if ye have indeed hearkened to Him, and been instructed in Him, as the truth is in Jesus; to put off the old man,

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

But immorality or any form of vice or greed must not be so much as mentioned among you; that would not be becoming in God's people.

Stop getting drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit.

Wives, you should submit to your own husbands, as you would to the Lord.

that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

Slaves, you should obey those who are your earthly masters, out of reverence and eagerness to please them, with a sincere heart, as you would [obey] Christ.

Render your service wholeheartedly, as you would to the Lord, and not [just] to people,

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

For life to me is Christ, and if I die, it would be gain.

Now if I continue living, fruitful labor is the result, so I do not know which I would prefer.

So, I am in a dilemma between the two choices. [On the one hand] I have the desire to depart [from this life] and be with Christ [in heaven], which would be far better.

So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].

But even if I am poured out like a drink offering [See Ex. 29:38-41] on the sacrifice and service produced by your faith, I am glad and will rejoice with all of you. [Note: Paul here likens the possible pouring out of his blood to the wine and oil of the Old Testament sacrifice, which is then likened to the Philippians' faithful service to God].

For I have no one but him to send--no one of kindred spirit who would take the same genuine interest in your welfare.

For indeed he was sick, coming near to death, but God had mercy on him and not [on] him only, but also [on] me, so that I would not have grief upon grief.

circumcised when I was eight days old, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews [an exemplary Hebrew]; as to the [observance of the] Law, a Pharisee;

and that I may be found in him, not having my righteousness, which would be on the principle of law, but that which is by faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God through faith,

I would know him in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, with my nature transformed to die as he died,

Let us therefore, as many as would be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

I am suffering now on your behalf, but I rejoice in that; I would make up the full sum of all that Christ has to suffer in my person on behalf of the church, his Body;

for I am a minister of the church by the divine commission which has been granted me in your interests, to make a full presentation of God's message ??26 of that open secret which, though concealed from ages and generations of old, has now been disclosed to the saints of God.

that secret truth, which, although hidden from ages and generations of old, has now been made manifest to his saints.

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

And you once practiced them as others do, when you lived that old earthly life.

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

You fathers [Note: By implication, this would include both parents] should not stir up your children [i.e., irritate or exasperate them], so that they do not become discouraged.

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

but have been gentle in the midst of you, as a nurse would cherish her own children.

Seeing that we were thus drawn affectionately towards you, it would have been a joy to us to have imparted to you not only God's Good News, but to have given our very lives also, because you had become very dear to us.

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children,

That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

who killed the Lord Jesus and the [Old Testament] prophets and also drove us [apostles] out [of Thessalonica and Berea. See Acts 17]. They are not pleasing to God and are hostile to all people,

For they would prevent us from speaking to the Gentiles with a view to their Salvation, and thus are always 'filling up the measure of their iniquity.' But the Wrath of God has come upon them to the full!

Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

[so that] no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For [you] yourselves know that we are appointed for this,

For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know.

For this cause I also, when I couldn't stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief.

I adjure you by the Lord, have this letter read aloud to all the brothers.

and come to be glorified by his saints, and to be the object of admiration to all who believed, that the testimony we gave you, would be justified in that day.

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

you would not by any pretended revelation, by any discourse or epistle ascrib'd to us, be immediately perplex'd in your minds, or under any concern for the approach of the day of the Lord.

and with every unrighteous deception against those who are perishing, in place of which they did not accept the love of the truth, so that they would be saved.

And this is the reason that God sends them a strong delusion [to influence them]: It is so that they would believe the lie,

In order that should be judged who would not believe in the truth, but were well-pleased with the unrighteousness.

With this purpose in mind, he called you through our proclamation of the gospel so that you would obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.

we did not eat anyone’s food free of charge; instead, we labored and struggled, working night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

It is not that we don’t have the right to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us.

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

And yet do not consider him to be an enemy, but warn him as [you would] a [Christian] brother.

because they would be doctors of the scripture, and yet understand not what they speak, neither whereof they affirm.

Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example or pattern for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Among these people are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered over to Satan [Note: This probably refers to withdrawing fellowship from them. See I Cor. 5:1-5], so that they would learn not to speak against God [anymore].

who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.

So then I would have the men everywhere pray, lifting to God holy hands which are unstained with anger or strife;

and I would have the women dress becomingly, with modesty and self-control, not with plaited hair or gold or pearls or costly clothes,

This is a trustworthy saying: The one who would an elder be, a noble task desires he.

Laying these things before the brethren, thou wilt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished with the words of the faith and of the good teaching which thou hast fully followed up.

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

Take heed to thyself and to thy doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou wilt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Do not sharply reprimand an older man, but appeal to him as [you would to] a father, to younger men as brothers,

[to] older women as [you would to] mothers; [to] the younger women as [you would to] your sisters, in a [morally] pure way.

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

So I want younger widows to get married, have children, manage their households, and not give opponents of the faith any occasion for slander.

Receive not an accusation against an old man, unless before two or three witnesses.

Do not be in a hurry to lay hands on anyone [i.e., to appoint them to office. See 4:14], and do not participate in the sins of other people. [Note: If Timothy failed to carefully determine the qualifications of a prospective elder before appointing him, it would make him partially responsible for any wrongdoing by that elder]. Keep yourself pure [i.e., of involvement in anyone's sins].

Which, in its own fit times, the happy and only Potentate will shew - the King of them that reign, and Lord of them that wield lordship,

When I recall the tears you shed when we parted, I long by night and day to see you again. That would fill me with joy,

That is why I remind you to fan into flame the gracious gift of God, [that inner fire—the special endowment] which is in you through the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].

No man that warreth entangleth himself with worldly business; and that, because he would please him that hath chosen him to be a soldier.

With gentleness he must correct his opponents, for God might grant them repentance that would lead them to a full knowledge of the truth,

Devoid of natural affection, not observing treaties, accusers, ungoverned, wild, not loving the good,

Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

But you should continue [to believe and practice] what you have learned and been convinced of, knowing those from whom you learned it. [Note: These persons would include Lois and Eunice (See 1:5), as well as Paul himself].

For I am already being "poured out like a drink offering," and the time for me to leave has come. [Note: Paul here likens the prospect of shedding his blood for the work of Christ to the pouring of wine and oil on an Old Testament sacrifice].

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion's mouth!

I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you;

An elder must be blameless. He must be the husband of one wife and have children who are believers and who are not accused of having wild lifestyles or of being rebellious.

One of themselves, a prophet of their own, has said, Cretans are always liars, evil wild beasts, lazy gluttons.

That old men are to be simple in their tastes, serious, wise, true in faith, in love, and of a quiet mind.

That old women are to be self-respecting in behaviour, not saying evil of others, not given to taking much wine, teachers of that which is good,

instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world;

Remind them to be subordinate to beginnings and powers, to yield obedience to authority, to be prepared for every good work,

not speak evil of any one, nor be contentious, but yield unselfishly to others and constantly manifest a forgiving spirit towards all men.

so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This is a faithful saying, and on these various points I would have you insist strenuously, in order that those who have their faith fixed on God may be careful to set an example of good actions. For these are not only good in themselves, but are also useful to mankind.

Hence, although in Christ I would feel quite free to order you to do your duty,

yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner [for the sake] of Christ Jesus—

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever,

So if you consider me a partner, welcome and accept him as you would me.

Yea, brother, I would have profit of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in Christ.

Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners,