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17 Let the elders (A)who rule well be considered worthy of (B)double honour, especially those who labour in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, (C)“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain”, and, (D)“The labourer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except (E)on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, (F)rebuke them in the presence of all, (G)so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels (H)I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, (I)doing nothing from partiality. 22 (J)Do not be hasty in the (K)laying on of hands, nor (L)take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but (M)use a little wine (N)for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgement, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and (O)even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

(P)Let all who are under a yoke as slaves[a] regard their own masters as worthy of all honour, (Q)so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are (R)brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.

False Teachers and True Contentment

(S)Teach and urge these things.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 6:1 Greek bondservants

17 The elders(A) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,(B) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”[a](C) and “The worker deserves his wages.”[b](D) 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder(E) unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.(F) 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove(G) before everyone, so that the others may take warning.(H) 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus(I) 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,(J) and do not share in the sins of others.(K) Keep yourself pure.(L)

23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine(M) 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,(N) so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.(O) Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers.(P) Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[c] of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.(Q)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 5:18 Deut. 25:4
  2. 1 Timothy 5:18 Luke 10:7
  3. 1 Timothy 6:2 Or and benefit from the service