As in the first chapter, so here Paul exhorts Timothy to be constant in trouble, to suffer manfully, and to abide fast in the wholesome doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And what things you have heard from me, many bearing witness, the same deliver to faithful men who are competent to teach others.

³ Therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ⁴ No man who wars entangles himself with worldly business, because he wants to please him who has chosen him to be a soldier. ⁵ And though a man strive to win a competition, yet he is not crowned unless he strives lawfully. ⁶ The husbandman who labours must first receive of the fruits. ⁷ Consider what I say. May the Lord give you understanding in all things.

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ, being of the seed of David, rose again from death, as declared in my gospel – ⁹ for which gospel I suffer trouble as an evil-doer, even in bonds. But the word of God was not bound. ¹⁰ For this I suffer all things, for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

¹¹ It is a true saying: if we are dead with him, we also will live with him. ¹² If we are patient, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. ¹³ If we do not believe, yet he abides faithful; he cannot deny himself. ¹⁴ Of these things put them in remembrance. And warn them before the Lord not to strive about words, which accomplishes nothing but to pervert the hearers.

¹⁵ Be diligent to show yourself laudable to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ Unspiritual and vain voices pass over. For they will increase to greater ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their words will consume even as does a canker – of whose number are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who as concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and do destroy the faith of divers persons.

¹⁹ But the sure foundation of God remains, and has this seal: the Lord knows those that are his. And let everyone who calls on the name of Christ depart from iniquity. ²⁰ Notwithstanding, in a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth: some for honour, and some for dishonour. ²¹ But if a man purges himself from such fellows, he will be a vessel sanctified unto honour, meet for the Lord and prepared for all good works.

²² Lusts of youth avoid. Follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. ²³ Foolish and unlearned controversies put from you, remembering that they do but engender strife. ²⁴ But the servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be peaceable towards all, able to teach, and one that can be patient with the evil, ²⁵ and can correct those who resist – if perhaps God at any time will give them repentance to know the truth, ²⁶ so that they may come to themselves again out of the snare of the devil, who are now taken by him at his will.