Bible Gateway passage: 2 Timothy 2 - New International Version (2024)

FAQs

What is the NIV version of 2 Timothy 2 22? ›

ESV So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. NIV 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.

Paul writes to Timothy in order to encourage him. Paul is facing the worst of all hardships: his own impending death. So, he encourages Timothy to stand strong in his faith, with a reliance on the written Word of God. This letter echoes many of the themes Paul uses in his other letters.

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.

1 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 witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 23 Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.

In the Bible, two is the number of a “faithful witness,” or someone who is set apart for God. Also worth noting, the word “wisdom” is mentioned 222 times in scripture. Lastly, Acts 2:22 is the only scripture in the whole of the Bible that mentions “signs, miracles and wonders” in the same verse.

Paul's Second Epistle to Timothy emphasizes the power that comes from having a testimony of Jesus Christ (see 2 Timothy 1:7–8). It also contains a prophecy of the “perilous times” that would exist in the days of Paul and Timothy as well as in the last days (see 2 Timothy 3:1–7).

2 Timothy 2:5. The apostle takes this metaphor from athletics. He advises Timothy that, if he is striving to win in his ministry, he will not be crowned unless he disciplines himself to follow the rules.

Verse 21 would then mean that the individual who cleanses himself from "the latter" (perhaps false teachings) will be "an instrument for noble purposes." He will be "made holy", will be "useful to the Master," and will be "prepared to do any good work." Both of these interpretations seem valid.

What is a good verse in 2 Timothy? ›

2 Timothy 1:7: "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy 2:15: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

In his Second Epistle to Timothy, Paul taught that fear does not come from God and counseled Timothy to be unashamed of his testimony of Jesus Christ. Paul encouraged Timothy to faithfully endure trials and instructed him to teach the Saints to repent.

[1] Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. [2] 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. [3] Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

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.

Suffering—enduring hardship for the sake of Christ—was the expectation of the person who sought to live fully for God. Timothy was to suffer "as a good soldier of Christ Jesus." Paul did not have violence in mind, but rather the attitude of a well-trained soldier.

In 2 Timothy 2:22, Paul didn't just tell us to “flee youthful lusts” without any idea of where to go. He went on to say, “Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace.” To pursue means to seek, search out, follow, or run after—another definite, active word. On one hand, we must flee something terrible: youthful lusts.

Isaiah 2:22 in Other Translations

22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? 22 Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he? 22 Don't put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath.

He was referring to strong uncontrolled desires that are characteristic of the young and immature but may continue throughout life without the Holy Spirit's guidance.

The phrase “new wine” is used frequently in the Old Testament, and it most often refers to earthly prosperity (especially when paired with “grain). That is to mean, “tokens of the blessing of God,” which prospers one with wealth (The Illustrated Bible Dictionary: Vol. 3).