1Thou therefore , my child , be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus . 2And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses , the same commit thou to faithful men , who shall be able to teach others also . 3Suffer hardship with me , as a good soldier of Christ Jesus . 4No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life ; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier . 5And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned , except he have contended lawfully . 6The husbandman that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits . 7Consider what I say ; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things .
The Importance of Sound Teaching
8Remember Jesus Christ , risen from the dead , of the seed of David , according to my gospel : 9wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds , as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound . 10Therefore I endure all things for the elect ’s sake , that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory . 11Faithful is the saying : For if we died with him , we shall also live with him : 12if we endure , we shall also reign with him : if we shall deny him , he also will deny us : 13if we are faithless, he abideth faithful ; for he cannot deny himself .
Endurance in Suffering
14Of these things put them in remembrance , charging them in the sight of the Lord , that they strive not about words , to no profit , to the subverting of them that hear. 15Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God , a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth. 16But shun profane babblings : for they will proceed further in ungodliness, 17and their word will eat as doth a gangrene : of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus ; 18men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already , and overthrow the faith of some . 19Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth , having this seal , The Lord knoweth them that are his : and , Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.
Avoiding Controversy and False Teaching
20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth ; and some unto honor , and some unto dishonor. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these , he shall be a vessel unto honor , sanctified , meet for the master ’s use , prepared unto every good work . 22But flee youthful lusts , and follow after righteousness , faith , love, peace , with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart . 23But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse , knowing that they gender strifes . 24And the Lord ’ s servant must not strive , but be gentle towards all , apt to teach , forbearing, 25in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves ; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, 26and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil , having been taken captive by him unto his will .