Chapter One
Paul, Jesus Christ’s apostle, according to the commandment of God our Saviour and of the Lord Jesus Christ our hope, to Timothy, true-born child in the faith: grace, mercy, peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
And indeed I begged you to stay in Ephesus, while I was going to Macedonia, so that you might charge some not to teach other doctrines; nor to give heed to myths and unending genealogies which bring up questions, rather than God’s building up which is in faith. And the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith, from which some, having missed the goal, have turned aside in vain chatter, wanting to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they are saying, nor about what they are being so dogmatic.
Now we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this, that the law isn’t enacted for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for slayers of men, , for fornicators, for homosexuals, for men-stealers, for liars, perjurers and if there is any other thing opposed to sound doctrine, according to the joyful news of the glory of the blessed God with which I’ve been entrusted.
And I thank him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, that he has counted me faithful, appointing me to the ministry, being beforehand a blasphemer and a persecutcor, and insolent - but I was shown mercy because I did it being ignorant and in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was extremely abundant, with the faith and love in Christ Jesus.
Faithful is the word and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the first! But for this reason I’ve been shown mercy: so that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering as a pattern for those going to believe in him to everlasting life.
Now to the everlasting king, the immortal, invisible, only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Truly.
This charge I commit to you child, Timothy, according to the previous prophecies about you, so that you might fight by them a good warfare, having faith and a good conscience - which conscience some, having put away, have made a shipwreck about their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they may be disciplined not to blaspheme.
Chapter Two
So then I beg that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and honour, for this is good and acceptable before our Saviour God, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For God is one, and one mediator between God and men: the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony in due time, to which I’ve been appointed a preacher and an apostle, - I’m speaking the truth in Christ, I’m not lying - a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
So then I desire that men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and argument.
Similarly also the women in seemly fashion to adorn themselves with modesty and discretion, not with plaits or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but rather what is becoming to women professing the fear of God: with good works. Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. And I don’t allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness, - for Adam was formed first, then Eve, and Adam wasn’t deceived, but the woman having been deceived was in transgression. And she’l be saved through the bearing of children, if they stay in faith and love and sanctification with discretion.
Chapter Three
Faithful is the word: if any desires the office of superintendent he desires a good work.
The superintendent then must be irreproachable, the husband of one wife, temperate, discreet, courteous, hospitable, apt to teach, not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of base gain, but rather: gentle, not contentious, not loving money, ruling his own house well, having his children in subjection with all gravity - and if one doesn’t know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of God’s asssembly? Not a novice, lest, being puffed up he fall into condemnation of the devil. And he must also have a good witness from those outside lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Deacons similarly: grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of base gain, having the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And these also, let them be tried first, then let them serve being blameless.
Women similarly: grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
Deacons should be the husband of one wife, ruling their children well and their own houses. For these, having served well, acquire a good standing for themselves and much boldness in the faith in Christ Jesus.
I’m writing these things to you hoping to come to you shortly, but if I delay, so that you may know how you must behave yourself in the assembly of the living God - a pillar and base of the truth.
And without doubt, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Chapter Four
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, heeding deceiving spirits and teachings of demons, speaking lies hypocritically, their own conscience being cauterized, forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from foods which God has created to be received with thanksgiving for the faithful and they who know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected, being received with thanksgiving, for it’s sanctified by God’s word and prayer.
Putting these things before the brethren you’ll be a good servant of Jesus Christ, being nourished with the words of the faith and of the good teaching you’ve followed closely. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself in godliness. For bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but godliness is profitable for everything, having promise of life now and to come. The word is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, because for this we both labour and are reproached, in that we have hope in a living God who is the Saviour of all men, especially of believers.
Instruct and teach these things! Let no one despise your youth, but be a pattern for the believers in word, in behaviour, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Until I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. Don’t neglect the gift which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of the elders’ hands. Meditate on these things, be in them, so that your progress may be apparent to everyone. Pay attention to yourself and to the teaching, continue in it, for doing this you’ l save both yourself and those listening to you.
Chapter Five
Don’t rebuke an elder sharply but exhort him like a father, the younger ones as brothers, the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters in all purity. Honour widows who are indeed widows, and if any widow have children or grandchildren let them learn first to be godly in their own house and to requite their parents: for this is good and acceptable before God. Now she who is indeed a widow and left alone, has hope in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But she who lives in self-gratification, though living, is dead. And these things instruct, so that they may be irreproachable. And if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Let a widow be put on the list being not less than sixty years old, the wife of one man, being known for good works, whether she has brought up children, whether she has put up strangers, whether she has washed the saints’ feet, whether she has relieved the oppressed, whether she has followed after every good work.
But refuse younger widows, for when they’ve grown wanton against Christ they want to marry, having condemnation because they’ve put off their first faith. And at the same time they learn to be idle, going around the houses, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. So then I desire that the younger ones marry, bear children, look after the house, give no occasion to the adversary for reproach. l For already some have turned aside after Satan. l If any believing man or believing woman have widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened, so that it may relieve those who are widows indeed.
Let the elders who lead well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those labouring in the word and in teaching, for the scripture says, “Don’t muzzle an ox treading out the corn” and “the labourer is worthy of his hire.” Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except on the part of two or three witnesses. Those that sin, convict in front of all, so that the rest may be afraid.
I earnestly testify before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels, that you should guard these things without prejudice, doing nothing according to partiality.
Lay hands on no one quickly, nor share in others’ sins. Keep yourself pure. No longer drink water, but rather use a little wine on account of your stomach and your frequent infirmities. The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead to judgement, and some also follow after. Similarly too, good works are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.
Chapter Six
Let as many as are under the yoke, servants, esteem their own masters worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching isn’t blasphemed. And they who’ve got believing masters, let them not despise them because they’re brethren, but rather let them serve them because they are believing and beloved, who are being helped by good service. These things teach and exhort.
If anyone teaehes otherwise and doesn’t come near to sound words - those of our Lord Jesus Christ - and to the teaching which is according to godliness, he’s puffed up, knowing nothing, but fretting about questions and disputes over words out of which come envy, strife, blasphemies, evil suspicions, empty arguments of men corrupt in mind and destitute of the truth, thinking that godliness is gain. Withdraw from such. But godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into the world and it’s obvious we can carry nothing out. And having food and covering let us be satisfied with these. But those desiring to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful desires, which sink men into destruction atnd perdition. For the love of money is all evil’s root which some striving after have been seduced from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
But you, man of God, flee these things and go after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of everlasting life to which also you’ve been called, and have confessed the good confession before many witnesses.
I charge you before God, who makes all things alive, and Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment spotless, irreproachable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will show himself in due time: the blessed and only Potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen, nor is able to see, to whom be honour and everlasting dominion. Truly.
Charge those who are rich in the present age, not to be high-minded nor to put their hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God who gives us richly everything for our enjoyment, to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal in distributing, ready to communicate, laying up treasure for themselves, a good foundation for the future, so that they may lay hold on everlasting life!
Oh, Timothy! Keep the deposit entrusted to you, avoiding profane empty chatter and oppositions of falsely named science, which some professing have missed the point about the faith! Grace be with you. Truly.
First to Timothy, written from Laodicea, which is the chief city of Phrygia, Pacatiana.
This translation,
from the Greek Text used for the ‘Authorized’ or ‘King James’ Version
Copyright © David Lawrie 1998
Chapter One
Paul, Jesus Christ’s apostle, through the will of God according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, beloved child, grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord! I’m thankful to God, whom I serve from my forefathers with a clean conscience, that, unceasingly, I have remembrance of you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, remembering your tears so that I may be filled with joy, taking remembrance of the unfeigned faith in you which dwelt first in your grandmother, Loitha, and in your mother Eunice, and, I’m persuaded in you too. So then I’m reminding you to kindle up the gift of God which is in you by the laying on of my hands. For God hasn’t given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and of love and of self-control. So then you shouldn’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but rather suffer evils along with the joyful news, according to the power of God, who has saved us and has called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but is made evident now by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light, by means of the joyful news to which I’ve been appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher of the Gentiles. For which cause I’m also suffering these things. But I’m not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he’s able to keep my deposit entrusted to him for that day.
You have a pattern of sound words which you’ve heard from me in faith and love in Christ Jesus. The good deposit entrusted to you, keep by means of the Holy Spirit, dwelling in us.
You know this, that all the ones in Asia have turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. May the Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus because he has often refreshed me and he wasn’t ashamed of my chain, but having been in Rome, very carefully looked for me and found me: may the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord in that day - and you know very well how much he ministered to me in Ephesus.
Chapter Two
So you my child be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and the things that you’ve heard of me, by means of many witnesses, commit these to faithful men such as will be competent to teach others too. You then suffer hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No one serving as a soldier entangles himself with the business of life, so that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And if, besides, anyone contends in an athletic event he isn’t crowned unless he has contended lawfully, The farmer must labour before partaking of the fruits.
Consider the things I’m saying and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my joyful news, in which I’ m suffering hardship even to bonds as a wrongdoer. However the word of God isn’ t bound! Because of this I endure all things for the, sake of the elect, so that they, may also obtain the salvation in Christ Jesus with everlasting glory. Faithful the word: for if we’ve died together with him we’ll also live together; if we’ve endured we’ll also reign together; if we deny him he too will deny us; if we’re unfaithful he remains faithful - he cannot deny himself,
Make them remember these things, testifying earnestly before the Lord not to argue about words to no profit and to the subversion of those listening.
Be careful to present yourself approved to God, a workman not ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth; but stand apart from profane empty chatterings, for they will lead on to more ungodliness, and their word will feed like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus - and Philetus, who’ve missed the point of the truth, saying the resurrection has already taken place: and they’re overturning the faith of some.
Nevertheless God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “ The Lord knows those that are his” and “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from unrighteousness!”
Now in a great house there are not only golden and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthen, and some to honour, others to dishonour. If then a man has purged himself from these, he’ll be a vessel to honour, sanctified and fit for the master, having been prepared for every good work.
But flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. And refuse foolish and unlearned questionings, knowing that they produce disputes. And a servant of the Lord ought not to dispute but rather be gentle towards everyone, apt to teach, forbearing, with gentleness instructing those who oppose, so perhaps God may give them repentance to an acknowledgement of the truth, and they may awake from the snare of the devil - having been taken captive by him at his will.
Chapter Three
And know this: that in the last days there’ll be difficult times, for people will be selfish, lovers of money, conceited, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, irreverent, unloving, intolerant, slanderers, dissolute, fierce, not lovers of good, betrayers, heady, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. - Turn away from these!
For from these are the ones entering into the houses and leading captive silly women, laden with sins, led away with various lusts, always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.
And in the same way Jannes and Jambres stood against Moses, so also these stand against the truth, people utterly corrupted in mind, found worthless regarding the faith! But they won’t proceed further, for their foolishness will be quite obvious to everyone, as theirs also was.
Now you’ve closely followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings - such as came to me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra. What persecutions I endured! And out of all the Lord delivered me! And indeed all who want to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. And wicked men and impostors will grow worse, misleading and being misled. But you, stay in the things you’ve learnt and been assured of, knowing from whom you’ve learned, and that from babyhood you’ve known the sacred scriptures which are able to make you wise to salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Every scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
Chapter Four
So then I testify earnestly before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who is going to judge the living and the dead according to his appearing and his kingdom: proclaim the word, be urgent in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, encourage with all patience and teaching. For the time will come when they won’t endure sound teaching but according to their own desires they’ll heap up teachers to themselves, having an itching ear! And they’ll turn their ears away from the truth and they’ll be turned aside to fables. But you, be sober in everything, suffer hardships, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. For I’m already being poured out and the time of my release has come.
I’ve fought a good fight, I’ve finished the course, I’ve kept the faith. For the rest: there’s laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day - and not only to me but also to all who love his appearing.
Be careful to come to me quickly, for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present age, and has gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Having taken Mark, bring him with you, for he is useful to me for the ministry. And I’ve sent Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring the cloak which I left in Troas with Carpus when you come, and the scrolls - especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did many bad things against me. May the lord give to him according to his works, of whom also you beware for he has very much withstood our words.
In my first defence no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged to their account. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be made in full and all the Gentiles should hear, and I was delivered out of the lion’s mouth, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me to his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory for ever and ever in truth.
Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus has stayed on in Corinth and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. Be sure to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Truly.
Second to Timothy, chosen as first superintendent of the assembly of the Ephesians; written from Rome when Paul was put a second time before Caesar Nero.
This translation,
from the Greek Text used for the ‘Authorized’ or ‘King James’ Version
Copyright © David Lawrie 1998
