GetPassageurn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.darby:54urn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.darby:54Paul , apostle of Jesus Christ , according to [ the ] command of God our Saviour , and of Christ Jesus our hope , to Timotheus , [ my ] true child in faith : grace , mercy , peace , from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord . Even as I begged thee to remain in Ephesus , [ when I was ] going to Macedonia , that thou mightest enjoin some not to teach other doctrines , nor to turn their minds to fables and interminable genealogies , which bring questionings rather than [ further ] God's dispensation , which [ is ] in faith . But the end of what is enjoined is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith ; which [ things ] some having missed , have turned aside to vain discourse , desiring to be law-teachers , not understanding either what they say or concerning what they [ so ] strenuously affirm . Now we know that the law [ is ] good if any one uses it lawfully , knowing this , that law has not its application to a righteous person , but to [ the ] lawless and insubordinate , to [ the ] impious and sinful , to [ the ] unholy and profane , to smiters of fathers and smiters of mothers ; to murderers , fornicators , sodomites , kidnappers , liars , perjurers ; and if any other thing is opposed to sound teaching , according to the glad tidings of the glory of the blessed God , with which * I * have been entrusted . [ And ] I thank Christ Jesus our Lord , who has given me power , that he has counted me faithful , appointing to ministry him who before was a blasphemer and persecutor , and an insolent overbearing [ man ] : but mercy was shewn me because I did it ignorantly , in unbelief . But the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded with faith and love , which [ is ] 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 mercy was shewn me , that in me , [ the ] first , Jesus Christ might display the whole long-suffering , for a delineation of those about to believe on him to life eternal . Now to the King of the ages , [ the ] incorruptible , invisible , only God , honour and glory to the ages of ages . Amen . This charge , [ my ] child Timotheus , I commit to thee , according to the prophecies as to thee preceding , in order that thou mightest war by them the good warfare , maintaining faith and a good conscience ; which [ last ] some , having put away , have made shipwreck as to faith ; of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander , whom I have delivered to Satan , that they may be taught by discipline not to blaspheme . I exhort therefore , first of all , that supplications , prayers , intercessions , thanksgivings be made for all men ; for kings and all that are in dignity , that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all piety and gravity ; for this is good and acceptable before our Saviour God , who desires that all men should be saved and come to [ the ] knowledge of [ the ] truth . For God is one , and [ the ] mediator of God and men one , [ the ] man Christ Jesus , who gave himself a ransom for all , the testimony [ to be rendered ] in its own times ; to which * I * have been appointed a herald and apostle , ( I speak [ the ] truth , I do not lie , ) a teacher of [ the ] nations in faith and truth . I will therefore that the men pray in every place , lifting up pious hands , without wrath or reasoning . In like manner also that the women in decent deportment and dress adorn themselves with modesty and discretion , not with plaited [ hair ] and gold , or pearls , or costly clothing , but , what becomes women making profession of the fear of God , by good works . Let a woman learn in quietness in all subjection ; but I do not suffer a woman to teach nor to exercise authority over man , but to be in quietness ; for Adam was formed first , then Eve : and Adam was not deceived ; but the woman , having been deceived , was in transgression . But she shall be preserved in childbearing , if they continue in faith and love and holiness with discretion . The word [ is ] faithful : if any one aspires to exercise oversight , he desires a good work . The overseer then must be irreproachable , husband of one wife , sober , discreet , decorous , hospitable , apt to teach ; not given to excesses from wine , not a striker , but mild , not addicted to contention , not fond of money , conducting his own house well , having [ his ] children in subjection with all gravity ; ( but if one does not know how to conduct his own house , how shall he take care of the assembly of God ? ) not a novice , that he may not , being inflated , fall into [ the ] fault of the devil . But it is necessary that he should have also a good testimony from those without , that he may fall not into reproach and [ the ] snare of the devil . Ministers , in like manner , grave , not double-tongued , not given to much wine , not seeking gain by base means , holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience . And let these be first proved , then let them minister , being without charge [ against them ] . [ The ] women in like manner grave , not slanderers , sober , faithful in all things . Let [ the ] ministers be husbands of one wife , conducting [ their ] children and their own houses well : for those who shall have ministered well obtain for themselves a good degree , and much boldness in faith which [ is ] in Christ Jesus . These things I write to thee , hoping to come to thee more quickly ; but if I delay , in order that thou mayest know how one ought to conduct oneself in God's house , which is [ the ] assembly of [ the ] living God , [ the ] pillar and base of the truth . And confessedly the mystery of piety is great . God has been manifested in flesh , has been justified in [ the ] Spirit , has appeared to angels , has been preached among [ the ] nations , has been believed on in [ the ] world , has been received up in glory . But the Spirit speaks expressly , that in latter times some shall apostatise from the faith , giving their mind to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons speaking lies in hypocrisy , cauterised as to their own conscience , forbidding to marry , [ bidding ] to abstain from meats , which God has created for receiving with thanksgiving for them who are faithful and know the truth . For every creature of God [ is ] good , and nothing [ is ] to be rejected , being received with thanksgiving ; for it is sanctified by God's word and freely addressing [ him ] . Laying these things before the brethren , thou wilt be a good minister of Christ Jesus , nourished with the words of the faith and of the good teaching which thou hast fully followed up . But profane and old wives' fables avoid , but exercise thyself unto piety ; for bodily exercise is profitable for a little , but piety is profitable for everything , having promise of life , of the present one , and of that to come . The word [ is ] faithful and worthy of all acceptation ; for , for this we labour and suffer reproach , because we hope in a living God , who is preserver of all men , specially of those that believe . Enjoin and teach these things . Let no one despise thy youth , but be a model of the believers , in word , in conduct , in love , in faith , in purity . Till I come , give thyself to reading , to exhortation , to teaching . Be not negligent of the gift [ that is ] in thee , which has been given to thee through prophecy , with imposition of the hands of the elderhood . Occupy thyself with these things ; be wholly in them , that thy progress may be manifest to all . Give heed to thyself and to the teaching ; continue in them ; for , doing this , thou shalt save both thyself and those that hear thee . Rebuke not an elder sharply , but exhort [ him ] as a father , younger [ men ] as brethren , elder women as mothers , younger women as sisters , with all purity . Honour widows who are really widows ; but if any widow have children or descendants , let them learn first to be pious as regards their own house , and to render a return on their side to [ their ] parents ; for this is acceptable in the sight of God . Now she who [ is ] a widow indeed , and is left alone , has put [ her ] hope in God , and continues in supplications and prayers night and day . But she that lives in habits of self-indulgence is dead [ while ] living . And these things enjoin , that they may be irreproachable . But if any one does not provide for his own , and specially for those of [ his ] house , he has denied the faith , and is worse than the unbeliever . Let a widow be put upon the list , being of not less than sixty years , [ having been ] wife of one man , borne witness to in good works , if she have brought up children , if she have exercised hospitality , if she have washed saints' feet , if she have imparted relief to the distressed , if she have diligently followed every good work . But younger widows decline ; for when they grow wanton against Christ , they desire to marry , being guilty , because they have cast off their first faith . And , at the same time , they learn also [ to be ] idle , going about to people's houses ; and not only idle , but also gossipers and meddlers , speaking things not becoming . I will therefore that the younger marry , bear children , rule the house , give no occasion to the adversary in respect of reproach . For already some have turned aside after Satan . If any believing man or woman have widows , let them impart relief to them , and let not the assembly be charged , that it may impart relief to those [ that are ] widows indeed . Let the elders who take the lead [ among the saints ] well be esteemed worthy of double honour , specially those labouring in word and teaching ; for the scripture says , Thou shalt not muzzle an ox that treadeth out corn , and , The workman [ is ] worthy of his hire . Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses . Those that sin convict before all , that the rest also may have fear . I testify before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels , that thou keep these things without prejudice , doing nothing by favour . Lay hands quickly on no man , nor partake in others' sins . Keep thyself pure . Drink no longer only water , but use a little wine on account of thy stomach and thy frequent illnesses . Of some men the sins are manifest beforehand , going before to judgment , and some also they follow after . In like manner good works also are manifest beforehand , and those that are otherwise cannot be hid . Let as many bondmen as are under yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour , that the name of God and the teaching be not blasphemed . And they that have believing masters , let them not despise [ them ] because they are brethren ; but let them the rather serve them with subjection , because they are faithful and beloved , who profit by the good and ready service [ rendered ] . These things teach and exhort . If any one teach differently , and do not accede to sound words , those of our Lord Jesus Christ , and the teaching which [ is ] according to piety , he is puffed up , knowing nothing , but sick about questions and disputes of words , out of which arise envy , strife , injurious words , evil suspicions , constant quarrellings of men corrupted in mind and destitute of the truth , holding gain to be [ the end of ] piety . But piety with contentment * is * great gain . For we have brought nothing into the world : [ it is ] [ manifest ] that neither can we carry anything out . But having sustenance and covering , we will be content with these . But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare , and many unwise and hurtful lusts , which plunge men into destruction and ruin . For the love of money is [ the ] root of every evil ; which some having aspired after , have wandered from the faith , and pierced themselves with many sorrows . But * thou * , O man of God , flee these things , and pursue righteousness , piety , faith , love , endurance , meekness of spirit . Strive earnestly [ in ] the good conflict of faith . Lay hold of eternal life , to which thou hast been called , and hast confessed the good confession before many witnesses . I enjoin thee before God who preserves all things in life , and Christ Jesus who witnessed before Pontius Pilate the good confession , that thou keep the commandment spotless , irreproachable , until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ ; which in its own time the blessed and only Ruler shall shew , the King of those that reign , and Lord of those that exercise lordship ; who only has immortality , dwelling in unapproachable light ; whom no man has seen , nor is able to see ; to whom [ be ] honour and eternal might . Amen . Enjoin on those rich in the present age not to be high-minded , nor to trust on the uncertainty of riches ; but in the God who affords us all things richly for [ our ] enjoyment ; to do good , to be rich in good works , to be liberal in distributing , disposed to communicate [ of their substance ] , laying by for themselves a good foundation for the future , that they may lay hold of [ what is ] really life . O Timotheus , keep the entrusted deposit , avoiding profane , vain babblings , and oppositions of false-named knowledge , of which some having made profession , have missed the faith . Grace [ be ] with thee .