You 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.
- KJV Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
- BSB You therefore, my child, 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 12:9–10He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- Eph 6:10Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
- 2 Tim 1:7For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
- Phil 4:13I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
- 1 Cor 16:13Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!
- Hag 2:4Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says Yahweh. ‘Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says Yahweh, ‘and work, for I am with you,’ says Yahweh of Armies.
- 2 Pet 3:18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
- 1 Tim 1:18This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage the good warfare;
- Josh 1:7Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
- 1 Tim 1:2to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 2 Tim 1:2to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.