2 Timothy 2

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

Paul tells Timothy to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus," to commit what he heard "to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also," and to "endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." He gives a faithful saying: "if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him," and "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful." Timothy is to be "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," to shun vain babblings like those of Hymenaeus and Philetus, and to correct opponents "in meekness." 2 Timothy 2:1 2 Timothy 2:2 2 Timothy 2:3 2 Timothy 2:11 2 Timothy 2:13 2 Timothy 2:15 2 Timothy 2:16 2 Timothy 2:17 2 Timothy 2:25 2 Timothy overview

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

Paul writes to Timothy, "my son." He names Hymenaeus and Philetus, who say "the resurrection is past already." 2 Timothy 2:1 2 Timothy 2:17 2 Timothy 2:18 2 Timothy overview

Where

Paul is suffering "even unto bonds"; the chapter names no place. 2 Timothy 2:9 2 Timothy overview

When

Traditionally about AD 64-67, during a second imprisonment in Rome shortly before Paul's death. Many scholars hold that the letter was written after Paul's death by a follower writing in his name, about AD 80-100; others accept that Paul wrote it. 2 Timothy overview

How it fits

Chapter 1 ended with Onesiphorus, who "was not ashamed of my chain"; here Timothy is to be "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed." Chapter 3 warns that "in the last days perilous times shall come." 2 Timothy 1:16 2 Timothy 2:15 2 Timothy 3:1 2 Timothy overview

Key verses

Verse 2
"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." 2 Timothy 2:2
Verse 12
"If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us." Matthew 10:33 has the same warning: "whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny." 2 Timothy 2:12 Matthew 10:33
Verse 15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

Takeaway

Handle God's word carefully and pass it on faithfully; endure hardship, and correct others with gentleness rather than quarrelling. 2 Timothy 2:2 2 Timothy 2:3 2 Timothy 2:15 2 Timothy 2:24 2 Timothy 2:25

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-29.

Soldier, athlete and farmer

¹Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ²And 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. ³Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ⁴No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. ⁵And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. ⁶The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. ⁷Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

A faithful saying

⁸Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: ⁹Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. ¹⁰Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. ¹¹It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: ¹²If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: ¹³If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

A workman approved of God

¹⁴Of 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. ¹⁵Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. ¹⁷And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; ¹⁸Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. ¹⁹Nevertheless 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. ²⁰But 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. ²¹If 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. ²²Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. ²⁴And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, ²⁵In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; ²⁶And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.