1 Timothy 4–6

1Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

2influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

3They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

4For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,

5because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

6By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.

7But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.

8For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.

9This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance.

10To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.

11Command and teach these things.

12Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.

14Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

15Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

16Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,

2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

3Honor the widows who are truly widows.

4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

5The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.

6But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.

7Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.

8If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, faithful to her husband,

10and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.

11But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,

12and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith.

13At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.

14So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

15For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.

16If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need.

17Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

18For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

20But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.

21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.

22Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

24The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later.

25In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden.

1All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.

2Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.

3If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,

4he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,

5and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.

6Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.

7For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.

8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

9Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

11But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.

13I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:

14Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.

16He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

17Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,

19treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

20O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”

21which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all.