1 TIMOTHY

1 From Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus by a command of God our Savior and of
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Christ Jesus our hope, 2 to Timothy, my true son in the faith.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy and
peace.
False teachers
• 3 
When I left for Macedonia I urged you to remain in Ephesus to warn certain
persons not to teach false doctrine 4 or to concern themselves with fables and
endless genealogies. These give rise to discussions rather than promoting a better
service of God through faith. 5 The aim of our warning is love which comes from a
pure mind, a good conscience and sincere faith.
6 
Some have turned away from such a motivation and have strayed into useless
discussions. 7 They claim to be teachers of the Law when, in fact, they understand
neither what they say nor the things they speak about.
8 
We know that the Law is good, as long as it serves its purpose. 9 The Law is
not for the righteous, but for the lawless and for the wicked and sinful, for those
who do not respect God and religion, for those who kill their parents, for mur-
derers, 10 for those who indulge in unlawful sex and homosexuality, for kidnappers
and exploiters, for liars and perjurers and for all that is contrary to sound doctrine,
11 
to the Gospel of the God of glory and happiness, which was entrusted to me.
12 
I give thanks to Christ Jesus, our Lord, who is my strength, who has
considered me trustworthy and appointed me to his service, 13 although I had been
a blasphemer, a persecutor and a rabid enemy. However he took mercy on me
because I did not know what I was doing when I opposed the faith; 14 and the grace
of our Lord was more than abundant, together with faith and love that are in Christ
Jesus.
15 
This saying is true and worthy of belief: Christ Jesus came into the world to
save sinners, of whom I am the first. 16 Because of that I was forgiven; Christ Jesus
wanted to display his utmost patience so that I might be an example for all who are
to believe and obtain eternal life. 17 To the King of ages, the only God who lives
beyond every perishable and visible creation—to him be honor and glory forever.
Amen!
18 
Timothy, my son, I command you to fight the good fight, fulfilling the
prophetic words pronounced over you. 19 Hold onto faith and a good conscience,
unlike those who, ignoring conscience, have finally wrecked their faith. 20 Among
them are Hymeneus and Alexander whom I have delivered to Satan to be taught
not to blaspheme.
 2• First of all I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be
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made for everyone, 2 for rulers of states and all in authority, that we may enjoy a
quiet and peaceful life in godliness and respect. 3 This is good and pleases God.
4 
For he wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. 5 As there is one
God, there is one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself
human, 6 who gave his life for the redemption of all. This is the testimony, given in
its proper time, 7 and of this, God has made me apostle and herald. I am not lying, I
am telling the truth: He made me teacher of the nations regarding faith and truth.
8 
I want the men in every place to lift pure hands in prayer to heaven without
anger and dissension.
9 
Let women dress with simplicity and modesty, not adorned with fancy
hairstyles, gold, jewels and expensive clothes, 10 but with good works, as is fitting
for women serving God. 11 Let a woman quietly receive instruction and be sub-
missive. 12 I allow no woman to teach or to have authority over men. Let them be
quiet. 13 For Adam was created first and then Eve. 14 Adam was not deceived; it was
the woman who was deceived and fell into sin. 15 But she will be saved through
motherhood, provided that her life be orderly and holy, in faith and love.
Regarding overseers and deacons

3• If someone aspires to the overseer’s ministry, he is without a doubt looking

for a noble task. 2 It is necessary that the overseer (or bishop) be beyond reproach,
the husband of one wife, responsible, judicious, of good manners, hospitable and
skillful in teaching. 3 He must not be addicted to wine or quarrelsome, but gentle
and peaceful, and not a lover of money, 4 but a man whose household is well-
managed, with obedient and well-mannered children. 5 If he cannot govern his own
house, how can he lead the assembly of God?
6 
He must not be a recent convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the
same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must enjoy a good reputation
among the outsiders, lest people speak evil about him and he fall into the snare of
the devil.
8 
Deacons, likewise, must be serious and sincere and moderate in drinking wine,
not greedy for money, 9 they must keep the mystery of faith with a clear
conscience. 10 Let them be first tried and, if found blameless, be accepted as
deacons. 11 In the same way the women must be conscientious, not given to gossip,
but reserved and trustworthy.
12 
A deacon must be husband of one wife, and must know how to guide his
children and manage his household. 13 Those who serve well as deacons will win
honorable rank, with authority to speak of Christian faith.
• 14 
I give you these instructions, although I hope I will see you soon. 15 If I delay,
you will know how you ought to conduct yourself in the household of God, that is,
the Church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 
How great indeed is the mystery of divine blessing!
He was shown in the flesh
and sanctified by the Spirit;
presented to the angels
and proclaimed to all nations.
The world believed in him:
He was taken up in glory!

4• The Spirit tells us clearly that in the last days some will defect from the
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faith and follow deceitful spirits and devilish doctrines, 2 led by lying hypocrites
whose conscience has been branded with the stamp of infamy.
3 
These persons forbid marriage and condemn the use of certain foods which
God created for those who know the truth, and which the believers receive with
thanksgiving. 4 Everything created by God is good, and all food is lawful; nothing
is to be rejected if we receive it with thanksgiving, 5 for it is blessed with the word
of God and prayer, and made holy.
6 
If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, you will prove to be a
good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the teachings of faith and the sound
doctrine that you have followed. 7 Reject irreligious fables and old wives’ tales.
Train yourself in godliness. 8 Physical training is of limited value; godliness,
instead, is useful in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the life
to come. 9 Here you have a sure doctrine you can trust. 10 We toil and endure
because we trust in the living God, the Savior of all, especially of those who
believe.
Advice to Timothy
• 11 
Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one reproach you on account of
your youth. Be a model to the believers in the way you speak and act, in your love,
your faith and purity of life. 13 Devote yourself to reading, preaching and teaching,
until I come.
14 
Do not neglect the spiritual gift conferred on you with prophetic words when
the elders laid their hands upon you. 15 Think about it and practice it so that your
progress may be seen by all. 16 Take heed of yourself and attend to your teaching.
Be steadfast in doing this and you will save both yourself and your hearers.
The widows in the Church

5•Do not rebuke an older man; on the contrary, advise him as if he were your
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father. Treat the young as your brothers, 2 the elder women as mothers and the
young girls as your sisters, with great purity.
3 
Take care of widows who are really widows. 4 If a widow has children or
grandchildren, they should first learn their family duties and give their parents
financial help. This is correct and pleases God.
 5 
A true widow is one who, in being left alone, has set her hope in God, praying
day and night to God and asking him for help. 6 On the contrary, a widow who
lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Warn them about this that they
may be blameless. 8 Those who do not take care of their own, especially those of
their household, have denied the faith and are worse than unbelievers.
9 
Let no one be put on the list of widows unless she is sixty years old and has
been married only once. 10 She must be commended for her good works and the
education of her children. Has she offered hospitality to, washed the feet of the
saints, helped the suffering and practiced other good deeds?
11 
Do not accept younger widows; they may have other desires than for Christ
and want to marry; 12 then they deserve condemnation for breaking their first
commitment. 13 Besides they form the habit of being idle, going from house to
house. And it is not just idleness! They become gossips and busybodies, saying
what they should not.
14 
So I want young widows to marry and have children, to rule their household
and give adversaries no grounds for criticism. 15 Some have already strayed to
follow Satan. 16 If any Christian woman has widows in her family, let her assist
them; in this way the church will not be burdened and may assist those who are
truly widows.
Regarding the presbyters
• 17 
Let the elders who preside well receive double compensation, especially
those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 Scripture says: Do not muzzle the ox
while it threshes grain, and: The worker deserves his wages.
19 
Do not accept accusations against an elder except on the evidence of two or
three witnesses. 20 If he continues to sin, rebuke him in the presence of the
community, as a warning to the rest.
21 
I urge you, in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and of the holy angels, to
obey these rules with impartiality, without making distinctions. 22 Do not be hasty
in the laying on of hands, thus becoming an accomplice in the sins of others. Keep
yourself free from blame. 24 The sins of some people are plain to see, even before
they are examined; the sins of others are known only later on. 25 Likewise good
deeds are conspicuous; even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden.
23 
(Do not drink only water but take a little wine to help your digestion, because
of your frequent illness.)

6 Let those who are slaves always show respect to their masters, so that no one
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may speak ill of God and his teaching. 2 Those whose masters are Christians
should not show less respect under the pretext that they are members of the
church. On the contrary, they must give a better service since they are doing good
works on behalf of believers and dear friends.
Love of money
 Teach and stress these things. 3 Whoever teaches in some other way, not
following the sound teaching of our Lord Christ Jesus and true religious
instruction, 4 is conceited and understands nothing. This one is crazy about
controversies and discussions that result in envy, insults, 5 blows and constant
arguments between people of depraved minds and far from the truth. For them,
religion is merely for financial gain.
6 
In reality, religion is a treasure if we are content with what we have. 7 We
brought nothing into the world and we will leave it with nothing. 8 Let us then be
content with having food and clothing. 9 Those who strive to be rich fall into
temptations and traps. A lot of foolish and harmful ambitions plunge them into
ruin and destruction. 10 Indeed, the love of money is the root of every evil. Because
of this greed, some have wandered away from the faith, bringing on themselves
afflictions of every kind.
11 
But you, man of God, shun all this. Strive to be holy and godly. Live in faith
and love, with endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith and win
everlasting life to which you were called when you made the good profession of
faith in the presence of so many witnesses.
13 
Now, in the presence of God who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus
who gave the good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 14 I command you to keep the
commandment. Keep yourself pure and blameless until the glorious coming of
Christ Jesus, our Lord, 15 which God will bring about at the proper time, he, the
magnificent sovereign, King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 To him, alone immortal,
who lives in unapproachable light and whom no one has ever seen or can see, to
him be honor and power for ever and ever. Amen!
17 
Command the rich of this world not to be arrogant or to put their trust in the
uncertainty of wealth. Let them rather trust in God who generously gives us all we
need for our happiness. 18 Let them do good, be rich in good deeds and be
generous; let them share with others. 19 In this way, they shall heap up a sound
capital for the future and gain true life.
20 
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you; avoid useless and profane
words, as well as discussions arising from false knowledge. 21 Some have lost the
faith in accepting such knowledge.
The grace of God be with you all.