Maintain Good Deeds

¹Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey them, to be ready for every good work,[#Ecc 10:4; #2Ti 2:21]

²to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, but gentle, showing all humility toward everyone.[#1Ti 3:3; 2Ti 2:24–25]

³We also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various desires and pleasures, living in evil and envy, filled with hatred and hating each other.[#Col 3:7]

⁴But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward mankind appeared,[#Titus 2:10–11]

⁵not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of rebirth and the renewal of the Holy Spirit,[#Ro 12:2; 1Pe 3:21]

⁶whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,[#Joel 2:28; Ro 5:5]

⁷so that, being justified by His grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.[#Ro 8:17; Titus 1:2]

⁸This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you constantly to affirm, so that those who have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to everyone.[#1Ti 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2Ti 2:11; #Titus 2:14]

⁹But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, contentions, and arguments about the law, for they are unprofitable and useless.[#2Ti 2:14, 23]

¹⁰Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,[#Ro 16:17; 2Jn 10]

¹¹knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

Instructions and Greetings

¹²When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, be diligent to come to me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.[#Ac 20:4; #2Ti 4:9]

¹³Diligently send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey. See that they lack nothing.[#Ac 18:24]

¹⁴And let our people also learn to continue doing good works to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unproductive.[#Php 1:11; Col 1:10]

¹⁵All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all. Amen.