1 Timothy 2

Simple Faith and Plain Truth

1 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.2 Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation.3 This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

4 He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned:5 that there's one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us-Jesus,6 who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out.7 This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.

8 Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray-not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God.9 And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions10 but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it.

11 I don't let women take over and tell the men what to do.12 They should study to be quiet and obedient along with everyone else.13 Adam was made first, then Eve;14 woman was deceived first-our pioneer in sin!-with Adam right on her heels.15 On the other hand, her childbearing brought about salvation, reversing Eve. But this salvation only comes to those who continue in faith, love, and holiness, gathering it all into maturity. You can depend on this.

1 Timothy 3

Leadership in the Church

1 If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good!2 But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about,3 not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry.4 He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect.5 For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God's church?6 He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up.7 Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.

8 The same goes for those who want to be servants in the church: serious, not deceitful, not too free with the bottle, not in it for what they can get out of it.9 They must be reverent before the mystery of the faith, not using their position to try to run things.10 Let them prove themselves first. If they show they can do it, take them on.11 No exceptions are to be made for women-same qualifications: serious, dependable, not sharp-tongued, not overfond of wine.12 Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking after their own affairs.13 Those who do this servant work will come to be highly respected, a real credit to this Jesus-faith.

14 I hope to visit you soon, but just in case I'm delayed, I'm writing this letter so15 you'll know how things ought to go in God's household, this God-alive church, bastion of truth.16 This Christian life is a great mystery, far exceeding our understanding, but some things are clear enough: He appeared in a human body, was proved right by the invisible Spirit, was seen by angels. He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory.

1 Timothy 4

Teach with Your Life

1 The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars.2 These liars have lied so well and for so long that they've lost their capacity for truth.3 They will tell you not to get married. They'll tell you not to eat this or that food-perfectly good food God created to be eaten heartily and with thanksgiving by Christians!4 Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out.5 God's Word and our prayers make every item in creation holy.

6 You've been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the Christians there, and you'll be a good servant of Jesus.7 Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God-no spiritual flabbiness, please!8 Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.9 You can count on this. Take it to heart.10 This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.

11 Get the word out. Teach all these things.12 And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.13 Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching.14 And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed-keep that dusted off and in use.

15 Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes!16 Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.