2 Timothy · 26 verses
2 Timothy 2
Every verse links to the people and places named in it, and to the passages readers connect it with.
The chapter
What happens here
Atlas's own reading, written from this chapter and nothing else, and published only once a person has approved it. Each scene names the verses it covers; the names inside it link to the people and places they name.
A man chained like a criminal declares that God's word cannot be chained, and the argument is allowed to stand there, gloriously refusing the same fate.
Strength, work, and the unchained wordvv. 1–13
The speaker addresses his child, handing on what was heard among witnesses and setting three figures marching past: soldier, competitor, farmer. Then comes the centrepiece: Jesus Christ, raised from the dead and descended from David, belongs to the gospel for which the speaker is chained. The chain is his; the word is not. A solemn saying follows, with its neat succession of dying, living, enduring, reigning, denying, and faithlessness—though even faithlessness meets a faithful Christ who cannot deny Himself.
Words that spread, and a house full of vesselsvv. 14–21
The believers are to be warned away from quarrels over words and from irreverent, empty chatter. The chatter has a remarkably bodily destiny: it spreads like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are named as men who have deviated from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, thereby undermining the faith of some. Yet God's firm foundation stands, while the large house contains vessels of gold and silver alongside wood and clay—some honourable, some common. A person who cleanses himself of what is unfit becomes a vessel for honour, useful and prepared.
The servant and the snarevv. 22–26
The final movement turns from vessels to conduct: flee youthful passions, pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, and reject foolish speculation because it breeds quarrelling. The servant of the Lord must be kind, teachable, forbearing, and gentle with opponents. The desired ending is not victory in an argument but repentance, knowledge of the truth, and escape from the devil's snare—though the devil is described as having taken them captive to his will, which is a fairly grim net beneath the quiet manners.
The text
Read it
Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Names the Hebrew and Greek put in the verse link to the person, place or people they name; the address beside each verse is a link to that verse, which is what a reader copies and shares.
2 Tim 2:1You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Tim 2:2And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.
2 Tim 2:3Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Tim 2:4A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
2 Tim 2:5Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Tim 2:6The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.
2 Tim 2:7Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.
2 Tim 2:8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel,
2 Tim 2:9for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!
2 Tim 2:10For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
2 Tim 2:11This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
2 Tim 2:12if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
2 Tim 2:13if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
2 Tim 2:14Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
2 Tim 2:15Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
2 Tim 2:16But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
2 Tim 2:17and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
2 Tim 2:18who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.
2 Tim 2:19Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
2 Tim 2:20A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use.
2 Tim 2:21So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.
2 Tim 2:22Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Tim 2:23But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
2 Tim 2:24And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.
2 Tim 2:25He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
2 Tim 2:26Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.
01 — Also here
Who else the chapter reaches
Names written in the English are linked in the text above. These are the ones that are not: an entity the Hebrew or Greek names under a spelling the translation does not use, or one reached only by an assertion about a verse of this chapter.
Reached by an assertion Atlas extracted from a verse of this chapter rather than by a name written in it — a pronoun, a title, or a participant the sentence carries without naming. This layer is model-read and measured at 88.6–90.3% precision, and it is kept separate from the names above for that reason.
02 — Read alongside
Where this is echoed
Readers' own connections, from OpenBible's crowd-voted cross-references — agreement about relevance, and not scholarly confidence. 530 passages were voted onto 26 verses of this chapter; the 16 shown lead on votes, and each is listed at the verse it was voted onto most strongly.
- 19John 10:14I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,
- 151 Thessalonians 2:4Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.
- 191 Corinthians 8:3But the one who loves God is known by God.
- 19Nahum 1:7The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.
- 152 Peter 1:10Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,
- 191 John 3:7–10Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.
- 151 Timothy 4:6By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
- 19Numbers 16:5Then he said to Korah and all his followers, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will reveal who belongs to Him and who is holy, and He will bring that person near to Himself. The one He chooses He will bring near to Himself.
- 152 Corinthians 10:18For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
- 152 Corinthians 5:9So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home in this body or away from it.
- 19Luke 13:27And he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.’
- 151 Timothy 4:12–16Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
- 19Colossians 3:5–8Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
- 19Galatians 4:9But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
- 13Numbers 23:19God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
- 15Galatians 1:10Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Onward