At that time, as the number of the disciples was multiplied, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the distribution that was made daily.

this he continued for two years; so that the Jews and proselytes of that part of Asia heard the doctrine of the Lord Jesus.

he sent therefore Timothy and Erastus, two of his assistants in the ministry, before to Macedonia; but stay'd himself in Asia for some time.

At Miletus he sent a message to the pastors of the church at Ephesus, to come to him:

be therefore upon your guard to secure your selves, and the whole flock over which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

neither yield your members as instruments to iniquity: but yield yourselves unto God, as being alive after having been dead; and your members as instruments of righteousness.

and if Christ be in you, tho' the body is mortal in consequence of sin; the spirit gives life by justification.

when I take my journey into Spain, I hope to see you in my way, and be forwarded by you to that place, after having for some time enjoy'd the pleasure of your company.

when I have dispatch'd this affair, and have secur'd to them this collection, I will come to you in my way to Spain.

I recommend to you Phebe our sister, who is a deaconess of the church at Kenchrea; receive her for Christ's sake,

'tis for this end I have sent you Timothy, who is my dear disciple, and a faithful christian, who will inform you how I behave my self in every church where I teach the gospel of Christ.

of the prophets let but two or three speak by turns, and let the others deliberate.

Now if it has been declared, that Christ rose from the dead, how comes it, that some among you assert, "there is no resurrection of the dead?"

now he that furnishes seed to the sower, and bread for food, shall furnish and multiply what you sow, and increase the fruits of your liberality.

who had only heard, that I, who formerly persecuted them, did now preach the gospel of faith, which I once endeavoured to suppress:

but before faith came, we were shut up together as prisoners under the custody of the law, 'till faith was to be revealed.

the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the christians that are at Philippi, to the bishops, and to the deacons.

However, I hope by the favour of the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you very soon, that I may have some encouragement by knowing the state of your affairs:

nay, I trust in the Lord, that I myself too shall visit you very soon.

At my departure from Macedonia, I advised you to stay at Ephesus in order to charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,

At my departure from Macedonia, I advised you to stay at Ephesus in order to charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, or trouble their heads with fables and endless genealogies, which rather promote disputes than the gospel-dispensation:

pretending to be doctors of the law, tho' they neither understand what they advance, nor upon what it is founded.

however I obtained mercy, that Jesus Christ might demonstrate the greatness of his clemency, by making me an eminent instance of it to those who should hereafter believe in him, in order to eternal life.

Hymeneus and Alexander are of that number, whom I have deliver'd to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

I exhort you therefore, above all things, to present supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving for all men:

I direct therefore that the men pray in publick and private, lifting up their hands to heaven with innocence, charity, and composure.

their wives must be likewise grave, free from scandal, sober, and always faithful.

This I write, tho' I hope to make you a visit in a little time, that in case I am retarded,

This I write, tho' I hope to make you a visit in a little time, that in case I am retarded, you may know how to conduct yourself in the house of God, that is, in the church of the true God. read more. the mystery of piety is the pillar and basts of truth; and certainly most extraordinary. God has appear'd in the flesh, been justified by the spirit, seen by angels, proclaim'd to the Gentiles, believ'd by the world, and assum'd into glory.

Now the spirit says expresly, that in the latter times some shall abandon the faith, by giving credit to seducing spirits, and the doctrine concerning demons; broach'd by hypocrititical impostors, whose consciences are cauteriz'd, read more. interdicting marriage; and the use of animal food; which God created for the repast of the faithful, who embrace the truth with thankfulness. for all that God has created is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it be receiv'd with thanksgiving:

exercise yourself in piety: for those exercises which relate only to the body are of little consequence, but piety is of absolute use, having the promises both of the present life, and of the life that is to come.

while I am absent apply yourself to reading, to exhortation, and instruction.

show regard to widows that are really such.

Discontinue the drinking of bare water, take a litle wine out of regard to your weak stomach, and your frequent indispositions.

as we brought nothing into the world, certain it is, we can carry nothing away. having therefore food and raiment,

which some having obtain'd, have revolted from the faith, and brought upon themselves variety of piercing pains.

Charge those that are rich in this world, not to be elated, not to depend upon their perishable wealth, but upon the God of life, who furnishes us with every thing in plenty for our enjoyment;

to Timothy, my dear son, grace, mercy and peace from God the father, and from Jesus Christ our Lord.

who has saved us, and by the gospel hath called us to holiness, not in consideration of our works, but in pursuance of his own resolution, and the favour, which having been promised us by Jesus Christ several ages ago,

they have deserted the faith themselves, and debauch'd the faith of others, by maintaining, "the resurrection is already past."

I have nothing more to do, but to receive the crown of virtue reserv'd for me, which the Lord, the just judge, will give me in that day: and not only to me, but to those also, who have long'd for his appearance.

when you come, bring the cloke and books, but especially the roll, which I left with Carpus at Troas.

Erastus staid at Corinth: but Trophimus I left sick at Miletum.

I left you in Crete, to regulate what was amiss, and to ordain pastors in every city, as I had appointed you, to chuse such as are without reproach, married to but one wife, whose children are obedient, not accused of debauchery, nor unruly. read more. for a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not morose, not soon angry, not given to wine, not violent, not desirous of unlawful gain.

For there are many, especially among the Jews, who are obstinate, vain talkers and deceivers;

not doating on Jewish Fables, and the tenets of men, that deviate from the truth.

he saved us not in consideration of any virtuous actions which we had done, but out of his meer mercy, by the baptism of regeneration, he form'd us anew, by the plentiful effusion of the holy spirit,

This is a secure rule, and what I would have you constantly maintain, that they who have believed in God, should take care to be examples of virtue, for that is commendable and useful to mankind. but avoid frivolous enquiries about genealogies, and vexatious disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

but avoid frivolous enquiries about genealogies, and vexatious disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

When I shall send you Artemas, or Tychicus, endeavour to meet me at Nicopolis: for I have determined to winter there.

When I shall send you Artemas, or Tychicus, endeavour to meet me at Nicopolis: for I have determined to winter there.

pray at the same time prepare me a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be restored to you.

pure and unadulterated religion, in the eye of God our father, consists in taking care of orphans and widows in their distress: and in keeping clear of the vices of the age.

that ye may be the children of your father who is in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

after which Paul and his company set out from Paphos to Perga in Pamphilia, where John quitted them in order to return to Jerusalem.

Some time after, Paul said to Barnabas, let us return to visit all those cities, where we have preach'd the word of the Lord, to see what condition the brethren are in. upon which Barnabas propos'd to take John surnam'd Mark, with them. read more. but Paul did not think it proper to take one that had quitted them at Pamphylia, refusing to accompany them in their ministry. and the contention was so sharp between them, that they separated: so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus. but Paul chose Silas, and having been recommended by the brethren to the favour of God,

but as to his holy spirit miraculously declared to be the son of God, by his resurrection from the dead:

to deliver him up to satan, to suffer corporal punishment, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.

we then are ambassadors for Christ, and 'tis God who makes you the offers by us: we pray you in the name of Christ, to make your peace with God.

At my departure from Macedonia, I advised you to stay at Ephesus in order to charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,

At my departure from Macedonia, I advised you to stay at Ephesus in order to charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, or trouble their heads with fables and endless genealogies, which rather promote disputes than the gospel-dispensation:

or trouble their heads with fables and endless genealogies, which rather promote disputes than the gospel-dispensation:

This charge, my son Timothy, I recommend to you, agreeably to the prophetic gifts heretofore conferr'd on you, by virtue of which you might carry on a successful warfare,

For which reason I remind you to exert the divine gifts you received, when I gave you the imposition of hands.

As for me, you are perfectly acquainted with my doctrine, my conduct, my designs, my temper, my benevolence, my constancy,

endeavour to come before winter. Eubulus, Prudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren salute you.