1 Timothy chapter 1
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the command of God our Savior and of the Lord Jesus Christ our hope,
2 To Timothy, my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Warning against false doctrines
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer,
4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote controversy rather than building up from God—which is by faith—so I now charge you.
5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk,
7 wanting to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or what they are so confidently affirming.
8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for the righteous, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,
10 for the sexually immoral, for men who practice homosexuality, for kidnappers, for liars and perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,
11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.
Paul's ministry
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service,
13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. But I received mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
14 But the grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18 Timothy, my son, I commit this charge to you, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you: wage the good warfare,
19 holding faith and a good conscience. Some, rejecting this, have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith,
20 of whom are Hymenaeus
1 Timothy chapter 2
Instructions on prayer
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—
2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people—the testimony given at the proper time.
7 For this purpose I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 Therefore I desire that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or quarreling.
9 I also want the women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly; not with elaborate hairstyles, or gold, or pearls, or expensive clothes,
10 but with good works, as is proper for women who profess godliness.
11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.
13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve;
14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
15 Yet women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with modesty.
1 Timothy chapter 3
Requirements for bishops
1 This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, peaceable, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.
5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he care for God’s church?)
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Requirements for deacons
8 Deacons, likewise, must be dignified, sincere, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain,
9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 They must first be tested; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 Likewise, their wives must be dignified, not malicious talkers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
13 Those who serve well gain a good standing for themselves and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The ministry of piety
14 I am writing these things to you, though I hope to come to you soon,
15 so that if I am delayed, you may know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: God appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
1 Timothy chapter 4
Prediction of apostasy
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared,
3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that 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 is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5 because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
A good minister of Jesus Christ
6 If you instruct the brothers and sisters in these things, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the sound doctrine you have followed.
7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.
8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.
10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things.
12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.
14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you through prophecy when the elders laid their hands on you.
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy chapter 5
Duties towards others
1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as you would a father; treat younger men as brothers;
2 treat older women as mothers; and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
3 Honor widows who are truly widows.
4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own family and to repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
5 But the widow who is truly widowed and left alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in supplications and prayers.
6 But she who lives for pleasure, even while she lives, is dead.
7 Command these things also, so that they may be blameless.
8 For if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let a widow be enrolled only if she is sixty years old or older, having been the wife of one husband,
10 and well-known for her good works: if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.
11 But do not admit younger widows, for when their desires drive them away from Christ, they want to marry,
12 thus incurring condemnation because they have abandoned their first faith.
13 They also learn to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to say.
14 I desire therefore that younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.
15 For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them provide for them, so that the church may not be burdened, that there may be enough to care for those who are truly widows.
17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The worker deserves his wages.”
19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
20 Those who persist in sin, rebuke them publicly, so that the others may take warning.
21 I solemnly charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels to observe these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 Stop drinking only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.
24 The sins of some people are obvious, preceding them to judgment, but the sins of others are revealed afterward.
25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.
1 Timothy chapter 6
1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be blasphemed.
2 Those who have believing masters should not despise them because they are brothers, but rather serve them better, for those who benefit from their good service are believers and dear to them. These are the things you should teach and encourage.
Piety and contentment
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
5 constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. From such people turn away.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,
7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
The Good Fight of Faith
11 But you, man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
13 I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who made his good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 that you keep the commandment without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 which he will bring about in his own time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
16 who alone has immortality and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Paul's final charge to Timothy
20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding profane and idle chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge,
21 which some profess and have strayed from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.