Study Desk

Now the Spirit^(a) explicitly says that in later times^(b) some will depart from the faith,^(c) paying attention to deceitful spirits^(d) and the teachings of demons,^(e)

through the hypocrisy^(f) of liars whose consciences^(g) are seared.

They forbid marriage^(h) and demand abstinence⁽ⁱ⁾ from foods that God created^(j) to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.

For everything created by God is good,^(k) and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,^(l)

since it is sanctified by the word of God^(m) and by prayer.

If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith⁽ⁿ⁾ and the good teaching that you have followed.^(o)

But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths.^(p) Rather, train yourself in godliness,^(q)

for the training of the body has a limited benefit,^(r) but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.^(s)

This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.^(t)

In fact, we labor and strive^[a] for this, because we have put our hope in the living God,^(u) who is the Savior^(v) of everyone,^(w) especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things.

Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech,^(x) in conduct,^(y) in love,^[b](z) in faith, in purity.^(aa)

Until I come,^(ab) give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.

Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy,^(ac) with the laying on of hands^(ad) by the council of elders.

Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.

Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save^(ae) both yourself and your hearers.^(af)

Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,

older women as mothers, and with all propriety, the younger women as sisters.

Support^[a] widows^(a) who are genuinely widows.

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God.

The real widow, left all alone, has put her hope in God^(b) and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers;

however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.^(c)

Command this also, so they won't be blamed.

But if anyone does not provide^(d) for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith^(e) and is worse than an unbeliever.

No widow should be placed on the official support list^[b] unless she is at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one husband,

and is well known for good works^(f)—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality,^(g) washed the saints' feet,^(h) helped the afflicted,⁽ⁱ⁾ and devoted herself to every good work.^(j)

But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry^(k)

and will therefore receive condemnation^(l) because they have renounced their original pledge.

At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips^(m) and busybodies, saying things they shouldn't say.

Therefore, I want younger women to marry,⁽ⁿ⁾ have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.^(o)

For some have already turned away^(p) to follow Satan.

If any^[c] believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows.

The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium,^[d] especially those who work hard^(q) at preaching and teaching.

For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, ^(r)[e] and, the worker is worthy of his wages. ^(s)

Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.^(t)

Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid.

I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe^(u) these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.

Don't be too quick to appoint^[f](v) anyone as an elder, and don't share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.^(w)

Don't continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

Some people's sins are obvious, going before them to judgment,^(x) but the sins of others surface^[g] later.

Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.

All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters^[a] to be worthy of all respect, so that God's name^(a) and His teaching will not be blasphemed.

Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.^(b) Teach and encourage these things.

If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord^(c) Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness,^(d)

he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words.^(e) From these come envy,^(f) quarreling,^(g) slander,^(h) evil suspicions,

and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness^[b] is a way to material gain.^[c](i)

But godliness with contentment is a great gain.^(j)

For we brought nothing into the world, and^[d] we can take nothing out.^(k)

But if we have food and clothing,^[e] we will be content with these.

But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction.

For the love of money is a root^[f] of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith^(l) and pierced themselves with many pains.

But you, man of God, run from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love,^(m) endurance,⁽ⁿ⁾ and gentleness.

Fight the good fight^(o) for the faith; take hold of eternal life^(p) that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses.

In the presence of God, who gives life to all,^(q) and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate,^(r) I charge you

to keep the command without fault or failure until the appearing^(s) of our Lord^(t) Jesus Christ.

God will bring this about in His own time.^(u) He is the blessed and only^(v) Sovereign, the King of kings,^(w) and the Lord of lords,^(x)

the only One who has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light;^(y) no one has seen or can see Him,^(z) to Him be honor and eternal might.^(aa) Amen.^(ab)

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant^(ac) or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God,^[g] who richly provides us with all things^(ad) to enjoy.

Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works,^(ae) to be generous, willing to share,^(af)

storing up for themselves a good reserve^[h] for the age to come,^(ag) so that they may take hold of life that is real.

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you,^(ah) avoiding^(ai) irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the "knowledge" that falsely bears that name.^(aj)

By professing it, some^(ak) people have deviated from the faith.^(al) Grace be with all of you.