COMMENT: We are to avoid spending time promoting what is based on speculation. Godly edification in the faith comes as the Holy Spirit explains God's holy word to us that we may grow in our understanding.

5 The goal of our instruction is to be loving from a pure heart, having a good conscience and sincere faith. 6 Some men have strayed from these things, turning aside to fruitless discussions,

COMMENT: Even speculation.

7 wanting to teach the Law even though they do not know what they are talking about. 8 We know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 realizing that the Law was not made for a righteous person, but for those who are outside the Law, the ungodly, sinners, the unholy and profane, those who kill their fathers and mothers, murders, 10 and immoral men, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars and perjurers, and everything else contrary to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who strengthens me and considered me faithful, placing me in His service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a violent persecutor. He showed me mercy because I acted in ignorance. 14 The grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and deserves acceptance: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the greatest. 16 However, I found mercy, so that in me, the greatest of sinners, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

18 Timothy my son, I entrust this command to you, in accordance with the prophesies made concerning you, that you might fight the good fight, 19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have not done, causing them to experienced a shipwreck of their faith. 20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 2 - RWB Paraphrase (15 V)
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1 First of all, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth.

COMMENT: He even wants to save our politicians.

5 For there is one God and mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, a testimony given at the proper time. 7 And the truth is, I was appointed a preacher and an apostle to teach the Gentiles of the true faith. 8 For this reason I want men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or quarreling. 9 In like manner I want the women to adorn themselves with modest and discreet clothing rather than braided hair, gold, pearls and costly garments. 10 Let them make their claim to godliness by means of good works, which is proper for women. 11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with submissiveness. 12 I do not allow women to teach or exercise authority over the men, but to keep silent, 13 for Adam was created before Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who fell into transgression. 15 However, women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith, love and sanctity with self-restraint.

1 Timothy 3 - RWB Paraphrase (16 V)
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1 It is fine for a man to desire to be an elder in the church. 2 An elder must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or combative, but gentle, peaceable and free from the love of money. 4 He must be able to manage his own household, keeping his children under control with all dignity. 5 If a man who does not know how to manage his own household, how will he be able to care for God's church? 6 He should not be a new convert lest he be conceited and fall into condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 He must have a good reputation with those outside of the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 It is the same with deacons. They must be men of dignity, never speaking out of both sides of their mouth, not addicted to much wine, or fond of sordid gain. 9 Instead they must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 Let these men be tested and beyond reproach before they serve as deacons. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate and faithful in all things. 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 Those who serve well as deacons obtain a high standing with great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

14 I write these things to you, hoping to come to you before long. 15 But if I should be delayed, I am writing so that you can know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 16 By common confession the mystery of godliness is great. He who was revealed in the flesh, was justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world and taken up into glory.

1 Timothy 4 - RWB Paraphrase (16 V)
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1 The Spirit explicitly says that in the later days some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, 2 being liars by means of the hypocrisy, whose conscience has been seared with a hot iron. 3 They will forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully enjoyed by those who know the truth.

COMMENT: Paul encouraged people to remain single, but he did not forbid marriage.

1 Corinthians 7:32-38 I want you to be free from concern. One who is not married has energy for the things of the LORD, wanting to please Him. [33] The one who is married is concerned about the things of the world and how he may please his wife. [34] Thus his interests are divided. The unmarried woman and the virgin is concerned about the things of the LORD, in order that she may be holy in body and spirit. The one who is married is concerned about the things of the world and a desire to please her husband. [35] I am saying this for your own benefit and not to put a restraint on you. I want to promote what is appropriate so as to secure for you undistracted devotion to the LORD. [36] If any man sees that he is behaving wrong toward a virgin, if she is old enough, and wants him, let them marry. This is not a sin. [37] But he who can be firm with himself and have authority over his own will, does well not to marry. [38] So he who marries does well and he who does not marry does even better.

4 Everything created by God is good and should not be rejected when received with gratitude, 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 When you point out these things to the brethren, be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of faith and of the sound doctrine you have been following. 7 Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Discipline yourself to be godly, 8 for bodily training has some value, but godliness is profitable for everything. It helps us in this life and in the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy statement and to be accepted. 10 We labor and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 Command teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness. Show yourself to be an example of the believers in your speech and conduct, and in love, faith and purity. 13 Until I come give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which were given to you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 15 Think about these things and make use of them for the profit of the church. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and your teaching. Persevere in teaching these things, for doing this will ensure your salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

1 Timothy 5 - RWB Paraphrase (25 V)
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1 Do not rebuke an elder, but treat him as a father. And treat the younger men as brothers. 2 Treat the older women as mothers and the younger women as sisters, with all purity. 3 Honor widows who are true widows, 4 but if a widow has children or grand children, they must first learn to practice piety in their own family. Some may return to their parents, for this is acceptable in God's sight. 5 And she is a widow indeed, who has been left alone, has fixed her hope in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 If she gives herself to wanton pleasure, she is dead while she lives. 7 Prescribe what is right that all may be above reproach. 8 And if anyone does not provide for his own, especially those of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 A widow may be placed on the list only if she is sixty, or older, having been the wife of one man, 10 and having a reputation for good works. And if she has brought up children, and shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the feet of saints and assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11 Refuse to put younger widows on the list, for they feel sensual desires in disregard to Christ. They want to get married, 12 thus bringing condemnation on themselves, having set aside their first pledge. 13 At the same time they learn to be idle as they go from house to house, being gossips and busybodies, talking about things that should not be mentioned. 14 For this reason I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach. 15 For some have already turned aside to follow Satan. 16 If any believer is related to a widow, let them come to her aid instead of the church, that she may be proved to be a true widow.

17 Elders who rule well are worthy of double honor, especially those who preach and teach. 18 For the scripture says, you shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing, and the laborer is worthy of his wages. 19 Do not listen to the accusation against an elder on the basis of one witness. 20 In the presence of everyone rebuke those who continue in sin that they may be afraid of continuing in sin. 21 I charge you before the LORD Jesus Christ and His angels, observe these things and show no partiality. 22 Be slow to give responsibility to anyone with the laying on of hands. Keep yourself free from sin.

23 No longer drink only water but use a little wine to help your stomach and frequent ailments. 24 The sins of some are quite evident, making their judgment obvious. Other sins will be revealed afterwards. 25 In the same way some good deeds are evident and others are learned of later.

1 Timothy 6 - RWB Paraphrase (21 V)
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1 Let all servants count their masters worthy of all honor so that the name of God and what we teach will not be spoken against. 2 Those whose masters are believers must not be disrespectful to them just because they are brethren. Instead they must serve them all the more carefully because they partake of the same benefits. Teach and preach these principles. 3 Anyone teaching something different, not agreeing with the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine of godliness, 4 is conceited and ignorant, having a morbid interest in questions and disputes about words. This will result in envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between those who are depraved and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 6 In truth, godliness does bring gain accompanied by contentment. 7 For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. 8 If we have food and clothing we are content. 9 Those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are snared by many foolish and harmful desires which bring ruin and destruction. 10 The love of money is the root of all evil. The desire for wealth causes many to wander from the faith and pierce themselves through with many griefs. 11 As a man of God you must flee from these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, taking hold of eternal life to which you were called, and having professed it before many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and as Christ Jesus confessed before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you follow this rule without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which will come at the proper time, for He is the only blessed and Sovereign King of kings and Lord of Lords. 16 He alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and power everlasting. Amen.

17 Teach those who are rich in this world's goods to not place their hope in the uncertainty of earthly riches, but in God, who richly supplies with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to be generous and ready to use their wealth for good works. 19 They will store up for themselves a good foundation for the future and take hold of eternal life. 20 And Timothy, keep what has been committed to your trust, avoiding profane and empty chatter, and arguments over what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have promoted while erring in the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6