Study Desk

Paul,^(a) an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command^(b) of God our Savior^(c) and of Christ Jesus our hope:^(d)

To Timothy,^(e) my true son in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the^[a] Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

As I urged you when I went to Macedonia,^(f) remain in Ephesus^(g) so that you may instruct certain people^(h) not to teach different doctrine

or to pay attention to myths⁽ⁱ⁾ and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God's plan,^(j) which operates by faith.

Now the goal of our instruction is love^(k) that comes from a pure heart,^(l) a good conscience,^(m) and a sincere faith.⁽ⁿ⁾

Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion.

They want to be teachers of the law, although they don't understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.

But we know that the law is good,^(o) provided one uses it legitimately.

We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious,^(p) for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers,

for the sexually immoral^(q) and homosexuals,^(r) for kidnappers,^[b] liars,^(s) perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching^(t)

based on the glorious gospel^(u) of the blessed God,^(v) which was entrusted to me.^(w)

I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened^(x) me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry—

one who was formerly a blasphemer,^(y) a persecutor,^(z) and an arrogant man.^(aa) But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief.

And the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

This saying is trustworthy^(ab) and deserving of full acceptance: "Christ Jesus came into the world^(ac) to save sinners"^(ad)—and I am the worst of them.^(ae)

But I received mercy^(af) for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience^(ag) as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.^(ah)

Now to the King^(ai) eternal,^(aj) immortal,^(ak) invisible, the only^[c] God,^(al) be honor^(am) and glory^(an) forever and ever. Amen.^(ao)

Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies^(ap) previously made about you, so that by them you may strongly engage in battle,

having faith^(aq) and a good conscience.^(ar) Some^(as) have rejected these and have suffered the shipwreck of their faith.

Hymenaeus^(at) and Alexander^(au) are among them, and I have delivered them to Satan,^(av) so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,

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

This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,^(d)

who wants everyone^(e) to be saved^(f) and to come to the knowledge of the truth.^(g)

For there is one God^(h) and one mediator⁽ⁱ⁾ between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human,^(j)

who gave Himself—a ransom for all,^(k) a testimony at the proper time.

For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle^(l) (I am telling the truth;^[a] I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles^(m) in faith and truth.

Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.⁽ⁿ⁾

Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing,^(o) with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold,^(p) pearls, or expensive apparel,

but with good works,^(q) as is proper for women who affirm that they worship God.

A woman should learn in silence with full submission.^(r)

I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to be silent.

For Adam was created first, then Eve.^(s)

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.^(t)

But she will be saved through childbearing, if she continues^[b] in faith, love, and holiness,^(u) with good judgment.

This saying is trustworthy:^[a](a) "If anyone aspires to be an overseer,^(b) he desires a noble work."

An overseer,^(c) therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,^(d) respectable, hospitable,^(e) an able teacher,^[b]

not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy^(f)—

one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity.

(If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God's church?)

He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil.^(g)

Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil's^(h) trap.

Deacons,⁽ⁱ⁾ likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money,

holding the mystery of the faith^(j) with a clear conscience.^(k)

And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons.

Wives,^(l) too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,^(m) faithful in everything.

Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently.

For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

I write these things to you, hoping to come⁽ⁿ⁾ to you soon.

But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God's household,^(o) which is the church of the living God,^(p) the pillar and foundation of the truth.^(q)

And most certainly, the mystery of godliness^(r) is great: He^[c] was manifested in the flesh,^(s) vindicated in the Spirit,^(t) seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed^(u) on in the world, taken up in glory.^(v)