Beginning

Chapter 1

Salutation^[a]

Address. ¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior^[b] and Christ Jesus our hope, ² to Timothy, my loyal child in the faith: grace, mercy, and peace to you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Timothy, Champion of the Truth^[c]

On Holding Fast to Sound Doctrine. When I was setting out for Macedonia,^[d] I urged you to stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people that they are not to teach erroneous doctrines ⁴ and not to concern themselves with myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies and do not produce godly edification in faith.

⁵ The aim of this instruction is love that derives from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. ⁶ Some people have departed from these and turned to empty speculation, ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the Law; but they understand neither the words they are using nor the matters about which they make such confident assertions.

Purpose of the Law. ⁸ We are well aware that the Law is good, provided that one uses it properly, ⁹ recognizing that laws are not designed for the upright. They are for the lawless and insubordinate, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and irreligious; they are for those who slay their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for those who are fornicators, sodomites,^[e] slave traders, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching ¹¹ that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which has been entrusted to me.

¹² Called To Preach the Gospel. I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord who has given me strength, because he judged me trustworthy and appointed me to his service, ¹³ even though in the past I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man. However, I have been treated with mercy because I had acted out of ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ As a result, the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and the love that are in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ This saying can be trusted and merits complete acceptance:^[f] Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I myself am the greatest of these. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was treated mercifully, so that in me Jesus Christ might exhibit his inexhaustible patience, making me an example for those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷ To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God,^[g] be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁸ Never Falsify the Gospel. To you, Timothy, my child, I am giving these instructions in accordance with those prophecies once made about you,^[h] so that by following them you may fight the good fight ¹⁹ with faith and a good conscience. Some people have spurned their conscience and destroyed their faith. ²⁰ Among them are Hymenaeus^[i] and Alexander whom I have handed over to Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Qualities of Public Worship and Church Leaders^[j]

Chapter 2

Prayer for Those in Authority.^{[k] 1} I urge then, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, ² for kings and for all those who hold positions of authority, so that we may be able to lead a tranquil and quiet life with all possible devotion and dignity. ³ To do so is right and acceptable to God our Savior, ⁴ who desires everyone to be saved and to come to full knowledge of the truth.

This was the testimony he offered at the appointed time. ⁷ And I was made a herald and an apostle of it (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Positions at Public Worship.^{[m] 8} I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up their hands reverently in prayer without anger or argument. ⁹ I also ask that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing. They should be adorned not with braided hair or with gold or pearls or expensive clothes,^{[n] 10} but with good works, as is fitting for women who profess their reverence for God.

¹¹ Women are to learn in silence with complete submission. ¹² I do not allow a woman to teach or to hold authority over a man. She should keep silent. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, and Eve afterward. ¹⁴ Furthermore, Adam was not deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and fell into sin. ¹⁵ However, women will be saved through the bearing of children, provided that they continue to persevere in faith, love, and holiness, marked by modesty.

Chapter 3^[o]

Qualifications of Bishops. This saying can be trusted: Whoever wants to be a bishop desires a noble task. ² Therefore, a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of only one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and a good teacher. ³ He must not be a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not prone to quarreling, not greedy.

⁴ He must manage his own household well and ensure that his children are submissive and respectful in every way. ⁵ For if someone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of the Church of God? ⁶ He should not be a recent convert so that he will not become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. ⁷ He must also enjoy a good reputation among outsiders so that he may not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s snare.

Qualifications of Deacons. ⁸ Similarly, deacons must exhibit a sense of dignity, not indulging in double-talk or excessive consumption of wine, and not being greedy. ⁹ They must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ Let them first be tested. They can be appointed as deacons only if they are beyond reproach.

¹¹ Women^[p] must likewise exhibit a sense of dignity and not be given to spreading slander. They must be temperate and faithful in all things.

¹² Deacons must have only one wife and be able to manage their children and their own households. ¹³ Those deacons whose work is exemplary will achieve a high standing and gain great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ Greatness of the Divine Majesty. While I am hoping to come to you soon, I am writing to you about these matters ¹⁵ so that if I am delayed, you will know how to regulate your conduct in God’s household—that is, in the Church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. ¹⁶ Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great:

General Regulations^[r]

Chapter 4

False Asceticism. ¹ The Spirit clearly says that during the last times some will abandon the faith. They will run after deceitful spirits and demonic doctrines, ² through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences have been branded as with a burning iron. ³ They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods^[s] that God created to be accepted with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. ⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided that it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is made holy by the word of God and by prayer.^[t]

The Benefits of Godliness. ⁶ If you offer these instructions to the brethren, you will prove to be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself in godliness.

⁸ While physical training has some value, the benefits of godliness are unlimited, since it holds out promise not only for this life but also for the life to come. ⁹ This saying can be trusted and merits complete acceptance. ¹⁰ For this is why we toil and struggle, because we have placed our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all, especially of all those who believe.

¹¹ Pastoral Duties. These are the things you must insist upon in your teaching. ¹² Let no one regard you with contempt because of your youth, but serve as an example to the believers in your speech and conduct, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

¹³ Until I arrive, devote yourself to reading,^[u] to exhortation, and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift that was bestowed upon you when, as a result of prophecy, the elders laid their hands on you.^[v]

¹⁵ Meditate on these things and put them into practice so that your progress may be evident to everyone. ¹⁶ Be conscientious about your life and your teaching. Persevere in both of these tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your listeners.

Specific Regulations for Various Groups^[w]

Chapter 5

Different Age Groups.^{[x] 1} Never speak harshly to an older man; rather, appeal to him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with the greatest purity.

Widows.^{[y] 3} Give proper consideration to those widows who are truly in need. ⁴ If a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to carry out their religious duty to their own family and repay their debt to their parents, for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.

⁵ However, a widow who is truly in need and is alone in the world places all her trust in God and never ceases her prayers and supplications night and day. ⁶ But the widow who is interested solely in pleasure is dead even while she lives.

⁷ Insist upon these things, so that people may be beyond reproach. ⁸ And whoever does not provide for relatives, especially for those who are living with him, has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ A woman should not be enrolled as a widow if she is not at least sixty years old. In addition, she must have been married only once, ¹⁰ and have a reputation for good works by bringing up her children, offering hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints,^[z] helping those in distress, and being active in all kinds of good work.

¹¹ However, refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions distract them from the service of Christ, they will want to marry again ¹² and will incur condemnation for having broken their original vow. ¹³ In addition, they fall into the habit of being idle, as they go around from house to house, and also become gossips and busybodies, saying things that would better be left unsaid.

¹⁴ Therefore, I think younger widows should marry again, bear children, and manage their households, so as not to give our enemies any occasion to revile us. ¹⁵ Indeed, some have already turned away to follow Satan.

¹⁶ If any woman believer has relatives who are widows, she must assist them herself. The Church should be free of such burdens and consequently able to assist those who are widows in the true sense.

¹⁷ Presbyters.^[aa] Presbyters who do their duty well should be considered deserving of a double honor,^[ab] especially those who labor at preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “A worker deserves his wages.”^[ac]

¹⁹ Never accept any accusation brought against a presbyter except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. ²⁰ As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them publicly, so that the others may also be afraid.

²¹ In the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels,^[ad] I charge you to follow these rules impartially and without being influenced by any favoritism. ²² Do not lay hands on others too hastily or you may find yourself regarded as an accomplice in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

²³ Stop drinking nothing but water. Take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

²⁴ The sins of some people are so flagrant that they are publicly known before judgment, while the sins of others will only become known later on. ²⁵ In the same manner, good works are often easily recognized, but even if they are not, they cannot remain hidden forever.

Chapter 6

Slaves.^{[ae] 1} All those who are under the yoke of slavery must regard their masters as worthy of complete respect, so that the name of God and our teaching may not be brought into disrepute. ² Those whose masters are believers must not despise them because they are brethren. On the contrary, they should serve them more, since those who receive the benefits of their services are believers and beloved brethren.

Final Charge^[af]

False Teaching about Wealth. These are the things you should teach and recommend. ³ Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the wholesome instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the godly teaching ⁴ is a conceited person who understands nothing and who has an unhealthy enthusiasm to engage in arguments and to dispute the meaning of words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, ⁵ and unending disputes among people whose minds are corrupted and who are deprived of truth, supposing that godliness is a means of gain.

⁶ Godliness produces great gain, but only to those who are content. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out. ⁸ If we have food and clothing, let us be content with these.

⁹ However, those who want riches fall into temptations and are trapped into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ The love of money is the root of all evils, and in their desire for it some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many serious wounds.^[ag]

¹¹ Fight the Good Fight. But as for you, man of God,^[ah] you must shun all this. Rather, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, fortitude, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your noble confession^[ai] of faith in the presence of many witnesses.

¹³ In the sight of God, who gave life to all things, and before Jesus Christ, who himself made that noble confession of faith in his testimony before Pontius Pilate, I charge you ¹⁴ to obey the commands of God without fault or failure until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which he will make manifest at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only ruler of all, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. ¹⁶ He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has seen him or is able to do so. To him be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

¹⁷ Right Use of Riches.^[aj] Instruct those who are rich in this world’s goods that they should not be proud, nor should they trust in the uncertainty of riches but rather in God who richly provides us with everything we need for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Tell them to do good and to be rich in good works, to be generous in giving and ready to share. ¹⁹ In this way, they will acquire the treasure of a good foundation for the future so that they will be able to grasp the life that is true life.

Conclusion^[ak]

²⁰ Admonition to Timothy. My brother Timothy, guard carefully what has been entrusted to you.^[al] Avoid the profane chatter and the contradictions of what is wrongly considered to be knowledge. ²¹ By professing it some people have strayed far from the faith.

Farewell. Grace be with all of you.^[am]