A New Translation of Paul’s First Letter to

Timothy

Based on the Westcott and Hort Text of 1881 with references to the Papyrus fragments of the Chester Beatty collections, c. 3^rd Century A.D. and the Sinaitic Manuscript of the 4^th Century.

Some notes on this translation:

You vs. YOU: Many people today have a hard time understanding the Elizabethan usage of thou, thee, thy, etc. For this reason, we have chosen to avoid this archaic language. At the same time, we need to be able to fulfill the purpose of those words, which was to distinguish between a singular you and a plural YOU. Following the example of other translations, we have used all capital letters to indicate plural (more than one person addressed), and small letters to indicate singular (one person addressed).

Words in italics: Following the example of other translations, we have used italics for words that are not in the original text, but which are essential to the sense of the original when translated into English. Unlike other translations, however, we have NOT added words which alter the meaning of the original.

Words in (parentheses): These are not part of the biblical text, but are notes of explanation from the translator.

Man and Woman vs. Husband and Wife: Greek has no specific words for husband or wife, but uses the words man and woman, as do many other languages. We have translated the words man and woman as such, but in proper context, the readers should understand them to mean husband and wife.

1 Timothy 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope;

2 to Timothy, true child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 Just as I encouraged you to remain in Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that you might charge certain people not to teach a different doctrine,

4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which produce research, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith, so I encourage you now.

5 But the end of the charge is love out of a clean heart and of a good conscience and of a faith without hypocrisy:

6 from which things some having deviated have turned aside to vain talk;

7 wanting to be teachers of the law, neither understanding what they are saying, nor what they are establishing.

8 But we know that the law is good, if anyone use it lawfully,

9 knowing this, that law is not laid down for the righteous one, but for the lawless and unruly, for the irreverent and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for killers,

10 for fornicators, for those who lie with men (grammatical evidence suggests: women who lie with men, such as prostitutes), for kidnappers, for liars, for oath breakers, and if there is any other thing contrary to the incorrupt doctrine;

11 according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted.

12 I am thankful to him that empowered me: to Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, putting me into service;

13 formerly being a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and insolent: but I was shown mercy, because, being ignorant, I acted in unbelief;

14 but the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

15 Faithful is the saying, and worth of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am foremost:

16 but through this I was shown mercy, that Jesus Christ might show all his patience first in me, as an example of them that would soon after believe in him into eternal life.

17 Now to the King of the ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

18 This charge I commit to you, child Timothy, according to the earlier prophecies over you, that through them you may wage the good warfare;

19 having faith and a good conscience; which some having pushed aside from them, experienced shipwreck in regard to the faith:

20 of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I gave over to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 2

1 I encourage therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men;

2 for kings and all that are in superior positions; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all reverence and honesty.

3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to full knowledge of truth.

5 For there is one God, also one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

6 who gave himself as a ransom for all; the witness to his own times;

7 to which I was put as a preacher and an apostle --I am telling the truth, I’m not lying--, a teacher of nations in faith and truth.

8 I wish therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and arguments.

9 Likewise, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel with reverence and self-control; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or expensive garments;

10 but what is befitting women professing godliness, through good works.

11 Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection.

12 But I do not permit a woman to teach, nor to dominate a man, but to be in quietness.

13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve;

14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman having been deceived came to be in transgression:

15 but she shall be protected through child-bearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with self-control.

1 Timothy 3

1 Faithful is the saying: If anyone seeks to be a bishop, he desires a good work.

2 The bishop therefore must be blameless, the man of one woman, vigilant, having self-control, modest, hospitable, able to teach;

3 not given to wine, not violent, but gentle, not a fighter, not a lover of money;

4 one that presides well over his own household, having his children in subjection with all honesty;

5but if a man does not know how to preside over his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?

6 not a new convert, lest being puffed up, he fall into condemnation of the devil.

7 But also he must have good testimony from them that are outside; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Deacons likewise must be honest, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for shameful gain;

9 having the mystery of the faith in a clean conscience.

10 But let these first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, being blameless.

11 Women, likewise, honest, not accusers, vigilant, faithful in all things.

12 Let deacons be men of one woman, presiding over their children and also their own households well.

13 For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 These things I am writing to you, hoping to come to you shortly;

15 but if I am delayed, that you may know how people ought to behave themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

16 And admittedly, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached in the nations, believed in the world, taken up in glory.

1 Timothy 4

1 But the Spirit is saying expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

2 through the hypocrisy of liars, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;

3 forbidding to marry, and abstaining from foods, which God created to be shared with thanksgiving by them that are faithful and have fully known the truth.

4 For every creation of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving:

5 for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.

6 If you put the brethren in mind of these things, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed closely:

7 but refuse profane and old wives' tales. And exercise yourself toward godliness:

8 for bodily exercise is beneficial for a little; but godliness is beneficial for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.

9 Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptance.

10 For this, we labor and struggle, because we have hoped in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of the faithful.

11 Charge and teach these things.

12 Let no one look down on your youth; but be an example of the faithful, in word, in behavior, in love, in faith, in purity.

13 Until I come, pay attention to reading, to encouragement, to teaching.

14 Do not be careless about the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

15 Attend to these things; be about them; that your progress may be manifest to all.

16 Pay attention to yourself, and to the teaching. Continue in them; for in doing this you will save both yourself and them that hear you.

1 Timothy 5

1 Do not rebuke an elder, but entreat him as a father; the younger as brothers:

2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

3 Honor widows that are actually widows.

4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to revere their own household, and to requite their progenitors: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

5 But the actual widow, having been left alone, has hoped in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

6 But she that lives for pleasure is dead while she lives.

7 And also charge these things, that they may be blameless:

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Let a widow be put on the list who is not less than sixty years old, the woman of one man,

10 known for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved those in tribulation, if she has followed every good work.

11 But turn down younger widows: for when they have sexual desire turning from Christ, they want to get married;

12 having condemnation, because they have put aside their first faith.

13 And at the same time they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and meddling busybodies, talking about things which they ought not.

14 I wish therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, giving no opportunity for reproach to the adversary:

15 for already some are turned aside after Satan.

16 If any faithful woman has widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; so that it might relieve them that are actually widows.

17 Let the elders that preside well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

18 For the scripture says, Do not muzzle the ox threshing out the grain. And, The laborer is worthy of his wages.

19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses.

20 But reprove those who are sinning in the sight of all, that the rest may also have fear.

21 I charge you in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels, that you keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

22 Do not lay hands on anyone quickly, neither be partaker of other's sins: keep yourself pure.

23 Do not drink water anymore, but use a little wine for your stomach and your frequent sicknesses.

24 Some men's sins are evident to all, going before into judgment; but for some also they follow after.

Likewise also good works are evident to all; and those being otherwise cannot be hid.

1 Timothy 6

1 Let as many as are slaves under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed.

2 And they that have believing masters, let them not look down on them, because they are brethren; but rather let them serve, because they that receive the good service are faithful and beloved. Teach and encourage these things.

3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and does not consent to sound words -- those of our Lord Jesus Christ--, nor to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but obsessed about debates and trifling disputes of words, from which come envy, strife, blasphemies, evil suspicions,

5 Twisted disputes of those whose minds have been thoroughly corrupted and from whom the truth has been taken, thinking that godliness is a means of monetary gain.

6 But godliness with self-sufficiency is great gain:

7 for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out;

8 but having food and covering, with these we shall be satisfied.

9 But they that wish to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires, which drag men to the bottom in ruin and destruction.

10 For the love of money is root of all evil: which some, reaching after, have been led into error from the faith, and have pierced themselves over with many sorrows.

11 But you, O man of God, flee these things; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, mildness.

12 Fight the good fight of the faith, take hold of the everlasting life, into which you were called, and professed the good profession in the sight of many witnesses.

13 I charge you in the sight of God, who makes all things alive, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good profession;

14 that you keep the commandment, spotless, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 which in its own time he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 the only one who has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to him be honor and everlasting might. Amen.

17 Charge them that are rich in this present age, that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who gives us richly all things for our enjoyment;

18 that they work at good, that they be rich in good works, that they be generous givers, ready to share;

19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for what is to come, that they might take hold for themselves on the real life.

20 O Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the profane empty speeches and oppositions of the falsely-named knowledge;

21 which some professing have deviated concerning the faith. Grace be with you.