They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.(A) 10 They must first be tested;(B) and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, the women[a] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers(C) but temperate(D) and trustworthy in everything.

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife(E) and must manage his children and his household well.(F) 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(G) of the living God,(H) the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery(I) from which true godliness(J) springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,(K)
    was vindicated by the Spirit,[b]
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,(L)
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.(M)

The Spirit(N) clearly says that in later times(O) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(P) and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(Q) They forbid people to marry(R) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(S) which God created(T) to be received with thanksgiving(U) by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good,(V) and nothing is to be rejected(W) if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God(X) and prayer.

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[c] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith(Y) and of the good teaching that you have followed.(Z) Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;(AA) rather, train yourself to be godly.(AB) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,(AC) holding promise for both the present life(AD) and the life to come.(AE) This is a trustworthy saying(AF) that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,(AG) who is the Savior of all people,(AH) and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things.(AI) 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you(AJ) because you are young, but set an example(AK) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith(AL) and in purity. 13 Until I come,(AM) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,(AN) to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy(AO) when the body of elders(AP) laid their hands on you.(AQ)

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(AR) both yourself and your hearers.

Widows, Elders and Slaves

Do not rebuke an older man(AS) harshly,(AT) but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men(AU) as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.(AV) 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,(AW) for this is pleasing to God.(AX) The widow who is really in need(AY) and left all alone puts her hope in God(AZ) and continues night and day to pray(BA) and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.(BB) Give the people these instructions,(BC) so that no one may be open to blame. Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied(BD) the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

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,(BE) such as bringing up children, showing hospitality,(BF) washing the feet(BG) of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble(BH) 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(BI) who talk nonsense,(BJ) saying things they ought not to. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry,(BK) to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.(BL) 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.(BM)

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.(BN)

17 The elders(BO) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,(BP) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”[d](BQ) and “The worker deserves his wages.”[e](BR) 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder(BS) unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.(BT) 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove(BU) before everyone, so that the others may take warning.(BV) 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus(BW) 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,(BX) and do not share in the sins of others.(BY) Keep yourself pure.(BZ)

23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine(CA) 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.

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

False Teachers and the Love of Money

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

But godliness with contentment(CK) is great gain.(CL) For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.(CM) But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.(CN) Those who want to get rich(CO) fall into temptation and a trap(CP) and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money(CQ) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith(CR) and pierced themselves with many griefs.(CS)

Final Charge to Timothy

11 But you, man of God,(CT) flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,(CU) faith, love,(CV) endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight(CW) of the faith. Take hold of(CX) the eternal life(CY) to which you were called when you made your good confession(CZ) 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(DA) made the good confession,(DB) I charge you(DC) 14 to keep this command without spot or blame(DD) until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,(DE) 15 which God will bring about in his own time(DF)—God, the blessed(DG) and only Ruler,(DH) the King of kings and Lord of lords,(DI) 16 who alone is immortal(DJ) and who lives in unapproachable light,(DK) whom no one has seen or can see.(DL) To him be honor and might forever. Amen.(DM)

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

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

Grace be with you all.(DY)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:11 Possibly deacons’ wives or women who are deacons
  2. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
  3. 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.
  4. 1 Timothy 5:18 Deut. 25:4
  5. 1 Timothy 5:18 Luke 10:7
  6. 1 Timothy 6:2 Or and benefit from the service

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

11 These things command and teach.

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.

10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.