1 Timothy 1-3

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Greeting

1 Paul,^(A) an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command^(B) of God our Savior^(C) and of Christ Jesus our hope:^(D)

² To Timothy,^(E) my true son in the faith.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the^[a] Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

False Doctrine and Misuse of the Law

³ 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 ⁴ or to pay attention to myths^(I) and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan,^(J) which operates by faith. ⁵ 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) 6} Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on. ⁸ But we know that the law is good,^(O) provided one uses it legitimately. ⁹ 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, ¹⁰ 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) 11} based on the glorious gospel^(U) of the blessed God,^(V) which was entrusted to me.^(W)

Paul’s Testimony

¹² I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened^(X) me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— ¹³ 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. ¹⁴ And the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ 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) 16} 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) 17} 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)

Engage in Battle

¹⁸ 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, ¹⁹ having faith^(AQ) and a good conscience.^(AR) Some^(AS) have rejected these and have suffered the shipwreck of their faith. ²⁰ 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.

Instructions on Prayer

2 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, ² for kings and all those who are in authority,^(AW) so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness^(AX) and dignity.^{(AY) 3} This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,^{(AZ) 4} who wants everyone^(BA) to be saved^(BB) and to come to the knowledge of the truth.^(BC)

⁷ For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle^(BH) (I am telling the truth;^[d] I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles^(BI) in faith and truth.

Instructions to Men and Women

⁸ Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.^{(BJ) 9} Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing,^(BK) with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold,^(BL) pearls, or expensive apparel, ¹⁰ but with good works,^(BM) as is proper for women who affirm that they worship God. ¹¹ A woman should learn in silence with full submission.^{(BN) 12} I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to be silent. ¹³ For Adam was created first, then Eve.^{(BO) 14} And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.^{(BP) 15} But she will be saved through childbearing, if she continues^[e] in faith, love, and holiness,^(BQ) with good judgment.

Qualifications of Church Leaders

3 This saying is trustworthy:^[f](BR) “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,^(BS) he desires a noble work.” ² An overseer,^(BT) therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible,^(BU) respectable, hospitable,^(BV) an able teacher,^{[g] 3} not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy^(BW)— ⁴ one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) ⁶ He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil.^{(BX) 7} Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s^(BY) trap.

⁸ Deacons,^(BZ) likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, ⁹ holding the mystery of the faith^(CA) with a clear conscience.^{(CB) 10} And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. ¹¹ Wives,^(CC) too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled,^(CD) faithful in everything. ¹² Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. ¹³ 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.

The Mystery of Godliness

¹⁴ I write these things to you, hoping to come^(CE) to you soon. ¹⁵ But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God’s household,^(CF) which is the church of the living God,^(CG) the pillar and foundation of the truth.^{(CH) 16} And most certainly, the mystery of godliness^(CI) is great: