Print Page Options
Previous Prev Day Next DayNext

Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks

A reading plan that walks through the entire New Testament in 24 weeks of daily readings.
Duration: 168 days
New English Translation (NET)
Version
1 Timothy 5-6

Instructions about Specific Groups

Do not address an older man harshly[a] but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers,[b] older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters—with complete purity.

Honor[c] widows who are truly in need.[d] But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to fulfill their duty[e] toward their own household and so repay their parents what is owed them.[f] For this is what pleases God.[g] But the widow who is truly in need, and completely on her own,[h] has set her hope on God and continues in her pleas and prayers night and day. But the one who lives for pleasure is dead even[i] while she lives. Reinforce[j] these commands,[k] so that they will be beyond reproach. But if someone does not provide for his own,[l] especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

No widow should be put on the list[m] unless[n] she is at least sixty years old, was the wife of one husband,[o] 10 and has a reputation for good works: as one who has raised children,[p] practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress—as one who has exhibited all kinds of good works.[q] 11 But do not accept younger widows on the list,[r] because their passions may lead them away from Christ[s] and they will desire to marry, 12 and so incur judgment for breaking their former pledge.[t] 13 And besides that, going around[u] from house to house they learn to be lazy,[v] and they are not only lazy, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things they should not.[w] 14 So I want younger women to marry, raise children, and manage a household, in order to give the adversary no opportunity to vilify us.[x] 15 For some have already wandered away to follow Satan.[y] 16 If a believing woman[z] has widows in her family,[aa] let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are truly in need.[ab]

17 Elders who provide effective leadership[ac] must be counted worthy[ad] of double honor,[ae] especially those who work hard in speaking[af] and teaching. 18 For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”[ag] and, “The worker deserves his pay.”[ah] 19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it can be confirmed by two or three witnesses.[ai] 20 Those guilty of sin[aj] must be rebuked[ak] before all,[al] as a warning to the rest.[am] 21 Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.[an] 22 Do not lay hands on anyone[ao] hastily and so identify with the sins of others.[ap] Keep yourself pure. 23 (Stop drinking just water, but use a little wine for your digestion[aq] and your frequent illnesses.)[ar] 24 The sins of some people are obvious, going before them into judgment, but for others, they show up later.[as] 25 Similarly good works are also obvious, and the ones that are not cannot remain hidden.

Those who are under the yoke as slaves[at] must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent[au] the name of God and Christian teaching[av] from being discredited.[aw] But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect[ax] because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.[ay]

Summary of Timothy’s Duties

Teach them and exhort them about these things.[az] If someone spreads false teachings[ba] and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions, and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness[bb] is a way of making a profit. Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit. For we have brought nothing into this world and so[bc] we cannot take a single thing out either. But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.[bd] Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root[be] of all evils.[bf] Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.

11 But you, as a person dedicated to God,[bg] keep away from all that.[bh] Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Compete well[bi] for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession[bj] for[bk] in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you[bl] before God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who made his good confession[bm] before Pontius Pilate, 14 to obey[bn] this command[bo] without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ 15 —whose appearing[bp] the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time. 16 He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.

17 Command those who are rich in this world’s goods[bq] not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain,[br] but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to do good,[bs] to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.[bt] 19 In this way they will save up[bu] a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation[bv] for the future and so lay hold of[bw] what is truly life.

Conclusion

20 O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you. Avoid[bx] the profane chatter and absurdities[by] of so-called “knowledge.”[bz] 21 By professing it, some have strayed from the faith.[ca] Grace be with you all.[cb]

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.