Chapter 1
1 I, Paul, became an apostle of Jesus Christ. It was decided by God who saved us, and by the Lord Jesus in whom we put our hope.
2 Timothy, I am writing to you, my true son, because we are united in our faith. God is our Father, and Jesus Christ is our Lord. May God fill your heart with His grace, mercy, and peace.
3 Before I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay in Ephesus so that you could stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth.
4 Do not allow such people to spread invented stories and make endless lists of their genealogies. Such discussions bring division and do not build up faith.
5 I am giving you these instructions for a specific purpose. I want you to love one another with all your heart, live with a clear conscience, and have sincere faith in God.
6 But some people have turned away from this purpose and have begun to argue about things that make no sense.
7 They want to be teachers of the Law of Moses. But they do not understand what they are talking about, and they do not realize what they are saying with such confidence.
8 We know that the Law of Moses teaches us to do good. But it must be understood and applied correctly so that it does not contradict the purpose for which God gave this Law to the people of Israel.
9 Remember that the Law of Moses is not for those who do what is right, but for those who break the Law and rebel against the truth. God gave His commandments to condemn people who do not believe in Him and live in sin. The Law condemns those who indulge in immorality and defile what is holy. It points out the sins of the people who are violent towards their parents and are ready to commit murder.
10 The Law of Moses is meant for those who live an immoral lifestyle and practice homosexuality. It condemns those who kidnap people for ransom. The Law also condemns those who deceive others and give false testimony in court. God gave the Law of Moses to condemn all who reject the true teaching.
11 Now God has entrusted me to preach the wonderful Message about Christ, and this Message is the true teaching that brings glory to our blessed God.
12 I thank our Lord Jesus Christ who gave me His power. He considered me faithful and appointed me to serve Him.
13 I used to insult Christ and cruelly persecute believers. I did this because I did not believe in Jesus and did not understand who He was. But God forgave me and had mercy on me.
14 Our Lord poured out His grace on me in great abundance. He filled me with the faith and love that I found in Jesus Christ.
15 This is the truth that must be accepted without any doubt: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, and I am the worst of them.
16 I was the first among those who so cruelly persecuted believers and whom God turned to Himself. Now everyone can see how much patience Jesus Christ has. If God forgave a person like me, He can also show His mercy and give eternal life to anyone who believes in Him.
17 I exalt and glorify the one and only invisible God who will reign forever and whose power has no beginning and no end.
18 My son Timothy, I am writing to remind you of the importance of the prophecies you received earlier. They should guide you, because you are a spiritual warrior who is on the side of good. Use these prophecies as a spiritual weapon to fight evil.
19 Believe in the Lord and act in such a way that your conscience is clear. But the one who ignores the warnings of his conscience will destroy his faith, and his life will become like a ship wrecked on the rocks.
20 Such people include Hymenaeus and Alexander. They behaved so shamelessly that I had to hand them over to Satan. They must correct their behavior and stop insulting God.
Chapter 2
1 Timothy, this is what you should tell the believers. First of all, I ask you to pray for all people. You can bring to God any requests you have. Be persistent in prayer and thank God for what He does in each person’s life.
2 Pray for kings and all those in authority so that we may live peacefully and quietly. Dedicate yourselves to the Lord and act with dignity so that others will treat you with respect.
3 Do as I have written, because it is right and in accordance with the will of our God who saved us all.
4 God wants every person to receive salvation and truly understand His truth.
5 There is only one God and one Mediator between God and all mankind. That is Jesus Christ who came into this world as a man and restored the relationship between God and every person on the earth.
6 Jesus gave His life to pay for the sins of all people. God sent His Son to the earth at the right time so that the whole world would know what happened on the cross.
7 God has appointed me to be a preacher and an apostle. There is no doubt that what I am saying is true. Now I am teaching the Gentiles to believe in God and to follow the truth.
8 I want the men who have dedicated themselves to the Lord to lift up their hands to God and pray to Him in every meeting. The brothers should pray in such a way that there is no anger or doubt in their words.
9 Women should dress in a proper manner. Otherwise, their clothing may become a subject of discussion, criticism, or discontent. They should understand what kind of clothing is appropriate for church and what is not. They should not draw too much attention to themselves with their hairstyle, gold accessories, pearls, or expensive clothing.
10 Instead, they should beautify themselves with good deeds. They should behave in a worthy manner as women who have dedicated themselves to God.
11 During the meetings they should listen carefully to the Word of God, be quiet, and follow the order of the service.
12 I do not allow a woman to argue with a preacher or teach him. She should not question his authority. Instead, she should treat him with respect and not interrupt him.
13 I would like to remind you that God first created Adam, and then He created Eve.
14 After that Satan deceived Eve, not Adam. She disobeyed what God said, and it led to the Fall. So if a woman breaks the order in church, it will also lead to negative consequences.
15 However if she gives birth and raises children, she will realize how important it is to maintain discipline in her family. This will help her understand why she should not break the order in church. In this way, she will save herself from trouble and avoid wrong behavior. If a woman believes in God and loves Him, she will live a holy life and act wisely.
Chapter 3
1 Of course, it is good if someone has the desire to become a bishop to lead the church.
2 But a bishop must be without any fault so that he does not have to justify his behavior. He must have one wife and be sober. He should be a man of understanding who can control himself. He should act with integrity and honesty. He should be hospitable and able to teach others.
3 A bishop must not be addicted to alcohol. He must not use physical violence. Instead, he should be a gentle and peaceful person who avoids conflicts. Additionally, he must not love money or put it first.
4 As the head of his family he should take care of the well-being of his family. He must also raise his children so that they would obey and respect him.
5 If he cannot manage his family responsibilities, how can he take care of God’s church?
6 A bishop must be a spiritually mature person. If a new believer leads the church, pride may cause him to fall under the influence of the devil which will lead to his spiritual fall.
7 Unbelievers should also speak well of the bishop. If he has a bad reputation, others will criticize him and accuse him of doing wrong. The devil will use it to destroy his life and ministry.
8 The same is true for a person who desires to become a deacon to serve in the church. He should act honorably so that others would respect him. He must not be a hypocrite or addicted to alcohol. He must also not be eager to gain profit by illegal means.
9 He must firmly believe in the truth that God has revealed to us and live in such a way that his conscience is clear.
10 Before we entrust a person with any ministry, he should prove himself in practice. We should make sure that he has a perfect reputation and has all the qualities that a minister should have.
11 In the same way, his wife should act honorably so that others would respect her. She must not spread gossip or slander. She should live soberly and do all her duties faithfully.
12 A deacon must have one wife. As the head of the family he must raise his children properly and care for the well-being of his family.
13 A person who is responsible in his ministry will grow spiritually and gain a good reputation. His faith in Jesus Christ will fill him with such confidence that he will serve God with even greater boldness.
14 Timothy, I am writing you this letter and hope that I will be able to visit you soon.
15 But if I am delayed, you should know what to do in the House of God. And this House of God is the Church that was created by the living God. The truth exists in the world through the Church which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. That is why the Church must proclaim the truth and defend it from deceit and false teachings.
16 There is no doubt that we believe in the truth in which a great mystery is hidden. This is the mystery: God was born on the earth in the body of a man. The Holy Spirit confirmed that Christ was sinless, and angels witnessed His entire life. God took Jesus up to heaven and glorified Him. Now we preach Christ among all nations, and the whole world turns to Him in faith.
Chapter 4
1 The Holy Spirit clearly says that in the last days some people who used to follow the truth will turn away from faith. They will be influenced by false spirits and will accept as truth the teachings that come from demons.
2 These ideas will be spread by hypocrites and liars who no longer feel the burning convictions of their conscience.
3 They will forbid to marry and teach that people should not eat certain foods. But we, believers, know the truth that God created everything for our good. So we can eat any food and thank the Lord for it.
4 Everything that God created and gave to people is good for us. So do not judge others for what they eat, as they do it with thanksgiving.
5 Jesus brought us God’s Word and said that no food can defile a person. So when we pray, God blesses everything we eat.
6 Timothy, if you explain these things to the brothers, you will show yourself to be a good minister of Jesus Christ who lives by the words of faith and follows the true teaching.
7 Have nothing to do with those who talk about immoral things. Also do not waste your time on those who spread invented stories that are misleading and far from the truth. Instead, dedicate yourself to God and serve Him faithfully.
8 The one who develops himself physically has a beneficial effect only on his body. But the one who develops himself spiritually and lives a holy life has a beneficial effect on his entire life. Remember that the Lord blesses us not only while we live on the earth, but He has also prepared eternal life for us in heaven.
9 This is the truth that must be accepted without any doubt.
10 We put our hope in the living God who is the Savior of all people. Even though we are insulted, we continue to work for God without sparing our strength. We spread the message of Christ so that those who turn to God in faith can be saved.
11 You must preach and teach these things.
12 Don’t let others look down on you just because you are young. Be an example to the believers in both your words and your actions. Love people, believe in God, and live a holy life so that others can follow you.
13 Timothy, until I come to you, read the Word of God, encourage, and teach the believers.
14 Do not neglect the gift God gave you through the prophecy when the elders laid their hands on you.
15 Take seriously what I have written and dedicate yourself to serving God. Then everyone will see that you are making progress and succeeding.
16 Examine your actions and your inner self. Carefully study the teaching of the Word of God so that you can preach to others in the right way. Do it constantly, then you will be able to keep your salvation and also bring those who listen to you to salvation.
Chapter 5
1 Timothy, if you have to correct an older man, do not be rude to him. Instead, show him respect and treat him as your father. If you have to correct a younger man, treat him as your brother.
2 If you have to correct an older woman, speak to her as your mother. If you have to correct a younger woman, do not allow yourself to be in a compromising situation. Instead, show your pure intentions and treat her as your sister.
3 The church should provide financial support only to widows who have no living relatives left and who really need help.
4 Perhaps a widow has grown children or grandchildren. In that case, they should be taught that they have a responsibility to care for their relatives and to be responsible for the elderly members of the family. Children should understand that when they show concern for their parents, they are serving God and doing His will.
5 If a woman has lost her husband and has no one close to her who can help her, God is her only hope. She constantly asks Him for help and does not stop praying day and night. Such a widow really needs the support of the church.
6 If after the death of her husband a woman begins to lead an immoral life, she is spiritually dead. In such a case, the church should not provide her with financial support.
7 Teach the believers to follow all these instructions, so that no one can accuse them of doing wrong.
8 First of all, we should care for the well-being of our family, as well as for those relatives who need help. The one who neglects his responsibilities towards his relatives has renounced the faith and acts worse than an unbeliever.
9 Make a list of widows who are left without any support. The church should help a widow who is 60 years old and has been faithful to her husband.
10 Write down the names of the widows who are known for their good works. They should be women who raised their children well, showed hospitality, washed the feet of the holy people of God, and helped those in trouble. Widows should be willing to do good works and devote themselves to serving others.
11 Do not include younger widows in the list for assistance, because some of them are so eager to remarry that they begin to live an immoral life and turn away from Christ.
12 Such women are guilty of denying the Lord and ceasing to believe in Him.
13 If the church provides financial assistance to young widows, they will become lazy and start going from house to house, irritating others with their talk. They will also meddle in the affairs of others and say things that should not be discussed.
14 So I advise young widows to remarry, have children, and take care of their families. Then our enemies and adversaries will have no reason to accuse us of wrong behavior.
15 I write this because some young widows have already gone astray and have begun to follow Satan.
16 Perhaps in a family of believers there are women who have lost their husbands. In that case, the family should take care of such women and not shift the responsibility onto the church. This way, the church can help widows who really need it and for whom no one else can care.
17 Elders are senior ministers. If they lead the church well, they deserve special respect and financial support from the church and the believers. I am especially speaking about those ministers who devote all their time to preaching and teaching the Word of God.
18 An ox eats both while it is working and while it is in the stall. So the Scriptures say, “When an ox works and treads the grain to separate it from the husk, do not close its mouth so that it may eat the harvest” (Deuteronomy 25:4). Jesus also said, “The one who works should receive salary for his work” (Luke 10:7).
19 Perhaps someone brings an accusation against an elder of the church. In that case, you must not take any action until it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.
20 Those who keep living in sin should be corrected publicly, so that others will fear to do the same and will understand how dangerous it is to sin.
21 Timothy, I speak to you in the presence of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels. I ask you to strictly follow my instructions and treat everyone equally. Do not take sides because of personal likes or dislikes. Instead, base your decisions on the facts.
22 You have a responsibility, so do not rush to appoint church leaders and ordain them to ministry. First, get to know the person well and consider your decision carefully, so that no one can accuse you of encouraging others to live in sin. Live holy and do not let the sins of others dishonor your name.
23 You are often sick and have stomach problems. So, drink not only water but also a little wine. This will help your health.
24 Some people sin openly and do not hide it. But others commit secret sins that eventually become known. For all sins God will bring people to judgment and will judge everyone fairly.
25 The same applies to good deeds. Some people do good openly, and everyone knows about it. But others do good in secret, but sooner or later this also becomes known. The Lord always rewards everyone for the good that he does.
Chapter 6
1 All slaves under the authority of their masters must treat them with great respect. Then no one will insult God’s name or unjustly accuse us of teaching others false things.
2 Slaves, if your masters have also come to Jesus, you have become brothers in Christ. So, do not treat them with contempt. Instead, serve them even better, because now you are doing good to your dear brothers who, like you, believe in Jesus. Timothy, teach slaves this and encourage them to do so.
3 But there are those who teach differently. They do not agree with the true teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and reject the truth that we should live holy lives.
4 Such people are arrogant and do not understand what Jesus teaches. They always find a reason to argue and get into conflicts. This leads to envy, quarrels, insults, and baseless suspicions.
5 They engage in meaningless arguments because they have strayed from the truth, and now their minds are filled with darkness. Such people think that if they serve God, they will become rich or gain some material benefit. Stay away from such people.
6 But the one who dedicates his life to God and is content with what he has is already truly rich.
7 We brought nothing into this world. And of course, when we die, we can take nothing with us.
8 So let’s be content with having food and clothing.
9 But the one who strives to become rich opens his heart to many sinful desires, which will tempt him to sin. He will fall into trouble that will surround him like a net. He will act foolishly and follow his sinful desires, which will ruin his life and lead him to death.
10 The love of money is the root of all evil. The one who puts money first in his life loses faith in God and brings upon himself many troubles.
11 Timothy, you belong to God, so stay away from all evil. Instead, strive to do what is right and dedicate your life fully to the Lord. Grow in faith and love, be patient and kind to everyone.
12 Live by faith, do what is right, and don’t give up when you face difficulties or go through an inner struggle. When God called you to Himself, He gave you the gift of eternal life. So treasure the gift of God. Many people have come to know Christ because you boldly shared your faith with them.
13 Timothy, I speak to you in the presence of our God, who gives life to all creation. I also speak to you in the name of Jesus Christ, who boldly spoke to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, about faith in God.
14 I ask you to carefully follow all my instructions. Live a holy life so that no one can falsely accuse you of doing wrong. Continue to do this until our Lord Jesus Christ comes back.
15 When the right time comes, Jesus will return to earth. He alone has the highest authority. He is the King above all other kings and Lord above all who have power and influence. And we will always praise the only blessed and powerful King and Lord.
16 God alone is immortal. He lives in such bright, unapproachable light that no one can come close to Him. No one has ever seen God, because it is impossible to see Him. How wonderful our God is, and how great His power and strength are! Amen.
17 There are rich people among us. Remind them that they should not treat others with contempt. They should not rely on their wealth, which can disappear at any moment. Instead, teach them to trust in the living God, who generously provides us with everything we need to enjoy life.
18 Encourage wealthy people to do a lot of good. Then their good deeds will become their true wealth. Teach them to be generous, so that they will know how to share with others.
19 Let them store up for themselves spiritual treasures that will become a solid foundation for their future life with God. Then they will receive salvation and inherit eternal life.
20 Timothy, treasure what God has entrusted to you. Avoid meaningless and dirty talk that defiles a person. Do not waste your time arguing with those who present lies as truth and claim to have special knowledge that is actually contrary to the teachings of Christ.
21 Some people have gone astray and turned away from their faith in God. But you should always live in the grace of God. Amen.