1 Timothy 1-3

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Salutation

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

² To Timothy, my true child^[a] in the faith:

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

Warning against False Teachers

³ I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different teachings^{(C) 4} and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training^[b] that is known by faith.^{(D) 5} But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.^{(E) 6} Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.

⁸ Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately; ⁹ this means understanding that the law is laid down not for the righteous but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers,^{(F) 10} the sexually immoral, men who engage in illicit sex,^[c] slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching^{(G) 11} that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted.

Gratitude for Mercy

¹² I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful and appointed me to his service,^{(H) 13} even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,^{(I) 14} and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me^[d] with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.^{(J) 15} The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost.^{(K) 16} But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience as an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷ To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible,^[e] the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.^[f] Amen.^(L)

¹⁸ This charge I commit to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight,^{(M) 19} having faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith;^{(N) 20} among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have turned over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.^(O)

Instructions concerning Prayer

2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, ² for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.^{(P) 3} This is right and acceptable before God our Savior,^{(Q) 4} who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.^{(R) 5} For

—this was attested at the right time.^{(T) 7} For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth;^[g] I am not lying), a teacher of the gentiles in faith and truth.^(U)

⁸ I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument, ⁹ also that the women should dress themselves in moderate clothing with reverence and self-control, not with their hair braided or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, ¹⁰ but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God. ¹¹ Let a woman^[h] learn in silence with full submission. ¹² I do not permit a woman^[i] to teach or to have authority over a man;^[j] she is to keep silent. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve,^{(V) 14} and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.^{(W) 15} Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

Qualifications of Bishops

3 The saying is sure:^[k] whoever aspires to the office of bishop^[l] desires a noble task.^{(X) 2} Now a bishop^[m] must be above reproach, married only once,^[n] temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher,^{(Y) 3} not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money.^{(Z) 4} He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way, ⁵ for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert,^[o] or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.^(AA)

Qualifications of Deacons

⁸ Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money;^{(AB) 9} they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. ¹¹ Women^[p] likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. ¹² Let deacons be married only once,^[q] and let them manage their children and their households well; ¹³ for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Our Religion

¹⁴ I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.^{(AC) 16} Without any doubt, the mystery of godliness is great: