The New Testament Part 38

5 [2:6]In like manner exhort the younger to be of a sound mind, [2:7]

presenting yourself as an example of good works in all things, in teaching [exhibiting] integrity, gravity, [2:8]sound argument not to be condemned, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of us. [2:9]Let servants be subject to their masters, please them in all things, not contradicting, [2:10]not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of our Saviour G.o.d in all things.

6 [2:11]For the grace of G.o.d that pertains to salvation appeared to all men, [2:12]teaching us, that denying impiety and worldly desires we should live soberly, and righteously, and piously in the present life, [2:13]looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great G.o.d and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, [2:14]who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all wickedness, and purify for himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

7 [2:15]These things speak, and exhort, and reprove with all authority; let no man despise you. [3:1]Admonish them to be subject to princ.i.p.alities, to powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work, [3:2]to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all meekness to all men. [3:3]For we formerly were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, detestable, and hating one another; [3:4] but when the goodness and philanthropy of the Saviour our G.o.d appeared, [3:5] not by works of righteousness which we did but according to his mercy he saved us through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, [3:6]which he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; [3:7] that having been justified by his grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [3:8]The word is true, and I wish you to insist strongly concerning these things, that those who have believed in G.o.d may be careful to maintain good works. For these things are honorable and useful to men. [3:9]But foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes and contentions about the law, avoid; for they are unprofitable and vain. [3:10]A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject, [3:11]knowing that such a one is subverted, and sins, being self-condemned.

8 [3:12]When I send you Artemas, or Tychicus, make haste to come to me at Nicopolis; for there I have determined to spend the winter.

[3:13]Send forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with diligence, and let nothing be wanting to them; [3:14]and let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary purposes, that they may not be unfruitful.

[3:15]All who are with me salute you. Salute those who love us in the faith. The grace be with you all.

FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY.

PHILIPPI, A.D. 65.

CHAPTER I.

A CHARGE TO TIMOTHY CONCERNING THE GOSPEL, PUBLIC PRAYER, AND THE DUTIES OF WOMEN.

1 [1:1]PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of G.o.d our Saviour and Christ Jesus our hope, [1:2]to Timothy my true son in the faith; grace, mercy, and peace from G.o.d our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 [1:3]As I requested you to remain at Ephesus, when going into Macedonia, that you might charge some not to preach another doctrine, [1:4]nor attend to myths or interminable genealogies, which occasion disputes rather than a dispensation of G.o.d by faith, [do.] [1:5]But the end of the commandment is love from a pure heart and good conscience and faith unfeigned, [1:6]which some having missed turned aside to vain words, [1:7]desiring to be teachers of the law, not understanding what they say nor about what they make confident a.s.sertions. [1:8] But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully; [1:9]knowing this, that a law is not made for a righteous man, but for the wicked and disorderly, the impious and sinful, the unholy and profane, murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers and murderers of their fellow-men, [1:10]fornicators, sodomites, men-stealers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, [1:11]according to the glorious gospel of the blessed G.o.d, with which I have been intrusted.

[1:12]And I thank our Lord Jesus Christ who has empowered me [to preach,] that he accounted me faithful, putting me in the ministry, [1:13]who formerly was a blasphemer and persecutor and an injurious man; but I obtained mercy because I did those things ignorantly in unbelief; [1:14]and the grace of our Lord greatly abounded with the faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [1:15]The word is true and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief; [1:16]but on this account I obtained mercy, that Jesus Christ might exhibit in me first all long-suffering, for an example to those who should hereafter believe in him to life eternal. [1:17]And to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only G.o.d, be honor and glory forever and ever; amen.

3 [1:18]This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before concerning you, that by them you may perform an honorable service, [1:19]having faith and a good conscience, which some having cast away have suffered shipwreck of the faith; [1:20]of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

4 [2:1]I exhort therefore, first of all, that pet.i.tions, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings should be offered for all men, [2:2]for kings and all in authority, that we may lead quiet and peaceful lives in all piety and sanct.i.ty. [2:3]For this is good and acceptable in the sight of G.o.d our Saviour, [2:4]who wishes all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of truth. [2:5] For there is one G.o.d, and one mediator of G.o.d and man, the man Christ Jesus, [2:6]who gave himself a ransom for all, a testimony for its own times, [2:7]of which I was made a herald and an apostle,--I speak the truth, I lie not,--a teacher of nations in faith and truth.

5 [2:8]I wish also that men should pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputations; [2:9]and in like manner also, that women in becoming apparel with modesty and sobriety adorn themselves, not with plaited hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly clothing, [2:10]but with good works, which become women professing G.o.dliness. [2:11]Let a woman learn quietly in all subjection; [2:12]but I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have authority over a man, but to be quiet. [2:13]For Adam was first formed, then Eve. [2:14]And Adam was not deceived; but the woman being deceived fell into transgression; [2:15]but she shall be saved through child-bearing, if they continue in faith, and love, and holiness, with sobriety.

CHAPTER II.

THE APPOINTMENT OF MINISTERS, THE DOCTRINES OF THE GOSPEL, WIDOWS, ELDERS, SERVANTS, ETC.

1 [3:1]IT is a true saying, If any one desires an episcopate he desires a good work. [3:2]It is necessary therefore that a bishop should be blameless, a husband of one wife, circ.u.mspect, sober, well-behaved, hospitable, apt to teach, [3:3]not a wine-drinker, not a quarrelsome man, but gentle, not contentious, not avaricious, [3:4]ruling well his own house, having his children in subjection with all dignity,-- [3:5]but if any one knows not how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of G.o.d?-- [3:6]not a novice, lest being inflated with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. [3:7]

And he must also have a good name from those without, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the devil.

2 [3:8]The deacons in like manner ought to be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not devoted to base gain, [3:9]having the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. [3:10]And let these be proved first, then let them serve, being found blameless.

[3:11]The women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, circ.u.mspect, faithful in all things. [3:12]Let the deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling well their children and their own houses. [3:13]

For they who exercise the deaconship well, procure for themselves an honorable standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

3 [3:14]These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly; [3:15]but if I delay, that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of G.o.d, which is the church of the living G.o.d, the pillar and foundation of the truth. [3:16]And confessedly great is the mystery of piety; [Christ,] who was manifested in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, was seen by angels, was preached to the nations, was believed on in the world, was received up into glory.

4 [4:1]But the Spirit says expressly, that in the last times some shall apostatize from the faith, attending to lying spirits and doctrines of demons, [4:2][misled] by the hypocrisy of false teachers, whose consciences are cauterized, [4:3]who forbid to marry, [command] to abstain from meat, which G.o.d created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful and those who know the truth. [4:4]For every creature of G.o.d is good, and nothing to be rejected, [but] to be received with thanksgiving; [4:5]for it is sanctified through the word of G.o.d and prayer.

5 [4:6]Suggesting these things to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished with the words of the faith and the good instruction which you have followed; [4:7]but avoid profane and silly myths; exercise yourself in piety; [4:8]for bodily exercise profits little; but piety is profitable in all things, having a promise of the present life and of the life to come. [4:9]It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation. [4:10] For to this end we also labor and suffer reproach, because we hope in the living G.o.d, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of the faithful.

6 [4:11]These things command and teach. [4:12]Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the faithful, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. [4:13]Till I come attend to reading, exhortation, teaching. [4:14] Neglect not the gift which is in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the imposition of hands of the eldership.

[4:15]Study these things, be much in them, that your improvement may be manifest to all. [4:16]Attend to yourself, and to teaching; continue in it, for doing this you will both save yourself and those that hear you.

7 [5:1]Rebuke not an aged man, but entreat him as a father, the younger men as brothers, [5:2]the aged women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity. [5:3]Support the widows who are widows indeed. [5:4]But if any widow has children or relatives, let them learn first to support their family and to make returns to their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of G.o.d. [5:5] But one that is a widow indeed and alone hopes in G.o.d, and continues in pet.i.tions and prayers night and day; [5:6]but a woman that lives voluptuously is dead while she lives. [5:7]And command these things, that they be blameless.

[5:8]And if any one provides not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

8 [5:9]Let not a widow be enrolled under sixty years of age, a wife of one husband, [5:10]well reputed for good works, if she has brought up children, if she has exercised hospitality, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the distressed, if she has pursued every good work. [5:11]But reject the younger widows; for when they fall into pleasure to the neglect of Christ, they wish to marry, [5:12]being condemned because they have rejected the first faith; [5:13]and at the same time also, being idle, they learn to go from house to house, and not only are they idle, they are also tattlers and mischief makers, saying what they ought not. [5:14]I wish therefore the younger women to marry, bear children, keep house, give no occasion of reproach to the enemy; [5:15]for some have already turned back after Satan. [5:16]If any faithful man or faithful woman has widows, let them give them relief, and let not the church be burdened, that it may be able to relieve those really widows.

9 [5:17]Let the elders who rule well be accounted worthy of a double compensation, especially those who labor in word and teaching.

[5:18]For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox that threshes; and, The laborer is worthy of his reward. [5:19]Against an elder receive not an accusation, except by two or three witnesses.

[5:20]Those that sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

10 [5:21]I charge you before G.o.d, and Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that you keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing from partiality. [5:22] Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither partake of others' sins. Keep yourself pure. [5:23]Drink no longer water, but use a little wine on account of your stomach and your frequent infirmities. [5:24]The sins of some men are manifest, going before to judgment; but some they follow; [5:25]in like manner also good works are manifest, and those which are otherwise cannot be hid.

11 [6:1]Let as many servants as are under the yoke account their masters worthy of all honor, that the name and doctrine of G.o.d may not be blasphemed. [6:2]And let those who have believing masters not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather serve, because they are believers and beloved, who partake of the benefit.

12 These things teach and exhort. [6:3]If any one teaches differently, and consents not to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to piety, [6:4]he is blinded and knows nothing, but has a sickly longing for debates and wars of words, from which arise envy, contention, blasphemies, evil suspicions, [6:5]and wranglings of men of unsound judgments and dest.i.tute of the truth, supposing that piety is gain. [6:6]But piety with contentment is great gain. [6:7]For we brought nothing into the world; it is clear that we can carry nothing out of it; [6:8]but having food and clothing let us be contented with them. [6:9]But those who wish to be rich fall into trial and a snare, and many foolish and injurious desires, which plunge men into destruction and perdition. [6:10]For the love of money is a root of all evils, which some having desired have been misled from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

13 [6:11]But do you, O man of G.o.d, avoid these things; but pursue righteousness, piety, faith, love, patience, meekness. [6:12]Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were called and made the good profession before many witnesses. [6:13]I charge you before the G.o.d who gives life to all [creatures], and Christ Jesus who made the good profession before Pontius Pilate, [6:14]that you keep the charge without spot, without blame, till the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, [6:15]which the blessed and only Potentate will show in its times, the King of kings and Lord of Lords, [6:16]who only has immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable, whom no man has seen nor can see; to whom be honor and power eternal; amen.

14 [6:17]Charge the rich in the present life not to be high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living G.o.d who gives us all things richly to enjoy, [6:18]to perform good works, to be rich in good works, to be liberal, benevolent, [6:19]treasuring up for themselves a good foundation for the future, that they may lay hold on the true life.

15 [6:20]O Timothy, keep the trust, turning away from profane and empty words, and contradictions of mis-named science, [6:21]which some having professed have erred from the faith. The grace be with you.

SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY.

ROME, A.D. 65.

CHAPTER I.

INFORMATION, ADMONITION, ETC.

1 [1:1]PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of G.o.d, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, [1:2]to Timothy my beloved son.

Grace, mercy, peace, from G.o.d the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 [1:3]I thank G.o.d, whom I serve from my ancestors with a pure conscience, that I mention you incessantly in my prayers night and day, [1:4]desiring to see you, remembering your tears, that I might be filled with joy, [1:5]having a remembrance of the unfeigned faith in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that [it dwells] also in you. [1:6]For which cause I admonish you to stir up the gift of G.o.d which is in you through the imposition of my hands. [1:7]For G.o.d gave us not a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

3 [1:8]Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but endure affliction with us in the gospel according to the power of G.o.d, [1:9]who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his purpose and grace given us in Christ Jesus from eternity, [1:10]but made known now through the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, [1:11]of which I was made a herald, and an apostle, and a teacher of the nations; [1:12]for which cause I suffer these things; but I am not ashamed; for I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep my trust to that day.