1 P aul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life 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 son: Grace, mercy and 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 with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers 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 you, even as I recall your tears, so 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 F or I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

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 this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you 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 has not given us a spirit of timidity, 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 T herefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for 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 has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,

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 now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior 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 f or which 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 this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until 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 R etain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

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

14 G uard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.

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

15 Y ou are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among 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 to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains;

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 eagerly searched for me and found me—

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

18 t he Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.

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