Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope; to Timothy, my true child in faith. Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
– Against the false preachers of the law
But command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith,
rom which things some, having missed the mark, have turned away to vain talking, desiring to be teachers of the law.
Law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for the sexually immoral, for abusers of young boys, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers.
– Praise for divine mercy
The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.
– Church prayer
Fear of God and honorableness. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.
– Behavior in God’s service
I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.
In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness.
– About the Bishops
It is certainly true: If one of you seeks to be a Bishop, he desires a good work. He must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money.
But gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence. Not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. He must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach.
– About the deacons (helpers)
Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great. It is revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.
Deacons must not be double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
– False modesty
– The hypocrisy of the liar
Forbidding marriage
Commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving.
For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving.
– Timothy’s service
Nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.
Optionally insert illustration of marks
– Old and young people in the church
Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.
– About widows
Honor widows who are widows indeed. A widow who is alone is righteous. But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.
But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ.
– About the elders of the church
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
For: you shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain. – The laborer is worthy of his wages.
Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers.
– Exhortation of Timothy and all the brothers
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.
But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
– Exhortation to the rich
Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
O Timothy! Guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge. Grace be with you.