The First Epistle of St Paul
Unto Timothy
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The 1st
Chapter
Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our
saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.
Unto Timothy his natural son in the faith.
Grace, mercy and peace from God our father and Lord Jesus
Christ our Lord.
As I besought you to abide still in Ephesus when I departed
into Macedonia, even so do, that you command some that they teach no
other wise: neither give heed to fables and *genealogies which are
endless, and breed doubts more than Godly edifying which is by
faith: for the end of the commandment is love that comes of a pure
heart and of a good conscience, and of faith *unfeigned: from the
which things some have errored, and have turned unto vain jangling,
because they would be doctors of the scripture, and yet understand
not what they speak, neither whereof they affirm.
We know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully,
understanding this, how that the law is not given unto a righteous
man, but unto the unrighteous and disobedient to the ungodly and to
sinners, to unholy and unclean, to murderers of fathers and
murderers of mothers, to manslayers and whoremongers: to them that
defile themselves with mankind: to menstealers: to liars and to
perjured, and so forth if there be any other thing that is contrary
to wholesome doctrine, according to the Gospell of the glory of the
blessed God, which gospel is committed unto me.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord which has made me strong: for
he counted me true, and put me in office, when before I was a
blasphemer, and a persecuter, and a Tyrant. But I obtained mercy,
because I did it ignorantly through unbelief. Neverthelater the
grace of our Lord was more abundant with faith and love which is in
Christ Jesu.
This is a true saying and by all means worthy to be received,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am
chief. Notwithstanding for this cause was mercy given unto me, that
Jesus Christ should first show on me all long patience, unto the
example of them which shall in time to come believe on him unto
eternal life. So then unto God king everlasting, immortal,
invisible, and wise only, be honour and praise for ever and ever.
Amen.
This commandment commit I unto you son Timotheus, according to
the prophecies which in time past were prophesied of you, that you
in them should fight a good fight, having faith and good conscience
which some have put away from them, and as concerning faith have
made shipwreck. Of whose number is Himeneus and Alexander which I
have delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to
blaspheme.
*genealogies
(ancestry, family trees) *unfeigned (NOT made up, nor imagined of
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The 2nd
Chapter
I exhort therefore, that above all things, prayers,
supplications, intercessions, and giving of thanks be had for all
men: for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may live
a quiet and a peaceable life, in all Godliness and honesty. For that
is good and accepted in the sight of God our saviour, which will
have all men saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For
there is one God, and one (mediator) between God and man, which is
the man Christ Jesus, which gave himself a ransom for all men, that
it should be testified at his time, where unto I am ordained a
preacher and an Apostle: I tell the truth in Christ and lie not
being the teacher of the gentiles in faith and verity.
I will therefore that the men pray every where, lifting up pure
hands without wrath, or doubting. Likewise also the women that they
array themselves in comely apparel with shamefastness and discreet
behavior, not with broided hair, other gold, or pearls, or costly
array: but with such as becomes women that profess the worshipping
of God through good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all
subjection. I suffer (allow)
not a woman to teach, neither to have authority over the man: but
for to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, and then Eve. Also
Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived, and was in
transgression. Notwithstanding through bearing of children they
shall be saved, so they continue in faith, love and holiness with
discretion.
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The 3rd
Chapter
This is a true saying: If a man covet the office of a Bishop he
desires a good work. you and a Bishop must be faultless, the husband
of one wife, sober, discreet, honestly apparelled, harbourous
(take people in),
apt to teach, not drunken, no fighter, not given to filthy lucre:
(shameful gain)
but gentle, abhorring fighting, abhorring covetousness, and one that
rules his own house honestly, having children under obedience with
all honesty. For if a man cannot rule his own house, how shall he
care for the congregation of God. He may not be a young scholar,
least he swell and fall into the judgment of the evil speaker. He
must also be well reported of among them which are with outforth,
least he fall into rebuke and snare of the evil speaker.
Likewise must the Deacons be honest, not double tongued, not
given unto much drinking, neither unto filthy lucre: but having the
mystery of the faith in pure conscience. And let them first be
proved, and then let them minister, if they be found faultless.
Even so must their wives be honest, not evil speakers: but
sober and faithful in all things. Let the Deacons be the husbands of
one wife, and such as rule their children well, and their own
households. For they that minister well, get themselves good degree
and great liberty in the faith, which is in Christ *Jesu.
These things write I unto you, trusting to come shortly unto
you: but and if I tarry long, that then you may yet have knowledge
how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the
congregation of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth. And
without no great is that mystery of godliness: God was showed in the
flesh, was justified in the spirit, was seen of Angels, was preached
unto the gentiles, was believed on in earth and received up in
glory.
*harbourous (take
people in), *filthy lucre (shameful gain) *Jesu: Hebrew for Jesus |
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The 4th
Chapter
The spirit speaks evidently that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, and shall give heed unto spirits of error,
and devilish doctrine of them which speak false through hypocrisy,
and have their consciences marked with an hot iron, forbidding to
marry, and commanding to abstain from meats which God has created to
be received with giving thanks, of them which believe and know the
truth. For all the creatures of God are good and nothing to be
refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified
by the word of God and prayer. If you shall put the brethren in
remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesu
Christ, which have been nourished up in the words of the faith and
good doctrine which doctrine you have continually followed. But cast
away unghostly and old wives fables.
Exercise yourself unto godliness. For bodily exercise profits
little: But godliness is good unto all things, as a thing which has
promises of the life that is now, and of the life to come. This is a
sure saying, and of all parties worthy to be received. For therefore
we labour and suffer rebuke, because we believe in the living God
which is the saviour of all men, but specially of those that
believe. Such things command and teach. Let no man despise your
youth: but be unto them that believe, an example, in word, in
conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith and in pureness.
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation and to
doctrine. Despise not the gift that is the you, which was given you
through prophecy and with laying on of the hands of an elder. These
things exercise, and give yourself unto them, that it may be seen
how you profit in all things. Take heed unto yourself and unto
learning, and continue therein. For if you shall so do, you shall
save yourself and them that hear you.
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The 5th
Chapter
Rebuke not an elder: but exhort him as a father, and the
younger men as brethren, the elder women as mothers, the younger as
sisters, with all pureness. Honour widows which are true widows. If
any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to rule
their own houses godly, and to recompense their elders. For that is
good and acceptable before God. She that is a very widow and
friendless, puts her trust in God, and continues in supplication and
prayer night and day. But she that lives in pleasure, is dead even
yet alive. And these things command, that they may be without fault,
If there be any that provides not for his own, and namely for them
of his household, the same denies the faith, and is worse than an
infidel.
Let no widow be chosen under threescore
(60)
year old, and such a one as was the wife of one man, and well
reported of in good works: if she have nourished children, if she
have been liberal to strangers, if she have washed the saints feet,
if she have ministered unto them which were in adversity, if she
were continually given unto all manner good works. The younger
widows refuse. For when they have begun to wax wanton, to the
dishonour of Christ, then will they marry, having damnation, because
they have broken their first faith. And also they learn to go from
house to house idle: yes not idle only, but also trifling and
busybodies, speaking things which are not comely.
I will therefore that the younger women marry and bear
children, and guide the house, and give none occasion to the
adversary to speak evil. For many of them are already turned back,
and are gone after Satan. And if any man or woman that believes have
widows, let them minister unto them, and let not the congregation be
charged: that you may have sufficient for them that are widows
indeed.
The elders that rule well, are worthy of double honour, most
specially they which labour in the word and in teaching. For the
scripture says: You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads
out the corn. And the laborer is worthy of his reward. Against an
elder receive none accusation: but under two or three witnesses.
Them that sin, rebuke openly, that other may fear.
I testify before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect
angels, that you observe these things without hasty judgment, and do
nothing partially. Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partaker
of other mens sins: keep yourself pure. Drink no longer water, but
use a little wine for your stomachs sake and your often diseases.
Some mens sins are open beforehand and go before unto judgement:
some mens sins follow after. Likewise also good works are manifest
before hand and they that are otherwise, cannot be hid.
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The 6th
Chapter
Let as many servants as are under the yoke, count their masters
worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not
evil spoken of. See that they which have believing masters, despise
them not because they are brethren: but so much the rather do
service, for as much as they are believing and beloved and partakers
of the benefits.
These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and
is not content with the wholesome words of our Lord Jesu Christ, and
with the doctrine of godliness, he is puffed up and knows nothing:
but wastes his brains about questions and strife of words, whereof
spring envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings and vain disputations
of men with corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, which think
that lucre is godliness. From such separate yourself. Godliness is
great riches, if a man be content with that he has. For we brought
nothing into the world, and it is a plain case that we can carry
nothing out.
When we have food and raiment, let us therewith be content.
They that will be rich, fall into temptation and snares, and into
many foolish and noisome lusts, which drown men in perdition and
destruction. For covetousness is root of all evil, which while some
lusted after, they errored from the faith, and tangled themselves
with many sorrows. But you which are the man of God, fly such
things. Follow righteousness, godliness, love, patience and
meekness. Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hand on eternal life,
whereunto you are called, and have professed a good profession
before many witnesses.
I give you charge in the sight of God, which quickens all
things, and before Jesu Christ which under Pontius Pilate witnessed
a good witnessing, that you keep the commandment, and be without
spot and unrebukable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which appearing (when the time is come) he shall show that is
blessed and mighty only, king of kings, and lord of lords, which
only has immortality, and dwells in light that no man can attain,
whom never man saw, neither can see, unto whom be honour and rule
everlasting. Amen.
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not
exceeding wise, and that they trust not in the uncertain riches, but
in the living God, which gives us abundantly all things to enjoy
them, and that they do good, and be rich in good works, and ready to
give and to distribute, laying up in store for themselves a good
foundation against the time to come that they may obtain eternal
life.
O' Timothy save that which is given you to keep, and avoid
unghostly vanities of voices and oppositions of science falsely so
called, which science while some professed, they have errored as
concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
Here ends the first epistle unto
Timothy Sent from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrigia
Pacaciana.
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