2 Timothy 1

Paul greets Timothy, his beloved son, recalling his genuine faith and urging him to stir up his spiritual gift, for God gives a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, not fear. He exhorts Timothy not to be ashamed of the Gospel or Paul's suffering, but to embrace afflictions, trusting in God's grace and the life brought to light by Christ. Paul contrasts the desertion of some with the faithful service of Onesiphorus.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, addresses his dearly beloved son Timothy, extending grace, mercy, and peace. He expresses constant remembrance of Timothy in his prayers, recalling the unfeigned faith that also dwelt in his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. Paul exhorts Timothy to stir up the gift of God within him, received through the laying on of hands, emphasizing that God has not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. He encourages Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of Paul's imprisonment, but to partake in the afflictions of the gospel, according to God's power. Paul reminds Timothy that salvation is by God's purpose and grace, revealed through Christ, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light. Despite his own sufferings, Paul declares he is not ashamed, for he knows whom he has believed and trusts God to keep his commitment. He urges Timothy to hold fast to sound doctrine and guard the good deposit by the Holy Ghost, contrasting the turning away of many in Asia with the faithful refreshment provided by Onesiphorus.

Paul, an apostle by God's will and according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, writes to Timothy, his dearly beloved son, conveying grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. He expresses unceasing gratitude to God, whom he serves with a pure conscience, for his constant remembrance of Timothy in prayers, desiring to see him and be filled with joy. Paul recalls Timothy's unfeigned faith, noting its presence first in his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, and being persuaded it is also in Timothy. Therefore, Paul puts Timothy in remembrance to stir up the gift of God, which is in him by the laying on of Paul's hands, asserting that God has not given a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. He strongly admonishes Timothy not to be ashamed of the Lord's testimony nor of Paul, His prisoner, but to be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. Paul elaborates on God's saving act, calling believers with a holy calling not based on works, but on His own purpose and grace, given in Christ Jesus before time began. This grace has now been made manifest through the appearing of Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this very gospel, Paul is appointed a preacher, apostle, and teacher of the Gentiles, and for this cause, he suffers, yet remains unashamed, for he knows whom he has believed and is persuaded that God is able to keep what he has committed unto Him against that day. Paul instructs Timothy to hold fast the form of sound words he has heard, in faith and love in Christ Jesus, and to keep the good thing committed to him by the Holy Ghost dwelling within. Finally, Paul notes that all in Asia have turned away from him, specifically mentioning Phygellus and Hermogenes. In contrast, he prays for mercy upon the house of Onesiphorus, who often refreshed him, was not ashamed of his chain, diligently sought him out in Rome, and ministered to him in Ephesus.