THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO TIMOTHY
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
2:17. And their speech spreadeth like a canker: of whom are Hymeneus and Philetus:
2:18. Who have erred from the truth, saying that the resurrection is past already, and have subverted the faith of some.
2:19. But the sure foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal: the Lord knoweth who are his; and let every one depart from iniquity who nameth the name of the Lord.
2:20. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth: and some indeed unto honour, but some unto dishonour.
2:21. If any man therefore shall cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and profitable to the Lord, prepared unto every good work.
2:22. But flee thou youthful desires, and pursue justice, faith, charity and peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2:23. And avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they beget strifes.
2:24. But the servant of the Lord must not wrangle: but be mild toward all men, apt to teach, patient,
2:25. With modesty admonishing them that resist the truth: if peradventure God may give them repentance to know the truth;
2:26. And they may recover themselves from the snares of the devil by whom they are held captive at his will.
2 Timothy Chapter 3
The character of heretics of latter days. He exhorts Timothy to constancy. Of the great profit of the knowledge of the scriptures.
3:1. Know also this, that in the last days shall come dangerous times.
3:2. Men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked,
3:3. Without affection, without peace, slanderers, incontinent, unmerciful, without kindness,
3:4. Traitors, stubborn, puffed up, and lovers of pleasure more than of God:
3:5. Having an appearance indeed of godliness but denying the power thereof. Now these avoid.
3:6. For of these sort are they who creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins, who are led away with divers desires:
3:7. Ever learning, and never attaining to the knowledge of the truth.
3:8. Now as Jannes and Mambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.
Jannes and Mambres... The magicians of king Pharao.
3:9. But they shall proceed no farther: for their folly shall be manifest to all men, as theirs also was.
3:10. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience,
3:11. Persecutions, afflictions: such as came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra: what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me.
3:12. And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
3:13. But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse: erring, and driving into error,
3:14. But continue thou in those things which thou hast learned and which have been committed to thee. Knowing of whom thou hast learned them:
3:15. And because from thy infancy thou hast known the holy scriptures which can instruct thee to salvation by the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
3:16. All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice:
All scripture,... Every part of divine scripture is certainly profitable for all these ends. But, if we would have the whole rule of Christian faith and practice, we must not be content with those Scriptures, which Timothy knew from his infancy, that is, with the Old Testament alone: nor yet with the New Testament, without taking along with it the traditions of the apostles, and the interpretation of the church, to which the apostles delivered both the book, and the true meaning of it.
3:17. That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.
2 Timothy Chapter 4
His charge to Timothy. He tells him of his approaching death and desires him to come to him.
4:1. I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming and his kingdom:
4:2. Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine.
4:3. For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers having itching ears:
4:4. And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables.
4:5. But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be sober.
An evangelist... a diligent preacher of the gospel.
4:6. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand.