1 P aul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,

This letter is from Paul, a missionary of Jesus Christ. God has sent me to tell that He has promised life that lasts forever through Christ Jesus.

2 t o Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am writing to you, Timothy. You are my much-loved son. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you His loving-favor and loving-kindness and peace. Timothy’s Special Gift

3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of thee in my supplications, night and day

I thank God for you. I pray for you night and day. I am working for God the way my early fathers worked. My heart says I am free from sin.

4 l onging to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

When I remember your tears, it makes me want to see you. That would fill me with joy.

5 h aving been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in thee also.

I remember your true faith. It is the same faith your grandmother Lois had and your mother Eunice had. I am sure you have that same faith also.

6 F or which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands.

For this reason, I ask you to keep using the gift God gave you. It came to you when I laid my hands on you and prayed that God would use you.

7 F or God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.

For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.

8 B e not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God;

Do not be ashamed to tell others about what our Lord said, or of me here in prison. I am here because of Jesus Christ. Be ready to suffer for preaching the Good News and God will give you the strength you need.

9 w ho 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 us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,

He is the One Who saved us from the punishment of sin. He is the One Who chose us to do His work. It is not because of anything we have done. But it was His plan from the beginning that He would give us His loving-favor through Christ Jesus.

10 b ut hath now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

We know about it now because of the coming of Jesus Christ, the One Who saves. He put a stop to the power of death and brought life that never dies which is seen through the Good News.

11 w hereunto I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.

I have been chosen to be a missionary and a preacher and a teacher of this Good News.

12 F or which 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 unto him against that day.

For this reason, I am suffering. But I am not ashamed. I know the One in Whom I have put my trust. I am sure He is able to keep safe that which I have trusted to Him until the day He comes again.

13 H old the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Keep all the things I taught you. They were given to you in the faith and love of Jesus Christ.

14 T hat good thing which was committed unto thee guard through the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us.

Keep safe that which He has trusted you with by the Holy Spirit Who lives in us. Onesiphorus Was Faithful

15 T his thou knowest, that all that are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

I am sure you have heard that all the Christians in the countries of Asia have turned away from me. Phygelus and Hermogenes turned away also.

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

Onesiphorus was not ashamed of me in prison. He came often to comfort me. May the Lord show loving-kindness to his family.

17 b ut, when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me

When he came to Rome, he looked everywhere until he found me.

18 ( the Lord grant unto him to find mercy of the Lord in that day); and in how many things he ministered at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

You know what a help he was to me in Ephesus. When the Lord comes again, may He show loving-kindness to Onesiphorus.