P & 2T
Today is our final of four Sundays reading through Second Timothy, which, for many specific reasons, most critical scholars today seem to regard as a second century writing not from Paul at all. But a Roman Catholic document that I read this morning defends Second Timothy as genuinely Paul's against all arguments to the contrary; though admittedly the Catholic article seems less scholarly critical than it is vigorously defending doctrine. Anyway, take your choice, or, good, better, best, do your own research and make up your own mind.
From the American Standard Version, the entire letter is below in easily readable start to finish format that treats it as the unity it is rather than jumpily, distractingly, artificially broken up into chapters.
Within the text below, today's reading (Proper 25C, 2nd Timothy 4:6-8,16-18) is marked out in [ ] brackets and a different typeface from the rest. As always, my usual grousing, to me the lectionary practice of selecting bits and snippets and lift them out of context to read each Sunday prevents anyone from ever getting a read and grasp of the letter itself. It's an opportunity for everyone's eyes to glaze over. However, there's no changing this old practice, because it conforms to centuries of tradition and goes back to synagogue reading custom. So, anyone who wants more than out of context snippets can either read and study it themselves, or get involved in a program, weekly Bible study, or Sunday school class.
Why this blog content this morning? Makes me happy.
RSF&PTL
T
Second Timothy
1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, 1:2to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
1:3I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day 1:4longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy; 1:5having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in you; which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also.
1:6For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 1:7For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. 1:8Therefore don't be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Gospel according to the power of God, 1:9who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, 1:10but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. 1:11For this, I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 1:12For this cause I suffer also these things.
Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.
1:13Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 1:14That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
1:15This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 1:16May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain, 1:17but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me 1:18(the Lord grant to him to find the Lord's mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.
2:1You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2:2The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 2:3You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2:4No soldier on service entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 2:5Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn't crowned unless he has competed by the rules. 2:6The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops. 2:7Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
2:8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Gospel, 2:9in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God's word isn't chained. 2:10Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones' sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2:11This saying is faithful:
For if we died with him,
We will also live with him.
2:12If we endure,
We will also reign with him.
If we deny him,
He also will deny us.
2:13If we are faithless,
He remains faithful. He can't deny himself.
2:14Remind 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.
2:15Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. 2:16But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness, 2:17and their word will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 2:18men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. 2:19However 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." 2:20Now in a great 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. 2:21If 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.
2:22Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2:23But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. 2:24The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, 2:25in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, 2:26and they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.
3:1But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. 3:2For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3:3without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, 3:4traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 3:5holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. Turn away from these, also. 3:6For of these are those who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 3:7always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 3:8Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. 3:9But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be. 3:10But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, 3:11persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. Out of them all the Lord delivered me. 3:12Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 3:13But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 3:14But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 3:15From infancy, you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. 3:16Every writing inspired by God is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness, 3:17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
4:1I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: 4:2preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching. 4:3For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4:4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables. 4:5But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
4:6 [For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. 4:7I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 4:8From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.] 4:9Be diligent to come to me soon, 4:10for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 4:11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministering. 4:12But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 4:13Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments. 4:14Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works, 4:15of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.
4:16 [At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. 4:17But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 4:18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.]
4:19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. 4:20Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick. 4:21Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. 4:22The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.