1 Timothy 4 - 2 Timothy 4

Christian Standard Bible

Demonic Influence

4 Now the Spirit^(A) explicitly says that in later times^(B) some will depart from the faith,^(C) paying attention to deceitful spirits^(D) and the teachings of demons,^{(E) 2} through the hypocrisy^(F) of liars whose consciences^(G) are seared. ³ They forbid marriage^(H) and demand abstinence^(I) from foods that God created^(J) to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For everything created by God is good,^(K) and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,^{(L) 5} since it is sanctified by the word of God^(M) and by prayer.

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith^(N) and the good teaching that you have followed.^{(O) 7} But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths.^(P) Rather, train yourself in godliness.^{(Q) 8} For the training of the body has limited benefit,^(R) but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.^{(S) 9} This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.^{(T) 10} For this reason we labor and strive,^[a] because we have put our hope in the living God,^(U) who is the Savior^(V) of all people,^(W) especially of those who believe.

Instructions for Ministry

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech,^(X) in conduct,^(Y) in love,^[b](Z) in faith, and in purity.^{(AA) 13} Until I come,^(AB) give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. ¹⁴ Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy,^(AC) with the laying on of hands^(AD) by the council of elders. ¹⁵ Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. ¹⁶ Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save^(AE) both yourself and your hearers.^(AF)

5 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.

The Support of Widows

³ Support^[c] widows^(AG) who are genuinely in need. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. ⁵ The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in God^(AH) and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; ⁶ however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.^{(AI) 7} Command this also, so that they will be above reproach. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide^(AJ) for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith^(AK) and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support unless she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband, ¹⁰ and is well known for good works^(AL)—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality,^(AM) washed the saints’ feet,^(AN) helped the afflicted,^(AO) and devoted herself to every good work.^{(AP) 11} But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry^{(AQ) 12} and will therefore receive condemnation^(AR) because they have renounced their original pledge. ¹³ At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips^(AS) and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say. ¹⁴ Therefore, I want younger women to marry,^(AT) have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.^{(AU) 15} For some have already turned away^(AV) to follow Satan. ¹⁶ If any^[d] believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows in genuine need.

Honoring the Elders

¹⁷ The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor,^[e] especially those who work hard^(AW) at preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,^[f](AX) and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”^(AY)

¹⁹ Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.^{(AZ) 20} Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid. ²¹ I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe^(BA) these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. ²² Don’t be too quick to appoint^[g](BB) anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.^{(BC) 23} Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. ²⁴ Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment,^(BD) but the sins of others surface^[h] later. ²⁵ Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.

Honoring Masters

6 All who are under the yoke as slaves should regard their own masters^[i] as worthy of all respect, so that God’s name^(BE) and his teaching will not be blasphemed. ² Let those who have believing masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but serve them even better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.^[j](BF)

False Doctrine and Human Greed

Teach and encourage these things. ³ If anyone teaches false doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord^(BG) Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness,^{(BH) 4} he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words.^(BI) From these come envy,^(BJ) quarreling,^(BK) slander,^(BL) evil suspicions, ⁵ and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.^{[k](BM) 6} But godliness with contentment is great gain.^{(BN) 7} For we brought nothing into the world, and^[l] we can take nothing out.^{(BO) 8} If we have food and clothing,^[m] we will be content with these. ⁹ But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root^[n] of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith^(BP) and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Fight the Good Fight

¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love,^(BQ) endurance,^(BR) and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight^(BS) of the faith. Take hold of eternal life^(BT) to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the presence of God, who gives life to all,^(BU) and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate,^(BV) I charge you ¹⁴ to keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing^(BW) of our Lord^(BX) Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ God will bring this about in his own time.^(BY) He is the blessed and only^(BZ) Sovereign, the King of kings,^(CA) and the Lord of lords,^{(CB) 16} who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light,^(CC) whom no one has seen or can see,^(CD) to him be honor and eternal power.^(CE) Amen.^(CF)

Instructions to the Rich

¹⁷ Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant^(CG) or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God,^[o] who richly provides us with all things^(CH) to enjoy. ¹⁸ Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works,^(CI) to be generous and willing to share,^{(CJ) 19} storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age,^(CK) so that they may take hold of what is truly life.

Guard the Heritage

²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you,^(CL) avoiding^(CM) irreverent and empty speech and contradictions from what is falsely called knowledge.^{(CN) 21} By professing it, some^(CO) people have departed from the faith.^(CP)

Grace be with you all.

Greeting

1 Paul,^(CQ) an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will,^(CR) for the sake of the promise of life^(CS) in Christ Jesus:

² To Timothy, my dearly loved son.

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

Thanksgiving

³ I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience^(CU) as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.^{(CV) 4} Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I recall your sincere faith^(CW) that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice^(CX) and now, I am convinced, is in you also.

⁶ Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.^{(CY) 7} For God has not given us a spirit of fear,^(CZ) but one of power,^[p](DA) love,^(DB) and sound judgment.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

⁸ So don’t be ashamed^(DC) of the testimony about our Lord,^(DD) or of me his prisoner.^(DE) Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power^(DF) of God. ⁹ He has saved us and called us with a holy calling,^(DG) not according to our works,^(DH) but according to his own purpose^(DI) and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. ¹⁰ This has now been made evident through the appearing^(DJ) of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death^(DK) and has brought life^(DL) and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ For this gospel I was appointed^(DM) a herald, apostle, and teacher,^{[q] 12} and that is why I suffer^(DN) these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me^[r](DO) until that day.^(DP)

Be Loyal to the Faith

¹³ Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching^(DQ) that you have heard from me,^(DR) in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. ¹⁵ You know that all those in the province of Asia^(DS) have deserted me,^(DT) including Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ May the Lord grant mercy^(DU) to the household of Onesiphorus,^(DV) because he often refreshed me^(DW) and was not ashamed of my chains.^{(DX) 17} On the contrary, when he was in Rome,^(DY) he diligently searched for me and found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant that he obtain mercy^(DZ) from him on that day. You know very well how much he ministered at Ephesus.^(EA)

Be Strong in Grace

2 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace^(EB) that is in Christ Jesus. ² What you have heard from me^(EC) in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful^(ED) men^[s] who will be able to teach others also.

³ Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.^{(EE) 4} No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. ⁵ Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.^{(EF) 7} Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead^(EG) and descended from David, according to my gospel, ⁹ for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. ¹⁰ This is why I endure^(EH) all things for the elect:^(EI) so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.^{(EJ) 11} This saying is trustworthy:^(EK)

An Approved Worker

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and charge them before God^[t] not to fight about words.^(EN) This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.^{(EO) 16} Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness,^{(EP) 17} and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus^(EQ) and Philetus are among them. ¹⁸ They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place,^(ER) and are ruining the faith of some.^{(ES) 19} Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription:^(ET) The Lord knows those who are his,^[u](EU) and let everyone who calls on the name^(EV) of^[v] the Lord turn away from wickedness.^(EW)

²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels,^(EX) but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable^[w] use and some for dishonorable.^{[x](EY) 21} So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,^[y] he will be a special^[z] instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.^(EZ)

²² Flee^(FA) from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,^(FB) along with those who call on the Lord^(FC) from a pure heart. ²³ But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. ²⁴ The Lord’s^(FD) servant must not quarrel,^(FE) but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,^[aa] and patient, ²⁵ instructing his opponents with gentleness.^(FF) Perhaps God will grant them repentance^(FG) leading them to the knowledge of the truth. ²⁶ Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil,^(FH) who has taken them captive to do his will.^(FI)

Difficult Times Ahead

3 But know this: Hard times will come in the last days.^{(FJ) 2} For people will be lovers of self,^(FK) lovers of money,^(FL) boastful, proud,^(FM) demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,^{(FN) 3} unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers,^(FO) without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good,^{(FP) 4} traitors,^(FQ) reckless,^(FR) conceited,^(FS) lovers of pleasure^(FT) rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to the form of godliness but denying its power.^(FU) Avoid these people.^(FV)

⁶ For among them are those who worm their way into households and deceive gullible women overwhelmed by sins and led astray by a variety of passions,^{(FW) 7} always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{(FX) 8} Just as Jannes and Jambres^(FY) resisted Moses,^(FZ) so these also resist the truth. They are men who are corrupt in mind^(GA) and worthless^(GB) in regard to the faith. ⁹ But they will not make further progress, for their foolishness will be clear to all, as was the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres.

Struggles in the Christian Life

¹⁰ But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose,^(GC) faith, patience, love,^(GD) and endurance, ¹¹ along with the persecutions and sufferings^(GE) that came to me in Antioch,^(GF) Iconium,^(GG) and Lystra.^(GH) What persecutions I endured—and yet the Lord rescued me from them all. ¹² In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.^{(GI) 13} Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving^(GJ) and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you,^{(GK) 15} and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures,^(GL) which are able to give you wisdom for salvation^(GM) through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God^[ab](GN) and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.^(GO)

Fulfill Your Ministry

4 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge^(GP) the living and the dead,^(GQ) and because of his appearing and his kingdom:^{(GR) 2} Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching. ³ For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine,^(GS) but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. ⁴ They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.^{(GT) 5} But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist,^(GU) fulfill your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,^(GV) and the time for my departure is close. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ There is reserved for me the crown^(GW) of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,^(GX) will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.^[ac](GY)

Final Instructions

⁹ Make every effort to come to me soon,^{(GZ) 10} because Demas^(HA) has deserted me,^(HB) since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica.^(HC) Crescens has gone to Galatia,^(HD) Titus^(HE) to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke^(HF) is with me. Bring Mark^(HG) with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. ¹² I have sent Tychicus^(HH) to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas^(HI) with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander^(HJ) the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. ¹⁵ Watch out^(HK) for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me.^(HL) May it not be counted against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom.^(HM) To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

Benediction

¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila,^(HN) and the household of Onesiphorus.^{(HO) 20} Erastus^(HP) has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus^(HQ) sick at Miletus.^{(HR) 21} Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.