Abandonment of Faith

But (A)the Spirit explicitly says that (B)in later times some will [a]fall away from the faith, paying attention to (C)deceitful spirits and (D)teachings of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars (E)seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, who (F)forbid marriage and advocate (G)abstaining from foods which (H)God has created to be (I)gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For (J)everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is (K)received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of (L)the word of God and prayer.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

In pointing out these things to (M)the brothers and sisters, you will be a good (N)servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the (O)good doctrine which you (P)have been following. But [b]stay away from (Q)worthless (R)stories that are typical of old women. Rather, [c]discipline yourself for the purpose of (S)godliness; for (T)bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but (U)godliness is beneficial for all things, since it (V)holds promise for the (W)present life and also for the life to come. (X)It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set (Y)our hope on (Z)the living God, who is (AA)the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.

11 [d](AB)Prescribe and teach these things. 12 (AC)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, (AD)love, faith, and purity, show yourself (AE)an example [e]of those who believe. 13 (AF)Until I come, give your attention to the public [f](AG)reading, to exhortation, and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of (AH)prophecy with (AI)the laying on of hands by the [g](AJ)council of elders. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 (AK)Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will (AL)save both yourself and those who hear you.

Honor Widows

(AM)Do not sharply rebuke an (AN)older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, and to (AO)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 (AP)widows; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, (AQ)they must first learn to show proper respect for their own family and to give back compensation to their parents; for this is (AR)acceptable in the sight of God. Now she who is actually a (AS)widow and has been left alone (AT)has set her hope on God, and she continues in (AU)requests and prayers night and day. But she who (AV)indulges herself in luxury is (AW)dead, even while she lives. [h](AX)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 (AY)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

A widow is to be (AZ)put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been (BA)the wife of one man, 10 having a reputation for (BB)good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has (BC)shown hospitality to strangers, if she (BD)has washed the [i]saints’ feet, if she has (BE)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 (BF)physical desires alienating them from Christ, they want to get married, 12 thereby incurring condemnation, because they have [j]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 (BG)gossips and (BH)busybodies, talking about (BI)things not proper to mention. 14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get (BJ)married, have children, (BK)manage their households, and (BL)give the enemy no opportunity for reproach; 15 for some (BM)have already turned away to follow (BN)Satan. 16 If any woman who is a believer (BO)has dependent widows, she must (BP)assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are actually (BQ)widows.

Concerning Elders

17 (BR)The elders who (BS)lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who (BT)work hard [k]at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “(BU)You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing,” and “(BV)The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not accept an accusation against an (BW)elder except on the basis of (BX)two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, (BY)rebuke in the presence of all, (BZ)so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 21 (CA)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 (CB)Do not lay hands upon anyone too quickly and [l]thereby share (CC)responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself [m]free from sin.

23 Do not go on drinking only water, but (CD)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 (CE)follow after. 25 Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and (CF)those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.

Instructions to Those Who Minister

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

If anyone (CK)advocates a different doctrine and does not [q]agree with (CL)sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine (CM)conforming to godliness, he is (CN)conceited and understands nothing; but he [r]has a sick craving for (CO)controversial questions and (CP)disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between (CQ)people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who (CR)suppose that [s]godliness is a means of gain. (CS)But godliness actually is a means of (CT)great gain when accompanied by (CU)contentment. For (CV)we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. If we (CW)have food and [t]covering, with these we shall be content. (CX)But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and (CY)a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For (CZ)the love of money is a root of all [u]sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have (DA)wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many [v]griefs.

11 But (DB)flee from these things, you (DC)man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, (DD)faith, (DE)love, [w]perseverance, and gentleness. 12 (DF)Fight the good fight of (DG)faith; (DH)take hold of the eternal life (DI)to which you were called, and for which you made the good (DJ)confession in the presence of (DK)many witnesses. 13 (DL)I direct you in the presence of God, who [x]gives life to all things, and of (DM)Christ Jesus, who testified the (DN)good confession (DO)before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without [y]fault or reproach until the (DP)appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will [z]bring about at (DQ)the proper time—He who is (DR)the blessed and (DS)only Sovereign, (DT)the King of [aa]kings and (DU)Lord of [ab]lords, 16 (DV)who alone possesses immortality and (DW)dwells in unapproachable light, (DX)whom [ac]no one has seen or can see. (DY)To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

17 Instruct those who are rich in (DZ)this present world (EA)not to be conceited or to (EB)set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, (EC)who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in (ED)good [ad]works, (EE)to be generous and ready to share, 19 (EF)storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may (EG)take hold of that which is truly life.

20 (EH)Timothy, protect (EI)what has been entrusted to you, avoiding (EJ)worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21 which some have professed and thereby have (EK)gone astray [ae]from (EL)the faith.

(EM)Grace be with you.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 4:1 I.e., apostatize
  2. 1 Timothy 4:7 Or reject
  3. 1 Timothy 4:7 Or train
  4. 1 Timothy 4:11 Or Keep commanding and teaching
  5. 1 Timothy 4:12 Or to
  6. 1 Timothy 4:13 I.e., of Scripture in the church service
  7. 1 Timothy 4:14 Or board of elders
  8. 1 Timothy 5:7 Or Keep commanding
  9. 1 Timothy 5:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  10. 1 Timothy 5:12 Or broken
  11. 1 Timothy 5:17 Lit in word
  12. 1 Timothy 5:22 Lit do not share
  13. 1 Timothy 5:22 Lit pure
  14. 1 Timothy 6:1 Or blasphemed
  15. 1 Timothy 6:2 Or devote themselves to kindness
  16. 1 Timothy 6:2 Lit exhort, urge
  17. 1 Timothy 6:3 Lit come to; or come with
  18. 1 Timothy 6:4 Lit is sick about
  19. 1 Timothy 6:5 Or religion
  20. 1 Timothy 6:8 I.e., any covering for protection, mainly clothing
  21. 1 Timothy 6:10 Lit the evils
  22. 1 Timothy 6:10 Lit pains
  23. 1 Timothy 6:11 Or steadfastness
  24. 1 Timothy 6:13 Or keeps alive
  25. 1 Timothy 6:14 Lit spot
  26. 1 Timothy 6:15 Lit show
  27. 1 Timothy 6:15 Lit those who reign as kings
  28. 1 Timothy 6:15 Lit those who rule as lords
  29. 1 Timothy 6:16 Lit none of mankind
  30. 1 Timothy 6:18 Or deeds
  31. 1 Timothy 6:21 Lit concerning

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