Grace and Perseverance
(Hebrews 12:1-3)
1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
The Lord's Approved Workman
14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Grace and Perseverance
(Hebrews 12:1–3)
1 You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 5 Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules. 6 The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Good News, 9 in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 This saying is faithful:
“For if we died with him, we will also live with him.
12 If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can’t deny himself.”
The Lord’s Approved Workman
14 Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear. 15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. 16 But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness, 17 and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. 19 However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”
20 Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. 21 If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. 24 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, 25 in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.
Grace and Perseverance
(Hebrews 12:1–3)
1 You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And 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.
3 Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him. 5 Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel, 9 for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained! 10 For 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.
11 This is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with Him,
we will also live with Him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with Him;
if we deny Him,
He will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless,
He remains faithful,
for He cannot deny Himself.
The Lord’s Approved Workman
14 Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God a to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
15 Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
16 But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness, 17 and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” b and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
20 A 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. 21 So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, c he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.
22 Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. 25 He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.
Footnotes:
14 a SBL, BYZ, and TR the Lord
19 b Numbers 16:5 (see also LXX)
21 c Literally cleanses himself of these
Grace and Perseverance
(Hebrews 12:1-3)
1Thou, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2and the things that thou didst hear from me through many witnesses, these things be committing to stedfast men, who shall be sufficient also others to teach; 3thou, therefore, suffer evil as a good soldier of Jesus Christ; 4no one serving as a soldier did entangle himself with the affairs of life, that him who did enlist him he may please; 5and if also any one may strive, he is not crowned, except he may strive lawfully; 6the labouring husbandman it behoveth first of the fruits to partake; 7be considering what things I say, for the Lord give to thee understanding in all things.
8Remember Jesus Christ, raised out of the dead, of the seed of David, according to my good news, 9in which I suffer evil -- unto bonds, as an evil-doer, but the word of God hath not been bound; 10because of this all things do I endure, because of the choice ones, that they also salvation may obtain that is in Christ Jesus, with glory age-during.
11Stedfast is the word: For if we died together -- we also shall live together;
12if we do endure together -- we shall also reign together; if we deny him, he also shall deny us;
13if we are not stedfast, he remaineth stedfast; to deny himself he is not able.
The Lord's Approved Workman
14These things remind them of, testifying fully before the Lord -- not to strive about words to nothing profitable, but to the subversion of those hearing; 15be diligent to present thyself approved to God -- a workman irreproachable, rightly dividing the word of the truth; 16and the profane vain talkings stand aloof from, for to more impiety they will advance, 17and their word as a gangrene will have pasture, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18who concerning the truth did swerve, saying the rising again to have already been, and do overthrow the faith of some; 19sure, nevertheless, hath the foundation of God stood, having this seal, 'The Lord hath known those who are His,' and 'Let him depart from unrighteousness -- every one who is naming the name of Christ.'
20And in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some to honour, and some to dishonour: 21if, then, any one may cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified and profitable to the master -- to every good work having been prepared, 22and the youthful lusts flee thou, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those calling upon the Lord out of a pure heart; 23and the foolish and uninstructed questions be avoiding, having known that they beget strife, 24and a servant of the Lord it behoveth not to strive, but to be gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient under evil, 25in meekness instructing those opposing -- if perhaps God may give to them repentance to an acknowledging of the truth, 26and they may awake out of the devil's snare, having been caught by him at his will.
A Call to Endurance and Faithfulness
¹ So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. ³ Endure suffering along with me, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷ Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
Remember Jesus and His Resurrection
⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹ for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained! ¹⁰ Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the chosen ones, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
A Trustworthy Saying
¹¹ Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with Him,
we will also live with Him;
¹² if we endure,
we will also reign with Him.
If we disown Him,
He will also disown us;
¹³ if we are faithless,
He remains faithful,
for He cannot deny Himself.
Warnings Against Quarrels and False Teaching
¹⁴ Keep reminding people of these things! Warn them before God against quarreling about words—it is of no value and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. ¹⁶ Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
God’s Firm Foundation
¹⁹ Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
Instruments for Noble Purposes
²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹ Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work.
Flee Evil Desires and Pursue Righteousness
²² Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Footnotes:
1.“Endure suffering” (verse 3) uses the Greek verb synkakopatheo, which means to share in or suffer together. Paul is calling Timothy to join him in the hardships of the gospel as a soldier would in battle.
2.“No soldier gets entangled” (verse 4) refers to staying focused on the mission. The metaphor emphasizes a soldier’s undivided loyalty to his commanding officer, symbolizing the Christian’s devotion to Jesus.
3.“Reflect on what I am saying” (verse 7) is an encouragement to deep meditation on the message. The Greek verb noeo implies more than casual reflection—it demands serious, insightful consideration of spiritual truths.
4.“Correctly handles the word of truth” (verse 15) uses the Greek word orthotomeo, meaning to cut straight or rightly divide. Paul urges Timothy to interpret and teach the gospel accurately and truthfully.
5.“God’s solid foundation” (verse 19) refers to the unshakable truth and trustworthiness of God’s covenant with His people. The phrase calls to mind the certainty of God’s promises and His intimate knowledge of those who are truly His.
6.“Cleanse themselves” (verse 21) speaks of moral and spiritual purity. The Greek verb ekkathairo means to thoroughly clean out, suggesting the need for deep cleansing to be set apart for God’s work.
7.“Flee the evil desires of youth” (verse 22) is a reminder that youthful passions, such as pride and impulsiveness, can be destructive. Paul encourages Timothy to pursue godly virtues and to align with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.
