithful, for He cannot deny [deny His own nature, be untrue to Himself] Himself. word study 14 Remind [to quietly suggest or bring to mind] the believers of these things [referring to the previous instructions], charging [testifying solemnly] them before [in the presence of] God [the Lord and Master] to avoid [not to] quarreling [striving with words] over words [about trivial matters], which succeeds [leads to] only in leading the listeners [those who hear] to ruin [complete destruction]. word study 15 Make every effort [be eager, strive diligently] to present yourself [as a servant, in your own actions] approved [tested, proven genuine] to God [the one true deity], an unashamed [not feeling embarrassed, irreproachable] workman [laborer, servant] who accurately [rightly, correctly] handles [divides, teaches] the word [message, logos] of truth [reality, authenticity]. word study 16 But avoid [shun, turn away from] irreverent [profane, unholy], empty [vain, fruitless] chatter [talk, babblings], which will only lead [proceed, advance] to more [greater, increasing] ungodliness [wickedness, impiety], word study 17 and the talk [message, word] of such men will spread [consume, eat away] like gangrene [a severe ulcer, a destructive influence]. Among them are Hymenaeus [a false teacher, an opponent of Christianity] and Philetus [a proponent of erroneous doctrine], word study 18 who have deviated [strayed from the truth, erred] from the truth [reality of a matter, Christian doctrine]. They say [claim, teach] that the resurrection [standing up again from death, a rising again] has already [even now, previously] occurred, and they undermine [overthrow, subvert] the faith [trust, confidence in God] of some [certain ones, particular individuals]. word study 19 Nevertheless, God’s [the one true deity, supreme Creator] firm [strong, steadfast] foundation [a base, a starting point] stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord [master] knows [is intimately aware of] those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name [the character, authority] of the Lord [God, the supreme authority] must turn away [depart, leave] from iniquity [unrighteousness, moral wrong].” word study 20 A large [stately, great] house contains not only vessels [utensils, implements] of gold [golden, made of gold] and silver [precious metal], but also of wood [made of wood, wooden] and clay [earthen, made of earth]. Some indeed are for honorable [noble, esteemed] use, but others are for common [ordinary, dishonorable] use. word study 21 So if anyone cleanses [purge himself, cleanse thoroughly] himself of what is unfit [evil], he will be a vessel [for special use, holy] for honor [esteem, dignity]: sanctified [set apart, made holy], useful [helpful, profitable] to the Master [Lord, Owner], and prepared [made ready, equipped] for every [all, each] good [beneficial, righteous] work. word study 22 Flee from [strong desires, lusts] youthful passions [of the flesh, desires that are strong when the body is young] and pursue [follow after, run after] righteousness [living according to God’s will, being in right standing with God], faith [trust and confidence in God], love [unconditional, divine love], and peace [a state of harmony, freedom from war], together with those who call [invoke, appeal to] on the Lord [the supreme God, Master] out of a [morally and ceremonially] pure heart [the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions]. word study 23 But reject [avoid, refuse] foolish [dull, stupid] and ignorant [uninstructed] speculation [controversy], for you know [perceive] that it breeds [begets] quarreling [strifes, contentions]. word study 24 And a servant [slave, bond servant] of the Lord [God, Master] must not be quarrelsome [strive, contentious], but must be kind [gentle, mild] to everyone [all men, all people], able to teach [apt to teach, skilled in instruction], and forbearing [patient, not resentful]. word study 25 He must gently [in meekness, with humility] reprove [instruct, correct] those who oppose [resist, set themselves against] him, in the hope [with the desire, in expectation] that God [the supreme deity, Creator] may grant [give, bestow] them repentance [a change of heart, turning from sin] leading to a knowledge [deep understanding, recognition] of the truth [reality, divine reality]. word study 26 Then they will come to their senses [regain their spiritual awareness, recover themselves] and escape the snare [trap, deceitful scheme] of the devil [the adversary, Satan], who has taken them captive [held them prisoner, deceived them] to his will [desire, intention, purpose]. word study