2 Timothy 2:1-11
Serving Faithfully Despite Hardship
2:1 So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2:2 And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.
2:3 Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2:4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him.
2:5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules.
2:6 The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops.
2:7 Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this.
2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel,
2:9 for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God’s message is not imprisoned!
2:10 So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory.
2:11 This saying is trustworthy:
If we died with him, we will also live with him.