16 of the truth. And, beyond dispute, great is the 4 I mystery of godliness: "Who was (a) manifested in the flesh, Appeared to angels, Was preached among the Gentiles, Was believed on in the world, Was received up in glory." NOW the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some will fall away from the Rom. xvi. 25. John i. 14. John xvi. 10. I Pet. i. 12. Luke i. 1. 2 Thess. i. 10. Acts i. 9. faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doc- Rev. xvi. 14. 2 trines of devils; through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, and have their conscience seared, Ecc. v. 18. 3 and forbid to marry, and command to abstain from foods, which GOD created to be partaken 6 If thou put the brethren in mind of these 8 discipline thyself unto godliness. For bodily Tim. vi. 6. I 2 Let no one despise thy youth; but be thou an Titus ii. 7. example to the believers, in word, in conduct, in 13 love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give at tention to the reading, the exhortation, the 14 teaching. Neglect not the gift which is in thee, (a) Or Which was; or, GOD was. The text here is a matter of dispute. Acts xiii. 3. James v. 20. 1 Tim. v. 16. Rev. iii. 1. Acts xvi. 15. 2 Thess. iii. 11. which was given thee through prophecy, with I 2 3 5 REBUKE not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows who are widows indeed. But if any widow hath children or grand- 4 children, let such learn first to show piety in their own home, and to requite their parents; for that is acceptable before GOD. Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath set her hope on GOD, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she who is wanton is dead while she liveth. These things command, that they may be without reproach. But if any provides not for his own, and especially for those of his household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 6 7 8 9 A widow may be enrolled, if she is not under threescore years, has been the wife of one husband, and is well reported of for good works- 10 --if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. But re- 11 ject younger widows; for when they have grown restive against Christ, they wish to marry; ex- 12 posing themselves to condemnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And, be- 13 sides, they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, buttattlers also, and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the 14 younger ones marry, bear children, rule households, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some have already 15 turned aside after Satan. If any woman who believeth hath widows, let 16 her relieve them, and let not the church be bur 5 17 dened; that it may relieve those who are widows indeed. Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy 1 Thess. V. 12. of double honour, especially those who labour in 18 the word and teaching. For the scripture saith, 19 "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox which treadeth Deut. xxv. 4. out the corn." And the labourer is worthy of Pro. xxviii. 20. his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, Deut. xix. 15. except on the testimony of two or three wit 20 nesses. Those who sin rebuke before all, that 2 I the rest also may fear. I charge thee before GOD and Christ Jesus and 2 Tim. iv. 1. the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be par- Acts xiii. 3. taker of other men's sins; keep thyself pure. 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine Pro. xxxi. 6. for the stomach's sake and thy frequent in firmities. 24 Some men's sins are manifest, going before unto judgment; but with some, they rather 25 follow on. In like manner their good works are manifest; and those which are otherwise cannot be hid. 6 I LET those servants who are under the yoke Eph. vi. 5. count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of GOD and His teaching be not 2 blasphemed. And let not those who have believing masters despise them because they are brethren, but, rather, let them do service to them, because those who partake of their benefit are faithful and beloved. 3 These things teach and exhort. If any one teaches otherwise, and consents not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the 4 doctrine which is according to godliness; he is 1 Cor. viii. 2. blinded (a), knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whence come envy, strife, blasphemies, evil surmisings, 5 wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who consider that godliness is (a) Or puffed up. 27 Job i. 21. Ex. xxiii. 8. 2 Tim. iv. 7 Phil. ii. 15. Rev. i. 16. Psa. lxii. 10. Phil. iii. 14. Titus i. 14. 2 Tim. ii. 18. 6 a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into 7 the world, since neither can we carry anything out. But having food and raiment let us be 8 therewith content. But those who determine to 9 be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love 10 of money is a root of all kinds of evil; and some, having coveted it, have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, man of GOD, flee these things; but 11 follow after righteousness, piety, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of the 12 faith, lay hold on the eternal life unto which thou wast called; and thou madest the good confession before many witnesses. I charge thee in the sight of GOD, who giveth 13 life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who attested the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that thou keep the commandment without spot, 14 without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; which, in His own times, He 15 will show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who 16 only hath immortality, dwelling in light which no one can approach; whom no man hath seen or can see; to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. Charge those who are rich in this age, not to 17 be haughty; to have their hope set, not on uncertain riches, but on GOD, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they 18 be rich in good works, ready to distribute, ready to impart; laying up in store for themselves a 19 good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on that which is life indeed. O Timothy, keep that which is committed unto 20 thee, turning away from the profane babblings, and objections of what is falsely called knowledge; in setting forth which some have erred 21 concerning the faith. Grace be with you. 1 I THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY PAUL an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of GOD, according to the promise of the Eph. iii. 6. life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my 2 beloved son; grace, mercy, peace, from God the 3 I GIVE thanks to GOD, whom from my fore- Acts xxiii. 1. without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in 4 my supplications night and day, greatly desiring 2 Tim. iv. 9. to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I 5 may be filled with joy; being put in remem- 1 Tim. iv. 6. brance of the unfeigned faith which is in thee, 6 which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice, and dwelleth, I am per- Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that 7 by the laying on of my hands. For GOD gave Rom. viii. 15. to His own purpose and grace; which was given 10 us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but 1 Cor. xv. 54. hath now been made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light II through the gospel; whereunto I was appointed 12 a herald, and an apostle, and a teacher. For which cause I suffer these things also; neverthe- Rom. i. 16. |