Study Desk

Paul, ^(C1)an apostle of ^(C2)Christ Jesus ^(C3)according to the commandment of ^(C3)God our Savior, and of ^(C2)Christ Jesus, who is our ^(C4)hope,

To ^(C1)Timothy, ^(C1)my true ^(F1)son in the faith: ^(C2)Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and ^(C3)Christ Jesus our Lord.

Just as I urged you ^(F1)upon my departure for ^(C1)Macedonia, to remain on at ^(C2)Ephesus so that you would instruct certain people not to ^(C3)teach strange doctrines,

nor to ^(F1)pay attention to ^(C1)myths and endless ^(C2)genealogies, which give rise to useless ^(C3)speculation rather than ^(C4)advance ^(F2)the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now.

But the goal of our ^(F1)(C1)instruction is love ^(C2)from a pure heart, from a ^(C3)good conscience, and from a sincere ^(C4)faith.

Some people have strayed from these things and have turned aside to ^(C1)fruitless discussion,

^(C1)wanting to be ^(C2)teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.

But we know that ^(C1)the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,

realizing the fact that ^(C1)law is not made for a righteous person but for those who are lawless and ^(C2)rebellious, for the ^(C3)ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and ^(C4)worldly, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

for the ^(F1)(C1)sexually immoral, ^(C2)homosexuals, ^(F2)(C3)slave traders, ^(C4)liars, ^(C5)perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to ^(C6)sound teaching,

according to ^(C1)the glorious gospel of ^(C2)the blessed God, with which I have been ^(C3)entrusted.

I thank ^(C1)Christ Jesus our Lord, who has ^(C2)strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, ^(C3)putting me into service,

even though I was previously a blasphemer and a ^(C1)persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was ^(C2)shown mercy because ^(C3)I acted ignorantly in unbelief;

and the ^(C1)grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the ^(C2)faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.

^(C1)It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that ^(C2)Christ Jesus came into the world to ^(C3)save sinners, among whom ^(C4)I am foremost.

Yet for this reason I ^(C1)found mercy, so that in me as the foremost sinner Jesus Christ might ^(C2)demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those ^(F1)who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Now to the ^(C1)King ^(F1)eternal, ^(C2)immortal, ^(C3)invisible, the ^(C4)only God, ^(C5)be honor and glory ^(F2)forever and ever. Amen.

This ^(C1)command I entrust to you, Timothy, ^(C2)my ^(F1)son, in accordance with the ^(C3)prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you ^(C4)fight the good fight,

keeping ^(C1)faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to ^(F1)(C2)their faith.

^(F1)Among these are ^(C1)Hymenaeus and ^(C2)Alexander, whom I have ^(C3)handed over to Satan, so that they will be ^(C4)taught not to blaspheme.

First of all, then, I urge that ^(C1)requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people,

^(C1)for kings and all who are in ^(F1)authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and ^(F2)dignity.

This is good and acceptable in the sight of ^(C1)God our Savior,

^(C1)who wants all people to be ^(C2)saved and to ^(C3)come to the ^(F1)knowledge of the truth.

For there is ^(C1)one God, and ^(C2)one mediator also between God and mankind, the ^(C3)Man Christ Jesus,

who ^(C1)gave Himself as a ransom for all, the ^(C2)testimony ^(F1)given at ^(F2)(C3)the proper time.

^(C1)For this I was appointed as a ^(F1)preacher and ^(C2)an apostle (^(C3)I am telling the truth, I am not lying), as a teacher of ^(C4)the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Therefore ^(C1)I want the men ^(C2)in every place to pray, ^(C3)lifting up ^(C4)holy hands, without anger and dispute.

Likewise, I want ^(C1)women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, ^(F1)modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive apparel,

but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.

^(C1)A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.

^(C1)But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

^(C1)For it was Adam who was first ^(F1)created, and then Eve.

And it was not Adam who was deceived, but ^(C1)the woman was ^(F1)deceived and ^(F2)became a wrongdoer.

But ^(F1)women will be ^(F2)preserved through ^(F3)childbirth—if they continue in ^(C1)faith, love, and sanctity, with moderation.

^(C1)It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the ^(C2)office of ^(F1)overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

^(F1)(C1)An overseer, then, must be above reproach, ^(C2)the husband of one wife, ^(F2)(C3)temperate, self-controlled, respectable, ^(C4)hospitable, ^(C5)skillful in teaching,

^(C1)not overindulging in wine, not ^(F1)a bully, but gentle, not contentious, ^(C2)free from the love of money.

He must be one who ^(C1)manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity

(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of ^(C1)the church of God?),

and not a new convert, so that he will not become ^(C1)conceited and fall into ^(C2)condemnation ^(F1)incurred by the devil.

And he must ^(C1)have a good reputation with ^(C2)those outside the church, so that he will not fall into ^(F1)disgrace and ^(C3)the snare of the devil.

^(C1)Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not ^(F1)insincere, ^(C2)not prone to drink much wine, ^(C3)not greedy for money,

^(C1)but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

^(C1)These men must also first be tested; then have them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

^(F1)Women must likewise be dignified, ^(C1)not malicious gossips, but ^(F2)(C2)temperate, faithful in all things.

^(C1)Deacons must be ^(C2)husbands of one wife, and ^(F1)(C3)good managers of their children and their own households.

For those who have served well as deacons ^(C1)obtain for themselves a ^(F1)high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long;

but ^(F1)in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in ^(C1)the household of God, which is the ^(C2)church of ^(C3)the living God, the ^(C4)pillar and support of the truth.

Beyond question, great is ^(C1)the mystery of godliness: He who was ^(C2)revealed in the flesh, Was ^(F1)(C3)vindicated ^(F2)in the Spirit, ^(C4)Seen by angels, ^(C5)Proclaimed among the nations, ^(C6)Believed on in the world, ^(C7)Taken up in glory.

But ^(C1)the Spirit explicitly says that ^(C2)in later times some will ^(F1)fall away from the faith, paying attention to ^(C3)deceitful spirits and ^(C4)teachings of demons,

by means of the hypocrisy of liars ^(C1)seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

who ^(C1)forbid marriage and advocate ^(C2)abstaining from foods which ^(C3)God has created to be ^(C4)gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.

For ^(C1)everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is ^(C2)received with gratitude;

for it is sanctified by means of ^(C1)the word of God and prayer.

In pointing out these things to ^(C1)the brothers and sisters, you will be a good ^(C2)servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the ^(C3)good doctrine which you ^(C4)have been following.

But ^(F1)stay away from ^(C1)worthless ^(C2)stories that are typical of old women. Rather, ^(F2)discipline yourself for the purpose of ^(C3)godliness;

for ^(C1)bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but ^(C2)godliness is beneficial for all things, since it ^(C3)holds promise for the ^(C4)present life and also for the life to come.

^(C1)It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set ^(C1)our hope on ^(C2)the living God, who is ^(C3)the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.

^(F1)(C1)Prescribe and teach these things.

^(C1)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, ^(C2)love, faith, and purity, show yourself ^(C3)an example ^(F1)of those who believe.

^(C1)Until I come, give your attention to the public ^(F1)(C2)reading, to exhortation, and teaching.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of ^(C1)prophecy with ^(C2)the laying on of hands by the ^(F1)(C3)council of elders.

Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

^(C1)Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ^(C2)save both yourself and those who hear you.

^(C1)Do not sharply rebuke an ^(C2)older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, and to ^(C3)the younger men as brothers,

to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

Honor widows who are actually ^(C1)widows;

but if any widow has children or grandchildren, ^(C1)they must first learn to show proper respect for their own family and to give back compensation to their parents; for this is ^(C2)acceptable in the sight of God.

Now she who is actually a ^(C1)widow and has been left alone ^(C2)has set her hope on God, and she continues in ^(C3)requests and prayers night and day.

But she who ^(C1)indulges herself in luxury is ^(C2)dead, even while she lives.

^(F1)(C1)Give these instructions as well, so that they may be above reproach.

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has ^(C1)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

A widow is to be ^(C1)put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been ^(C2)the wife of one man,

having a reputation for ^(C1)good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has ^(C2)shown hospitality to strangers, if she ^(C3)has washed the ^(F1)saints' feet, if she has ^(C4)assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

But refuse to register younger widows, for when they feel ^(C1)physical desires alienating them from Christ, they want to get married,

thereby incurring condemnation, because they have ^(F1)ignored their previous pledge.

At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also they become ^(C1)gossips and ^(C2)busybodies, talking about ^(C3)things not proper to mention.

Therefore, I want younger widows to get ^(C1)married, have children, ^(C2)manage their households, and ^(C3)give the enemy no opportunity for reproach;

for some ^(C1)have already turned away to follow ^(C2)Satan.

If any woman who is a believer ^(C1)has dependent widows, she must ^(C2)assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are actually ^(C3)widows.

^(C1)The elders who ^(C2)lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who ^(C3)work hard ^(F1)at preaching and teaching.

For the Scripture says, "^(C1)YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE IT IS THRESHING," and "^(C2)The laborer is worthy of his wages."

Do not accept an accusation against an ^(C1)elder except on the basis of ^(C2)two or three witnesses.

Those who continue in sin, ^(C1)rebuke in the presence of all, ^(C2)so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.

^(C1)I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.

^(C1)Do not lay hands upon anyone too quickly and ^(F1)thereby share ^(C2)responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself ^(F2)free from sin.

Do not go on drinking only water, but ^(C1)use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

The sins of some people are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins ^(C1)follow after.

Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and ^(C1)those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.