Study Desk

But ^(C1)the Spirit explicitly says that ^(C2)in later times some will ^(F1)fall away from the faith, paying attention to ^(C3)deceitful spirits and ^(C4)teachings of demons,

by means of the hypocrisy of liars ^(C1)seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

who ^(C1)forbid marriage and advocate ^(C2)abstaining from foods which ^(C3)God has created to be ^(C4)gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.

For ^(C1)everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is ^(C2)received with gratitude;

for it is sanctified by means of ^(C1)the word of God and prayer.

In pointing out these things to ^(C1)the brothers and sisters, you will be a good ^(C2)servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the ^(C3)good doctrine which you ^(C4)have been following.

But ^(F1)stay away from ^(C1)worthless ^(C2)stories that are typical of old women. Rather, ^(F2)discipline yourself for the purpose of ^(C3)godliness;

for ^(C1)bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but ^(C2)godliness is beneficial for all things, since it ^(C3)holds promise for the ^(C4)present life and also for the life to come.

^(C1)It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set ^(C1)our hope on ^(C2)the living God, who is ^(C3)the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.

^(F1)(C1)Prescribe and teach these things.

^(C1)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, ^(C2)love, faith, and purity, show yourself ^(C3)an example ^(F1)of those who believe.

^(C1)Until I come, give your attention to the public ^(F1)(C2)reading, to exhortation, and teaching.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of ^(C1)prophecy with ^(C2)the laying on of hands by the ^(F1)(C3)council of elders.

Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

^(C1)Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ^(C2)save both yourself and those who hear you.

^(C1)Do not sharply rebuke an ^(C2)older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, and to ^(C3)the younger men as brothers,

to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

Honor widows who are actually ^(C1)widows;

but if any widow has children or grandchildren, ^(C1)they must first learn to show proper respect for their own family and to give back compensation to their parents; for this is ^(C2)acceptable in the sight of God.

Now she who is actually a ^(C1)widow and has been left alone ^(C2)has set her hope on God, and she continues in ^(C3)requests and prayers night and day.

But she who ^(C1)indulges herself in luxury is ^(C2)dead, even while she lives.

^(F1)(C1)Give these instructions as well, so that they may be above reproach.

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has ^(C1)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

A widow is to be ^(C1)put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been ^(C2)the wife of one man,

having a reputation for ^(C1)good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has ^(C2)shown hospitality to strangers, if she ^(C3)has washed the ^(F1)saints' feet, if she has ^(C4)assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

But refuse to register younger widows, for when they feel ^(C1)physical desires alienating them from Christ, they want to get married,

thereby incurring condemnation, because they have ^(F1)ignored their previous pledge.

At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also they become ^(C1)gossips and ^(C2)busybodies, talking about ^(C3)things not proper to mention.

Therefore, I want younger widows to get ^(C1)married, have children, ^(C2)manage their households, and ^(C3)give the enemy no opportunity for reproach;

for some ^(C1)have already turned away to follow ^(C2)Satan.

If any woman who is a believer ^(C1)has dependent widows, she must ^(C2)assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are actually ^(C3)widows.

^(C1)The elders who ^(C2)lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who ^(C3)work hard ^(F1)at preaching and teaching.

For the Scripture says, "^(C1)YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE IT IS THRESHING," and "^(C2)The laborer is worthy of his wages."

Do not accept an accusation against an ^(C1)elder except on the basis of ^(C2)two or three witnesses.

Those who continue in sin, ^(C1)rebuke in the presence of all, ^(C2)so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.

^(C1)I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.

^(C1)Do not lay hands upon anyone too quickly and ^(F1)thereby share ^(C2)responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself ^(F2)free from sin.

Do not go on drinking only water, but ^(C1)use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

The sins of some people are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins ^(C1)follow after.

Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and ^(C1)those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.

^(C1)All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor ^(C2)so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be ^(F1)spoken against.

Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are ^(C1)brothers or sisters, but must serve them all the more, because those who ^(F1)partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. ^(C2)Teach and ^(F2)preach these principles.

If anyone ^(C1)advocates a different doctrine and does not ^(F1)agree with ^(C2)sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine ^(C3)conforming to godliness,

he is ^(C1)conceited and understands nothing; but he ^(F1)has a sick craving for ^(C2)controversial questions and ^(C3)disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,

and constant friction between ^(C1)people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who ^(C2)suppose that ^(F1)godliness is a means of gain.

^(C1)But godliness actually is a means of ^(C2)great gain when accompanied by ^(C3)contentment.

For ^(C1)we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either.

If we ^(C1)have food and ^(F1)covering, with these we shall be content.

^(C1)But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and ^(C2)a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction.

For ^(C1)the love of money is a root of all ^(F1)sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have ^(C2)wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many ^(F2)griefs.

But ^(C1)flee from these things, you ^(C2)man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, ^(C3)faith, ^(C4)love, ^(F1)perseverance, and gentleness.

^(C1)Fight the good fight of ^(C2)faith; ^(C3)take hold of the eternal life ^(C4)to which you were called, and for which you made the good ^(C5)confession in the presence of ^(C6)many witnesses.

^(C1)I direct you in the presence of God, who ^(F1)gives life to all things, and of ^(C2)Christ Jesus, who testified the ^(C3)good confession ^(C4)before Pontius Pilate,

that you keep the commandment without ^(F1)fault or reproach until the ^(C1)appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

which He will ^(F1)bring about at ^(C1)the proper time—He who is ^(C2)the blessed and ^(C3)only Sovereign, ^(C4)the King of ^(F2)kings and ^(C5)Lord of ^(F3)lords,

^(C1)who alone possesses immortality and ^(C2)dwells in unapproachable light, ^(C3)whom ^(F1)no one has seen or can see. ^(C1)To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Instruct those who are rich in ^(C1)this present world ^(C2)not to be conceited or to ^(C3)set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, ^(C4)who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

Instruct them to do good, to be rich in ^(C1)good ^(F1)works, ^(C2)to be generous and ready to share,

^(C1)storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may ^(C2)take hold of that which is truly life.

^(C1)Timothy, protect ^(C2)what has been entrusted to you, avoiding ^(C3)worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"—

which some have professed and thereby have ^(C1)gone astray ^(F1)from ^(C2)the faith. ^(C3)Grace be with you.

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