Grace and Perseverance (Hebrews 12:1–3)
1 UST As for you,{ Timothy,} you are like my own son. Allow God to make you{ spiritually} stronger as he acts kindly toward you.{ He acts kindly toward you} because he has united you to Jesus the Messiah. BSB BSB: You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 UST You have listened to the things that I teach, and many people have confirmed them to you. You must teach other people those same things. Those people must be trustworthy and good at teaching even more people. BSB BSB: And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.
3 UST You should be willing to let bad things happen to you, as they have happened to me, when you obey Jesus the Messiah. Then, you will be like a good soldier{, who obeys his commander even if bad things happen to him}. BSB BSB: Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 UST { Consider this:} soldiers focus on doing what their commanders want. Because of that, they do not participate in what civilians normally do. BSB BSB: A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
5 UST { Consider this} too: when an athlete disobeys the rules, the referee does not name that athlete the winner. BSB BSB: Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
6 UST { Finally, consider this:} people who labor to grow crops should be the first people to receive some of what they grow. BSB BSB: The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.
7 UST Consider{ the three examples} that I have just written to you. The Lord{ Jesus} will enable you to learn completely what they mean. BSB BSB: Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.
8 UST Focus on Jesus the Messiah, whom God made alive again. He is a descendant of King David. That is the good news that I proclaim. BSB BSB: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel,
9 UST Because I proclaim that good news, bad things happen to me. In fact, I am now in jail, as if I had done something wrong. However, no one can prevent people from hearing the message from God. BSB BSB: for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!
10 UST Because that is true, for the sake of those whom God has chosen, I always persevere{ when bad things happen to me}. That way, God will rescue them, like me, by uniting them to Jesus the Messiah, and they will be glorious forever. BSB BSB: For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11 UST Everyone should trust this statement:“It is as if we died with Jesus when he died. So then, we will also live{ forever} with him. BSB BSB: This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 UST Suppose that we persevere{ when bad things happen to us}. Then we will also rule{ over everything} with him. Suppose that we say that we do not know him. Then he also will say that he does not know us. BSB BSB: if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
13 UST Suppose that we stop being loyal{ to Jesus}. Then he continues to be loyal{ to us}. That is because he always acts based on who he is.” BSB BSB: if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
The Lord’s Approved Workman 14 UST Teach those things again{ to the believers who are with you}. God is listening{ and agreeing with you} as you command them not to debate about what words mean. Debating like that does not help anybody. Further, it harms the people who listen to it. BSB BSB: Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
15 UST Eagerly desire to be a person whom God considers to be acceptable to him.{ To do that,} you should serve God by properly explaining the true message. Then, nothing can disgrace you. BSB BSB: Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
16 UST Do not listen when people say things that mean nothing and that have nothing to do with God. Those people dishonor God more and more. BSB BSB: But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
17 UST Further, what they say will spread as an infectious disease does. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples of such people. BSB BSB: and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 UST These two men have failed to believe and teach what is true. Instead, they claim that God has already made everyone alive again. In this way, they cause some people to stop trusting in{ Jesus}. BSB BSB: who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.
19 UST Despite that, God preserves his people. They are like a building that has a solid foundation, which God has guaranteed with two statements.{ Here is the first statement:}“The Lord{ Jesus} realizes which people belong to him.”{ Here is the second statement:}“Everyone who claims to serve the Lord{ Jesus} must stop doing what is wrong.” BSB BSB: Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
20 UST Consider this example: a wealthy person’ s house contains utensils that someone made out of{ valuable materials like} gold and silver.{ Such a house} also contains utensils that someone made out of{ less valuable materials like} wood and clay. People use the valuable utensils to perform dignified tasks. In contrast, they use the less valuable utensils to perform undignified tasks. BSB BSB: A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use.
21 UST So then, suppose that some people avoid doing what is evil. Those people will be like the utensils that people use to perform dignified tasks. God will set them apart for himself. They will serve God well. God will enable them to do everything that is right. BSB BSB: So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.
22 UST You must avoid desiring the wrong things that young people usually desire. Instead, you should always try to do what is right. You should trust in{ Jesus}. You should love{ others}. You should live peacefully{ with others.}{ You should do those things} along with people who desire what is good and who worship the Lord{ Jesus}. BSB BSB: Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 UST Refuse to discuss controversial issues that uninformed and unwise people care about. You realize that discussing those issues makes people quarrel with each other. BSB BSB: But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
24 UST People who serve the Lord{ Jesus} must not quarrel. Instead, they must be kind to all people. They must be good at teaching others. They must endure when bad things happen to them. BSB BSB: And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.
25 UST They should gently instruct the people who argue against them. Then God may enable those people to stop believing what is wrong and instead understand what is true. BSB BSB: He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
26 UST Previously, Satan was able to control them so that they did what he wanted.{ However, after you instruct them,} Satan may no longer be able to control them, and they may be able to think clearly again. BSB BSB: Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.