1 Timothy 1–3

Greeting

1Paul, ^aan apostle of Christ Jesus by the command ^bof God our Savior ^cand of Christ Jesus our hope: ^d

²To Timothy, ^emy true son in the faith.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the ^fFather and Christ Jesus our Lord.

False Doctrine and Misuse of the Law

³As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, ^gremain in Ephesus ^hso that you may instruct certain people ⁱnot to teach different doctrine ⁴or to pay attention to myths ^jand endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, ^kwhich operates by faith. ⁵Now the goal of our instruction is love ^lthat comes from a pure heart, ^ma good conscience, ⁿand a sincere faith. ^o6Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. ⁷They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on. ⁸But we know that the law is good, ^pprovided one uses it legitimately. ⁹We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, ^qfor the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰for the sexually immoral ^rand homosexuals, ^sfor kidnappers, ^tliars, ^uperjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching ^v11based on the glorious gospel ^wof the blessed God, ^xwhich was entrusted to me. ^y

Paul’s Testimony

¹²I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened ^zme, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— ¹³one who was formerly a blasphemer, ^aa persecutor, ^band an arrogant man. ^cBut I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief. ¹⁴And the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵This saying is trustworthy ^dand deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world ^eto save sinners” ^f—and I am the worst of them. ^g16But I received mercy ^hfor this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience ⁱas an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. ^j17Now to the King ^keternal, ^limmortal, ^minvisible, the only ⁿGod, ^obe honor ^pand glory ^qforever and ever. Amen. ^r

Engage in Battle

¹⁸Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies ^spreviously made about you, so that by them you may strongly engage in battle, ¹⁹having faith ^tand a good conscience. ^uSome ^vhave rejected these and have suffered the shipwreck of their faith. ²⁰Hymenaeus ^wand Alexander ^xare among them, and I have delivered them to Satan, ^yso that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

Instructions on Prayer

2First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, ²for kings and all those who are in authority, ^zso that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness ^aand dignity. ^b3This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, ^c4who wants everyone ^dto be saved ^eand to come to the knowledge of the truth. ^f

⁵For there is one God ^g

and one mediator ^hbetween God and humanity,

Christ Jesus, Himself human, ⁱ

⁶who gave Himself—a ransom for all, ^j

a testimony at the proper time.

⁷For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle ^k(I am telling the truth; ^lI am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles ^min faith and truth.

Instructions to Men and Women

⁸Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. ⁿ⁹Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, ^owith decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, ^ppearls, or expensive apparel, ¹⁰but with good works, ^qas is proper for women who affirm that they worship God. ¹¹A woman should learn in silence with full submission. ^r12I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to be silent. ¹³For Adam was created first, then Eve. ^s14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. ^t15But she will be saved through childbearing, if she continues ^uin faith, love, and holiness, ^vwith good judgment.

Qualifications of Church Leaders

3This saying is trustworthy: ^wx“If anyone aspires to be an overseer, ^yhe desires a noble work.” ²An overseer, ^ztherefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, ^arespectable, hospitable, ^ban able teacher, ^c3not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy ^d— ⁴one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. ⁵(If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) ⁶He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. ^e7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s ^ftrap.

⁸Deacons, ^glikewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, ⁹holding the mystery of the faith ^hwith a clear conscience. ⁱ¹⁰And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. ¹¹Wives, ^jtoo, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, ^kfaithful in everything. ¹²Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. ¹³For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mystery of Godliness

¹⁴I write these things to you, hoping to come ^lto you soon. ¹⁵But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God’s household, ^mwhich is the church of the living God, ⁿthe pillar and foundation of the truth. ^o16And most certainly, the mystery of godliness ^pis great:

He ^qwas manifested in the flesh, ^r

vindicated in the Spirit, ^s

seen by angels,

preached among the nations,

believed ^ton in the world,

taken up in glory. ^u