1 Timothy 4-6

American Standard Version

4 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, ² through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, ^[a]branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; ³ forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. ⁴ For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: ⁵ for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.

⁶ If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now: ⁷ but refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: ⁸ for bodily exercise is profitable ^[b]for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come. ⁹ Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation. ¹⁰ For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe. ¹¹ These things command and teach. ¹² Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. ¹⁴ Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. ¹⁵ Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all. ¹⁶ Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.

5 Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren: ² the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. ³ Honor widows that are widows indeed. ⁴ But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God. ⁵ Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth. ⁷ These things also command, that they may be without reproach. ⁸ But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. ⁹ Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, ¹⁰ well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work. ¹¹ But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; ¹² having condemnation, because they have rejected their first ^[c]pledge. ¹³ And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. ¹⁴ I desire therefore that the younger ^[d]widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling: ¹⁵ for already some are turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶ If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

¹⁷ Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. ¹⁸ For the scripture saith, ^[e]Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire. ¹⁹ Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. ²¹ I charge thee in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without ^[f]prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. ²² Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. ²³ Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. ²⁴ Some men’s sins are evident, going before unto judgment; and some men also they follow after. ²⁵ In like manner also ^[g]there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid.

6 Let as many as are ^[h]servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed. ² And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but let them serve them the rather, because they that ^[i]partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. These things teach and exhort.

³ If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to ^[j]sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; ⁴ he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but ^[k]doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, ⁵ wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain. ⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain: ⁷ for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; ⁸ but having food and covering ^[l]we shall be therewith content. ⁹ But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all ^[m]kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

¹¹ But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, ^[n]patience, meekness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. ¹³ I charge thee in the sight of God, who ^[o]giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession; ¹⁴ that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: ¹⁵ which in ^[p]its own times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of ^[q]kings, and Lord of ^[r]lords; ¹⁶ who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.

¹⁷ Charge them that are rich in this present ^[s]world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; ¹⁸ that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, ^[t]willing to communicate; ¹⁹ laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed.

²⁰ O Timothy, guard ^[u]that which is committed unto thee, turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called; ²¹ which some professing have ^[v]erred concerning the faith.

Grace be with you.