2 Timothy
Summary
Paul writes his second and final letter to Timothy from a Roman prison, anticipating his own execution. He begins with a tender greeting, recalling the sincere faith that dwelt first in Timothy's grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. Paul exhorts Timothy to "stir up the gift of God" and reminds him that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. He encourages Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of Paul's imprisonment, but to share in the suffering for the Gospel. Paul also commends Onesiphorus for his faithfulness in seeking him out in Rome.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with a pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of you in my prayers night and day;
Greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy;
When I call to remembrance the sincere faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in you also.
Therefore I remind you that you stir up the gift of God which is in you by the putting on of my hands.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Who has saved us and called us with a 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,
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel;
To which I am appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
For which reason 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 to Him against that Day.
Hold fast the form of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
That good thing which was committed to you keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain;
But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently and found me.
The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day: and in how many things he ministered to me at Ephesus, you know very well.