Slaves And Masters
1 All those people who are under the reins of slavery [i.e., in subjection to someone] should consider their own masters as deserving of full respect, so that God's name and [His] teaching will not be spoken against [i.e., by unbelievers].
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
1 (A)All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so (B)that the name of God and our doctrine will not be (a)spoken against.
1 All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters(a) to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name(A) and His teaching will not be blasphemed.
1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their own masters as deserving of the highest respect, so that the name of God and our teaching may not be discredited.
False Teachers And True Contentment
2 And those slaves who have believing masters should not despise them, since they are [Christian] brothers, but rather they should serve them all the more [faithfully]. For those [masters] who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved [by them and God]. Teach and exhort people regarding these things.
2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
2 Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are (C)brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who (b)partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. (D)Teach and (c)preach these principles.
2 Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.(B)Teach and encourage these things.
2 Moreover, those who have believing masters should be respectful to them, because they are fellow believers. In fact, they must serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dear to them. These are the things you must teach and exhort.
False Teachers And The Love Of Money
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine [i.e., from what has been urged above], and does not agree to [proclaim the] sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to teaching that is godly [i.e., in harmony with godliness],
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
3 If anyone (E)advocates a different doctrine and does not (d)agree with (F)sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine (G)conforming to godliness,
3 If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord(C) Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness,(D)
3 If anyone teaches false doctrine and refuses to agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, and godly teaching,
4 that person is conceited. He does not understand anything, but has an unhealthy concern for controversy and arguments over words, which produce envy, dissension, abusive language, evil suspicions,
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
4 he is (H)conceited and understands nothing; but he (e)has a morbid interest in (I)controversial questions and (J)disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,
4 he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words.(E) From these come envy,(F) quarreling,(G) slander,(H) evil suspicions,
4 he is a conceited person and does not understand anything. He has an unhealthy craving for arguments and debates. This produces jealousy, rivalry, slander, evil suspicions,
5 [and] continual wranglings between people with corrupt minds, who are deprived of the truth. They think that [professing] godliness is a way to obtain [financial] gain.
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
5 and constant friction between (K)men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who (L)suppose that (f)godliness is a means of gain.
5 and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness(b) is a way to material gain.(c)(I)
5 and incessant conflict between people who are depraved in mind and deprived of truth. They think that godliness is a way to make a profit.
9 But those people who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and [spiritual] destruction.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
9 (R)But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and (S)a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction.
9 But people who want to get rich keep toppling into temptation and are trapped by many stupid and harmful desires that plunge them into destruction and ruin.
10 For, loving money is a source of all kinds of evil, [and] some people who crave it have been led astray from the faith, and have stabbed themselves [in the heart] with many sorrows.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
10 For (T)the love of money is a root of all (g)sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have (U)wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
10 For the love of money is a root(f) of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith(L) and pierced themselves with many pains.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, in their eagerness to get rich, have wandered away from the faith and caused themselves a lot of pain.
Renewed Charge To Timothy
11 But you, man of God, run from these things [See verses 3-10], and pursue right living and godliness, having faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
11 But (V)flee from these things, you (W)man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, (X)faith, (Y)love, (h)perseverance and gentleness.
11 But you, man of God, run from these things,and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,love,(M) endurance,(N) and gentleness.
11 But you, man of God, must flee from all these things. Instead, you must pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.
12 Fight the good battle of the faith; take hold of never ending life, to which you were called [i.e., by the Gospel. See II Thess. 2:14], [when] you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. [Note: This "confession" probably refers to a person's acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord and Christ prior to his immersion. See Acts 2:36; Rom. 10:9-10].
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
12 (Z)Fight the good fight of (AA)faith; (AB)take hold of the eternal life (AC)to which you were called, and you made the good (AD)confession in the presence of (AE)many witnesses.
12 Fight the good fight(O) for the faith;take hold of eternal life(P)that you were called toand have made a good confession aboutin the presence of many witnesses.
12 Fight the good fight for the faith. Keep holding on to eternal life, to which you were called and about which you gave a good testimony in front of many witnesses.
13 I [solemnly] urge you in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession when He testified in front of Pontius Pilate [See John 18:37; Matt. 27:17],
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
13 (AF)I charge you in the presence of God, who (i)gives life to all things, and of (AG)Christ Jesus, who testified the (AH)good confession (AI)before Pontius Pilate,
13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all,(Q) and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate,(R) I charge you
13 Since you are in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and in the presence of the Messiah Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, I solemnly charge you
14 to obey this command without [moral] blemish or blame. [Note: This "command" probably refers to Timothy's responsibility to fulfill his ministry. See verses 11-12; II Tim. 4:1-2]. [Do this] until our Lord Jesus Christ returns,
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the (AJ)appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
14 to keep these commands stainlessly and blamelessly until the appearance of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.
15 which God will bring about in its [or, "His"] own time. [For] He is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords.
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
15 which He will (j)bring about at (AK)the proper time—He who is (AL)the blessed and (AM)only Sovereign, (AN)the King of (k)kings and (AO)Lord of (l)lords,
15 God will bring this about in His own time.(U) He isthe blessed and only(V) Sovereign,the King of kings,(W)and the Lord of lords,(X)
15 At the right time, he will make him known. God is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
16 He alone possesses immortality [Note: That is, only God possesses an eternal existence, with neither beginning nor ending. See John 5:26], and lives in unapproachable light. No one has seen Him, or can see Him. May there be honor and never ending power to Him. May it be so.
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
16 (AP)who alone possesses immortality and (AQ)dwells in unapproachable light, (AR)whom no man has seen or can see. (AS)To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
16 the only One who has immortality,dwelling in unapproachable light;(Y)no one has seen or can see Him,(Z)to Him be honor and eternal might.(AA)Amen.(AB)
16 He alone has endless life and lives in inaccessible light. No one has ever seen him, nor can anyone see him. Honor and eternal power belong to him! Amen.
Instructions To The Rich
17 [Solemnly] urge those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant, nor to place their hope in the uncertainty of [their] wealth, but in God, who generously supplies us with everything to enjoy.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
17 Instruct those who are rich in (AT)this present world (AU)not to be conceited or to (AV)fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, (AW)who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant(AC) or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God,(g) who richly provides us with all things(AD) to enjoy.
17 Tell those who are rich in this age not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, let them place their confidence in God, who lavishly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
18 [Urge them] to do what is good, to be rich in [the practice of] good deeds, to be generous and willing to share [with others].
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in (AX)good (m)works, (AY)to be generous and ready to share,
18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works,(AE) to be generous, willing to share,(AF)
18 They are to do good, to be rich in good actions, to be generous, and to share.
19 [In that way] they will store up for themselves a treasure [of never ending rewards] for providing a solid foundation for the future, so that they can take hold of the true life [i.e., in heaven].
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
19 (AZ)storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may (BA)take hold of that which is life indeed.
19 storing up for themselves a good reserve(h) for the age to come,(AG) so that they may take hold of life that is real.
19 By doing this they store up a treasure for themselves that is a good foundation for the future, so that they can keep their hold on the life that is real.
Final Charge And Benediction
20 [So], Timothy, guard [the Gospel message] which has been entrusted to you, while avoiding worldly, empty chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called "knowledge,"
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
20 O (BB)Timothy, guard (BC)what has been entrusted to you, avoiding (BD)worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”—
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you,(AH) avoiding(AI) irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the “knowledge” that falsely bears that name.(AJ)
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the pointless discussions and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.
21 which some people have claimed [to have], and in doing so have strayed from the faith. May [God's] unearned favor be upon you.
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
21 Although some claim to have it, they have abandoned the faith. May grace be with all of you!