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1 Timothy 4-6
New American Standard Bible

Abandonment of Faith

4 But (A)the Spirit explicitly says that (B)in later times some will [a]fall away from the faith, paying attention to (C)deceitful spirits and (D)teachings of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars (E)seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 who (F)forbid marriage and advocate (G)abstaining from foods which (H)God has created to be (I)gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For (J)everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is (K)received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of (L)the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

6 In pointing out these things to (M)the brothers and sisters, you will be a good (N)servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the (O)good doctrine which you (P)have been following. 7 But [b]stay away from (Q)worthless (R)stories that are typical of old women. Rather, [c]discipline yourself for the purpose of (S)godliness; 8 for (T)bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but (U)godliness is beneficial for all things, since it (V)holds promise for the (W)present life and also for the life to come. 9 (X)It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set (Y)our hope on (Z)the living God, who is (AA)the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.

11 [d](AB)Prescribe and teach these things. 12 (AC)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, (AD)love, faith, and purity, show yourself (AE)an example [e]of those who believe. 13 (AF)Until I come, give your attention to the public [f](AG)reading, to exhortation, and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of (AH)prophecy with (AI)the laying on of hands by the [g](AJ)council of elders. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 (AK)Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will (AL)save both yourself and those who hear you.

Honor Widows

5 (AM)Do not sharply rebuke an (AN)older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, and to (AO)the younger men as brothers, 2 to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3 Honor widows who are actually (AP)widows; 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, (AQ)they must first learn to show proper respect for their own family and to give back compensation to their parents; for this is (AR)acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she who is actually a (AS)widow and has been left alone (AT)has set her hope on God, and she continues in (AU)requests and prayers night and day. 6 But she who (AV)indulges herself in luxury is (AW)dead, even while she lives. 7 [h](AX)Give these instructions as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has (AY)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 A widow is to be (AZ)put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been (BA)the wife of one man, 10 having a reputation for (BB)good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has (BC)shown hospitality to strangers, if she (BD)has washed the [i]saints’ feet, if she has (BE)assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to register younger widows, for when they feel (BF)physical desires alienating them from Christ, they want to get married, 12 thereby incurring condemnation, because they have [j]ignored their previous pledge. 13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also they become (BG)gossips and (BH)busybodies, talking about (BI)things not proper to mention. 14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get (BJ)married, have children, (BK)manage their households, and (BL)give the enemy no opportunity for reproach; 15 for some (BM)have already turned away to follow (BN)Satan. 16 If any woman who is a believer (BO)has dependent widows, she must (BP)assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are actually (BQ)widows.

Concerning Elders

17 (BR)The elders who (BS)lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who (BT)work hard [k]at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “(BU)You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing,” and “(BV)The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not accept an accusation against an (BW)elder except on the basis of (BX)two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, (BY)rebuke in the presence of all, (BZ)so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 21 (CA)I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 22 (CB)Do not lay hands upon anyone too quickly and [l]thereby share (CC)responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself [m]free from sin.

23 Do not go on drinking only water, but (CD)use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

24 The sins of some people are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins (CE)follow after. 25 Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and (CF)those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.

Instructions to Those Who Minister

6 (CG)All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor (CH)so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be [n]spoken against. 2 Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are (CI)brothers or sisters, but must serve them all the more, because those who [o]partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. (CJ)Teach and [p]preach these principles.

3 If anyone (CK)advocates a different doctrine and does not [q]agree with (CL)sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine (CM)conforming to godliness, 4 he is (CN)conceited and understands nothing; but he [r]has a sick craving for (CO)controversial questions and (CP)disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between (CQ)people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who (CR)suppose that [s]godliness is a means of gain. 6 (CS)But godliness actually is a means of (CT)great gain when accompanied by (CU)contentment. 7 For (CV)we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. 8 If we (CW)have food and [t]covering, with these we shall be content. 9 (CX)But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and (CY)a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For (CZ)the love of money is a root of all [u]sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have (DA)wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many [v]griefs.

11 But (DB)flee from these things, you (DC)man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, (DD)faith, (DE)love, [w]perseverance, and gentleness. 12 (DF)Fight the good fight of (DG)faith; (DH)take hold of the eternal life (DI)to which you were called, and for which you made the good (DJ)confession in the presence of (DK)many witnesses. 13 (DL)I direct you in the presence of God, who [x]gives life to all things, and of (DM)Christ Jesus, who testified the (DN)good confession (DO)before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without [y]fault or reproach until the (DP)appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will [z]bring about at (DQ)the proper time—He who is (DR)the blessed and (DS)only Sovereign, (DT)the King of [aa]kings and (DU)Lord of [ab]lords, 16 (DV)who alone possesses immortality and (DW)dwells in unapproachable light, (DX)whom [ac]no one has seen or can see. (DY)To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

17 Instruct those who are rich in (DZ)this present world (EA)not to be conceited or to (EB)set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, (EC)who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in (ED)good [ad]works, (EE)to be generous and ready to share, 19 (EF)storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may (EG)take hold of that which is truly life.

20 (EH)Timothy, protect (EI)what has been entrusted to you, avoiding (EJ)worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21 which some have professed and thereby have (EK)gone astray [ae]from (EL)the faith.

(EM)Grace be with you.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 4:1 I.e., apostatize
  2. 1 Timothy 4:7 Or reject
  3. 1 Timothy 4:7 Or train
  4. 1 Timothy 4:11 Or Keep commanding and teaching
  5. 1 Timothy 4:12 Or to
  6. 1 Timothy 4:13 I.e., of Scripture in the church service
  7. 1 Timothy 4:14 Or board of elders
  8. 1 Timothy 5:7 Or Keep commanding
  9. 1 Timothy 5:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  10. 1 Timothy 5:12 Or broken
  11. 1 Timothy 5:17 Lit in word
  12. 1 Timothy 5:22 Lit do not share
  13. 1 Timothy 5:22 Lit pure
  14. 1 Timothy 6:1 Or blasphemed
  15. 1 Timothy 6:2 Or devote themselves to kindness
  16. 1 Timothy 6:2 Lit exhort, urge
  17. 1 Timothy 6:3 Lit come to; or come with
  18. 1 Timothy 6:4 Lit is sick about
  19. 1 Timothy 6:5 Or religion
  20. 1 Timothy 6:8 I.e., any covering for protection, mainly clothing
  21. 1 Timothy 6:10 Lit the evils
  22. 1 Timothy 6:10 Lit pains
  23. 1 Timothy 6:11 Or steadfastness
  24. 1 Timothy 6:13 Or keeps alive
  25. 1 Timothy 6:14 Lit spot
  26. 1 Timothy 6:15 Lit show
  27. 1 Timothy 6:15 Lit those who reign as kings
  28. 1 Timothy 6:15 Lit those who rule as lords
  29. 1 Timothy 6:16 Lit none of mankind
  30. 1 Timothy 6:18 Or deeds
  31. 1 Timothy 6:21 Lit concerning
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1 Timothy 4-6
New International Version

4 The Spirit(A) clearly says that in later times(B) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(C) and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(D) 3 They forbid people to marry(E) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(F) which God created(G) to be received with thanksgiving(H) by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good,(I) and nothing is to be rejected(J) if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God(K) and prayer.

6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith(L) and of the good teaching that you have followed.(M) 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;(N) rather, train yourself to be godly.(O) 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,(P) holding promise for both the present life(Q) and the life to come.(R) 9 This is a trustworthy saying(S) that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,(T) who is the Savior of all people,(U) and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things.(V) 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you(W) because you are young, but set an example(X) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith(Y) and in purity. 13 Until I come,(Z) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,(AA) to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy(AB) when the body of elders(AC) laid their hands on you.(AD)

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save(AE) both yourself and your hearers.

Widows, Elders and Slaves

5 Do not rebuke an older man(AF) harshly,(AG) but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men(AH) as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.(AI) 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents,(AJ) for this is pleasing to God.(AK) 5 The widow who is really in need(AL) and left all alone puts her hope in God(AM) and continues night and day to pray(AN) and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.(AO) 7 Give the people these instructions,(AP) so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied(AQ) the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds,(AR) such as bringing up children, showing hospitality,(AS) washing the feet(AT) of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble(AU) and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies(AV) who talk nonsense,(AW) saying things they ought not to. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry,(AX) to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.(AY) 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.(AZ)

16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.(BA)

17 The elders(BB) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,(BC) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”[b](BD) and “The worker deserves his wages.”[c](BE) 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder(BF) unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.(BG) 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove(BH) before everyone, so that the others may take warning.(BI) 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus(BJ) and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,(BK) and do not share in the sins of others.(BL) Keep yourself pure.(BM)

23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine(BN) because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect,(BO) so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.(BP) 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers.(BQ) Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[d] of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.(BR) 3 If anyone teaches otherwise(BS) and does not agree to the sound instruction(BT) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited(BU) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words(BV) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth(BW) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment(BX) is great gain.(BY) 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.(BZ) 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.(CA) 9 Those who want to get rich(CB) fall into temptation and a trap(CC) and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money(CD) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith(CE) and pierced themselves with many griefs.(CF)

Final Charge to Timothy

11 But you, man of God,(CG) flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,(CH) faith, love,(CI) endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight(CJ) of the faith. Take hold of(CK) the eternal life(CL) to which you were called when you made your good confession(CM) in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate(CN) made the good confession,(CO) I charge you(CP) 14 to keep this command without spot or blame(CQ) until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,(CR) 15 which God will bring about in his own time(CS)—God, the blessed(CT) and only Ruler,(CU) the King of kings and Lord of lords,(CV) 16 who alone is immortal(CW) and who lives in unapproachable light,(CX) whom no one has seen or can see.(CY) To him be honor and might forever. Amen.(CZ)

17 Command those who are rich(DA) in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,(DB) which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,(DC) who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.(DD) 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,(DE) and to be generous and willing to share.(DF) 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves(DG) as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of(DH) the life that is truly life.

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted(DI) to your care. Turn away from godless chatter(DJ) and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.(DK)

Grace be with you all.(DL)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
  2. 1 Timothy 5:18 Deut. 25:4
  3. 1 Timothy 5:18 Luke 10:7
  4. 1 Timothy 6:2 Or and benefit from the service
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