Instructions to Those Who Minister

(A)All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor (B)so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be [a]spoken against. Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are (C)brothers or sisters, but must serve them all the more, because those who [b]partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. (D)Teach and [c]preach these principles.

If anyone (E)advocates a different doctrine and does not [d]agree with (F)sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine (G)conforming to godliness, he is (H)conceited and understands nothing; but he [e]has a sick craving for (I)controversial questions and (J)disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between (K)people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who (L)suppose that [f]godliness is a means of gain. (M)But godliness actually is a means of (N)great gain when accompanied by (O)contentment. For (P)we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. If we (Q)have food and [g]covering, with these we shall be content. (R)But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and (S)a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For (T)the love of money is a root of all [h]sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have (U)wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many [i]griefs.

11 But (V)flee from these things, you (W)man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, (X)faith, (Y)love, [j]perseverance, and gentleness. 12 (Z)Fight the good fight of (AA)faith; (AB)take hold of the eternal life (AC)to which you were called, and for which you made the good (AD)confession in the presence of (AE)many witnesses. 13 (AF)I direct you in the presence of God, who [k]gives life to all things, and of (AG)Christ Jesus, who testified the (AH)good confession (AI)before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without [l]fault or reproach until the (AJ)appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will [m]bring about at (AK)the proper time—He who is (AL)the blessed and (AM)only Sovereign, (AN)the King of [n]kings and (AO)Lord of [o]lords, 16 (AP)who alone possesses immortality and (AQ)dwells in unapproachable light, (AR)whom [p]no one has seen or can see. (AS)To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

17 Instruct those who are rich in (AT)this present world (AU)not to be conceited or to (AV)set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, (AW)who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in (AX)good [q]works, (AY)to be generous and ready to share, 19 (AZ)storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may (BA)take hold of that which is truly life.

20 (BB)Timothy, protect (BC)what has been entrusted to you, avoiding (BD)worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21 which some have professed and thereby have (BE)gone astray [r]from (BF)the faith.

(BG)Grace be with you.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 6:1 Or blasphemed
  2. 1 Timothy 6:2 Or devote themselves to kindness
  3. 1 Timothy 6:2 Lit exhort, urge
  4. 1 Timothy 6:3 Lit come to; or come with
  5. 1 Timothy 6:4 Lit is sick about
  6. 1 Timothy 6:5 Or religion
  7. 1 Timothy 6:8 I.e., any covering for protection, mainly clothing
  8. 1 Timothy 6:10 Lit the evils
  9. 1 Timothy 6:10 Lit pains
  10. 1 Timothy 6:11 Or steadfastness
  11. 1 Timothy 6:13 Or keeps alive
  12. 1 Timothy 6:14 Lit spot
  13. 1 Timothy 6:15 Lit show
  14. 1 Timothy 6:15 Lit those who reign as kings
  15. 1 Timothy 6:15 Lit those who rule as lords
  16. 1 Timothy 6:16 Lit none of mankind
  17. 1 Timothy 6:18 Or deeds
  18. 1 Timothy 6:21 Lit concerning

All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect,(A) so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.(B) Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers.(C) Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare[a] of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on.(D) If anyone teaches otherwise(E) and does not agree to the sound instruction(F) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited(G) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words(H) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth(I) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

But godliness with contentment(J) is great gain.(K) For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.(L) But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.(M) Those who want to get rich(N) fall into temptation and a trap(O) and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money(P) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith(Q) and pierced themselves with many griefs.(R)

Final Charge to Timothy

11 But you, man of God,(S) flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,(T) faith, love,(U) endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight(V) of the faith. Take hold of(W) the eternal life(X) to which you were called when you made your good confession(Y) in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate(Z) made the good confession,(AA) I charge you(AB) 14 to keep this command without spot or blame(AC) until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,(AD) 15 which God will bring about in his own time(AE)—God, the blessed(AF) and only Ruler,(AG) the King of kings and Lord of lords,(AH) 16 who alone is immortal(AI) and who lives in unapproachable light,(AJ) whom no one has seen or can see.(AK) To him be honor and might forever. Amen.(AL)

17 Command those who are rich(AM) in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,(AN) which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,(AO) who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.(AP) 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,(AQ) and to be generous and willing to share.(AR) 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves(AS) as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of(AT) the life that is truly life.

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted(AU) to your care. Turn away from godless chatter(AV) and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.(AW)

Grace be with you all.(AX)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 6:2 Or and benefit from the service