Paul’s Second Letter to

Timothy
by
Josh James
© 2011, Josh James. All Rights Reserved.
From Paul, an apostle of Jesus the Messiah through God’s will, because of the
promise of life that is in Jesus the Messiah,

To Timothy my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and
Jesus the Messiah, our Master.

I give thanks to God (whom I have served with a pure conscience

since before I was born), as I mention you unceasingly in my
prayers—night and day. I long to see you, because I remember the
tears you shed so that my joy might be complete. I remember the
faith that is in you, and that first dwelled in your grandmother Lois
and your mother, Eunice. I am convinced that it is in you, too. For
this reason, I am reminding you to rekindle God’s gift that is in you
from when I laid my hands on you. You see, God has not given us a
cowardly spirit, but rather a Spirit of power, love, and sensibility.
Therefore, do not be ashamed of our Master’s testimony or of me his
prisoner. On the contrary, share in suffering for the Message through
God’s power. He saved us and called us with a holy calling—not
because of our actions, but because of his own purpose and grace,
which he gave us in Jesus the Messiah before the world began. This
purpose has now been revealed through the unveiling of our Savior,
Jesus the Messiah—he not only destroyed the power of death, and
brought life and immortality to light, through the Message. Because
of this Message, I have been appointed as a preacher, apostle, and
teacher. It is also for this Message that I suffer, but I am not
ashamed. You see, I know the one I have believed, and I am
convinced that he can guard the deposit until that day. Hold on to
the pattern of healthy words that you heard from me, with the faith
and love that are in Jesus the Messiah. Guard that good deposit
through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
You know this, but everyone in Asia has rejected me, including
Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Master grant grace to the
household of Onesiphorus; he has often refreshed me, and he has not
been ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, He diligently looked
for me—and found me—when he came to Rome. May the Master
grant that he find mercy from the Master on that day! He has been of
service to everyone in Ephesus, as you very well know.
Therefore, my child, you need to be empowered by the grace that
is in Jesus the Messiah. Set what you have heard from me through
many witnesses before faithful men who will be capable of teaching
others. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus the Messiah. No
one who has become a soldier becomes wrapped up in matters of
civilian life, so that he can please his enlisting officer. Also, if anyone
competes in athletics, he does not win unless he competes by the
rules. It is necessary for the one who works the ground to have a
share of the first produce from it. Pay attention to what I am saying,
because the Master will give you understanding in everything.
Remember Jesus the Messiah, who according to my message was
raised from the dead and was from the lineage of David. Because of
this message, I suffer--even to the point of being tied up like a
criminal. However, God's word is not tied up! Because of this, I
endure everything for the benefit of the chosen ones, so that with
eternal glory they might obtain the salvation that is in Jesus the
Messiah. This statement is faithful:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him.
If we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we deny him, he will also deny us.
If we are faithless, he remains faithful, because he cannot deny himself.
Remind them of these things, and solemnly urge them before
God not to argue over semantics. These arguments have no benefit
and cause the ruin of those who hear them. Be diligent to present
yourself to God acceptably—as a worker with no reason to be
ashamed, who does not waver when it comes to the word of truth.
However, avoid pointless and worthless chatter, because it will
develop into more ungodliness. Its message will spread like cancer.
Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples of this. They have missed the
point of the truth by saying that the resurrection has already taken
place—they are destroying some people’s faith! Yet, God’s firm
foundation remains standing. It contains this seal: “The Master
knows those who belong to him,” as well as “Everyone who calls on
the Master’s name must keep away from unrighteousness.” In a
large house, there are not only gold and silver containers, but also
wooden and earthenware containers. Also, some containers are for
honorable purposes, and some are for ordinary purposes. So, if
someone thoroughly cleanses himself from these sins, he will be a
container for honorable use—one that is purified and pleasing to the
Master, and he will be ready to do everything that is good. Flee the
desires typical of young people, and—with those who call on the
Master’s name from a pure heart—pursue righteousness, faith, love,
and peace. Avoid foolish and uneducated speculations, because you
know that they breed arguments. It is necessary for a servant of the
Master not to be argumentative. Rather he must be gentle with
everyone, able to teach, tolerant, and he must courteously instruct
those who disagree with him. Perhaps God might grant them
repentance, so that they might come to understand the truth. Then
those who have been captured by the Devil to do his bidding might
come to their senses and escape his trap.
Know this: in later days, difficult times will come. You see, men
will become selfish, greedy, boastful, arrogant, slanderous,
disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unwilling
to compromise, condemning, uncontrolled, savage, unconcerned
about the common good, traitors, reckless, conceited, and loving
pleasure rather than God. They have a form of godliness, but they
deny its power. Avoid these kinds of people, because from them
come those who slip into houses and deceive foolish women who are
overwhelmed with sins and led by various kinds of desire. They are
always learning, but they can never come to an understanding of the
truth. In the same way that Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses,
these people also oppose the truth. They are people whose minds are
corrupt—they have failed, as far as faith is concerned. However, they
will not progress any further, because their foolishness will be
obvious to everyone, just as the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres
became obvious.
However, you have faithfully followed my teaching, conduct,
purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, and suffering,
such as what happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—
what persecutions I have endured! Yet, the Master has rescued me
from all of them. Indeed, all who want to live godly lives in Jesus the
Messiah will be persecuted, and evil men and swindlers will go from
bad to worse—deceiving and being deceived. However, you must
continue in the things you have learned, which have been entrusted
to you. Do this because you know the people from whom you
learned them, and that from the time you were a baby you have
known the Holy Scriptures. They are able to make you wise, so that
you may be saved through the faith that is in Jesus the Messiah.
Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, rebuke,
correction, and education in righteousness, so that God’s man may
be competent and equipped to do everything that is good.
In the presence of God and Jesus the Messiah, who is going to
judge the living and the dead, I solemnly urge you—based on his
appearance and his kingdom—to preach the word. Be ready,
whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Rebuke, warn, and
encourage with complete patience and teaching. You see, the time
will come when they will not put up with healthy teaching. On the
contrary, they will accumulate many teachers because of their own
desires, since they have itching ears. Then they will turn away from
the truth—they will turn aside to myths. However, you need to
control yourself in every way, bear hardship, do the work of an
evangelist, and complete your ministry.
You see, I am already being poured out as an offering, and the
time of my departure is about to come. I have fought the good fight;
I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. Beyond that, the
crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Master (the righteous
judge) will give it to me on that day—and not only to me. He will
also give it to everyone who has loved his appearance.
Do your best to come to me in a hurry. You see, Demas has
abandoned me and has gone to Thessalonica, because he loved the
present world. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to
Dalmatia. Luke is the only one with me. Bring Mark along with
you, because he seems to be useful to me for ministry. I have sent
Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak and the
scrolls—especially the parchments—that I left with Carpus in Troas.
Alexander the metalworker did a lot of harm to me. The Master will
repay him consistent with his actions. You also need to avoid
Alexander, because he was very opposed to our words.
At my first defense hearing, no one stood by me. On the
contrary, everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against
them! However, the Master was with me and empowered me, so that
my preaching might be finished, that all the nations might hear, and
that I might be rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Master will
rescue me from every evil action, and he will preserve me for his
heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever, amen!
Greet Priscilla, Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus in Miletus because he
was sick. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all of the brothers
greet you. May the Master be with your spirit! May grace be with
you all!
From the translator:

Thank you so much for reading this translation

of the book of Second Timothy. I hope it has been of
help to your study of God’s word. Be sure to look for
other translated New Testament books as they are
finished and published on this website.

Josh James