Paul's First Letter To Timothy

1 Timothy 1

Paul's Greeting to Timothy

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our sure expectation;

2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Gracious favor, compassion, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reject False Teachers of the Law

3 Just as I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, "Remain in Ephesus that you may transmit this message to some: that they are to teach no other teaching,

4 Nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith:" so do.

5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, and from a good conscience, and from sincere faith; [Literally, transmitted message.]

6 From which some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to senseless reasoning,

7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they are saying, nor the things they strongly affirm.

8 But we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully;

9 Knowing this, that the law was not enacted for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the irreverent and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers

10 For the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders, for liars. for perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching;

11 According to the glorious Good News of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.

Thanks be to God for His Compassion and Gracious favor

12 Now I thank him who has enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, for he counted me trustworthy, appointing me to his service;

13 Although previously I was a blasphemer, and persecutor, and an insolent man; yet I received mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

14 And the gracious favor of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

15 Faithful is the Word, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

16 But for this reason I received compassion, so that in me as the foremost of sinners, Jesus Christ might demonstrate the full measure of his patience, as an example, for those who are going to believe on him for eternal life. [Literally all.]

17 Now to the King of the Ages, immortal, invisible, God who alone is wise, to him belongs honor and glory into the ages of the ages. Amen! (Indeed!)

18 Timothy, my child, this mandate I commit to you; according to the prophecies which were previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage a good warfare; [Literally, transmitted message.]

19 Having faith and a good conscience, which some having shoved off, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck:

20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they may learn not to blaspheme.

 1 Timothy 2

Pray for Everyone

1 Therefore I urge, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all people;

2 For kings, and for all who are in authority; that we may pass our time in a tranqual and peaceful life, in all adoration and reverence of God.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

4 Who desires for all people to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and human beings, the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself as a ransom for everyone: this is the testimony which was given at its proper time.

7 For which I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am speaking the truth in Christ, I'm not lying) a teacher of the nations in faith and truth.

Instructions to Men and Women in the Church

8 Therefore I desire that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without anger and disputing.

9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and with soundness of mind, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,

10 But, that which is proper for women professing reverence for God, with good deeds.

11 Let a wife learn quietly with all submissiveness.

12 But I do not allow a wife to teach or exercise authority over her husband, but to remain quiet.

13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.

14 And Adam was not deceived, but the wife, because she was deceived, became a transgressor.

15 But a wife will be brought safely through childbirth, if she continues in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

 1 Timothy 3

Qualifications for Overseers

1 This is a trustworthy saying: "If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, they desire a good task."

2 An overseer then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, of a sound mind, of good behavior, given to hospitality, able to teach;

3 Not addicted to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, nor covetous;

4 One who rules his own household well, keeping his children under control with all respect;

5 (For if someone doesn't know how to rule their own household, how can they take care of God's congregation?)

6 Not a novice, lest being puffed up they fall into the same condemnation as the devil.

7 Moreover they must have a good testimony among those who are outside the congregation, lest they fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Qualifications for Assistants

8 Likewise assistants must be honorable, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as assistants, being found blameless.

11 Likewise, women must be honorable, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

12 Assistants must be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own households well.

13 For those who have served well as assistants obtain for themselves good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 I write these things to you, though I expect to come to you shortly;

15 But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you should conduct yourself in God's Household, which is the congregation of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

16 And without controversy, great is the mystery of our reverence for God:

God was revealed in the flesh.

Was declared innocent by the Spirit.

Was seen by messengers.

Was proclaimed among the nations.

Was believed on in the world.

Was taken up in glory.

1 Timothy 4

False Teaching in the Latter Times

1 Now the Spirit explicitly says, that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceiving spirits, and teachings of demons;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their own conscience seared as with a hot iron;

3 Forbidding marriage, and telling people to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving:

5 Because it is made holy by God's Word and prayer.

Be a Good Servant of Jesus Christ

6 If you lay these things out before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, having been nourished with the words of faith and the good teaching which you have closely followed.

7 But refuse to listen to profane and old women’s fables, instead train yourself toward reverence of God.

8 For training the body profits a little, but reverence for God is profitable in all things, having promise of the life that is now and of that which is to come:

9 This is a trustworthy saying and worthy of all acceptance.

10 For to this end, we both work hard and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

11 Transmit this message and teach these things.

12 Let no one despise your youth; but be an example to the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to proclaiming these things, and to teaching.

14 Do not neglect the gift which is in you, which was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to everyone.

16 Take mastery over yourself and the teaching; continue in them, for in doing this, you will save both yourself and those who hear you. [Literally,  Take hold upon.]

1 Timothy 5

How to Treat Men and Women

1 Don't scold an older man, but appeal to him like a father; treat younger men like brothers;

2 Treat older women like mothers; treat younger woman like sisters, with all purity.

How to Treat Widows

3 Honor widows who really are widows.

4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godly reverence at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God.

5 Now she who really is a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

6 But she who lives in sensual pleasure is dead while she lives.

7 And transmit this message to them, that they may be blameless.

8 But if anyone doesn't provide for their own, and especially for those of their own household, they have denied the faith, and are worse than an unbeliever.

9 Don't let a widow under 60 years old be put on the list, and not unless she has been the wife of one man,

10 Well reported of for good deeds; if she's brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she's washed God's holy people's feet, if she's helped the oppressed, if she's followed after every good deed.

11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their sensual desires draw them away from Christ, they want to get married;

12 Having condemnation, because they are setting aside their first faith.

13 And at the same time they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they should not.

14 So I want younger widows to marry, bear children, to be in charge of the house, giving the adversary no opportunity to speak slander.

15 For already some are turning aside after Satan.

16 If any believing man or believing woman has widows in their family, let them help them, and do not let the congregation be burdened, that they may help those who really are widows.

How to treat Elders

17 Let the good elders who stand before the congregation be counted worthy of double honor; especially those who labor in the word and teaching:

18 Because the Scripture says, "You're not to muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

19 Don't receive an accusation against an elder, unless on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

20 Those elders who are sinning scold in the presence of everyone, that the rest may also fear.

A Charge to Timothy

21 I earnestly testify before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen messengers, that these things are be observed without prejudice, that nothing be done with partiality.

22 Don't quickly lay hands on anyone, nor share in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

23 No longer drink water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent physical weakness.

24 Some people's sins are clearly evident, going before them to judgment, and some also follow afterward.

25 In the same way also, the good deeds of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

1 Timothy 6

How Servants Should Live

1 Let as many slaves as are under the yoke esteem their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed.

2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers and sisters; but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and counsel these things.

Reject False Teaching

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the teaching which is in accordance with reverence for God,

4 They are puffed up, knowing nothing, but have an unhealthy interest in questioning and quarreling about words, from which come envy, strife, vilification, evil suspicions,

5 Senseless arguments of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that reverent behavior is a means for gain. From such withdraw yourself. 

Be Content

6 But reverent behavior with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and certainly neither can we carry anything out.

8 And having food and clothing let us be content with these things.

9 But those who desire to be rich fall into testing and temptation and a trap, and into many foolish and harmful desires which drown people in destruction and ruin and loss.

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some in their reaching for have strayed from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Paul's Charge to Timothy

11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, reverent behavior, faith, love, cheerful endurance, gentleness. [Or, person.]

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life, to which you were also called, and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

13 I transmit this message to you before God, who gives life to everyone, and before Christ Jesus who testified the beautiful confession before Pontius Pilate,

14 That you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 Which the blessed and Only Ruler will reveal in his own times, the King of those being kings and Lord of those being lords;

16 Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no human being has seen, nor is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen! (Indeed!)

A Charge to the Rich

17 Instruct those who are rich in this present age not to be arrogant, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who richly and freely gives us all things to enjoy! [Literally, lofty in mind.]

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good deeds, being good givers, willingly sharing with others;

19 Treasuring up a beautiful foundation for themselves in the future, that they may lay hold on eternal life

Keep the Faith Committed to You

20 O Timothy, guard the deposit which was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and empty babblings, and the contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge:

21 Which some professing have have missed the mark concerning the faith. Gracious favor be with you!

Amen! (Indeed!)