THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO

TIMOTHY.

1 PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus 2 our hope; unto Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

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As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain 4 men not to teach a different doctrine, neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, the which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God 5 which is in faith; so do I now. But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience 6 and faith unfeigned: from which things some having 7 swerved have turned aside unto vain talking; desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it law. 9 fully, as knowing this, that law is not made for a right. eous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the un godly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for 10 manslayers, for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for men-stealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound 11 doctrine; according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12 I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to 13 his service; though I was before a blasphemer, and a

persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, 14 because I did it ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love 15 which is in Christ Jesus. Faithful is the saying, and

worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into 16 the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief: howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ shew forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them which should hereafter believe on 17 him unto eternal life. Now unto the King eternal, in

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corruptible, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that by them thou mayest war the good warfare; 19 holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the 20 faith: of whom is Hymenæus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

2 I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all 2 men; for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and 3 gravity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of 4 God our Saviour; who willeth that all men should be 5 saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, one mediator also between God and 6 men, himself man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony to be borne in its own 7 times; whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, 9 lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing. In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with 10 braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but

(which becometh women professing godliness) through 11 good works. Let a woman learn in quietness with all 12 subjection. But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to 13 have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. For 14 Adam was first formed, then Eve; and Adam was not

beguiled, but the woman being beguiled hath fallen into 15 transgression: but she shall be saved through the childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety.

3 Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a 2 bishop, he desireth a good work. The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, soberminded, orderly, given to hospitality, 3 apt to teach; no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not 4 contentious, no lover of money; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with 5 all gravity; (but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of 6 God?) not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the

7 condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall 8 into reproach and the snare of the devil. Deacons in

like manner must be grave, not doubletongued, not given 9 to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding

the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And 10 let these also first be proved; then let them serve 11 as deacons, if they be blameless. Women in like man

ner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in 12 all things. Let deacons be husbands of one wife, 13 ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto 15 thee shortly; but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, 16 the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, received up in glory.

4 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to 2 seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own 3 conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that 4 believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be 5 received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.

6 If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which 7 thou hast followed until now but refuse profane and old wives' fables: And exercise thyself unto godliness: 8 for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come. 9 Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For to this end we labour and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of 11 all men, especially of them that believe. These things 12 command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth;

but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, 13 in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I

come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of 15 the presbytery. Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be 16 manifest unto all. Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee. 5 Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; 2 the younger men as brethren: the elder women as 3 mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. Hon4 our widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to shew piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the 5 sight of God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth 6 in supplications and prayers night and day. But she

that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 These things also command, that they may be without 8 reproach. But if any provideth not for his own, and

specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, 9 and is worse than an unbeliever. Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the 10 wife of one man, well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints' feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently fol11 lowed every good work. But younger widows refuse:

for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they 12 desire to marry; having condemnation, because they 13 have rejected their first faith. And withal they learn

also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking 14 things which they ought not. I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give none occasion to the adversary for re15 viling: for already some are turned aside after Satan. 16 If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

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Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word 18 and in teaching. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And,

19 The labourer is worthy of his hire. Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or 20 three witnesses. Them that sin reprove in the sight of 21 all, that the rest also may be in fear. I charge thee in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing 22 nothing by partiality. Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself 23 pure. Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little

wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. 24 Some men's sins are evident, going before unto judge25 ment; and some men also they follow after. In like manner also there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid.

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Let as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name 2 of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but let them serve them the rather, because they that partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according 4 to godliness; he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, 5 whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the 6 truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain. But 7 godliness with contentment is great gain: for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry any8 thing out; but having food and covering we shall be 9 therewith content. But they that desire to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and 10 perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows...

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But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, pa12 tience, meekness. Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of 13 many witnesses. I charge thee in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession;