1 Timothy 2-4

New King James Version

Pray for All Men

2 Therefore I ^[a]exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ^2 (A)for kings and ^(B)all who are in ^[b]authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and ^[c]reverence. ³ For this is ^(C)good and acceptable in the sight ^(D)of God our Savior, ^4 (E)who desires all men to be saved ^(F)and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ^5 (G)For there is one God and ^(H)one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ^6 (I)who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, ^7 (J)for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth ^[d]in Christ and not lying—^(K)a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Men and Women in the Church

⁸ I desire therefore that the men pray ^(L)everywhere, ^(M)lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; ⁹ in like manner also, that the ^(N)women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and ^[e]moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, ^10 (O)but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. ¹¹ Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. ¹² And ^(P)I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴ And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. ¹⁵ Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

Qualifications of Overseers

3 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a ^[f]bishop, he desires a good work. ² A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; ³ not ^[g]given to wine, not violent, ^[h]not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not ^[i]covetous; ⁴ one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence ⁵ (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); ⁶ not a ^[j]novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. ⁷ Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the ^(Q)snare of the devil.

Qualifications of Deacons

⁸ Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, ^(R)not given to much wine, not greedy for money, ⁹ holding the ^[k]mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. ¹⁰ But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. ¹¹ Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not ^[l]slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. ¹² Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons ^(S)obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

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 ^[m]ground of the truth. ¹⁶ And without controversy great is the ^[n]mystery of godliness:

The Great Apostasy

4 Now the Spirit ^[p]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed ^(Z)to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ^2 (AA)speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience ^(AB)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 ^[q]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, ^(AC)nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. ⁷ But ^(AD)reject profane and old wives’ fables, and ^(AE)exercise yourself toward godliness. ⁸ For ^(AF)bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, ^(AG)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 ^[r]we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, ^(AH)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 ^[s]despise your youth, but be an ^(AI)example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, ^[t]in spirit, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to ^[u]doctrine. ^14 (AJ)Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy ^(AK)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.