1-2 Whoever is a slave must make the best of it, giving respect to his master so that outsiders don’t blame God and our teaching for his behavior. Slaves with Christian masters all the more so—their masters are really their beloved brothers!

The Lust for Money

2-5 These are the things I want you to teach and preach. If you have leaders there who teach otherwise, who refuse the solid words of our Master Jesus and this godly instruction, tag them for what they are: ignorant windbags who infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, suspicious rumors. Eventually there’s an epidemic of backstabbing, and truth is but a distant memory. They think religion is a way to make a fast buck.

6-8 A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.

9-10 But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.

Running Hard

11-12 But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.

13-16 I’m charging you before the life-giving God and before Christ, who took his stand before Pontius Pilate and didn’t give an inch: Keep this command to the letter, and don’t slack off. Our Master, Jesus Christ, is on his way. He’ll show up right on time, his arrival guaranteed by the Blessed and Undisputed Ruler, High King, High God. He’s the only one death can’t touch, his light so bright no one can get close. He’s never been seen by human eyes—human eyes can’t take him in! Honor to him, and eternal rule! Oh, yes.

17-19 Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.

20-21 And oh, my dear Timothy, guard the treasure you were given! Guard it with your life. Avoid the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of the so-called experts. People caught up in a lot of talk can miss the whole point of faith.

Overwhelming grace keep you!

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

仆人当恭敬主人

凡在轭下做仆人的,当以自己主人配受十分的恭敬,免得神的名和道理被人亵渎。 仆人有信道的主人,不可因为与他是弟兄就轻看他,更要加意服侍他,因为得服侍之益处的,是信道蒙爱的。你要以此教训人,劝勉人。

当远避争论言辞的人

若有人传异教,不服从我们主耶稣基督纯正的话与那合乎敬虔的道理, 他是自高自大,一无所知,专好问难,争辩言辞,从此就生出嫉妒、纷争、毁谤、妄疑, 并那坏了心术、失丧真理之人的争竞。他们以敬虔为得利的门路。 然而,敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了。 因为我们没有带什么到世上来,也不能带什么去。 只要有衣有食,就当知足。

贪财是万恶之根

但那些想要发财的人,就陷在迷惑,落在网罗和许多无知有害的私欲里,叫人沉在败坏和灭亡中。 10 贪财是万恶之根。有人贪恋钱财,就被引诱离了真道,用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。

当持定永生

11 但你这属神的人要逃避这些事,追求公义、敬虔、信心、爱心、忍耐、温柔。 12 你要为真道打那美好的仗,持定永生;你为此被召,也在许多见证人面前已经作了那美好的见证。 13 我在叫万物生活的神面前,并在向本丢·彼拉多作过那美好见证的基督耶稣面前嘱咐你: 14 要守这命令,毫不玷污,无可指责,直到我们的主耶稣基督显现。 15 到了日期,那可称颂、独有权能的万王之王、万主之主, 16 就是那独一不死,住在人不能靠近的光里,是人未曾看见也是不能看见的,要将他显明出来。但愿尊贵和永远的权能都归给他!阿门。

劝人在好事上富足

17 你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人,不要自高,也不要倚靠无定的钱财,只要倚靠那厚赐百物给我们享受的神。 18 又要嘱咐他们行善,在好事上富足,甘心施舍,乐意供给[a]人, 19 为自己积成美好的根基,预备将来,叫他们持定那真正的生命。

20 提摩太啊,你要保守所托付你的,躲避世俗的虚谈和那敌真道、似是而非的学问。 21 已经有人自称有这学问,就偏离了真道。

愿恩惠常与你们同在!

Footnotes

  1. 提摩太前书 6:18 “供给”或作“体贴”。