In this Epistle, the Apostle again instructs and admonishes
Timothy in what belonged to his office, as in the former;
and also warns him to shun the conversation of those who
had erred from the truth, describing at the same time their
character, He tells him of his approaching death and
desires him to come speedily to him. It appears from this
circumstance that he wrote this second Epistle in the time
of his last imprisonment at Rome and not long before his
martyrdom.
2 Timothy Chapter 1
He admonishes him to stir up the grace he received by his
ordination and not to be discouraged at his sufferings, but
to hold firm the sound doctrine of the gospel.
1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God,
according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus:
1:2. To Timothy, my dearly beloved son. Grace, mercy and
peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.
1:3. I give thanks to God, whom I serve from my
forefathers, with a pure conscience, that without ceasing I
have a remembrance of thee in my prayers, night and day.
1:4. Desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that
I may be filled with joy:
1:5. Calling to mind that faith which is in thee unfeigned,
which also dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois and in thy
mother Eunice, and I am certain that in thee also.
1:6. For which cause I admonish thee that thou stir up the
grace of God which is in thee by the imposition of my
hands.
1:7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of
power and of love and of sobriety.
1:8. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our
Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but labour with the gospel,
according to the power of God.
1:9. Who hath delivered us and called us by his holy
calling, not according to our own works, but according to
his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ
Jesus before the times of the world:
1:10. But is now made manifest by the illumination of our
Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath destroyed death and hath
brought to light life and incorruption by the gospel.
By the illumination... That is, by the bright coming and
appearing of our Saviour.
1:11. Wherein I am appointed a preacher and an apostle and
teacher of the Gentiles.
1:12. For which cause, I also suffer these things: but I am
not ashamed. For I know whom I have believed and I am
certain that he is able to keep that which I have committed
unto him, against that day.
1:13. Hold the form of sound words which thou hast heard of
me: in faith and in the love which is in Christ Jesus.
1:14. Keep the good thing committed to thy trust by the
Holy Ghost who dwelleth in us.
1:15. Thou knowest this, that all they who are in Asia are
turned away from me: of whom are Phigellus and Hermogenes.
1:16. The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus:
because he hath often refreshed me and hath not been
ashamed of my chain:
1:17. But when he was come to Rome, he carefully sought me
and found me.
1:18. The Lord grant unto him to find mercy of the Lord in
that day. And in how many things he ministered unto me at
Ephesus, thou very well knowest.
2 Timothy Chapter 2
He exhorts him to diligence in his office and patience in
suffering. The danger of the delusions of heretics.
2:1. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in Christ Jesus:
2:2. And the things which thou hast heard of me by many
witnesses, the same commend to faithful men who shall be
fit to teach others also.
2:3. Labour as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2:4. No man, being a soldier to God, entangleth himself
with secular businesses: that he may please him to whom he
hath engaged himself.
2:5. For he also that striveth for the mastery is not
crowned, except he strive lawfully.
2:6. The husbandman that laboureth must first partake of
the fruits.
2:7. Understand what I say: for the Lord will give thee in
all things understanding.
2:8. Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again
from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my
gospel:
2:9. Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer. But
the word of God is not bound.
2:10. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the
elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in
Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory.
2:11. A faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we
shall live also with him.
2:12. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. If we
deny him, he will also deny us.
2:13. If we believe not, he continueth faithful, he cannot
deny himself.
2:14. Of these things put them in mind, charging them
before the Lord. Contend not in words: for it is to no
profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
2:15. Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling
the word of truth.
2:16. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they grow
much towards ungodliness.
2:17. And their speech spreadeth like a canker: of whom are
Hymeneus and Philetus:
2:18. Who have erred from the truth, saying that the
resurrection is past already, and have subverted the faith
of some.
2:19. But the sure foundation of God standeth firm, having
this seal: the Lord knoweth who are his; and let every one
depart from iniquity who nameth the name of the Lord.
2:20. But in a great house there are not only vessels of
gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth: and some
indeed unto honour, but some unto dishonour.
2:21. If any man therefore shall cleanse himself from
these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and
profitable to the Lord, prepared unto every good work.
2:22. But flee thou youthful desires, and pursue justice,
faith, charity and peace with them that call on the Lord
out of a pure heart.
2:23. And avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing
that they beget strifes.
2:24. But the servant of the Lord must not wrangle: but be
mild toward all men, apt to teach, patient,
2:25. With modesty admonishing them that resist the truth:
if peradventure God may give them repentance to know the
truth;
2:26. And they may recover themselves from the snares of
the devil by whom they are held captive at his will.
2 Timothy Chapter 3
The character of heretics of latter days. He exhorts
Timothy to constancy. Of the great profit of the knowledge
of the scriptures.
3:1. Know also this, that in the last days shall come
dangerous times.
3:2. Men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful,
wicked,
3:3. Without affection, without peace, slanderers,
incontinent, unmerciful, without kindness,
3:4. Traitors, stubborn, puffed up, and lovers of pleasure
more than of God:
3:5. Having an appearance indeed of godliness but denying
the power thereof. Now these avoid.
3:6. For of these sort are they who creep into houses and
lead captive silly women laden with sins, who are led away
with divers desires:
3:7. Ever learning, and never attaining to the knowledge of
the truth.
3:8. Now as Jannes and Mambres resisted Moses, so these
also resist the truth, men corrupted in mind, reprobate
concerning the faith.
Jannes and Mambres... The magicians of king Pharao.
3:9. But they shall proceed no farther: for their folly
shall be manifest to all men, as theirs also was.
3:10. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of
life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,
3:11. Persecutions, afflictions: such as came upon me at
Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra: what persecutions I
endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me.
3:12. And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution.
3:13. But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse:
erring, and driving into error,
3:14. But continue thou in those things which thou hast
learned and which have been committed to thee. Knowing of
whom thou hast learned them:
3:15. And because from thy infancy thou hast known the holy
scriptures which can instruct thee to salvation by the
faith which is in Christ Jesus.
3:16. All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to
teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice:
All scripture,... Every part of divine scripture is
certainly profitable for all these ends. But, if we would
have the whole rule of Christian faith and practice, we
must not be content with those Scriptures, which Timothy
knew from his infancy, that is, with the Old Testament
alone: nor yet with the New Testament, without taking along
with it the traditions of the apostles, and the
interpretation of the church, to which the apostles
delivered both the book, and the true meaning of it.
3:17. That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to
every good work.
2 Timothy Chapter 4
His charge to Timothy. He tells him of his approaching
death and desires him to come to him.
4:1. I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall
judge the living and the dead, by his coming and his
kingdom:
4:2. Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season:
reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine.
4:3. For there shall be a time when they will not endure
sound doctrine but, according to their own desires, they
will heap to themselves teachers having itching ears:
4:4. And will indeed turn away their hearing from the
truth, but will be turned unto fables.
4:5. But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the
work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be sober.
An evangelist... a diligent preacher of the gospel.
4:6. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time
of my dissolution is at hand.
4:7. I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course:
I have kept the faith.
4:8. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of
justice which the Lord the just judge will render to me in
that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love
his coming. Make haste to come to me quickly.
4:9. For Demas hath left me, loving this world, and is gone
to Thessalonica:
4:10. Crescens into Galatia, Titus into Dalmatia.
4:11. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with
thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
4:12. But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
4:13. The cloak that I left at Troas, with Carpus, when
thou comest, bring with thee: and the books, especially the
parchments.
4:14. Alexander the coppersmith hath done me much evil: the
Lord will reward him according to his works:
4:15. Whom do thou also avoid: for he hath greatly
withstood our words.
4:16. At my first answer, no man stood with me: but all
forsook me. May it not be laid to their charge!
4:17. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that by
me the preaching may be accomplished and that all the
Gentiles may hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of
the lion.
4:18. The Lord hath delivered me from every evil work and
will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. To whom be
glory for ever and ever. Amen.
4:19. Salute Prisca, and Aquila and the household of
Onesiphorus.
4:20. Erastus remained at Corinth. And Trophimus I left
sick at Miletus.
4:21. Make haste to come before winter. Eubulus and Pudens
and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren, salute thee.
4:22. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be
with you. Amen.
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