2 Timothy 2

“Be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,” Paul urges, and entrust the teaching “to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” He gives three images of the devoted servant: a soldier who suffers hardship and does not get entangled in civilian affairs, an athlete who competes by the rules, and a hardworking farmer who gets the first share of the crops. He points to “Jesus Christ, risen from the dead,” for whom he suffers as a criminal, though “the word of God is not bound,” enduring everything “for the sake of the elect.” He cites a trustworthy saying: “if we have died with him, we will also live with him... if we are faithless, he remains faithful.” Timothy is to avoid quarrels and be “a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth,” to flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, and to correct opponents with gentleness, that God may grant them repentance.