Beginning

He exhorts Timothy to attend to his office; namely, to see that nothing is taught but God’s word, etc. He shows also for what the law is good, and tells this sweet and glad tidings: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope.

² To Timothy, his true-born son in the faith.

Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

³ As I besought you to continue in Ephesus when I departed into Macedonia, so do, and direct certain men to teach no other way, ⁴ neither to give heed to legends and genealogies, which are endless and breed doubts more than godly edifying, which is by faith. ⁵ For the end of the commandment is love that comes of a pure heart and a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned – ⁶ from which things some have erred, and have turned to vain prattle, ⁷ because they want to be teachers of the scripture and yet do not understand what they speak, nor the things they assert.

⁸ We know that the law is good if one abides by it lawfully, ⁹ understanding that the law is not given for a righteous person, but for the unrighteous and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and unclean, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man-slayers ¹⁰ and whoremongers, for those who defile themselves with menkind, for kidnappers, for liars and perjurers, and so forth, if there be any other thing that is contrary to wholesome precept, ¹¹ according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which gospel is committed to me.

¹² And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has made me strong. For he counted me true and put me in office, ¹³ when before I was a blasphemer and a persecutor, and full of violence. But I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly, through unbelief. ¹⁴ And the grace of our Lord abounded more greatly with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ This is a true saying, and by all means worthy to be received: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. ¹⁶ But notwithstanding, mercy was given to me, so that Jesus Christ could first show on me all long patience, as an example for those who will in time to come believe on him unto eternal life. ¹⁷ So then, to God the King everlasting, immortal, invisible, and alone wise, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

¹⁸ This charge I commit to you, son Timotheus, according to the prophecies that in time past were prophesied of you, so that you in them will fight a good fight, ¹⁹ having faith and a good conscience – which some have put away from them, and as concerning faith have made shipwreck. ²⁰ Of this number are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan so that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

He exhorts to pray for all people. He will not have women in showy attire, nor to teach in the congregation, but to be in silence and to obey their husbands.

2 I exhort therefore that, above all things, prayers, supplications, intercessions, and giving of thanks be had for all people, ² for kings and for all that are in authority, that we may live a quiet and a peaceable life in all godliness and sanctity. ³ For that is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, ⁴ who would have all people saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, which is the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself a ransom for all, that it should be testified at his time. ⁷ For this I am ordained a preacher and an apostle. I speak the truth in Christ, and do not speak falsely, being the teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

⁸ I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up pure hands, without wrath or doubting. ⁹ Likewise also the women, that they dress nicely, with modesty and discreet behaviour – not with broided hair, or gold or pearls, or costly array, ¹⁰ but as becomes women who profess the worshipping of God through good works.

¹¹ Let the woman learn in silence with all submission. ¹² I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to have authority over the man, but to be in silence. ¹³ For Adam was first formed, and then Eve. ¹⁴ Also, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived, and was in transgression. ¹⁵ Notwithstanding, through the bearing of children they may be preserved, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with discretion.

What manner of man a bishop or priest ought to be, and how his wife and children should be. The qualities also required in a deacon or minister and in his wife.

3 This is a true saying: if a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work. ² Yea and a bishop must be faultless, the husband of one wife, sober, discreet, respectable; who is welcoming toward others and giving of shelter; able to teach; ³ not drunken, no fighter; not given to the love of money, but gentle, abhorring quarrels, abhorring covetousness; ⁴ and one who rules his own house well, having his children under obedience with all respectfulness. ⁵ For if a man cannot manage his own house, how will he care for the congregation of God? ⁶ He may not be a young scholar, lest he swell and fall into the judgment of the evil speaker. ⁷ He must also be well reported of among those who are outside, lest he fall into rebuke and the snare of the evil speaker.

⁸ Likewise must deacons be honourable: not double-tongued, not given to much drinking, nor to the love of money, ⁹ but having the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ¹⁰ And let them first be proved, and then let them minister, if they be found faultless. ¹¹ Even so must their wives be honourable: not evil speakers, but sober and faithful in all things. ¹² Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, and such as rule their children well, and their own households. ¹³ For those who minister well win good standing for themselves, and much trust in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ These things I write to you trusting to come to you shortly, ¹⁵ but if I am long in coming, so that you may yet have knowledge how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the congregation of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth.

¹⁶ And there is no denying, great is the mystery of godliness: God was shown in the flesh, was confirmed in the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached to the Gentiles, was believed on in earth, and received up in glory.

He prophesies of the latter days, and exhorts Timothy to the diligent reading of the holy scripture.

4 The Spirit speaks clearly that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, and will give heed to spirits of error, and to devilish teaching ² by those who speak falsely through hypocrisy, who have their consciences marked with an hot iron, ³ forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. ⁵ For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. ⁶ If you put the brethren in mind of these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, who has been nourished up in the words of the faith and good teaching, which teaching you have continually followed. ⁷ But cast away unspiritual and old wives’ tales.

Exercise yourself unto godliness. ⁸ For bodily exercise is of some benefit, but godliness is fruitful in all things, having promises for the life that is now and for the life to come. ⁹ This is a sure saying, and worthy to be received by all. ¹⁰ It is for this that we labour and suffer rebuke – because we believe in the living God, who is the saviour of all men, but especially of those who believe. ¹¹ Such things command and teach.

¹² Let no one dishonour your youth, but be to those who believe an example, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in pureness.

¹³ Until I come, attend to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy and with the laying on of the hands of an elder. ¹⁵ Be diligent in these things, and give yourself to them, so that it may be seen how you bring profit in all things. ¹⁶ Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine, and continue therein. For if you will so do, you will preserve yourself and those who hear you.

He teaches Timothy how he should conduct himself in rebuking all degrees of persons, and gives a direction concerning widows.

5 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; and the younger men as brethren, ² the older women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all pureness. ³ Honour widows that are true widows. ⁴ If any widows have children or grandchildren, let them learn first to take godly responsibility in their own families, and to recompense their elders. For that is good and pleasing before God.

⁵ She who is a real widow and friendless puts her trust in God, and continues in supplication and prayer night and day. ⁶ But she who lives in pleasure is dead even while alive. ⁷ And instruct these things, so that the people may be without fault. ⁸ But if there be anyone who does not provide for his own, and particularly for those of his household, the same denies the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

⁹ Let no widow be chosen who is under sixty years old, and let her be such a one as was the wife of one man, ¹⁰ and well reported of in good works: if she has raised children, if she has been generous to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has ministered to those who were in adversity, if she was continually given to all manner of good works. ¹¹ The younger widows refuse. For when they have begun to grow wanton, to the dishonour of Christ, then they want to marry, ¹² having condemnation because they have broken their first faith. ¹³ And also they learn to go from house to house idle, yea not only idle, but also gossiping and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

¹⁴ I will therefore that the younger women marry and bear children, and guide the house, and give no occasion to the adversary to speak evil. ¹⁵ For many of them have already turned back, and are gone after Satan.

¹⁶ And if any man or woman who believes has widows, let them minister to them, and do not let the congregation be charged, so that you may have sufficient for those who are widows indeed.

¹⁷ The elders who lead well are worthy of double honour, most especially those who labour in the word and teaching. ¹⁸ For the scripture says: You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn, and: The labourer is worthy of his reward.

¹⁹ Against an elder receive no accusation except with two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Those who sin, rebuke openly, so that others may fear.

²¹ I charge you before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, to observe these things without hasty judgment, and do nothing with partiality. ²² Lay hands quickly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins; keep yourself pure.

²³ Drink water no longer, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent ailments.

²⁴ Some people’s sins are open beforehand, and go before to judgment; some people’s sins follow after. ²⁵ Likewise also, good works are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.

The duty of servants toward their masters. Against such as are not satisfied with the word of God. Against covetousness. A good lesson for the rich.

6 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their masters worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and his precepts are not ill spoken of. ² See to it that those who have believing masters do not honour them less because they are brethren, but so much more rather serve them, because they are believing, and beloved, and will benefit from the good service.

These things teach and exhort. ³ If anyone teaches otherwise, and is not content with the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the instruction of godliness, ⁴ he is puffed up and knows nothing, but wastes his brains about questions and strife of words, whereof come envy, strife, railing, evil surmisings, ⁵ and the vain disputations of men with corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who think that wealth is godliness. Separate yourself from such people.

⁶ But godliness is great wealth, if a man is content with what he has. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and it is a plain case that we can carry nothing out. ⁸ When we have food and clothing, let us therewith be content. ⁹ Those who want to be rich fall into temptation and snares, and into many foolish and harmful desires, which drown men in perdition and destruction. ¹⁰ For covetousness is the root of all evil, which, when some followed after, they erred from the faith, and tangled themselves with many sorrows. ¹¹ But you who are the man of God, flee such things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, love, patience, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are called and have pledged yourself with a good profession before many witnesses.

¹³ I give you charge in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and before Jesus Christ, who bore faithful witness under Pontius Pilate, ¹⁴ to keep the commandment, and be without spot and unrebukeable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ – ¹⁵ which appearing (when the time is come) he will show, who is blessed and sole in dominion, King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone has immortality, and dwells in light to which no man can attain, whom no man ever saw neither can see: to whom be honour and rule everlasting. Amen.

¹⁷ Charge those who are rich in this world not to be high-minded, and not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us abundantly all things, to enjoy them; ¹⁸ and to do good, and to be rich in good works, and ready to give and distribute, ¹⁹ laying up in store for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, so that they may obtain eternal life.

²⁰ O Timothy, preserve that which has been given you to keep, and avoid unspiritual vanities of voices, and oppositions of knowledge falsely so-called, ²¹ which knowledge has led some who profess it to err as concerning the faith.

Grace be with you. Amen.

Sent from Laodicea, which is the
chiefest city of Phrygia,
Pacatiana.