Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Parallel translations
- WEB You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
- BSB You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
- NKJV You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
- NASB You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
- NLT Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul exhorts Timothy to be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Spiritual strength for ministry comes from God's grace, not personal resources.
Overview
Turning to direct charge, Paul roots Timothy's endurance in 'the grace that is in Christ Jesus,' the same grace he celebrated in chapter one. The passive 'be strengthened' shows that this empowering is God's gift, received rather than self-generated. Faithful ministry flows from continual dependence on Christ's grace.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 2 Cor 12:9–10And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- Eph 6:10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
- 2 Tim 1:7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
- Phil 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
- 1 Cor 16:13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
- Hag 2:4Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
- 2 Pet 3:18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
- 1 Tim 1:18This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
- Josh 1:7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
- 1 Tim 1:2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
- 2 Tim 1:2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Christ at the center
Christ Jesus 'abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel' — the risen Lord whose word and kingdom endure to the end.
How 2 Timothy 2:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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