1 Timothy 1-3

Christian Standard Bible

Greeting

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

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

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

False Doctrine and Misuse of the Law

³ As I urged you when I went to Macedonia,^(F) remain in Ephesus^(G) so that you may instruct certain people^(H) not to teach false doctrine ⁴ or to pay attention to myths^(I) and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan,^(J) which operates by faith. ⁵ Now the goal of our instruction is love^(K) that comes from a pure heart,^(L) a good conscience,^(M) and a sincere faith.^{(N) 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,^(O) provided one uses it legitimately. ⁹ We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious,^(P) 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^(Q) and males who have sex with males,^(R) for slave traders, liars,^(S) perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching^{(T) 11} that conforms to the gospel^(U) concerning the glory of the blessed God,^(V) which was entrusted to me.^(W)

Paul’s Testimony

¹² I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened^(X) me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— ¹³ even though I was formerly a blasphemer,^(Y) a persecutor,^(Z) and an arrogant man.^(AA) 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^(AB) and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world^(AC) to save sinners”^(AD)—and I am the worst of them.^{(AE) 16} But I received mercy^(AF) for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience^(AG) as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life.^{(AH) 17} Now to the King^(AI) eternal,^(AJ) immortal,^(AK) invisible, the only^[b] God,^(AL) be honor^(AM) and glory^(AN) forever and ever. Amen.^(AO)

Engage in Battle

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies^(AP) previously made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight, ¹⁹ having faith^(AQ) and a good conscience,^(AR) which some^(AS) have rejected and have shipwrecked the faith. ²⁰ Among them are Hymenaeus^(AT) and Alexander,^(AU) whom I have delivered to Satan,^(AV) 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,^(AW) so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness^(AX) and dignity.^{(AY) 3} This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,^{(AZ) 4} who wants everyone^(BA) to be saved^(BB) and to come to the knowledge of the truth.^(BC)

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

⁷ For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle^(BH) (I am telling the truth;^[c] I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles^(BI) 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.^{(BJ) 9} Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing,^(BK) with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold,^(BL) pearls, or expensive apparel, ¹⁰ but with good works,^(BM) as is proper for women who profess to worship God. ¹¹ A woman is to learn quietly with full submission.^{(BN) 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.^{(BO) 14} And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.^{(BP) 15} But she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness,^(BQ) with good sense.

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3 This saying is trustworthy:^(BR) “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,^[d](BS) he desires a noble work.” ² An overseer,^(BT) therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,^(BU) respectable, hospitable,^(BV) able to teach, ³ not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.^{(BW) 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.^{(BX) 7} Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s^(BY) trap.

⁸ Deacons,^(BZ) 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^(CA) with a clear conscience.^{(CB) 10} They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. ¹¹ Wives,^[e](CC) likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,^(CD) 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^(CE) 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,^(CF) which is the church of the living God,^(CG) the pillar and foundation of the truth.^{(CH) 16} And most certainly, the mystery of godliness^(CI) is great: