1 Timothy

Myths And Legends

Paul, an emissary of Mĕs­si­ah Yĕshūa̒ according to the com­mandment of the Al­mĭgh­ty our Savior, and of Mĕs­si­ah Yĕshūa̒, who is our hope. ^1:2To Timothy, my true child in faithfulness. Loving-kind­ness, mercy and shalōm from the Al­mĭgh­ty, our Fãther and Mĕs­si­ah Yĕshūa̒ our ’Adŏ­nai̱.

^3As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus, in order that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, ^4nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of the Al­mĭgh­ty which is in faithfulness. ^5But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faithfulness.

^6For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, ^7wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident asser­tions. ^8But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ^9realizing the fact that the Law is not laid out for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sin­ners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers ^10and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, ^11according to the glorious good news of the blessed Al­mĭgh­ty, with which I have been affirmed faithful.

^12I thank Mĕs­si­ah Yĕshūa̒ our Adŏ­nai, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, putting me into service, ^13even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent ag­gressor. And yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unfaithfulness. ^14And the loving-kindness of our ’Adŏ­nai̱ was more than abundant, with the faithfulness and love which are found in Mĕs­si­ah Yĕshūa̒. ^15It is a trustworthy state­ment, deserving full acceptance, that Mĕs­si­ah Yĕshūa̒ came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. ^16And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me, as the foremost, Yĕshūa̒ the Mĕs­si­ah might demonstrate his perfect patience, as an example for those who were to affirm faithfulness to him for everlasting life.

^17Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invis­ible, alone Al­mĭgh­ty, be honor and glory onward ages immemorial of the ages immemorial. ’Amēn.

^18This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accord­ance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may fight the good fight, ^19keeping faithfulness and a good conscience, which some have reject­ed and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faithfulness. ^20Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexan­der, whom I have delivered over to Sâtan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

Pray For All Men

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, peti­tions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, ^2:2for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. ^3This is good and acceptable in the sight of the Al­mĭgh­ty our Savior, ^4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

^5For there is one Al­mĭgh­ty, and one mediator also between the Al­mĭgh­ty and men, the man Mĕs­si­ah Yĕshūa̒, ^6who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time. ^7And for this I was appointed a proclaimer and an emissary (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the nations in faithfulness and truth. ^8Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dis­sen­sion.

Women Instructed

^9Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper cloth­ing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, ^10but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness.

^11Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissive­ness. ^12But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise author­ity over a man, but to remain quiet, ^13because it was ’Adam who was first created, and then Ḥaυυah. ^14And it was not ’Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression. ^15But they will be preserved through the bear­ing of children if they continue in faithfulness and love and sanctity with self-restraint.

Leadership Guidelines

ITis a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. ^3:2An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respect­able, hospitable, able to teach, ^3not addicted to wine or a bully, but gentle, uncon­tentious, free from the love of money. ^4He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity ^5(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the assembly of the Al­mĭgh­ty?), ^6and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the Accuser. ^7And he must have a good reputation with those outside the assembly, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the Accuser.

^8The deputies likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or greedy for dishonest gain, ^9but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ^10And let these also first be tested. Then let them serve as deputies if they are beyond reproach. ^11Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. ^12Let deputies be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households, ^13because those who have served well as deputies obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in faithfulness that is in Mĕs­si­ah Yĕshūa̒.

^14I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long, ^15but in case I am delayed, I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of the Al­mĭgh­ty, which is the Assembly of the living Al­mĭgh­ty, the pillar and support of the truth. ^16And by common confes­sion, great is the mystery of god­liness. He who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spĭr­it, beheld by messengers, proclaimed among the nations, was affirmed faithful in the world, taken up in glory.

Apostasy

But the Spĭr­it explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, ^4:2by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, ^3men who forbid marriage and advocate ab­staining from foods, which the Al­mĭgh­ty has created to be gratefully shared in by the faithful that know the truth, ^4because everything created by the Al­mĭgh­ty is good, and noth­ing is to be rejected, after blessing being received, ^5because it is sanc­tified by means of the word of the Al­mĭgh­ty and intercession.

A Good Minister’s Discipline

^6In pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Mĕs­si­ah Yĕshūa̒, con­stantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching which you have been following. ^7But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, dis­cipline yourself for the purpose of godliness, ^8because bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ^9It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance, ^10because it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living Al­mĭgh­ty, who is a Savior for all men, especially of faithful ones.

^11Prescribe and teach these things. ^12Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faithfulness and purity, show yourself an ex­ample of the faithful ones. ^13Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. ^14Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through proph­etic utterance with the laying on of hands by the elders. ^15Take pains with these things. Be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all. ^16Pay close at­tention to yourself and to your teaching. Remain in these things, because this doing even yourself you will save and those who hear you.

Honor Widows

DOnot sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, ^5:2the older women as mo­thers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

^3Honor widows who are widows indeed, ^4but if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family, and to make some return to their parents, because this is acceptable in the sight of the Al­mĭgh­ty. ^5Now she who is a widow indeed, and who has been left alone has fixed her hope on the Al­mĭgh­ty, and continues in entrea­ties and prayers night and day. ^6But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. ^7Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. ^8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

^9Let a widow be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, ^10having a reputation for good works, and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the holy ones’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

^11But refuse to put younger widows on the list, because when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Mĕs­si­ah, they want to get married, ^12thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. ^13And at the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house, and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. ^14Therefore, I want younger widows to get mar­ried, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach, ^15because some have already turned aside to follow Sâtan.

^16If any faithful woman has dependent widows, let her assist them, and let not the assembly be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.

Concerning Elders

^17Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at proclaiming and teaching, ^18because the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” that is, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” ^19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. ^20Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also may be fearful of sinning. ^21I solemnly charge you in the presence of the Al­mĭgh­ty and of Mĕs­si­ah Yĕshūa̒ and of his chosen messengers, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. ^22Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thus share responsibility for the sins of others. Keep yourself free from sin.

^23No longer drink water exclu­sively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

^24The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment. For others, their sins follow after. ^25Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.

Instructions to Those Who Minister

Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of the Al­mĭgh­ty and our teaching may not be spoken against. ^6:2And let those who have faithful masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but let them serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are faithful and beloved. Teach and proclaim these principles.

^3If anyone advocates a different teaching, and does not agree with sound words, those of our ’Adŏ­nai̱ Yĕshūa̒ the Mĕs­si­ah, and with the teaching conforming to godliness, ^4he is conceited and understands nothing, but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, ^5and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. ^6But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment, ^7because we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. ^8And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. ^9But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruc­tion, ^10because the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and have pierced themselves with many a pang.

^11But flee from these things, O man of the Al­mĭgh­ty, and pur­sue justice, godliness, faith­ful­ness, love, perseverance and gentle­ness. ^12Fight yourself the good fight of faith­fulness! Keep hold yourself on ever­lasting life to which you were called, and you made the good con­fession in the presence of many witnesses. ^13I charge you in the presence of the Al­mĭgh­ty, who gives life to all things, and of Mĕs­si­ah Yĕshūa̒, who testi­fied the good confession to Pontius Pilate, ^14to keep yourself the commandment without stain, without re­proach until the appearing of our A’dŏ­nai̱ Yĕshūa̒ the Mĕs­si­ah, ^15which appearing in his own appointed times he will make manifest, he who is the blessed one, and alone Sovereign, the King of kings and A’dŏnēi̱ of a’dōni̱m, ^16who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light—who no man has seen or is able to see. To him be honor and everlasting dominion! A’mēn.

^17Instruct those who are rich in this present age not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on the Al­mĭgh­ty, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. ^18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, ^19storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may keep hold on everlasting life. ^20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is false­ly called “knowledge,” ^21which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Loving-kindness be with you.