1 Timothy 1–3

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God^a our Savior^b and of Christ Jesus our hope,^c

²To Timothy^d my true son^e in the faith:

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

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

³As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,^g stay there in Ephesus^h so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrinesⁱ any longer ⁴or to devote themselves to myths^j and endless genealogies.^k Such things promote controversial speculations^l rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. ⁵The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart^m and a good conscienceⁿ and a sincere faith.^{o 6}Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. ⁷They want to be teachers^p of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.^q

⁸We know that the law is good^r if one uses it properly. ⁹We also know that the law is made not for the righteous^s but for lawbreakers and rebels,^t the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine^{u 11}that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.^v

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

¹²I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,^w that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.^{x 13}Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor^y and a violent man, I was shown mercy^z because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.^{a 14}The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly,^b along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.^c

¹⁵Here is a trustworthy saying^d that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners^e—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶But for that very reason I was shown mercy^f so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience^g as an example for those who would believe^h in him and receive eternal life.^{i 17}Now to the King^j eternal, immortal,^k invisible,^l the only God,^m be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.ⁿ

The Charge to Timothy Renewed

¹⁸Timothy, my son,^o I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you,^p so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,^{q 19}holding on to faith and a good conscience,^r which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.^{s 20}Among them are Hymenaeus^t and Alexander,^u whom I have handed over to Satan^v to be taught not to blaspheme.

Instructions on Worship

2I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,^w intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—²for kings and all those in authority,^x that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness^y and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases^z God our Savior,^{a 4}who wants^b all people^c to be saved^d and to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{e 5}For there is one God^f and one mediator^g between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,^{h 6}who gave himself as a ransomⁱ for all people. This has now been witnessed to^j at the proper time.^{k 7}And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying^l—and a true and faithful teacher^m of the Gentiles.ⁿ

⁸Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands^o without anger or disputing. ⁹I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,^{p 10}but with good deeds,^q appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

¹¹A woman^a should learn in quietness and full submission.^{r 12}I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;^b she must be quiet.^{s 13}For Adam was formed first, then Eve.^{t 14}And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.^{u 15}But women^c will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love^v and holiness with propriety.

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3Here is a trustworthy saying:^w Whoever aspires to be an overseer^x desires a noble task. ²Now the overseer is to be above reproach,^y faithful to his wife,^z temperate,^a self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,^b able to teach,^{c 3}not given to drunkenness,^d not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,^e not a lover of money.^{f 4}He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full^a respect.^{g 5}(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)^{h 6}He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceitedⁱ and fall under the same judgment^j as the devil. ⁷He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,^k so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.^l

⁸In the same way, deacons^bm are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,ⁿ and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.^{o 10}They must first be tested;^p and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

¹¹In the same way, the women^c are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers^q but temperate^r and trustworthy in everything.

¹²A deacon must be faithful to his wife^s and must manage his children and his household well.^{t 13}Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

¹⁴Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church^u of the living God,^v the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶Beyond all question, the mystery^w from which true godliness^x springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,^y

was vindicated by the Spirit,^d

was seen by angels,

was preached among the nations,^z

was believed on in the world,

was taken up in glory.^a