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Let as many servants who are under the yoke count their masters worthy of all honor, so that the Name of God and His doctrine are not blasphemed.

And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them (because they are brothers). But instead serve them, because they are faithful and beloved and partakers of the benefit. Teach and encourage these things.

If anyone teaches otherwise - and does not consent to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine according to godliness -

he is puffed up and knows nothing, but is obsessed with disputing and arguing over words; from which comes envy, strife, coarse language, evil suspicions,

meaningless disputations of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who think that gain is godliness. Separate yourself from such.

But godliness is great gain if one is content with what he has.

For we brought nothing into the world. And it is certain that we can carry nothing out.

Therefore, when we have food and clothing, let us be content with that.

For those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and snares, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown man in perdition and destruction.

10 For the desire of money is the root of all evil; for which some - while lusting after it - have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But you, O man of God, flee these things! And pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you are also called and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.

13 I charge you in the sight of God Who quickens all things, and before Jesus Christ Who witnessed a good confession under Pontius Pilate,

14 that you keep this commandment spotless and irreproachable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ;

15 which He Who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, shall show in due time.

16 He alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, Whom no man ever saw nor can see, and to whom be honor and power everlasting, Amen.

17 Charge those who are rich in this world not to be high-minded, and not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God Who abundantly gives us all things to enjoy;

18 to do good and be rich in good works. And be generous and ready to share,

19 laying up in treasure for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, so that they may obtain eternal life.

20 O Timothy, keep that which was entrusted to you. And avoid profane and empty babblings and so-called oppositions of “science”,

21 By professing it, some have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

(The first Epistle to Timothy, written from Laodicea, the chief city of Phrygia Pacatiana)

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