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Monday, July 21st, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Good News Translation

2 Timothy 2:9

Because I preach the Good News, I suffer and I am even chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not in chains,

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Minister, Christian;   Paul;   Persecution;   Word of God;   Zeal, Religious;   Thompson Chain Reference - Bonds, Paul's;   Church;   Imprisonment;   Jews;   Leaders;   Ministers;   Paul;   Paul's;   Persecution;   Religious;   Suffering for Righteousness' S;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Afflictions Made Beneficial;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Rome;   Timothy, letters to;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Evangelize, Evangelism;   Gospel;   Paul the Apostle;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Timothy;   Timothy, the Second Epistle to;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Fetter;   Titus, Epistle to;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Chain, Bonds;   Confession;   Guard;   Malefactor;   Paul;   Suffering;   Timothy and Titus Epistles to;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Versions of the Scripture, Ancient;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Paul;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Hard;   Pastoral Epistles, the;   Suffering;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for December 21;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound.
King James Version (1611)
Wherein I suffer trouble as an euill doer, euen vnto bonds: but the word of God is not bound.
King James Version
Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
English Standard Version
for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!
New American Standard Bible
for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.
New Century Version
and I am suffering because of it to the point of being bound with chains like a criminal. But God's teaching is not in chains.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.
Legacy Standard Bible
for which I endure hardship even to chains as a criminal. But the word of God has not been chained.
Berean Standard Bible
for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!
Contemporary English Version
And because of this message, I am locked up in jail and treated like a criminal. But God's good news isn't locked in jail,
Complete Jewish Bible
and for which I am suffering to the point of being bound in chains — but the Word of God is not bound in chains!
Darby Translation
in which I suffer even unto bonds as an evil-doer: but the word of God is not bound.
Easy-to-Read Version
And because I tell that message, I am suffering. I am even bound with chains like someone who has really done wrong. But God's message is not bound.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Wherein I suffer trouble as an euill doer, euen vnto bondes: but the worde of God is not bounde.
George Lamsa Translation
Because of him I suffer hardship, even to bonds like a malefactor; but the word of God is not restricted.
Lexham English Bible
in connection with which I suffer misfortune to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but the word of God is not bound.
Literal Translation
in which I suffer ill as an evildoer, unto bonds; but the Word of God has not been bound.
Amplified Bible
for that [gospel] I am suffering even to [the point of] wearing chains like a criminal; but the word of God is not chained or imprisoned!
American Standard Version
wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.
Bible in Basic English
In which I put up with the hardest conditions, even prison chains, like one who has done a crime; but the word of God is not in chains.
Hebrew Names Version
in which I suffer hardship to bonds, as a criminal. But God's word isn't bound.
International Standard Version
Because of it I am experiencing trouble, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. However, God's word is not chained.Acts 9:16; 28:31; Ephesians 3:1; 6:19-20; Philippians 1:7,13-14; Colossians 4:3,18; 2 Timothy 1:12;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
for which I endure evils unto bonds, as an evil-doer: but the word of Aloha is not bound.
Murdock Translation
in which I suffer evils unto bonds, as if an evil-doer: but the word of God is not in bonds.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Wherin I suffer trouble as an euyll doer, euen vnto bondes: But the worde of God is not bounde.
English Revised Version
wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.
World English Bible
in which I suffer hardship to bonds, as a criminal. But God's word isn't bound.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
as an evil-doer, but the word of God is not bound.
Weymouth's New Testament
For preaching the Good News I suffer, and am even put in chains, as if I were a criminal: yet the word of God is not imprisoned.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
aftir my gospel, in which Y trauele `til to boondis, as worching yuele, but the word of God is not boundun.
Update Bible Version
wherein I suffer hardship to bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.
Webster's Bible Translation
In which I suffer trouble, as an evil-doer, [even] to bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
New English Translation
for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God's message is not imprisoned!
New King James Version
for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
New Living Translation
And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.
New Life Bible
I suffer much and am in prison as one who has done something very bad. I am in chains, but the Word of God is not chained.
New Revised Standard
for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
In which I am suffering hardship, even unto bonds, as an evil-doer; but, the word of God, is not bound.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer. But the word of God is not bound.
Revised Standard Version
the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
wherin I suffre trouble as an evyll doar even vnto bondes. But the worde of god was not bounde.
Young's Literal Translation
in which I suffer evil -- unto bonds, as an evil-doer, but the word of God hath not been bound;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
where in I suffre as an euell doer euen vnto bandes: but the worde of God is not bounde.
Mace New Testament (1729)
for which I suffer even the chains of a malefactor: but the word of God is not so confin'd.
Simplified Cowboy Version
And because I tell others this good news, I have ended up shackled like a dog. But God's word breaks every chain.

Contextual Overview

8 Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from death, who was a descendant of David, as is taught in the Good News I preach. 9 Because I preach the Good News, I suffer and I am even chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not in chains, 10 and so I endure everything for the sake of God's chosen people, in order that they too may obtain the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus and brings eternal glory. 11 This is a true saying: "If we have died with him, we shall also live with him. 12 If we continue to endure, we shall also rule with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. 13 If we are not faithful, he remains faithful, because he cannot be false to himself."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I suffer: 2 Timothy 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:16, Acts 9:16

as: Ephesians 6:20, 1 Peter 2:12, 1 Peter 2:14, 1 Peter 3:16, 1 Peter 4:15

even: Acts 28:31, Ephesians 6:19, Ephesians 6:20, Philippians 1:12-14, 2 Thessalonians 3:1

but: Ephesians 3:1, Philippians 1:7, Colossians 4:3, Colossians 4:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 39:20 - into the prison Ezra 1:11 - five thousand Proverbs 27:17 - so Jeremiah 33:1 - he Jeremiah 36:5 - General Jeremiah 37:21 - Thus Jeremiah 39:15 - while Jeremiah 43:8 - General Matthew 27:2 - bound John 7:13 - spake Acts 4:4 - many Acts 6:7 - the word Acts 16:23 - they cast Acts 21:11 - So shall Acts 28:20 - this chain 2 Corinthians 6:5 - imprisonments 2 Corinthians 11:23 - in prisons Colossians 1:24 - fill 1 Timothy 4:10 - therefore Hebrews 10:34 - in my Hebrews 11:36 - bonds

Cross-References

Genesis 2:8
Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the East, and there he put the man he had formed.
Genesis 2:9
He made all kinds of beautiful trees grow there and produce good fruit. In the middle of the garden stood the tree that gives life and the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad.
Genesis 2:17
except the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad. You must not eat the fruit of that tree; if you do, you will die the same day."
Genesis 3:3
"except the tree in the middle of it. God told us not to eat the fruit of that tree or even touch it; if we do, we will die."
Deuteronomy 6:25
If we faithfully obey everything that God has commanded us, he will be pleased with us.'
Proverbs 3:18
Those who become wise are happy; wisdom will give them life.
Proverbs 11:30
Righteousness gives life, but violence takes it away.
Isaiah 44:25
I make fools of fortunetellers and frustrate the predictions of astrologers. The words of the wise I refute and show that their wisdom is foolishness.
Isaiah 47:10
"You felt sure of yourself in your evil; you thought that no one could see you. Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray, and you said to yourself, ‘I am God— there is no one else like me.'
Ezekiel 31:16
When I send it down to the world of the dead, the noise of its downfall will shake the nations. All the trees of Eden and all the choice, well-watered trees of Lebanon who have gone to the world below will be pleased at its downfall.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Wherein I suffer trouble as an evildoer,.... As a malefactor, as if guilty of some capital crime; an enemy to the law of Moses, a pestilent fellow, a mover of sedition everywhere, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, Acts 24:5. The Ethiopic version renders it, "as a thief". The "trouble" he suffered were reproaches, persecutions, whipping, beating, stoning, imprisonment: for he adds,

even unto bonds; for he was now a prisoner, and in chains; nor was it the first time, he was in prisons frequent; and all this for the sake of the Gospel, which he preached, concerning the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ:

but the word of God is not bound; for the apostle, while a prisoner at Rome, had the liberty of dwelling by himself, in his own hired house, though held in chains, and guarded by a soldier, and of receiving his friends, and of preaching the Gospel to as many as would come to hear him, Acts 28:16 as well as of sending letters to the churches; for several of his epistles were written by him when a prisoner, as those to the Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians; and this to Timothy, and also that to Philemon: so that the Gospel was not restrained, or the apostle restrained from publishing it, both by word of mouth, and by writing; which was a great support to him under his troubles. Moreover, the Gospel was the more spread through the bonds of the apostle, and met with great success; it became known in Caesar's palace, and was the means of the conversion of some of his household; and many of the brethren, through his bonds, became bolder to preach the Gospel of Christ; so that it had a free course, and was glorified: and sometimes so it is, that persecution is a means of the greater spread of the Gospel; which was an effect that followed upon the persecution raised against the church at Jerusalem, upon the death of Stephen, Acts 8:1. And indeed, when God opens an effectual door, none can shut it, though there be many adversaries; and when he gives the word a commission, there is no stopping it; when it comes in power, it bears down all before it; it cannot be fettered and bound by men, though men may be fettered and bound for the sake of it.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil-doer - as if I were a violator of the laws. That is, I am treated as if I were a criminal.

Even unto bonds - As if I were one of the words kind of malefactors; see the notes at Ephesians 6:20. During the apostle’s first imprisonment at Rome, he was permitted to “dwell in his own hired house,” though guarded by a soldier, and probably chained to him; see the notes at Acts 28:16, Acts 28:30. What was his condition in his second imprisonment, during which this Epistle was written, we have no means of knowing with certainty. It is probable, however, that he was subjected to much more rigid treatment than he had been in the first instance. The tradition is, that he and Peter were together in the Mamertine prison at Rome; and the place is still shown in which it is said that they were confined. The Mamertine prisons are of great antiquity. According to Livy, they were constructed by Ancus Martius, and enlarged by Servius Tullius. The lower prison is supposed to have been once a quarry, and to have been at one time occupied as a granary. These prisons are on the descent of the Capitoline Mount, toward the Forum. They consist of two apartments, one over the other, built with large, uncemented stones. There is no entrance to either, except by a small aperture in the roof, and by a small hole in the upper floor, leading to the cell below, without any staircase to either. The upper prison is twenty-seven feet long, by twenty wide; the lower one is elliptical, and measures twenty feet by ten. In the lower one is a small spring, which is said at Rome to have arisen at the command of Peter, to enable him to baptize his keepers, Processus and Martianus, with 47 companions, whom he converted. No certain reliance can be placed on any part of this tradition, though in itself there is no improbability in supposing that these prisons may have been used for confining Christians, and the apostle Paul among others. Dr. Burton says that a more horrible place for the confinement of a human being can scarcely be conceived.

But the word of God is not bound - This is one of Paul’s happy turns of thought; compare the notes at Acts 26:29. The meaning is plain. The gospel was prospered. that could not be lettered and imprisoned. It circulated with freedom. even when he who was appointed to preach it was in chains; see Philippians 1:13-14. As this was the great matter, his own imprisonment was of comparatively little consequence. What may befall us is of secondary importance. The grand thing is the triumph of truth on the earth; and well may we bear privations and sorrows, if the gospel moves on in triumph.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 9. Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer — This verse contains one of the proofs that this epistle was written while St. Paul was a prisoner the second time at Rome. See the preface, where this is particularly considered.


 
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