Study Desk

For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie

and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer

They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,

holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.

He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame.

So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.

If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.