New International Version
Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 Timothy 1 2 3 4
Timothy 1
1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
1:2 To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
1:3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer
1:4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith.
1:5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1:6 Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.
1:7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
1:8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.
1:9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,
1:10 for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers--and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine
1:11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.
1:13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
1:14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.
1:16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1:18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight,
1:19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.
1:20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--
2:2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
2:3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
2:4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
2:6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.
2:7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle--I am telling the truth, I am not lying--and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.
2:8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
2:9 I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,
2:10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
2:11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.
2:13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
2:14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.
2:15 But women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
3:1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.
3:2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3:3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
3:4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.
3:5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)
3:6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
3:7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
3:8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
3:9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
3:10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
3:11 In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
3:12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.
3:13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
3:14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,
3:15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
4:2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
4:3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
4:4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
4:5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
4:6 If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.
4:7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.
4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
4:9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance
4:10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
4:11 Command and teach these things.
4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
4:15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
5:1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers,
5:2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
5:3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.
5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
5:5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.
5:6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.
5:7 Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame.
5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
5:9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,
5:10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
5:11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry.
5:12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.
5:13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.
5:14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.
5:15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.
5:16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.
5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
5:18 For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."
5:19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
5:20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.
5:21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
5:22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
5:23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
5:24 The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.
5:25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.
6:1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered.
6:2 Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.
6:3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,
6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
6:5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
6:8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
6:9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
6:11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
6:13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you
6:14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
6:15 which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
6:16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
6:18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
6:19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
6:20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,
6:21 which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.
1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
1:2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
1:3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
1:4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
1:5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
1:8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,
1:9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
1:10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
1:11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
1:12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
1:13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
1:15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
1:16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.
1:17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.
1:18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
2:1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
2:3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2:4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.
2:5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
2:6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
2:7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,
2:9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.
2:10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
2:11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;
2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
2:13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
2:14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
2:17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
2:18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
2:19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
2:20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.
2:21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2:23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
2:24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2:25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
2:26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
3:1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
3:2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3:3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
3:4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--
3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
3:6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires,
3:7 always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.
3:8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth--men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.
3:9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
3:10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,
3:11 persecutions, sufferings--what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
3:13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,
3:15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
3:17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
4:4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
4:6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.
4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
4:8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
4:9 Do your best to come to me quickly,
4:10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
4:12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
4:13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
4:14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.
4:15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
4:16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.
4:17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth.
4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
4:19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.
4:20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.
4:21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.
4:22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
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