1 Thessalonians 5 - 1 Timothy 3

Christian Standard Bible

The Day of the Lord

5 About the times and the seasons:^(A) Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord^(B) will come just like a thief^(C) in the night. ³ When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction^(D) will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief.^{(E) 5} For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.^{(F) 6} So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled^(G) and put on the armor^(H) of faith and love, and a helmet^(I) of the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord^(J) Jesus Christ,^{(K) 10} who died for us,^(L) so that whether we are awake or asleep,^(M) we may live together with him.^{(N) 11} Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

Exhortations and Blessings

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition^(O) to those who labor among you and lead you^[a] in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace^(P) among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we exhort you, brothers and sisters:^(Q) warn those who are idle,^[b] comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient^(R) with everyone. ¹⁵ See to it that no one repays evil for evil^(S) to anyone,^(T) but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.^{(U) 16} Rejoice^(V) always, ¹⁷ pray constantly, ¹⁸ give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will^(W) for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Don’t stifle the Spirit. ²⁰ Don’t despise prophecies, ²¹ but test all things.^(X) Hold on to what is good. ²² Stay away^(Y) from every kind of evil.

²³ Now may the God of peace^(Z) himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit,^(AA) soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming^(AB) of our Lord^(AC) Jesus Christ.^{(AD) 24} He who calls^(AE) you^(AF) is faithful; he will do it. ²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us also. ²⁶ Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers and sisters.^{(AG) 28} The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Greeting

1 Paul, Silvanus,^[c](AH) and Timothy:^(AI)

To the church of the Thessalonians^(AJ) in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Judgment and Glory

³ We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, since your faith is flourishing and the love^(AK) each one of you has for one another^(AL) is increasing.^{(AM) 4} Therefore, we ourselves boast^(AN) about you among God’s churches—about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring. ⁵ It is clear evidence of God’s righteous^(AO) judgment^(AP) that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering,^{(AQ) 6} since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you ⁷ and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, ⁸ when he takes vengeance with flaming fire^(AR) on those who don’t know God^(AS) and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.^{(AT) 9} They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction^(AU) from the Lord’s presence^(AV) and from his glorious strength^{(AW) 10} on that day when he comes^(AX) to be glorified^(AY) by his saints^(AZ) and to be marveled at by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed. ¹¹ In view of this, we always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling,^(BA) and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good^[d] and your work produced by faith,^{(BB) 12} so that the name^(BC) of our Lord Jesus will be glorified^(BD) by you, and you by him,^(BE) according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Man of Lawlessness

2 Now concerning the coming^(BF) of our Lord^(BG) Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him: We ask you, brothers and sisters, ² not to be easily upset or troubled, either by a prophecy^[e](BH) or by a message or by a letter supposedly from us, alleging that the day of the Lord^[f](BI) has come.^{(BJ) 3} Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy^[g] comes first and the man of lawlessness^[h] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. ⁴ He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god^(BK) or object of worship,^(BL) so that he sits^[i] in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God.

⁵ Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I used to tell you about this? ⁶ And you know what currently restrains him, so that he will be revealed in his time.^{(BM) 7} For the mystery of lawlessness^(BN) is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way, ⁸ and then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth^(BO) and will bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders serving the lie,^{(BP) 10} and with every wicked deception among those who are perishing. They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved.^{(BQ) 11} For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe the lie, ¹² so that all will be condemned^(BR)—those who did not believe^(BS) the truth but delighted in unrighteousness.

Stand Firm

¹³ But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning^[j] God has chosen^(BT) you for salvation through sanctification^(BU) by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory^(BV) of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm^(BW) and hold to the traditions you were taught,^(BX) whether by what we said or what we wrote.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved^(BY) us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.

Pray for Us

3 In addition, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you,^{(BZ) 2} and that we may be delivered^(CA) from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith.^{[k] 3} But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.^{(CB) 4} We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.^(CC)

Warning against Irresponsible Behavior

⁶ Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name^(CD) of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister^(CE) who is idle and does not live^[l] according to the tradition^(CF) received^(CG) from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you should imitate^(CH) us: We were not idle among you; ⁸ we did not eat^(CI) anyone’s food free of charge;^(CJ) instead, we labored^(CK) and toiled,^(CL) working^(CM) night and day, so that we would not be a burden^(CN) to any of you. ⁹ It is not that we don’t have the right^(CO) to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate^(CP) us. ¹⁰ In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”^{(CQ) 11} For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies.^{(CR) 12} Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves.^{[m] 13} But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary^(CS) in doing good.

¹⁴ If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don’t associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet don’t consider him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Final Greetings

¹⁶ May the Lord of peace^(CT) himself give you peace always in every way.^(CU) The Lord be with all of you.^{(CV) 17} I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand,^(CW) which is an authenticating mark in every letter; this is how I write. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Greeting

1 Paul,^(CX) an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command^(CY) of God our Savior^(CZ) and of Christ Jesus our hope:^(DA)

² To Timothy,^(DB) my true son in the faith.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the^[n] Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

False Doctrine and Misuse of the Law

³ As I urged you when I went to Macedonia,^(DC) remain in Ephesus^(DD) so that you may instruct certain people^(DE) not to teach false doctrine ⁴ or to pay attention to myths^(DF) and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan,^(DG) which operates by faith. ⁵ Now the goal of our instruction is love^(DH) that comes from a pure heart,^(DI) a good conscience,^(DJ) and a sincere faith.^{(DK) 6} Some have departed from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on. ⁸ But we know that the law is good,^(DL) provided one uses it legitimately. ⁹ We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious,^(DM) for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral^(DN) and males who have sex with males,^(DO) for slave traders, liars,^(DP) perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching^{(DQ) 11} that conforms to the gospel^(DR) concerning the glory of the blessed God,^(DS) which was entrusted to me.^(DT)

Paul’s Testimony

¹² I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened^(DU) me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— ¹³ even though I was formerly a blasphemer,^(DV) a persecutor,^(DW) and an arrogant man.^(DX) But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, ¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ This saying is trustworthy^(DY) and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world^(DZ) to save sinners”^(EA)—and I am the worst of them.^{(EB) 16} But I received mercy^(EC) for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience^(ED) as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life.^{(EE) 17} Now to the King^(EF) eternal,^(EG) immortal,^(EH) invisible, the only^[o] God,^(EI) be honor^(EJ) and glory^(EK) forever and ever. Amen.^(EL)

Engage in Battle

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies^(EM) previously made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight, ¹⁹ having faith^(EN) and a good conscience,^(EO) which some^(EP) have rejected and have shipwrecked the faith. ²⁰ Among them are Hymenaeus^(EQ) and Alexander,^(ER) whom I have delivered to Satan,^(ES) so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

Instructions on Prayer

2 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, ² for kings and all those who are in authority,^(ET) so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness^(EU) and dignity.^{(EV) 3} This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,^{(EW) 4} who wants everyone^(EX) to be saved^(EY) and to come to the knowledge of the truth.^(EZ)

⁵ For there is one God^(FA) and one mediator^(FB) between God and mankind, the man^(FC) Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all,^(FD) a testimony at the proper time.

⁷ For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle^(FE) (I am telling the truth;^[p] I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles^(FF) in faith and truth.

Instructions to Men and Women

⁸ Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.^{(FG) 9} Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing,^(FH) with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold,^(FI) pearls, or expensive apparel, ¹⁰ but with good works,^(FJ) as is proper for women who profess to worship God. ¹¹ A woman is to learn quietly with full submission.^{(FK) 12} I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve.^{(FL) 14} And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.^{(FM) 15} But she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness,^(FN) with good sense.

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3 This saying is trustworthy:^(FO) “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,^[q](FP) he desires a noble work.” ² An overseer,^(FQ) therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,^(FR) respectable, hospitable,^(FS) able to teach, ³ not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.^{(FT) 4} He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) ⁶ He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil.^{(FU) 7} Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s^(FV) trap.

⁸ Deacons,^(FW) likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, ⁹ holding the mystery of the faith^(FX) with a clear conscience.^{(FY) 10} They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. ¹¹ Wives,^[r](FZ) likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,^(GA) faithful in everything. ¹² Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Godliness

¹⁴ I write these things to you, hoping to come^(GB) to you soon. ¹⁵ But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household,^(GC) which is the church of the living God,^(GD) the pillar and foundation of the truth.^{(GE) 16} And most certainly, the mystery of godliness^(GF) is great: