The First Epistle to Timothy

© 2005 William R. Finck Jr.

For a full audio and written commentary on this epistle see The Epistles of Paul to Timothy - Audio and Written Bible Commentary or for a simple index: Paul's Epistles to Timothy - Podcast Index

I1 Paul, an ambassador of Christ Yahshua by a mandate of Yahweh our Savior, even Christ Yahshua our Hope, 2 to Timotheos, purely bred child in faith: favor, mercy, peace from Father Yahweh and Christ Yahshua our Prince.

3 Just as I, traveling into Makedonia, had summoned you to remain in Ephesos that you should command some not to teach errors 4 nor give heed to myths and endless genealogies, which afford disputes rather than management of the family of Yahweh which is by faith. 5 Now the result of that command is love from a clean heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned, 6 from which some having failed have turned to talking vainly, 7 wishing to be teachers of the law, understanding neither the things they speak nor concerning things which they strongly maintain. 8 Yet we know that the law is good, if one would use it lawfully. 9 Knowing this, that law is not laid down for righteous, but for lawless and unruly, impious and wrongful, unholy and profane, patricidal and matricidal, murderous, 10 fornicating, homosexual, kidnapping, lying, falsely swearing men, along with anything else which is contrary to sound instruction 11 according to the good message of the honor of the Blessed Yahweh, which I have been entrusted with.

12 I have gratitude to Him strengthening me, to Christ Yahshua our Prince, because He has regarded me trustworthy, being ordained to a ministry, 13 that beforetime being a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man, but I have been shown mercy, because being ignorant I acted in disbelief. 14 Yet the favor of our Prince was exceedingly abundant, along with the faith and love of which is in Christ Yahshua. 15 Trustworthy is this saying, and worthy of all acceptance: that Christ Yahshua came into the Society to deliver wrongdoers, of which I am first, 16 but for this reason have I been shown mercy: in order that first by me would Yahshua Christ exhibit all forbearance for a pattern of those who are going to believe in Him unto life eternal. 17 Now to the king of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only God, dignity and honor for eternity. Truly.

18 I commit this command to you, child Timotheos, in accordance with those prophecies which have led the way before you, that by them you may soldier a good battle, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which refusing to accept some have been shipwrecked in regard to the faith. 20 Of which are Humenaios and Alexandros, whom I have surrendered to the Adversary in order that they would be disciplined, not to blaspheme.

II1 I encourage first of all to make supplications, prayers, petitions, givings of thanks in behalf of all men, 2 in behalf of kings and all of those who are in preeminence, in order that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all piety and reverence. 3 This is good and acceptable before Yahweh our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be preserved and to come into full knowledge of truth. 5 For Yahweh is One, and one mediator of Yahweh and men: a man Yahshua Christ, 6 who gave Himself up a ransom for all, the proof in proper times. 7 For which I have been ordained a herald and an ambassador. I speak truth, I do not lie, a teacher of Nations in faith and truth. 8 Therefore I wish for men in all places to pray, raising hallowed hands without anger and argument.

9 Likewise women in moderate attire are to adorn themselves with modesty and discretion, not in braids and in gold or pearls or in very expensive garments, 10 but that which is fitting with women professing fear of God, through good works. 11 A woman must learn in quiet, in all submission, 12 and I do not permit a woman to teach, nor to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman had been thoroughly beguiled when the transgression occurred. 15 But she will be delivered through child-bearing, if they abide in faith and love and sanctification with discretion. III1 Trustworthy is this saying.

If anyone strives for an office of supervisor, he is desirous of good work. 2 Therefore it is necessary for that supervisor to be irreproachable, a husband of one wife, sober, discreet, orderly, hospitable, inclined to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not a brawler but reasonable, not contentious, not loving money, 4 governing his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence, 5 (now if one does not know to govern his own house, how would he care for an assembly of Yahweh?) 6 Not a neophyte, lest blinded with pride he would fall into condemnation of the False Accuser. 7 Now it is necessary also to have a good accreditation from those outside, lest he fall into a reproach and a trap of the False Accuser.

8 In like manner reverent ministers, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not shamefully desirous of gain, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clean conscience. 10 But even they must be scrutinized first, then being void of offense they must minister. 11 Likewise reverent wives, not slanderous, sober, trustworthy in all. 12 Ministers must be husbands of one wife, governing their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that are ministering well obtain for themselves a good degree and much liberty [freespokenness] in faith which is in Christ Yahshua.

14 These things I write to you hoping to come to you shortly, 15 and if I delay, that you would know how it is necessary to conduct yourself among the household of Yahweh, which is the assembly of Yahweh who lives, a pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 And professedly, great is the mystery of piety: Who has been manifest in flesh, justified in Spirit, has appeared to messengers, has been proclaimed among nations, is believed in the Society, taken up in splendor.

IV1 Now the Spirit specifically states that in the latter times some will withdraw from the faith, cleaving to wandering spirits and teachings of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, their own consciences having been branded with iron, 3 forbidding to marry, to abstain from foods, things which Yahweh has established for participation with gratitude for those with faith and knowledge of the truth. 4 Because every establishment of Yahweh is good, and nothing to be rejected, being received with gratitude. 5 For it is sanctified through word of Yahweh and intercession.

6 Presenting these things to the brethren you will be a good minister of Christ Yahshua, being reared in the words of the faith and the good teaching in which you have closely followed. 7 But dismiss those profane and old wives’ tales, and exercise yourself for piety. 8 Bodily exercise is for little advantage, but piety is for every advantage, having a promise of life for the present and for the future. 9 Trustworthy is this saying, and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For this we toil and we struggle, because we have trusted in Yahweh who lives, who is Savior of all most believing men.

11 You transmit and teach these things. 12 Let no man despise your youth, but you must be a model of those believing in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in chastity. 13 Until I come, you attend to the reading, the exhortation, the teaching; 14 do not have neglect for the favor within you, which was given to you through the interpretation of Scripture along with the laying on of hands of the council of elders. 15 You attend to these things. You must live by them, that your progress in that is evident to all. 16 Be committed to yourself and to the teaching. Abide in them. For doing this you will preserve both yourself and those listening to you.

V1 You should not rebuke an elder, but exhort as a father; youths as brothers, 2 matrons as mothers, damsels as sisters with all purity. 3 Honor widows, those who really are widows. 4 And if any widow has child or grandchild, they must first learn piety at home and to return compensation to their ancestors. For this is acceptable before Yahweh. 5 Now she who is really a widow and being alone has hope in Yahweh and continues in supplication and prayers night and day. 6 But she living lewdly is living dead. 7 And you transmit these things in order that they would be irreproachable. 8 Now if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially of kin, he has denied the faith and is inferior to one of the faithless.

9 A widow must not be enrolled less than sixty years old, who had been a wife of one husband, 10 being accredited with good works: if she had raised children, if she was hospitable to strangers, if she washed the feet of saints, if she succored the afflicted, if she complied in every good deed. 11 But younger widows you must excuse, for when they behave wantonly towards the anointed, they desire to marry 12 with judgment because they have set aside that former assurance. 13 And then at the same time they learn to be sloths, going about the houses, and not only sloths but babblers and meddlers, speaking unnecessary things. 14 Therefore I prefer younger women to marry, to bear children, to rule the household; to give not any occasion to the opposition for cause of abuse. 15 For already some have turned aside after the Adversary. 16 If anyone faithful keeps widows, they must assist them and not burden the assembly, in order that it may assist those who are really widows.

17 Those elders having governed rightly are worthy of double honor, especially those toiling in the word and in teaching. 18 For the writings say: “You shall not muzzle a treading ox” and “worthy is the workman of his wage.” 19 An accusation against an elder you must not receive publicly, except “by two or three witnesses.” 20 Those wrongdoers you censure before all, in order that the rest also would have fear. 21 I solemnly appeal, before Yahweh and Christ Yahshua and the chosen messengers, that you would keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing in accordance with partiality. 22 Lay hands hastily upon no one, nor partake in another’s wrongdoings. Keep yourself pure.

23 No longer drink water only, rather you must use a little wine for sake of the stomach, and your frequent sicknesses. 24 The errors of some men are manifest beforehand, going ahead to judgment, but others then follow after. 25 In like manner also are the good works manifest, and those being otherwise are not able to be concealed.

VI1 As many servants as are under the yoke, they must esteem their own masters worthy of all honor, in order that the name of Yahweh and the doctrine not be blasphemed. 2 And they must not despise those masters having the faith, because they are brethren. Rather they must serve still more, because those assisting with good services are trusted and beloved. You teach and encourage these things. 3 If anyone teaches differently and does not capitulate to sound words: those of our Prince Yahshua Christ, and to the doctrine in accordance with piety 4 he is conceited, standing upon nothing, but is mad for inquiries and arguments over semantics from which come envy, strife, blasphemies, wicked suspicions, 5 constant contentions corrupting the minds of men and defrauding them of the truth, supposing piety to be a means of gain. 6 But a great means of gain is piety with self-sufficiency. 7 For we have brought nothing into this order, because neither are we able to take anything out. 8 But having sustenance and shelter, in these we should be satisfied.

9 Now those wishing themselves to be wealthy fall into a trial and a snare and many brash and hurtful desires, which sink men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all evil, of which some striving for have been led astray from the faith and have pierced themselves with many sufferings. 11 But you, O man of Yahweh, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, piety, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 You must struggle the good struggle of the faith; you must lay hold of the eternal life to which you have been summoned and profess the good profession before many witnesses. 13 I command you before Yahweh who brings to life all things, and Christ Yahshua who testified the good profession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment spotless, irreproachable until the manifestation of our Prince Yahshua Christ. 15 Which He will show in His own time: the Blessed and Only Ruler, the King of Kings and Sovereign of Sovereigns, 16 He alone having immortality, a Light dwelling unapproachable, which not one man has seen, nor is able to see, to whom is honor and power forever. Truly.

17 To those who are wealthy in this present age, you exhort neither to be high-minded nor to have hope in uncertain riches, but in Yahweh who provides for us richly all things for enjoyment: 18 to do good work, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous, sharing, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future, in order that they would obtain the true life.

20 O Timotheos, keep that which is entrusted, avoiding profane empty speech and opposition of falsely labeled ‘knowledge’, 21 which some proclaiming have failed concerning the faith. Favor is with you.