1 Timothy

1 Timothy

Greeting

From Paul,

a sent one of the Anointed One, Jesus, by the command of God our Savior

and the Anointed One, Jesus, our hope—

To Timothy, my true son in the trust:

Grace, mercy, and peace

from God the Father and the Anointed One, Jesus our Master.

Correct False Teachings

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,

stay there in Ephesus

so that you may instruct certain people

not to teach false doctrines any longer

or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.

These promote meaningless speculations

rather than the stewardship from God that is based on trust.

The goal of this command is love—

which comes from a pure heart,

a clear conscience,

and a trust that is genuine.

Some have wandered away from these

and turned to meaningless talk.

They want to be teachers of the law,

but they do not understand what they are saying

or the things they so confidently affirm.

The Law Is Good—When Used Rightly

We know that the law is good

if one uses it properly.

We also know that the law is not made for the righteous

but for the lawless and rebellious—

for the ungodly and sinful,

for the unclean and irreverent,

for those who strike their fathers or mothers,

for murderers,

for the sexually immoral,

for those who practice what is perverse,

for slave traders, liars, perjurers—

and for whatever else is opposed to sound teaching

that agrees with the good news

concerning the glory of the blessed God,

which was entrusted to me.

Paul’s Example of Mercy

I thank the Anointed One, Jesus our Master,

who has strengthened me,

because He considered me trustworthy,

appointing me to His service.

Even though I was once a blasphemer,

a persecutor, and a violent man,

I was shown mercy

because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

The grace of our Master

was poured out on me abundantly,

along with trust and love

that are in the Anointed One, Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying,

worthy of full acceptance:

The Anointed One, Jesus, came into the world

to rescue sinners—of whom I am the worst.

But for this very reason I was shown mercy,

so that in me, the worst of sinners,

the Anointed One Jesus might display His perfect patience

as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

To the King of the ages,

immortal, invisible, the only God—

be honor and glory forever and ever.

Amen.

A Charge to Timothy

Timothy, my son,

I am giving you this command

in keeping with the prophecies once made about you,

so that by recalling them

you may fight the good fight,

holding on to trust and a good conscience.

Some have rejected these

and so have shipwrecked their trust.

Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander,

whom I have handed over for correction,

so they may learn not to speak in slanderous ways.

———

Pray for All People

First of all, then,

I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings

be made for all people—

for rulers and all those in positions of authority,

so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives

in all reverence and dignity.

This is good,

and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

who wants all people to be rescued

and to come to a full knowledge of the truth.

One Mediator

For there is one God

and one mediator between God and humanity—

the human Anointed One, Jesus,

who gave Himself as a ransom for all people.

This was the testimony given at the appointed time.

And for this purpose,

I was appointed a proclaimer and a sent one—

I am telling the truth, I am not lying—

a trustworthy teacher of the nations

in trust and truth.

Order and Reverence in Worship

Therefore, I want the men in every place

to pray with uplifted hands,

without anger or arguments.

Likewise, I want women to dress themselves

in modesty and self-control,

not with elaborate hairstyles,

gold, pearls, or expensive clothing,

but with what is proper for women

who profess reverence for God—

with good works.

A Quiet Spirit in Learning

Let a woman learn

in stillness and full attentiveness.

I do not permit a woman to teach

or to exercise authority over a man;

she is to remain in a posture of peace.

For Adam was formed first, then Eve.

And Adam was not deceived,

but the woman, being deceived,

fell into transgression.

Yet she will be restored through childbearing—

if she continues in trust, love, and set-apartness

with a sound mind.

———

Qualifications for Overseers

Here is a trustworthy saying:

If someone aspires to be an overseer,

they are desiring a good and meaningful work.

An overseer, then, must be:

Above reproach

A faithful husband of one wife

Self-controlled, thoughtful, and dignified

Hospitable and able to teach

Not addicted to wine

Not violent, but gentle

Not quarrelsome or greedy

He must manage his own household well,

keeping his children respectful and orderly—

for if someone does not know how to lead his own house,

how can he care for the gathering of God?

He must not be a recent convert,

or he may become prideful and fall into the same judgment as the Accuser.

He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,

so that he will not fall into disgrace

and the trap of slander.

Qualifications for Servants

Likewise, servants (often translated “deacons”) must be:

Respectable and sincere

Not indulging in much wine

Not greedy for dishonest gain

Holding to the mystery of the trust with a clear conscience

They must first be tested;

then if they are found blameless,

let them serve.

Women likewise must be:

Respectful

Not slanderers

Self-controlled

Trustworthy in everything

A servant must be:

A faithful husband of one wife

Managing their children and households well

For those who serve well

gain a good standing for themselves

and great confidence in the trust

that is in the Anointed One, Jesus.

The Mystery of Godliness

Though I hope to come to you soon,

I am writing these things so that,

if I am delayed,

you will know how people ought to conduct themselves

in God’s household—

the gathering of the living God,

the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Beyond question, the mystery of godliness is great:

He was revealed in flesh,

vindicated by the Breath,

seen by messengers,

proclaimed among the nations,

trusted in throughout the world,

lifted up in glory.

———

The Breath Has Spoken

The Set-Apart Spirit speaks clearly:

In the latter days,

some will depart from the path of trust,

giving their attention to deceptive messages

and teachings influenced by misleading spirits.

They will follow those who speak lies with practiced tone—

whose conscience has been cauterized.

They forbid marriage

and demand abstinence from foods

that God created to be received with thankfulness

by those who trust and know the truth.

For everything God created is good,

and nothing is to be rejected

if it is received with gratitude,

because it is set apart

through God's word and prayer.

Be Nourished in Truth

If you put these things before the brothers and sisters,

you will be a good servant of the Anointed One, Jesus—

nourished in the words of trust and the good teaching you follow.

But have nothing to do with worthless myths,

old stories that distract from truth.

Instead, train yourself for godly living.

Bodily training has some value,

but devotion shaped by the Breath

holds promise for this present life

and for the age to come.

This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full reception:

We labor and strive

because we have placed our hope in the living God,

who is the Rescuer of all people—

especially of those who trust.

Teach With Integrity

Command and teach these things.

Let no one look down on you because of your youth,

but be an example to the believers

in speech, in conduct, in love,

in trust, and in purity.

Until I come, devote yourself to:

the public reading of the sacred writings,

encouragement,

and teaching.

Do not neglect the gift that is in you,

which was given through prophecy

when the elders laid their hands on you.

Keep Watch Over Your Path

Give yourself fully to these things

so that your growth may be evident to all.

Pay close attention to your life and your teaching.

Continue in them,

for in doing so,

you will rescue both yourself and those who hear you.

———

Relating to One Another Like Family

Do not rebuke an older man harshly,

but encourage him as you would a father.

Treat younger men like brothers,

older women like mothers,

and younger women like sisters—

in all purity.

Caring for Widows

Honor widows

who are truly alone and without support.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren,

they should learn to show reverence in their own household

and to repay their parents and grandparents,

for this is pleasing before God.

The true widow, left all alone,

puts her hope in God

and continues day and night

in prayers and petitions.

But the one who lives only for pleasure

is dead even while she lives.

Command these things,

so that they may be blameless.

If anyone does not provide for their own relatives,

especially those in their household,

they have denied the trust

and are worse than one without allegiance.

The List of Widows

Let a widow be enrolled if she:

is at least sixty years old,

has been the faithful wife of one man,

is known for good works:

raising children,

showing hospitality,

serving the set-apart ones,

helping the afflicted,

and continuing in every good work.

But refuse to enroll younger widows,

for when their desires pull them away from the Anointed One,

they want to marry,

and bring judgment on themselves

for abandoning their first pledge.

At the same time, they may become idle,

wandering from house to house,

becoming not only idle,

but also talkers and meddlers,

saying things they should not.

So I advise the younger widows to marry,

have children, manage their households,

and give the opponent no reason to slander.

For some have already turned aside after the Adversary.

If any believing woman has widows in her family,

she should care for them

so that the gathering is not burdened,

and it may care for those truly alone.

Honoring Elders

Let the elders who lead well

be considered worthy of double honor,

especially those who labor in teaching and instruction.

For the Scripture says:

“Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”

and,

“The worker is worthy of his wages.”

Do not receive an accusation against an elder

unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.

Those who continue in wrongdoing

rebuke publicly,

so that others may be warned.

Keep Yourself Pure

I solemnly charge you before God,

the Anointed One Jesus,

and the chosen messengers:

Keep these instructions without bias,

doing nothing out of favoritism.

Do not be quick to lay hands on anyone,

and do not share in the sins of others.

Keep yourself pure.

(No longer drink only water,

but use a little wine because of your stomach

and your frequent ailments.)

Judgment Will Be Revealed in Time

Some people’s sins are obvious,

going before them into judgment.

But for others, they appear later.

Likewise, good works are obvious,

and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

———

Honor and Integrity in Service

All who are under the yoke as servants

should regard their masters as worthy of full respect,

so that the name of God and the teaching

may not be spoken against.

Those who have believing masters

must not be disrespectful because they are brothers,

but all the more serve them well,

since those who benefit from their service

are fellow believers and dearly loved.

Teach and encourage these things.

Reject Corrupt Teachings

If anyone teaches a different message

and does not agree with sound words—

those of our Master, Jesus the Anointed One—

and with the teaching that aligns with reverence,

they are puffed up with pride and understand nothing.

They are obsessed with disputes and arguments about words,

which produce envy, strife, slander, suspicion,

and constant friction

among people with corrupt minds

who are cut off from the truth—

who think that reverence is a means to gain profit.

Godliness With Contentment

But reverence with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world,

and we can take nothing out of it.

But if we have food and clothing,

we will be content with these.

Those who desire to become rich

fall into temptation, a trap,

and many harmful desires

that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,

and some, by craving it,

have wandered from the path of trust

and pierced themselves with many pains.

Fight the Good Fight

But you, person of God,

flee from these things,

and pursue:

rightness,

devotion,

trust,

love,

endurance,

and gentleness.

Fight the good fight of the trust.

Take hold of the life that is truly life,

to which you were called

when you made the good confession

in the presence of many witnesses.

Keep the Command Without Spot

In the presence of God,

who gives life to all,

and of the Anointed One, Jesus,

who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,

I charge you:

Keep this command without stain or reproach

until the appearing of our Master, Jesus the Anointed One,

which God will bring about in His own timing.

He is the blessed and only Sovereign,

the King of kings and Master of masters,

who alone is immortal

and dwells in unapproachable light,

whom no one has seen or can see.

To Him be honor and eternal strength.

Amen.

A Word to the Wealthy

Command those who are rich in this present age

not to be arrogant

or to put their hope in wealth,

which is uncertain,

but in God,

who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Instruct them to do good,

to be rich in good works,

generous and ready to share.

In doing this,

they 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.

Guard What Was Entrusted

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you.

Avoid the irreverent chatter

and opposing ideas of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

which some have claimed—

and in doing so have wandered from the path of trust.

Grace be with you all.