To Timothy 1
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, according to the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, our hope,
2 To Timothy, a truea child in faith:
Grace, mercy, peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Warning Against False Teachers
3 As I urged you all to remain in Ephesus while I was going to Macedonia in order that I might command some not to teach different doctrine, 4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies which promote questions rather than stewardship of God in the faith, 5 but the endb of our command is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith, 6 these, some, after deviating from, turned away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, not understanding either what they say or the things about which they thoroughly confirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if some use it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just, but the lawless and disobedient, ungodly and sinners, unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and mothers and men, 10 fornicators, homosexuals, slave dealersc, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the gospel of glory of the blessed God with which I was entrusted.
Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners
12 I thankd Him who strengthens me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He counted me faithful, after appointing me into service, 13 previously being a blasphemer, and persecutor and insolent mane. But I received mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief, 14 but the grace of our Lord is exceedingly abundant with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is faithful and worthy of full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the foremost. 16 But for this reason, I received mercy in order that in me, the foremost, Christ Jesus might show allf patience as a pattern to those about to believe in Him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory to the ages of ages. Amen.
18 This command I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made about you in order that you may wage in them good warfare, 19 having faith and good conscience, which some, after rejecting, shipwrecked their faith, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan in order that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Pray for All People
2 I beseech, then, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercession, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all those who are in high positions in order that they may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good and pleasing before God our Savior 4 who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. 5g For there is one God and one mediator of God and man, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the witness to His own time. 7 For this, I was appointed preacher and apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I will, then, the men to pray in every place, lifting holy hands without anger and quarreling; 9 Likewise also, women adorn themselves in modesth apparel with reverencei and self—control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but what is proper for women professing godliness through good works. 11 Women learn in silence in all subjection. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach nor to exercise authority over a man but to be in silence. 13 For Adam first was formed, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceivedj, having become a transgressor. 15 But she will be saved through childbearing — if they remain in faith and love and holiness with self—control.
Qualifications for Overseers
3 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to be a bishopk, he desires a good work. 2 It is necessary, then, for the bishop to be above reproach, a man of one woman, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skilled in teaching, 3 not a drunkard, nor violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, 4 maintaining his own household well, having children in subjection with all gravityl, 5 (but if someone does not know to maintain his house, how will he care for the church of God?) 6 not a new convert in order that he not be puffed up with conceit, falling into the judgment of the devil. 7 But it is also necessary to have a good witness from outsiders in order that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
8 Deaconsm, likewise, must be dignifiedn, not double-tonguedo, not given to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain, 9 having the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And also let them be tested first, then let them minister, being blameless. 11 Women, likewise, be dignified, not devils, sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Deacons be men of one woman, maintaining their children and own household well. 13 For those serving well, gain a good standing for themselves and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
14 These things I write to you, hoping to come to you quickly. 15 But if I delay, you all know how it is necessary to behave in the house of God which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 And we confess, great is the mystery of godliness:
Hep was manifested in flesh,
justified in Spirit,
seen by angels,
preached among nationsq,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
Some Will Depart from the Faith
4 Now, the Spirit expressly says that in later times, some will depart from the faith, devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 in hypocrisy of liars whose consciences have been cauterized, 3 forbidding marriage, requiring abstinence from food that God created to be received with thanks by the faithful and knowr the truth, 4 since everything God created is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. 5 For it is made holy through the word of God and prayer.
A Good Servant of Christ Jesus
6 Putting these things in remembrance to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 But avoid irreverent and silly myths and train yourself for godliness; 8 for bodily exercise for few is profitable, but godliness is profitable for all, having promise of the immediate life and the life coming. 9 The saying is trustworthy and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this we toil and strives because we hope in the living God, who is the savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth but be an example to believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourselves to the public reading of Scripture, to consolation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglectt the gift in you which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands of the elders. 15 Meditate on these things. Be in them in order that your progress may be visible to all. 16 Pay attention to yourself and the teaching. Remainu in this, for by doing so you, will save both yourself and those hearing you.
Instructions for the Church
5 Do not rebukev an elder, but comfort him like a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. 3 Honor widows who are indeed widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, learn first to show godliness to their own household and to pay back a recompense to their parents, for this is pleasing before God. 5 Now the widow indeed, having been left alone, has hoped on God continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self—indulgent, while living, has died. 7 And these things command in order that they may be irreproachable. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives and especially members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years or age, having been a woman of one man, 10 being witnessed of good works: if she brought up children, if she has shown hospitality, if she washed the feet of the saints, if she cared for the afflicted, if she devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse younger widows, for when their passions draw them awayw from Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having judgment because they abandoned their first faith. 13 But at the same time, they learn to be lazy, going around the houses, and not only lazy, but also gossips and busybodiesx, saying things that are not necessary. 14 Therefore, I will younger widows to marry, bear children, manage their households to give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For already some strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, care for them, and the church not be burdenedy in order that the church might care for those who are indeed widows.
17 The elders, having ruled well, be considered worthy of double honor, especially those laboring in word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You will not muzzle an ox while treading out the grain,z” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receiveaa an accusation against an elder except before two or three witnesses. 20 To those sinning, rebuke them before all in order that the rest may also have fear. 21 I charge, before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that you all should keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing according to favoritism. 22 Do not lay on handsab hastily nor take part inac the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but others follow after. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and those that are otherwise are not able to be hidden.
6 As many slaves as are under a yoke, regard their own masters worthy of all honor in order that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those having believing masters must not be disrespectfulad since they are brothers; but rather serve, because they are believers and beloved, partaking of the good service.
False Teachers and True Contentment
Teach and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the soundae words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching according to godliness, 4 he has been puffed up with conceit, understanding nothing, but has an unhealthy craving for controversy and disputes about words out of which come envy, dissension, blasphemy, evil suspicions, 5 constant friction of people, having been corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, supposing gain to be godliness. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we are not able to take anything out. 8 But having food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those willing to be rich fall into temptation and snare and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For a root of all of evil is the love of money which some people desiring were led astray from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and confessed the good confession before many witnesses. 13 I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and Christ Jesus, after witnessing before Pontius Pilate a good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and irreproachable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ 15af which in His time He will show — the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, 16 the only having immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light whom no man saw nor is able to see; to Him be honor and powerag forever. Amen. 17 To the rich in this present age, command them not to be arrogant, nor to have hope on uncertain riches, but on God, richly providing us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, 19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the time to come in order that they may take hold of what is truly life.
20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you, avoiding the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 which some proclaiming, deviated from the faith.
Grace be with you all.