English: Easy to Read Version

[1] 1:1 apostle A follower of Jesus chosen to represent him in a special way. During his earthly ministry, Jesus named twelve men as apostles, to whom he gave the specific responsibility and authority to represent him and proclaim his message throughout the world. Later, he appeared to Paul and gave him a similar commission, especially to non-Jewish people. Barnabas, Paul's missionary companion, and James, the brother of Jesus, are also called apostles, as well as several others in the New Testament. Some of these occurrences of the word, however, have the more general sense of "messenger" or "emissary."

[2] 1:3 ancestors Literally, "fathers," meaning a person's parents, grandparents, and all the other people that person is descended from. In the New Testament it usually refers to people who lived during Old Testament times.

[3] 1:6 laid my hands on This act was a way of asking God to bless people in a special way-here, to give Timothy power for a special work.

[4] 1:7 Spirit See "Holy Spirit."

[5] 1:8 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[6] 1:9 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God's people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.

[7] 1:9 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[8] 1:11 apostle A follower of Jesus chosen to represent him in a special way. During his earthly ministry, Jesus named twelve men as apostles, to whom he gave the specific responsibility and authority to represent him and proclaim his message throughout the world. Later, he appeared to Paul and gave him a similar commission, especially to non-Jewish people. Barnabas, Paul's missionary companion, and James, the brother of Jesus, are also called apostles, as well as several others in the New Testament. Some of these occurrences of the word, however, have the more general sense of "messenger" or "emissary."

[9] 1:12 Day The day Christ will come to judge everyone and take his people to live with him. Also in verse 18.

[10] 1:15 Asia The geographical area, sometimes called Asia Minor, that is now the western part of modern Turkey.

[11] 2:1 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[12] 2:8 David King of Israel about 1000 years before Christ.

[13] 2:8 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[14] 2:10 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[15] 2:19 Quote from Num. 16:5.

[16] 2:21 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God's people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.

[17] 3:8 Jannes and Jambres Probably the magicians who opposed Moses in Pharaoh's court. See Ex. 7:11-12, 22.

[18] 3:8 Moses One of the most important leaders of the Israelites during the time of the Old Testament. God used him to give the people his law, which is often called "the law of Moses."

[19] 3:11 persecution The act of persecuting or being persecuted. See "persecute."

[20] 3:15 Holy Scriptures Writings that Jews and followers of Christ accepted to be from God-the Old Testament.

[21] 4:1 kingdom See "God's kingdom."

[22] 4:2 message See "Good News."

[23] 4:5 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[24] 4:8 crown Literally, "wreath," a ring of leaves or branches that was placed on the head of the winners of athletic contests to honor them. It is a symbol of victory and reward.

[25] 4:8 Day The day Christ will come to judge everyone and take his people to live with him.

[26] 4:13 parchment Something like paper made from the skins of sheep and used for writing on.

[27] 4:17 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[28] 4:18 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[29] 4:18 Amen A Hebrew word meaning "That's right," "True," or "Yes." It is used to express strong agreement with what has been said.

[30] 4:22 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.