Correcting False Teaching

Paul, (A)an apostle of (B)Christ Jesus (C)according to the commandment of (D)God our Savior, and of (E)Christ Jesus, who is our (F)hope,

To (G)Timothy, (H)my true [a]son in the faith: (I)Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and (J)Christ Jesus our Lord.

Just as I urged you [b]upon my departure for (K)Macedonia, to remain on at (L)Ephesus so that you would instruct certain people not to (M)teach strange doctrines, nor to [c]pay attention to (N)myths and endless (O)genealogies, which give rise to useless (P)speculation rather than (Q)advance [d]the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now. But the goal of our [e](R)instruction is love (S)from a pure heart, from a (T)good conscience, and from a sincere (U)faith. Some people have strayed from these things and have turned aside to (V)fruitless discussion, (W)wanting to be (X)teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.

But we know that (Y)the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that (Z)law is not made for a righteous person but for those who are lawless and (AA)rebellious, for the (AB)ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and (AC)worldly, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the [f](AD)sexually immoral, (AE)homosexuals, [g](AF)slave traders, (AG)liars, (AH)perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to (AI)sound teaching, 11 according to (AJ)the glorious gospel of (AK)the blessed God, with which I have been (AL)entrusted.

Paul’s Testimony

12 I thank (AM)Christ Jesus our Lord, who has (AN)strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, (AO)putting me into service, 13 even though I was previously a blasphemer and a (AP)persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was (AQ)shown mercy because (AR)I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the (AS)grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the (AT)faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 15 (AU)It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that (AV)Christ Jesus came into the world to (AW)save sinners, among whom (AX)I am foremost. 16 Yet for this reason I (AY)found mercy, so that in me as the foremost sinner Jesus Christ might (AZ)demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those [h]who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17 Now to the (BA)King [i]eternal, (BB)immortal, (BC)invisible, the (BD)only God, (BE)be honor and glory [j]forever and ever. Amen.

18 This (BF)command I entrust to you, Timothy, (BG)my [k]son, in accordance with the (BH)prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you (BI)fight the good fight, 19 keeping (BJ)faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to [l](BK)their faith. 20 [m]Among these are (BL)Hymenaeus and (BM)Alexander, whom I have (BN)handed over to Satan, so that they will be (BO)taught not to blaspheme.

A Call to Prayer

First of all, then, I urge that (BP)requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, (BQ)for kings and all who are in [n]authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and [o]dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of (BR)God our Savior, (BS)who wants all people to be (BT)saved and to (BU)come to the [p]knowledge of the truth. For there is (BV)one God, and (BW)one mediator also between God and mankind, the (BX)man Christ Jesus, who (BY)gave Himself as a ransom for all, the (BZ)testimony [q]given at [r](CA)the proper time. (CB)For this I was appointed as a [s]preacher and (CC)an apostle ((CD)I am telling the truth, I am not lying), as a teacher of (CE)the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Instructions for Believers

Therefore (CF)I want the men (CG)in every place to pray, (CH)lifting up (CI)holy hands, without anger and dispute. Likewise, I want (CJ)women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, [t]modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive apparel, 10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. 11 (CK)A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 (CL)But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 (CM)For it was Adam who was first [u]created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but (CN)the woman was [v]deceived and [w]became a wrongdoer. 15 But [x]women will be [y]preserved through [z]childbirth—if they continue in (CO)faith, love, and sanctity, with moderation.

Overseers and Deacons

(CP)It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the (CQ)office of [aa]overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. [ab](CR)An overseer, then, must be above reproach, (CS)the husband of one wife, [ac](CT)temperate, self-controlled, respectable, (CU)hospitable, (CV)skillful in teaching, (CW)not overindulging in wine, not [ad]a bully, but gentle, not contentious, (CX)free from the love of money. He must be one who (CY)manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of (CZ)the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become (DA)conceited and fall into (DB)condemnation [ae]incurred by the devil. And he must (DC)have a good reputation with (DD)those outside the church, so that he will not fall into [af]disgrace and (DE)the snare of the devil.

(DF)Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not [ag]insincere, (DG)not prone to drink much wine, (DH)not greedy for money, (DI)but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 (DJ)These men must also first be tested; then have them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 [ah]Women must likewise be dignified, (DK)not malicious gossips, but [ai](DL)temperate, faithful in all things. 12 (DM)Deacons must be (DN)husbands of one wife, and [aj](DO)good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons (DP)obtain for themselves a [ak]high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but [al]in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in (DQ)the household of God, which is the (DR)church of (DS)the living God, the (DT)pillar and support of the truth. 16 Beyond question, great is (DU)the mystery of godliness:

He who was (DV)revealed in the flesh,
Was [am](DW)vindicated [an]in the Spirit,
(DX)Seen by angels,
(DY)Proclaimed among the nations,
(DZ)Believed on in the world,
(EA)Taken up in glory.

Abandonment of Faith

But (EB)the Spirit explicitly says that (EC)in later times some will [ao]fall away from the faith, paying attention to (ED)deceitful spirits and (EE)teachings of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars (EF)seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, who (EG)forbid marriage and advocate (EH)abstaining from foods which (EI)God has created to be (EJ)gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For (EK)everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is (EL)received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of (EM)the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

In pointing out these things to (EN)the brothers and sisters, you will be a good (EO)servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the (EP)good doctrine which you (EQ)have been following. But [ap]stay away from (ER)worthless (ES)stories that are typical of old women. Rather, [aq]discipline yourself for the purpose of (ET)godliness; for (EU)bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but (EV)godliness is beneficial for all things, since it (EW)holds promise for the (EX)present life and also for the life to come. (EY)It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set (EZ)our hope on (FA)the living God, who is (FB)the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.

11 [ar](FC)Prescribe and teach these things. 12 (FD)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, (FE)love, faith, and purity, show yourself (FF)an example [as]of those who believe. 13 (FG)Until I come, give your attention to the public [at](FH)reading, to exhortation, and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of (FI)prophecy with (FJ)the laying on of hands by the [au](FK)council of elders. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 (FL)Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will (FM)save both yourself and those who hear you.

Honor Widows

(FN)Do not sharply rebuke an (FO)older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, and to (FP)the younger men as brothers, to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

Honor widows who are actually (FQ)widows; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, (FR)they must first learn to show proper respect for their own family and to give back compensation to their parents; for this is (FS)acceptable in the sight of God. Now she who is actually a (FT)widow and has been left alone (FU)has set her hope on God, and she continues in (FV)requests and prayers night and day. But she who (FW)indulges herself in luxury is (FX)dead, even while she lives. [av](FY)Give these instructions as well, so that they may be above reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has (FZ)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

A widow is to be (GA)put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been (GB)the wife of one man, 10 having a reputation for (GC)good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has (GD)shown hospitality to strangers, if she (GE)has washed the [aw]saints’ feet, if she has (GF)assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to register younger widows, for when they feel (GG)physical desires alienating them from Christ, they want to get married, 12 thereby incurring condemnation, because they have [ax]ignored their previous pledge. 13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also they become (GH)gossips and (GI)busybodies, talking about (GJ)things not proper to mention. 14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get (GK)married, have children, (GL)manage their households, and (GM)give the enemy no opportunity for reproach; 15 for some (GN)have already turned away to follow (GO)Satan. 16 If any woman who is a believer (GP)has dependent widows, she must (GQ)assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are actually (GR)widows.

Concerning Elders

17 (GS)The elders who (GT)lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who (GU)work hard [ay]at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “(GV)You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing,” and “(GW)The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not accept an accusation against an (GX)elder except on the basis of (GY)two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, (GZ)rebuke in the presence of all, (HA)so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 21 (HB)I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 22 (HC)Do not lay hands upon anyone too quickly and [az]thereby share (HD)responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself [ba]free from sin.

23 Do not go on drinking only water, but (HE)use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

24 The sins of some people are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins (HF)follow after. 25 Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and (HG)those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.

Instructions to Those Who Minister

(HH)All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor (HI)so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be [bb]spoken against. Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are (HJ)brothers or sisters, but must serve them all the more, because those who [bc]partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. (HK)Teach and [bd]preach these principles.

If anyone (HL)advocates a different doctrine and does not [be]agree with (HM)sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine (HN)conforming to godliness, he is (HO)conceited and understands nothing; but he [bf]has a sick craving for (HP)controversial questions and (HQ)disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between (HR)people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who (HS)suppose that [bg]godliness is a means of gain. (HT)But godliness actually is a means of (HU)great gain when accompanied by (HV)contentment. For (HW)we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. If we (HX)have food and [bh]covering, with these we shall be content. (HY)But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and (HZ)a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For (IA)the love of money is a root of all [bi]sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have (IB)wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many [bj]griefs.

11 But (IC)flee from these things, you (ID)man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, (IE)faith, (IF)love, [bk]perseverance, and gentleness. 12 (IG)Fight the good fight of (IH)faith; (II)take hold of the eternal life (IJ)to which you were called, and for which you made the good (IK)confession in the presence of (IL)many witnesses. 13 (IM)I direct you in the presence of God, who [bl]gives life to all things, and of (IN)Christ Jesus, who testified the (IO)good confession (IP)before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without [bm]fault or reproach until the (IQ)appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will [bn]bring about at (IR)the proper time—He who is (IS)the blessed and (IT)only Sovereign, (IU)the King of [bo]kings and (IV)Lord of [bp]lords, 16 (IW)who alone possesses immortality and (IX)dwells in unapproachable light, (IY)whom [bq]no one has seen or can see. (IZ)To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

17 Instruct those who are rich in (JA)this present world (JB)not to be conceited or to (JC)set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, (JD)who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in (JE)good [br]works, (JF)to be generous and ready to share, 19 (JG)storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may (JH)take hold of that which is truly life.

20 (JI)Timothy, protect (JJ)what has been entrusted to you, avoiding (JK)worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21 which some have professed and thereby have (JL)gone astray [bs]from (JM)the faith.

(JN)Grace be with you.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 1:2 Or child
  2. 1 Timothy 1:3 Lit while going to
  3. 1 Timothy 1:4 Or occupy themselves with
  4. 1 Timothy 1:4 I.e., prob. the plan of salvation
  5. 1 Timothy 1:5 Lit commandment
  6. 1 Timothy 1:10 Or fornicators
  7. 1 Timothy 1:10 Or kidnappers
  8. 1 Timothy 1:16 Or destined to
  9. 1 Timothy 1:17 Lit of the ages
  10. 1 Timothy 1:17 Lit to the ages of the ages
  11. 1 Timothy 1:18 Or child
  12. 1 Timothy 1:19 Or the
  13. 1 Timothy 1:20 Lit Of
  14. 1 Timothy 2:2 Or a high position
  15. 1 Timothy 2:2 Or seriousness
  16. 1 Timothy 2:4 Or recognition
  17. 1 Timothy 2:6 Or to be given
  18. 1 Timothy 2:6 Lit its own times
  19. 1 Timothy 2:7 Or herald
  20. 1 Timothy 2:9 Lit with modesty
  21. 1 Timothy 2:13 Or formed
  22. 1 Timothy 2:14 Or thoroughly deceived
  23. 1 Timothy 2:14 Lit has become
  24. 1 Timothy 2:15 Lit she
  25. 1 Timothy 2:15 Or saved
  26. 1 Timothy 2:15 Or the childbirth; or the bearing of children
  27. 1 Timothy 3:1 Or bishop
  28. 1 Timothy 3:2 Lit The
  29. 1 Timothy 3:2 Or level-headed
  30. 1 Timothy 3:3 Or combative
  31. 1 Timothy 3:6 Lit of the devil
  32. 1 Timothy 3:7 Or reproach
  33. 1 Timothy 3:8 Or given to double-talk
  34. 1 Timothy 3:11 I.e., either deacons’ wives or deaconesses
  35. 1 Timothy 3:11 Or level-headed
  36. 1 Timothy 3:12 Lit managing well
  37. 1 Timothy 3:13 Lit good
  38. 1 Timothy 3:15 Lit if I delay
  39. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or justified
  40. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or by
  41. 1 Timothy 4:1 I.e., apostatize
  42. 1 Timothy 4:7 Or reject
  43. 1 Timothy 4:7 Or train
  44. 1 Timothy 4:11 Or Keep commanding and teaching
  45. 1 Timothy 4:12 Or to
  46. 1 Timothy 4:13 I.e., of Scripture in the church service
  47. 1 Timothy 4:14 Or board of elders
  48. 1 Timothy 5:7 Or Keep commanding
  49. 1 Timothy 5:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  50. 1 Timothy 5:12 Or broken
  51. 1 Timothy 5:17 Lit in word
  52. 1 Timothy 5:22 Lit do not share
  53. 1 Timothy 5:22 Lit pure
  54. 1 Timothy 6:1 Or blasphemed
  55. 1 Timothy 6:2 Or devote themselves to kindness
  56. 1 Timothy 6:2 Lit exhort, urge
  57. 1 Timothy 6:3 Lit come to; or come with
  58. 1 Timothy 6:4 Lit is sick about
  59. 1 Timothy 6:5 Or religion
  60. 1 Timothy 6:8 I.e., any covering for protection, mainly clothing
  61. 1 Timothy 6:10 Lit the evils
  62. 1 Timothy 6:10 Lit pains
  63. 1 Timothy 6:11 Or steadfastness
  64. 1 Timothy 6:13 Or keeps alive
  65. 1 Timothy 6:14 Lit spot
  66. 1 Timothy 6:15 Lit show
  67. 1 Timothy 6:15 Lit those who reign as kings
  68. 1 Timothy 6:15 Lit those who rule as lords
  69. 1 Timothy 6:16 Lit none of mankind
  70. 1 Timothy 6:18 Or deeds
  71. 1 Timothy 6:21 Lit concerning

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