Conditions of service

2 So, then, my child: you must be strong in the grace which is in Messiah Jesus. ² You heard the teaching I gave in public; pass it on to faithful people who will be capable of instructing others as well. ³ Take your share of suffering as one of Messiah Jesus’ good soldiers. ⁴ No one who serves in the army gets embroiled in civilian activities, since they want to please the officer who enlisted them. ⁵ If you take part in athletic events, you don’t win the crown unless you compete according to the rules. ⁶ The farmer who does the work deserves the first share of the crops. ⁷ Think about what I say; the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

God’s word is not tied up

⁸ Remember Jesus the Messiah, risen from the dead, from the seed of David, according to my gospel— ⁹ for which I suffer like a criminal, even being chained up! But God’s word is not tied up. ¹⁰ That’s why I put up with everything for the sake of God’s chosen ones, so that they too may obtain, with glory that lasts forever, the salvation which is in Messiah Jesus. ¹¹ You can rely on this saying:

Foolish words and the word of truth

¹⁴ Remind them about these things; and warn them, in God’s presence, not to quarrel about words. This doesn’t do any good; instead, it threatens to ruin people who listen to it. ¹⁵ Do your very best to present yourself before God as one who has passed the test—a workman who has no need to be ashamed, who can carve out a straight path for the word of truth. ¹⁶ Avoid pointless and empty chatter. It will push people further and further towards ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their talk will spread like a cancer. I’m thinking in particular of Hymenaeus and Philetus; ¹⁸ they have turned aside from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting some people’s faith. ¹⁹ But God’s firm foundation stands, and it has this as its seal: “The Lord knows those who belong to him,” and “Everyone who uses the name of the Lord must leave wickedness behind.”

Vessels for God’s use

²⁰ In a great house there are vessels not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and pottery. Some of them are given special honor in the way they’re used; others are for menial purposes. ²¹ So if people purify themselves from dishonorable things, they will become vessels for honor, made holy, pleasing to the master of the house, fit for every good work.

²² Run away from the passions of youth. Instead, chase after justice, faith, love and peace, along with all who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ Avoid silly and unprofitable disputes, because you know that they produce fights; ²⁴ and the Lord’s servant mustn’t be a fighter, but must be gentle to all people, able to teach, able to bear evil without resentment, ²⁵ able to correct opponents with a meek spirit. It may be that God will give them repentance so that they can arrive at a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and, in coming to their senses, escape the devil’s snare, after having been held captive by him and made to do his will.