We are international students and scholars from all over the world and American Christians who meet together for friendship, intercultural exchange, sharing of ideas and understanding of the Christian faith. TIF is a ministry of Tenth Presbyterian Church in the heart of Philadelphia.
1 Paul, an
apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the
promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my dear son:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our
Lord.
Thanksgiving
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors
did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you
in my prayers.4 Recalling your tears, I long to see
you, so that I may be filled with joy.5 I am
reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois
and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame
the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the
Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love
and self-discipline. 8 So do not be
ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his
prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power
of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a
holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own
purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning
of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the
appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and
has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of
this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a
teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is
no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced
that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
13 What you heard from me, keep as the
pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the
good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy
Spirit who lives in us.
Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty
15 You know that everyone in the province of
Asia has deserted me,including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of
Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my
chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he
searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the
Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know
very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
2 Timothy 2New
International Version (NIV)
The Appeal Renewed
2 You then, my
son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things
you have heard me say in the presence of many witnessesentrust to
reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in
suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving
as a 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.
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 elect, that they too may obtain
the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
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
disown himself.
Dealing With False Teachers
14 Keep reminding God’s 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
departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken
place,
and they destroy the faith of some. 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.”
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.
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, 2']
6 and that they will come to their
senses and escape from the trap of the devil,
Tenth International Fellowship has its own Sunday service at 11am, currently being held in Fellowship Hall at Tenth Presbyterian Church, 17th and Delancey. Please email tif@tenth.org for up to date location information. See you there!
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