1 Timothy 1–3

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

2To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines

4or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.

5The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.

6Some have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk.

7They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.

8Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.

9We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers,

10for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

11that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service.

13I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.

14And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.

16But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

17Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

18Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,

19holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith.

20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

1First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—

2for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

3This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

4who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

6who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.

7For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.

8Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension.

9Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,

10but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

11A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness.

12I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.

13For Adam was formed first, and then Eve.

14And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression.

15Women, however, will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

1This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.

2An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

3not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

4An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.

5For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?

6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.

7Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.

8Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.

9They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

10Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.

11In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.

12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.

13For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things

15in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

16By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.