Writing in prison, Paul remembers Timothy's tears and sincere faith and urges him to fan into flame the gift of God. God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power, love and self-control, so Timothy should not be ashamed of the gospel.
1 Paul , an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God , according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus ,
2 To Timothy , my dearly beloved son : Grace , mercy , and peace , from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord .
3 I thank God , whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience , that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day ;
4 Greatly desiring to see thee , being mindful of thy tears , that I may be filled with joy ;
5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee , which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois , and thy mother Eunice ; and I am persuaded that in thee also .
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God , which is in thee by the putting on of my hands .
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear ; but of power , and of love , and of a sound mind .
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord , nor of me his prisoner : but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God ;
9 Who hath saved us , and called us with an holy calling , not according to our works , but according to his own purpose and grace , which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began ,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ , who hath abolished death , and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel :
11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher , and an apostle , and a teacher of the Gentiles .
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things : nevertheless I am not ashamed : for I know whom I have believed , and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day .
13 Hold fast the form of sound words , which thou hast heard of me , in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus .
14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us .
15 This thou knowest , that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me ; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes .
16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus ; for he oft refreshed me , and was not ashamed of my chain :
17 But , when he was in Rome , he sought me out very diligently , and found me.
18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day : and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus , thou knowest very well .