So do not be ashamed(A) of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.(B) Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel,(C) by the power of God. He has saved(D) us and called(E) us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done(F) 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(G) through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus,(H) who has destroyed death(I) and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel(J) I was appointed(K) a herald and an apostle and a teacher.(L) 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame,(M) because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard(N) what I have entrusted to him until that day.(O)

13 What you heard from me,(P) keep(Q) as the pattern(R) of sound teaching,(S) with faith and love in Christ Jesus.(T) 14 Guard(U) the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.(V)

Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty

15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia(W) has deserted me,(X) including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus,(Y) because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed(Z) of my chains.(AA) 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!(AB) You know very well in how many ways he helped me(AC) in Ephesus.(AD)

The Appeal Renewed

You then, my son,(AE) be strong(AF) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say(AG) in the presence of many witnesses(AH) entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering,(AI) like a good soldier(AJ) of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown(AK) except by competing according to the rules.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

And 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.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.