Chapter 2 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ
Jesus.
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.
Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No man that woreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may
please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive
lawfully.
The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead,
according to my gospel.
Wherein I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even unto bonds, but the word of God is
not bound.
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.
It is the faithful saying, for if we be dead with him, we shall also live with
him.
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.
If we deny him, he also will deny us.
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful, he cannot deny himself.
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.
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth, but shun profane and vain babblings,
for they will increase unto more ungodliness, and their word will eat as
doth a canker, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus, who concerning the truth have
erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of
some.
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.
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 honor and some to dishonor.
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor,
sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
Flee also youthful lusts, but follow righteousness, faith, charity,
peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men,
apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves,
if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the
truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil,
who are taken captive by him at his will.