2 Timothy 2

(1)  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
(2)  And 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.
(3)  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
(4)  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
(5)  And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
(6)  The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
(7)  Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
(8)  Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
(9)  Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
(10)  Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
(11)  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
(12)  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
(13)  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
(14)  Of 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.
(15)  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(16)  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
(17)  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
(18)  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
(19)  Nevertheless 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.
(20)  But 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.
(21)  If 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.
(22)  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
(23)  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
(24)  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
(25)  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
(26)  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Study Questions

read more

1. What is “the grace that is in Christ Jesus” and how would that supply strength? Verse 1.

2. What are the three qualifications for those to whom Timothy is to commit what he has heard from the apostle Paul? Verse 2.

3. What is the “hardness” that Paul encouraged Timothy to endure? Verse 3.

4. At what point can it be determined that we are entangled with the affairs of this life? Verse 4.

5. What is the crown for the Christian? Will the crown be given to all who strive? Verse 5.

6. Does everyone who farms partake of the fruits? In the same way, who partakes of the fruits of the Christian life? Verse 6.

7. What are the three analogies in the previous verses that Paul expects Timothy to understand? Verse 7.

8. What two illustrations are given to show that we must endure before we can reap and that hardship precedes victory? Verses 8-9.

9. Who are the elect? Who elected them? In what sense do we now have salvation in Christ? Verse 10. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

10. What verses contain Paul’s fifth and last faithful saying? What is the conclusion to the thought of these verses? Verses 11-13.

11. When did we die with him? Is the denial a “final, fatal” denial? Verses 11-13. (See Galatians 2:20)

12. What was Timothy to do when he saw teachers in a heated discussion about some point of Jewish tradition? Why was he to do that? Verse 14.

13. The American Standard Version reads: “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.” How was he to do that? Verse 15.

14. What is to be done with those who continue to discuss the profitless points of Jewish tradition? Verse 16.

15. What two things will be the results of permitting such vain babblings? What is the meaning of the word “canker” or “gangrene” (American Standard Version)? Verses 16-17.

16. How did Hymenaeus and Philetus err from the truth? Would the Sadducean Jews and the Greeks be averse to their doctrine? Verse 18.

17. In spite of such teaching, about what is Paul certain and sure? What is the twofold seal upon the foundation? Verse 19.

18. If the “great house” is the church and the “vessels” are church members, what is Paul’s point? Verse 20.

19. What will happen if Timothy and the faithful purge themselves from filthy, unfaithful members? Verse 21.

20. What is Timothy advised to flee? Why? What is he to follow? Verse 22.

21. Can you think of some “foolish and unlearned questions”? Verse 23.

22. What is to be the demeanor of the servant of the Lord? Verse 24.

23. What quality in a teacher should help someone who actually opposes himself? Verse 25.

24. How is it possible for someone to recover himself from the captivity of Satan? Verse 26.