THE
FIRST LETTER
OF
PAUL, THE DELEGATE,
TO
TIMOTHEOS.
[WRITTEN FROM MACEDONIA, A. D. 58.]
I.—PAUL (Latin:Paulos; little), a Delegate of Yeshua The Anointed, by the commandment of God our Savior, and of the Lord Yeshua The Anointed our hope; to Timotheos my own son in the faith: favor, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and from The Anointed Yeshua our Lord.
3.–As I asked you while going to Macedonia, to continue in Ephesus, that you might instruct some not to teach differently, nor to give attention to myths, and endless genealogies, which give rise to disputes rather than godly edification which is through faith; now the end of the charge is love (agape), from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and sincere faith. From which things some having swerved, have turned aside to foolish talking; desiring to be teachers of the law, neither understanding what they say, nor the things about which they affirm strongly.
8 We know, that the law is good, if one use it lawfully; knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and rebellious, the ungodly and sinners, the unholy and profane; murderers of fathers, and murderers of mothers, manslayers, fornicators, sodomites (one who lies with a male as with a female), kidnappers, liars, false swearers, and if any other thing is opposite to wholesome teaching; according to the glorious The Good News of the blessed God, with which I am entrusted.
12 Now I thank The Anointed Yeshua our Lord, who has empowered me, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to service, who was formerly a speaker of evil, and a persecutor, and a person doing shameful acts of wrong. But I received mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the favor of our Lord has superabounded with the faith and love (agape) which is by The Anointed Yeshua. 15 This saying is true and worthy of all reception, that The Anointed Yeshua came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this cause I received mercy, that in me the chief of sinners, Yeshua The Anointed might show all patience, for a pattern to those who should believe in him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God alone, be honor and glory, forever and ever. Amen.
19 This charge I commit to you, my son Timotheos, according to the prophecies which went before concerning you, that you may battle on through them the good campaign; holding fast faith and a good conscience; which some have pushed away, having made a shipwreck of the faith: of whom are Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to the Adversary, that they might be taught not to speak evil.
Chapter 2
II.– I urge, first now that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings, be made for all men; for kings, and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wills that all men be saved, and to come to an acknowledgment of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,–the man The Anointed Yeshua, who gave himself as a ransom (Gk: antilutron, the price for redeeming, ransom) for all. –of which the testimony is in its proper time. For this I was appointed a herald and a Delegate, (I speak the truth, I do not falsify,) a teacher to the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I will, therefore, that the men pray everywhere, lifting up hands free from wickedness (Gk:hosios, undefiled by sin), without wrath and questioning. In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in proper apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with elaborate braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or extremely expensive clothes: but that which becomes women professing godliness with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in quietness with all subordination: for I do not allow a woman to teach, nor to work of themselves (Gk:authenteo, a self worker) outside of man, but to be quiet; for Adam was first formed, then Eve. Besides, Adam was not deceived: but the woman was deceived and fell into transgression. However, she shall be rescued through child-bearing, if they continue to live in faith, love (agape), and holiness, with self-control.
Chapter 3
III.–This saying is true: If one seeks the office of an overseer (Gk:episkope, inspection, visitation, oversee), he desires an excellent work. The overseer, then, must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, well ordered, hospitable, able to teach, not staying near wine, not quarrelsome, but gentle; abstaining from fighting, not a lover (philo) of money; one who rules well his own house, having his children in subordination to him with all dignity, ( for if one does not know how to govern his own house, how shall he take care of the congregation of God?), not newly planted, for fear he will be puffed up with pride and fall into the condemnation of The Accuser. Moreover, he must have a good report from those outside the church, that he may not fall into reproach, and the snare of The Accuser. The servants, (Gk: diakonos, aka:deacons) in like manner, must be honorable, not double-tongued, not giving themselves to much wine, not persons who are eager for greedy profit; having the hidden things of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them exercise the office of the servant, being without blame. The women (either a servant’s wife or a woman attendant of the congregation), in like manner, must be honorable, not false accusers; but temperate, faithful in all things. Let the servants be the husbands of one wife, protecting and presiding over their children and their families well. For those who performed the office of a servant well, procure to themselves good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Yeshua The Anointed.
14 These things I write to you, hoping to come to you soon, but if I am delayed then you may know how to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. And, beyond question, great is the secret of godliness;–he who was revealed in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by messengers, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
Chapter 4
IV.–But the Spirit expressly says, that in the later times some will fall away from the faith, giving attention to deceiving spirits, and to teachings concerning demons: through the play acting of liars, who are seared in their own conscience; who forbid marriage, and command to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful, who thoroughly know the truth. For every creature of God is good, being received with thanksgiving, and nothing is to be rejected; for it is made holy, by the word of God, and by prayer.
6 Remind the brethren of these things and you will be a good servant of Yeshua The Anointed, nourished by the words of the faith, and of the good teaching, in the knowledge which you have been following. But reject wicked and old wife’s’ tales, and train yourself to godliness: for bodily exercise is little profitable ; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise in the present life, and of that to come. This saying is true, and worthy of full acceptance. Besides, for this we both labor, and struggle,–because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
11 Keep declaring and teaching these things. Let no one despise your youth; but be a pattern to the believers in speech, in behavior, in love (agape), in faith, in purity. Until I come, apply yourself to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift which is in you, which was given you through prophecy, with the imposition of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things. Give yourself to these things that your growth may be evident to all. Pay attention to yourself, and to your teaching; persevere in them: for, in doing this, you will both save yourself, and those who hear you.
Chapter 5
V.–Do not severely rebuke an elder (or older man), but implore him as a father, and the young men as brothers; the older women as mothers, and the young as sisters, with all purity.
3.–Honor widows, who are truly widows: but if any widow has children, or grand children, let these first learn respect in regard to taking care of their own family, and then give back some support to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. Now she who is truly a widow, and alone, trusts in God, and continues in supplications and prayers, night and day. But she who lives in pleasure, is dead while she lives. Now declare these things that they may be blameless. For if any one does not provide for his own, and especially those of his own family, he has denied the faith, and is worse than the unbelieving.
9 Let a widow be put on the list if she is not under sixty years old, having been the wife of one husband, well known for good works;–that she has brought up children, that she is hospitable, that she has washed the holy ones’ feet, that she has relieved the afflicted, that she has diligently followed every good work. But the young widows decline; for when they become full of desire and impatient of the restraint of The Anointed, they will wish to marry, incurring blame for having cast off their first faith. And, at the same time also, these learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also, and meddlers, speaking things which they ought not. Therefore I want young widows to marry, to bear children, to govern the house, and so as to give no occasion to the Adversary for reproach; for some are already turned aside after the Adversary. 16 If any believing man or woman has widows let them assist them, and do not let the congregation be burdened, that it may assist those who are truly widows.
17 Let the elders (Gk:presbuteros, elder, of age, a term of rank or office) who preside well, be counted worthy of double honor; especially those who labor in word and teaching. For the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox treading out grain;” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”19.–Against a elder do not receive an accusation, unless it is by two or three witnesses. Those who sin, rebuke before all, that the others also may be afraid.
21.–I charge you in the presence of God, and of the Lord Yeshua The Anointed, and of the chosen messengers, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. Impose hands quickly on no one, neither partake of other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure. No longer drink water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake, and your frequent infirmity. The sins of some men are very evident, going before to condemnation; but some sins follow after. In like manner also, the good works of some are very evident, and those that are otherwise cannot remain hidden.
Chapter 6
VI.–Let all under the yoke as slaves, consider their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his teaching be not defamed. Those who have believing masters, must not despise them, because they are brethren; but let them serve them more, because they are believers, and beloved, who receive the blessings. These things teach and exhort.
3 If anyone teaches differently, and does not come with the wholesome words of our Lord Yeshua The Anointed, and to the teaching which is according to godliness; he is puffed up with pride, knowing nothing; but has a sick appetite about questions, and verbal quarrels, from which comes envy, strife, evil speaking, unjust suspicions, perverse disputing of men wholly corrupted in mind, and destitute of the truth; who consider godliness to be a source of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is evident that we can carry nothing out. Therefore, having food and clothes, with these let us be content. But those who will be rich, fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and ruin. For the love of money (Gk:filarguria, love of money) is the root of all evil, which some eagerly desiring, have strayed from the faith, and pierced themselves all around with many sorrows.
11 Therefore, you, O man of God! flee these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love (agape), patient endurance, and humility. Contend in the good contest of faith: lay hold on eternal life; to which also you have been called, and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who makes all alive;–and of The Anointed Yeshua, who witnessed to Pontius Pilate the good confession; that you keep this commandment without spot, unblamable, until the appearing of our Lord Yeshua The Anointed; who will appear, at the proper time, the blessed and only sovereign, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who alone has immortality–dwelling in inaccessible light; whom no man has seen, or can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.
17 Declare to the rich in the present world, not to be arrogant, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who confers on us richly all things for enjoyment:–to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, ready to share providing for themselves a good foundation for the future, that they may lay hold of real life. O Timotheos, guard the thing committed to you in trust. Keep avoiding wicked empty babblings, and oppositions, falsely called knowledge; which some profess concerning the faith, have missed the mark.. Favor be with you.