THE SECOND EPISTLE
OF TH£
APOSTLE PAUL,
TO
TIMOTHY.
I. PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ, hy the will of God, ac-
2 cording to the promise of life which is by Christ Jesus; to Timothy, a beloved son, be favour, mercy, peace from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with a
4 pure conscience, that I have so uninterruptedly the remembrance of thee in my prayers, night and day, earnestly desir-
5 ing (when I call to mind thy tears) to see thee that I may be filled with joy, recollecting that unfeigned belief in thee, which
6 dwelt first in thy grand mother Lois and thy mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in thee also: for which cause I remind thee to kindle up that gift of God which is in thee by the lay-
7 ing on of my hands. For God hath not given us a spirit of cow-
8 ardice, but of power, and love, and a sound mind. Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me who am a prisoner on his account; but share with me in af-
9 fliction for the glad tidings, according to the power of God, who hath saved us, and called us with a holy invitation, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose, and the favour which was granted to us in Christ Jesus, before
10 the times composed of ages, and which hath now been manifested by the appearance of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath put a stop to the operations of death, and hath brought
11 life and incorruption to light by the glad tidings, for which I have been appointed a herald, and an apostle, and a teacher of
12 nations. For which cause also I suffer these things, but am not ashamed; for I know in whom I have trusted, and am persuaded, that he is able to keep that which I have deposited with him till that day.
13 Use the form of sound words, which thou hast heard from
14 me, with faith and the love in Christ Jesus. Keep that good
15 deposit by means of a holy spirit which dwelleth in us. This thou knowest, that all the Asiatics have withdrawn from me,
16 of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes'. The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often re-
17 freshed me and was not ashamed of this chain of mine; but
18 when he was at Rome, sought me out diligently and found me. The Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord in that day! Indeed, on how many occasions he ministered to me at
II. Ephesus, thou thyself knowest very well. Do thou, there-
2 fore, my son, strengthen thyself with the favour which is in Christ Jesus; and what thou hast heard from me, in the presence of many witnesses, commit thou to faithful men, who
3 will be able to teach others. Do thou therefore endure hard-
4 ships as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one going to war entangleth himself with worldly affairs, that he may please him
5 who hath inlisted him. And if a man combateth in the public games, he is not crowned, unless he combat according'to the
6 rules prescribed. The husbandman must labour before he
7 partaketh of the fruits. Consider what I say, and may the
8 Lord grant thee understanding in all things. Remember Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, raised from the dead according to
9 these glad tidings of mine for which I suffer even to bonds, as
10 a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound. For this Cause I bear all things patiently for the sake of the chosen, that they also may obtain that salvation which is by Christ
11 Jesus, with everlasting glory. This is a faithful word. For if
12 we have died with him, we shall also live with him. If we suf-
13 fcr, we shall indeed reign with him. If we deny him, he will
14 deny us. If we are unfaithful, he will continue faithful; he cannot deny himself. Bring these things to remembrance, giving a solemn charge in the presence of the Lord not to dispute about words. It answereth no useful purpose. It tendeth to
15 the subversion of the hearers. Study diligently to present thyself approved before God, a workman that needeth not to be
16 ashamed; handling rightly the word of truth. And repress those
17 profane empty declamations; for they will proceed on to farther impiety; and like a gangrene the word of these men will
18 spread, of whom are Hymeneus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection is already
19 past; and subvert the belief of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth firm, having this inscription—"The Lord kndweth them who are his;" and "Let every one who nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
20 Now, in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and potter's clay; and some indeed
21 for honourable uses and some for meaner purposes. If any one therefore purify himself from these he will be a vessel for ho-
22 nour, set apart and suitable for the master, ready prepared for every good work. Fly then the passions of youth and pursue righteousness, fidelity, love, peace with them who invoke the
23 Lord with a pure heart. And avoid foolish and ignorant de-
24 bates, knowing that they generate strifes. Now, the servant of the Lord ought not to be at strife; but ought to be gentle
25 towards all, ready to teach, patient of ills, with meekness instructing opposers: perhaps God may grant them a change of
26 mind so as to acknowledge the truth, and they who have been captivated by the devil for his pleasure, may rouse and escape from his snare.
III. But know this, that in the last days there will be grievous
2 times. For the men will be selfish, avaricious, vain, haughty,
3 addicted to slander, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, void of natural Tlffection, perfidious, false accusers, intempe-
4 rate, fierce, destitute of love for goodness, betrayers, hcad-
5 strong, puffed up with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,- having a form of religion but denying the
6 power of it. From such turn away; for of such sort are they who insinuate themselves into families, and lead captive
7 weak women laden with sin, led aside by various lusts, always learning, but never able to come to a knowledge of
8 truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these men withstand the truth, having their minds corrupted,
being, with respect to this belief, such as cannot stand the test 9 But they shall not advance much further; for the folly of these shall be exposed to the world, as that of those was.
10 Now as for thee, thou hast traced accurately my doctrine, my manner of life, my purpose, my belief, my long suffering,
11 my love, my patience, my persecutions, my sufferings, what be- fel me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I
12 endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Indeed
13 all who wish to live holy in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, and wicked men and impostors will grow worse and worse,
14 deceiving and being deceived. But as for thee, continue thou in what thou hast learned; and in the belief of which thou
15 hast been confirmed, knowing from whom thou hast learned them; and that, from thy childhood, thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise for salvation by
16 trusting in Christ Jesus. All scripture, given by divine inspiration, is indeed profitable for doctrine, for conviction, for reformation, for instniction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly fitted for every good work.
IV. I therefore charge thee in the presence of the God, and
2 the Lord* Jesus Christ, who is about to judge living and dead at his glorious appearance and reign, proclaim the word; be intent thereon, in season and out of season; convince, rebuke,
3 exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For a time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine: But when they have an itch of hearing they will, according to dieir own
4 desires, heap up for themselves teachers, who will turn their
5 attention from the truth, and they will be turned aside to fables. Be thou therefore watchful on all occasions. Endure
6 hardships: perform the work of a publisher of the glad tidings. Discharge thy ministerial office completely. For I am now about to be poured out as a libation; t and the time of my de-
7 parture is at hand. I have maintained the good combat. I have
8 finished the course; I have kept the faith. As to what remain- eth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and
* Or as in many manuscripts—"The God and Lord Jesus Christ," as in 1 Tim. 5. 21. | See Phil. 2. 17.
not only to me, but to all who have loved his glorious appearance. 9 Use all diligence to come to me quickly. For Demas,
10 from a love for this world, hath forsaken me, and is gone to
11 Thessalonica; Crescens, to Galatia; Titus, to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Take Mark and bring him with thee; for
12 he is useful to me for attendance, as I have sent Tychicus to
13 Ephesus. When thou comest, bring the cloak which I left with Carpus at Troas, and the books, especially the parchments. x
14 Alexander the coppersmith hath lodged many false accu-
15 sations against me. Let the Lord reward him according to his works: Be thou on thy guard against him, for he greatly withstood our words.
16 At my first defence no one attended; but all forsook me.
17 May this not be charged to their account! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that the proclamation might be made completely by me, and that all the nations might hear it.
18 And I was delivered out of the mouth of a lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory, for the ages of the ages. Amen.
19 Salute Priscas and Aquilas, and the household of Onesi- phorus.
Erastus staid at Corinth; and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.
Endeavour to come to me before winter. Eubulus, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, .and all the brethren, salute thee.
The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. The favour be with you. Amen.
Vol. iv. 3 c
