The Great Mystery

¹⁴ These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; ¹⁵ but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ^[a]ground of the truth. ¹⁶ And without controversy great is the ^[b]mystery of godliness:

The Great Apostasy

4 Now the Spirit ^[d]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed ^(G)to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ^2 (H)speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience ^(I)seared with a hot iron, ³ forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; ⁵ for it is ^[e]sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

⁶ If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, ^(J)nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. ⁷ But ^(K)reject profane and old wives’ fables, and ^(L)exercise yourself toward godliness. ⁸ For ^(M)bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, ^(N)having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. ⁹ This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end ^[f]we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, ^(O)who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. ¹¹ These things command and teach.

Take Heed to Your Ministry

¹² Let no one ^[g]despise your youth, but be an ^(P)example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, ^[h]in spirit, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to ^[i]doctrine. ^14 (Q)Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy ^(R)with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. ¹⁵ Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. ¹⁶ Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Praise to God for His Faithfulness and Justice