1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God^(A) our Savior^(B) and of Christ Jesus our hope,^(C)

² To Timothy^(D) my true son^(E) in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.^(F)

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,^(G) stay there in Ephesus^(H) so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines^(I) any longer ⁴ or to devote themselves to myths^(J) and endless genealogies.^(K) Such things promote controversial speculations^(L) rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. ⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart^(M) and a good conscience^(N) and a sincere faith.^{(O) 6} Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers^(P) of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.^(Q)

⁸ We know that the law is good^(R) if one uses it properly. ⁹ We also know that the law is made not for the righteous^(S) but for lawbreakers and rebels,^(T) the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine^{(U) 11} that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.^(V)

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,^(W) that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.^{(X) 13} Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor^(Y) and a violent man, I was shown mercy^(Z) because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.^{(AA) 14} The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly,^(AB) along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.^(AC)

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying^(AD) that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners^(AE)—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy^(AF) so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience^(AG) as an example for those who would believe^(AH) in him and receive eternal life.^{(AI) 17} Now to the King^(AJ) eternal, immortal,^(AK) invisible,^(AL) the only God,^(AM) be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(AN)

The Charge to Timothy Renewed

¹⁸ Timothy, my son,^(AO) I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you,^(AP) so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,^{(AQ) 19} holding on to faith and a good conscience,^(AR) which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.^{(AS) 20} Among them are Hymenaeus^(AT) and Alexander,^(AU) whom I have handed over to Satan^(AV) to be taught not to blaspheme.

Instructions on Worship

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,^(AW) intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority,^(AX) that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness^(AY) and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases^(AZ) God our Savior,^{(BA) 4} who wants^(BB) all people^(BC) to be saved^(BD) and to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{(BE) 5} For there is one God^(BF) and one mediator^(BG) between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,^{(BH) 6} who gave himself as a ransom^(BI) for all people. This has now been witnessed to^(BJ) at the proper time.^{(BK) 7} And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying^(BL)—and a true and faithful teacher^(BM) of the Gentiles.^(BN)

⁸ Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands^(BO) without anger or disputing. ⁹ I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,^{(BP) 10} but with good deeds,^(BQ) appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

¹¹ A woman^[a] should learn in quietness and full submission.^{(BR) 12} I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;^[b] she must be quiet.^{(BS) 13} For Adam was formed first, then Eve.^{(BT) 14} And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.^{(BU) 15} But women^[c] will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love^(BV) and holiness with propriety.

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3 Here is a trustworthy saying:^(BW) Whoever aspires to be an overseer^(BX) desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer is to be above reproach,^(BY) faithful to his wife,^(BZ) temperate,^(CA) self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,^(CB) able to teach,^{(CC) 3} not given to drunkenness,^(CD) not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,^(CE) not a lover of money.^{(CF) 4} He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full^[d] respect.^{(CG) 5} (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)^{(CH) 6} He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited^(CI) and fall under the same judgment^(CJ) as the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,^(CK) so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.^(CL)

⁸ In the same way, deacons^[e](CM) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,^(CN) and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.^{(CO) 10} They must first be tested;^(CP) and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

¹¹ In the same way, the women^[f] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers^(CQ) but temperate^(CR) and trustworthy in everything.

¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife^(CS) and must manage his children and his household well.^{(CT) 13} Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church^(CU) of the living God,^(CV) the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery^(CW) from which true godliness^(CX) springs is great:

4 The Spirit^(DB) clearly says that in later times^(DC) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits^(DD) and things taught by demons. ² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.^{(DE) 3} They forbid people to marry^(DF) and order them to abstain from certain foods,^(DG) which God created^(DH) to be received with thanksgiving^(DI) by those who believe and who know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good,^(DJ) and nothing is to be rejected^(DK) if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ because it is consecrated by the word of God^(DL) and prayer.

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,^[h] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith^(DM) and of the good teaching that you have followed.^{(DN) 7} Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;^(DO) rather, train yourself to be godly.^{(DP) 8} For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,^(DQ) holding promise for both the present life^(DR) and the life to come.^{(DS) 9} This is a trustworthy saying^(DT) that deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,^(DU) who is the Savior of all people,^(DV) and especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things.^{(DW) 12} Don’t let anyone look down on you^(DX) because you are young, but set an example^(DY) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith^(DZ) and in purity. ¹³ Until I come,^(EA) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,^(EB) to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy^(EC) when the body of elders^(ED) laid their hands on you.^(EE)

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^(EF) both yourself and your hearers.