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New Testament: The Father's Life Version

The First Letter of Paul to Timothy

The New Testament. Emphasizing the different words for life in Greek, using the correct verb tenses regarding salvation and conveying the gospel as a much more dynamic message.

A "Grain Of Wheat" Ministries publication

Translated by David W. Dyer

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The First Letter of Paul to Timothy


FIRST TIMOTHY CHAPTER 1

1:1Paul, a sent one of the Anointed One, Jesus, according to the commandment of God our Savior, namely the Anointed One, Jesus our hope: 1:2To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Anointed One, Jesus our Lord.

1:3I asked you to remain at Ephesus when I was going to Macedonia so that you would direct certain men not to teach a different doctrine, 1:4neither to pay attention to superstitious myths and endless genealogies which generate questions instead of ministering God through faith. Now I repeat this request.

1:5The genuine result of the message which has been given is love out of a pure heart, a clear conscience, and unhypocritical faith. 1:6Some, having deviated from these qualities, have turned aside to useless discussions. 1:7They desire to be teachers of the law even though they don’t really understand what they are saying or the things that they emphatically assert.

1:8But we know that the law is good if a man uses it correctly, 1:9which is using it with the following understanding: that the law is not made for a righteous man but for the rebellious and the unrighteous; for the ungodly and the sinners; for the unholy and the morally unrestrained; for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers; for assassins; 1:10for the sexually immoral; for pedophiles; for slave traders; for liars; for those who don’t keep their word; and for those who practice anything else which is in opposition to healthy teaching 1:11and not in harmony with the message of good news of the glory of the blessed God with which I was entrusted.

1:12I thank him who enabled me, even the Anointed One, Jesus our Lord, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service 1:13even though before I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and arrogant. However, I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly, being in unbelief, 1:14and so the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly towards me with the faith and the love which are in the Anointed One, Jesus.

1:15This is a reliable saying and worthy to be accepted by everyone: that the Anointed One, Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

1:16However, for this reason I received mercy, that in me as a foremost sinner, Jesus the Anointed One could demonstrate all his patience as a pattern to those who would later be believing into him, thus obtaining the eternal life of God. 1:17Now to the King of the ages, who is both immortal and invisible, the one and only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1:18I pass on to you this instruction, Timothy my child, according to the prophecies which were given concerning you so that by them you might fight the good fight, 1:19holding onto faith and onto a clear conscience.

Some, having thrust these things away from themselves, have made shipwreck of their faith, 1:20including Hymenaeus and Alexander whom I delivered to Satan so that this chastisement might teach them not to say things which bring reproach to God.

FIRST TIMOTHY CHAPTER 2

2:1I, therefore, desire first of all that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone, 2:2especially for kings and all those who are in positions of secular authority so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all reverent respect for God and honesty. 2:3This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 2:4who is willing for all men to be saved and to be coming to the knowledge of the truth.

2:5For there is one God and also one mediator between God and men: the Anointed One, Jesus, who is himself a man. 2:6It is he who gave himself as a ransom for all, who was martyred at the appointed time. 2:7This is the message of which I was appointed a herald and a sent one (I speak the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles concerning faith and truth. 2:8I desire, therefore, that men everywhere pray, lifting up holy hands without getting angry with each other and having arguments.

2:9In the same tone of holiness, women should dress themselves in modest apparel, having reverence and restraint, not seeking attention with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive clothes. 2:10Instead, they should clothe themselves with good works which is appropriate for women professing a reverent respect for God.

2:11Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. 2:12Moreover, I do not permit a woman to teach or to have dominion over a man but to be quiet. 2:13For Adam was formed first, then Eve, 2:14and Adam was not deceived but the woman, being deceived, fell into sin. 2:15But they will be saved through child-bearing* if they continue in faith, love, and holiness together with discretion.

*It seems as if there are two ways to understand this assertion. The first is that through the difficulties and challenges of bearing and rearing children, God’s ongoing work of salvation will operate in mothers to a fuller extent. The second possibility is that when a woman follows a truly holy life, one of the effects of the curse, i.e. having pain in childbirth, will be lessened or removed. It certainly does not mean that a woman’s salvation is dependent upon her having many children.

FIRST TIMOTHY CHAPTER 3

3:1This saying is true: “If a man wishes to serve as a watchman, he desires to do a valuable service.”

3:2The watchman, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, not a heavy drinker, self-controlled, exhibiting good behavior, given to hospitality, able to teach, 3:3peaceable, not quick to strike someone else [including his wife], but gentle, not someone who likes to argue, not someone greedy for money, 3:4someone who administers his own household well and has children who are obedient and who respect him 3:5(for if a man doesn’t know how to administer his own household, how can he care for the called-out ones of God?), 3:6not a young person or recent convert so that he doesn’t begin to think highly of himself and so fall into judgment, just as the devil did.

3:7Furthermore, he must be respected by those who are outside of the Anointed One so that he doesn’t become a disgrace, being caught by the devil in his trap.

3:8In the same way, servants selected for some special duty among the called-out ones must be honest, not saying one thing but doing another, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 3:9holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 3:10And let these be tested first also, and then let them serve if they are above reproach.

3:11In the same way, women* who serve must have a good reputation, must not be someone who speaks judgmentally about others, must be circumspect and faithful in all things.

*Some understand this to refer to the wives of the “selected servants” rather than to women who might serve in this capacity.

3:12Let such servants be husbands of one wife, leading their children and their own households well. 3:13For those who have served their own households well gain for themselves a good reputation and great confidence in the faith which is in the Anointed One, Jesus.

3:14Although I am hoping to come to you soon, 3:15I am writing these things now so that if I am delayed for a while, you may know how people ought to conduct themselves among those of the habitation of God – the community of the called-out ones of the living God – whose support and basis is the Truth. 3:16It is beyond all question that the mystery of the incarnate Holiness is great:

He appeared in a human body,
was declared to be righteous by the Spirit, was seen by chosen messengers (who later carried the message),
was proclaimed among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glorious splendor.**

**Possibly a hymn which was sung in the Christian gatherings of Paul’s time.

FIRST TIMOTHY CHAPTER 4

4:1But the Spirit clearly says that in end times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. 4:2Such errors come through hypocritical men who teach things which are not true, whose consciences have been seared as if with a hot iron.

4:3These oppose the necessity of marriage [before having sex] and teach abstinence from certain kinds of food, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by believers who have fully understood the truth.* 4:4For every creature of God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving 4:5since it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.

*It is significant that in these “last days” false teachers will reject true holiness, (which would demand not engaging in sexual acts outside of the marriage union) and substitute it with little, legalistic principles which are easy for the flesh to perform.

4:6If you remind the brethren of these things you will be a good servant of the Anointed One, Jesus, being nourished by the words of the faith and of the good teaching which you have followed until now. 4:7But refuse superstitious myths and fables repeated by old women. Instead, exercise yourself toward a life which reflects reverence for God.

4:8Bodily exercise is somewhat profitable but reverent respect of God is profitable in every way, having the promise of more of God’s own life in this present time and also in the age which is coming. 4:9This saying is true and well worth receiving. 4:10We labor and strive towards this goal because we have set our hope on the living God who is the Savior of all men, specifically of believers. 4:11Declare and teach these things.

4:12Don’t let anyone think poorly of you because of your youth but be an example to those who believe: in your words, in the way you live, in love, in faith, and in purity. 4:13Until I come, pay careful attention to the public reading of the scriptures,** to exhortation, and to teaching.

**This admonition was probably given because the majority of the believers were illiterate. Therefore, public reading of the scriptures was one of the few ways in which they could become familiar with them. This verse reinforces the value of the daily reading of the scriptures by all Christians, whether it be publicly or privately.

4:14Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was recognized in you by prophecy, together with the laying on of the hands of the older, spiritually mature brothers. 4:15Be diligent in these things, giving yourself completely to them so that your spiritual progress will be evident to everyone.

4:16Be circumspect about yourself and your teaching. Continue in these things, for by doing this you will further your own salvation and also the salvation of those who hear you.

FIRST TIMOTHY CHAPTER 5

5:1Don’t rebuke an older, spiritually mature brother but exhort him as a father, the younger men as brethren, 5:2the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters in all purity. 5:3Give proper respect and care to widows who are truly widows. 5:4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let these relatives learn first to show their respect towards their own family by taking care of their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

5:5The true spiritual widow is one who is really left alone, has set her hope on God, and continues in her petitions and prayers night and day. 5:6But the one who spends her time seeking sensual pleasure is spiritually dead even though she is still physically alive. 5:7Teach them these things so that they may be above criticism.

5:8But if anyone does not provide for his own relatives and specifically for his own household, he has refused to be persuaded by God and is behaving worse than an unbeliever.

5:9Don’t allow any widow to be enrolled to be supported by the brethren who is under sixty years of age. Also, she must have been the wife of one man; 5:10have a reputation for good works; have raised children; have been hospitable to strangers; have washed the feet of those set apart for God; have helped the afflicted; and have been diligently involved in every kind of good work.

5:11But refuse to enroll younger widows because when their sensual desires rise up, which are contrary to the nature of the Anointed One, they want to marry, 5:12which will bring them into condemnation because they have abandoned their initial conviction to remain single.*

*This decision was probably a necessary step to gain the financial support of the brethren.

5:13And on top of that when they are supported by others they learn to be idle, spending their time just visiting from one house to another. And not only are they doing nothing but they also become gossips and meddle in the affairs of others, talking about things which they should not discuss.

5:14Therefore, I think it best for the younger widows to marry (instead of being supported by the brethren), bear children, and manage their households, giving no basis for those who are opposed to Christianity to criticize them, 5:15for some widows have already been turned aside from following the Lord, being led away by Satan.

5:16If any believer has female relatives who are widows, let them support them so that the gathering of the called-out ones is not burdened with this. In this way they can take care of those who are really widows.

5:17Let the older, spiritually mature brothers whose care for others is an outstanding example be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. 5:18For the scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when he is treading out the grain” (Deut 25:4). And, “The worker is worthy of his wages” (Lev 19:13).

5:19Don’t receive an accusation against an older, spiritually mature brother, except when it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. 5:20Those who sin reprove in front of everyone so that the rest may be warned also.

5:21I charge you in the sight of God, the Anointed One, Jesus, and the chosen angels that you observe these things without giving preference to one above the other or doing anything because of favoritism.

5:22Don’t lay hands quickly on anyone, so you do not participate in other men’s sins.* Keep yourself pure. 5:23Do not drink only water any longer but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and for your frequent illnesses.

*When you “lay hands” on someone you are, to some degree, giving your approval to what they are doing. Therefore, if you “lay hands” on someone “quickly” i.e. without knowing their life and character, you also bear some responsibility for the damage caused to others by their later errors and sins.

5:24Some men’s sins are obvious right now, going before them to the judgment, but with other men they will only be revealed later. 5:25In the same way also, there are some good works that are obvious right now but those that are not cannot always remain hidden.

FIRST TIMOTHY CHAPTER 6

6:1Those who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their own masters worthy of respect so that the name of God and our teaching is not slandered. 6:2And those who have believing masters should not despise them, because they are brethren. Instead let them serve their masters* because those who are benefitted are believing and loved by God. Teach and exhort these things.

*This teaching about slaves can and should be applied to those who are employed in any manner in the secular world, having superiors over them.

6:3If anyone teaches something different, refusing to agree with sound words – even the words of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One and to the teaching which is according to reverence towards God – this shows that he 6:4is full of himself, lacks understanding, has an unhealthy interest in controversies, and likes to debate about the meaning of words. Such a person is the cause of envy, arguments, and accusations, and is suspicious of other’s motives.

6:5These useless contentions come from men whose minds are warped and who are devoid of the truth, who even suppose that to accumulate wealth is a sign of godliness. 6:6But godliness with contentment is great gain.

6:7For we brought nothing into this world, neither can we carry anything out of it. 6:8Therefore, if we have food and clothing we will be content.

6:9But those who make up their mind to be rich fall into many difficulties and a trap, by following many foolish and harmful desires which drown men in losses and destruction. 6:10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, which some by reaching after it have been led astray from the faith and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

6:11But you, oh man of God, flee these things and follow after righteousness, a life which reflects reverence for God, faith, love, patience, and meekness. 6:12Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the eternal life of God to which you were called and concerning which you agreed to live out that which you professed to believe in front of many witnesses.

6:13I charge you before God who gives life to all things and before the Anointed One, Jesus – whose behavior before Pontius Pilate was acknowledged to be a faithful testimony of the character of God – 6:14that you keep this instruction without spot and without reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One.

6:15This is he who, at the proper time, will reveal in himself, the Father who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 6:16who alone has immortality, and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen nor can see, to whom belongs honor and eternal power. Amen.

6:17Charge those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their confidence in riches which are undependable but in God who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 6:18Charge them to do good so that they may be rich in good works, being ready to share with others and willing to be generous, 6:19thus storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future so that they may fully lay hold of the eternal life of God.

6:20Oh Timothy, guard that which has been deposited in you. Avoid fruitless arguments with those of opposing views, especially those based on so called “knowledge” 6:21which some claiming to have, have entered into error concerning the faith. Grace be with you.

Words in this translation found in italics are words which are implied by the Greek text but do not represent actual words in the Greek text. This practice is common in almost all modern translations. Occasionally, this translator has added words to the translation which represent his own ideas and opinions which, although they are based on his own biblical understanding, are not part of the actual Greek text. Such words are enclosed in brackets, like this [ ]. The reader should understand these words as being the opinion of the translator. In contrast to this, the words in these braces { } indicate legitimate, alternative translations or explanations. Words within parentheses () are part of the original Greek text. Such parentheses are often used in other New Testament translations also.

End of The First Letter of Paul to Timothy

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