Paul tells Timothy to be strong in grace and to endure hardship like a good soldier, an athlete and a farmer. He warns against quarrelling about words and tells Timothy to be a worker who correctly handles the word of truth.
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 .