2 Timothy 2:14-26 - A Worker Approved To God And Not Ashamed

¹⁴ These things represent, conjuring them by the presence of the Lord, to avoid disputes about words, which only serve to pervert the audience. ¹⁵ endeavour to approve yourself to God, as an artist that is not afraid of reproach, by rightly explaining the word of truth. ¹⁶ discountenance such as hold vain irreligious discourse; for they will grow bold in impiety, ¹⁷ and their doctrine will spread like the gangrene. Hymeneus and Philetus are such: ¹⁸ they have deserted the faith themselves, and debauch'd the faith of others, by maintaining, "the resurrection is already past." ¹⁹ however, the foundation of the divine architect is still immoveable, having this inscription, " the Lord discerns who are his." and, " let every one that invokes the name of the Lord, depart from iniquity."

²⁰ in a palace there are vessels not only of gold, and of silver, but of wood and of earth likewise: some are for honourable uses, and others for meaner purposes. ²¹ he that is clear of vice, is a vessel of the first kind, sanctified and fit for the master's use, and qualified for every virtuous action.

²² Avoid the passions of youth. pursue justice, fidelity, benevolence and concord with all sincere christians. ²³ decline all impertinent barren disputes, since they only serve for contention. ²⁴ a christian must not be litigious, but easy to all men, qualify'd to instruct, ²⁵ with great temper and meekness informing those, who differ in opinion; because he does not know, but God may change their minds, by convincing them of the truth. ²⁶ and so they may rouze out of the snare of the devil, who leads them captive at his discretion.