OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE,
TO THE
THESSALONIANS.
PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ: grace unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.2We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;3without ceasing calling to mind your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father;4knowing, brethren, beloved of God, your election.5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in great fulness of assurance; as ye know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.6And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, receiving the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost;7so that ye became models for all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.8For from you sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only into Macedonia and Achaia, but into every region also your fidelity towards God is gone out, so that we have no need to say any thing.9For they publish concerning you what manner of entrance we had unto you, and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve the living and true God,10and to wait for his Son from the heavens, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come.
FOR ye yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in to you, that it was not in vain.2But though we had suffered before, and were infamously treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to preach unto you the gospel of God amidst a great conflict.3And our exhortation originated not from delusion, or impurity, or from guile;4but as we have been approved of God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts.5For neither at any time used we insinuating language, as ye know, nor a pretext for covetousness; God is witness:6not seeking glory from men, neither from you, nor from others, though we might have been burdensome, as apostles of Christ.7But we were gentle in the midst of you, as a nurse cherisheth her own infants.8So, tenderly affected towards you, we could with pleasure have imparted to you not the gospel of God only, but our own lives also, because ye were beloved by us.9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and toil: for night and day working hard, that we might be no burden to any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.10Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and faultlessly we conducted ourselves among you that believe:11as ye know howwe treatedevery one of you, as a father doth his children, exhorting you, and admonishing, and conjuring you,12that ye should walk worthy of God, as calling you into his kingdom and glory.
13For this cause do we also give thanks to God unceasingly, because when ye received the word reported by us from God, ye received it not as the word of man, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which worketh also effectually in you that believe.14For ye, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea, in Christ Jesus: for ye suffered the same things also yourselves from your own countrymen, as they too have of the Jews;15who both murdered the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us, and please not God, and are in opposition to all mankind;16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, to fill up the measure of their iniquities always: but wrath is coming upon them to the extremity.
17But we, brethren, bereaved of you for a short moment, in person, not in heart, have more abundantly longed to see your face with great desire.18Therefore we wished to have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan prevented us.19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?20For ye are our glory and joy.
WHEREFORE when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone:2and sent Timothy our brother, and a minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, that he might stablish you, and comfort you concerning your faith:3that no man might be shaken by these tribulations; for ye yourselves know that thereunto we are appointed.4For when we were with you, we told you before that we were about to suffer tribulation; as also it came to pass, and ye know.5For this cause also, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your fidelity, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labour should be in vain.6But now when Timothy returned to us from you, and brought us the glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye retain a kind remembrance of us always, earnestly desirous to see us, as we are also to see you:7for this cause we have felt consolation, brethren, in you under all our tribulation and distress, because of your fidelity.8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.9For what sufficient thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice on your account before our God,10night and day most fervently praying that we may see your face, and amply supply the deficiencies of your faith?
11Now God himself, and our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you.12And the Lord cause you to abound and overflow with love one to another, and towards all men, as we also do to you:13to the end that your hearts may be established blameless in holiness before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
FINALLY, brethren, we beseech you therefore, and conjure you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk, and please God, so ye would abound more and more.2For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from whoredom;4that every one of you may know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honour,5not in the vile passion of lewdness, as the Gentiles which know not God;6that no man transgress against, or act dishonestly to his brother in this matter because the Lord is the avenger of all such things, as we have told you before, and testified.7For God hath not called us unto impurity, but unto holiness.8Therefore he that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit.
9Now concerning brotherly love, I have no need to write unto you: for ye yourselves are divinely taught to love one another.10And indeed ye practise it towards all the brethren that are throughout Macedonia: but we conjure you, brethren, to abound more and more;11and that you make it your study to live peaceably, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we have enjoined you;12that ye walk becomingly towards those without, and need no assistance from any person.
13Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are fallen asleep, that ye be not afflicted, as the restof mankindwho have no hope.14For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, so also those that have fallen asleep for Jesus shall God bring with him.15For this I say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent those who are fallen asleep.16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17then we who are alive, who remain, shall be caught up together with them into the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we be ever with the Lord.18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
NOW concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I should write to you:2for yourselves know precisely that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.3For when they say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction rusheth upon them, as travail on a woman with child, and they shall in no wise escape.4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief.5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of day: we are not the children of night, nor of darkness.6Let us not then sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober.7For they who sleep, sleep in the night, and they who are drunken, are drunken in the night;8but let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,10who died for us, that whether we sleep, or whether we wake, we may live together with him.11Wherefore comfort one another, and edify one another, as also ye do.
12Now we entreat you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you;13and to account of them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And live in peace among yourselves.
14Now we conjure you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the infirm, be patient with all men.15See that no man return evil for evil to any man; but always pursue that which is good, both towards one another, and towards all men.
16Rejoice evermore.17Pray without ceasing.18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-wards.19Quench not the Spirit.20Despise not prophesyings.21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.22Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved faultless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25Brethren, pray for us.26Salute all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27I conjure you by the Lord, that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE,
TO THE
THESSALONIANS.
PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ:2grace unto you and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.3We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, as it is fit, because your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth:4so that we ourselves make our boast of you among the churches of God, for your patience and fidelity under all your persecutions and afflictions which ye endure:5which is a manifest proof of the righteous judgment of God, that ye should be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:6seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;7and to you who are troubled, rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven with his mighty angels,8in a flame of fire, taking vengeance of them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:9who shall receive punishment, even eternal perdition, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power:10when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired by all those who believe; because our testimony was believed among you in that day.11Wherefore also we pray continually for you, that our God would count you worthy of the calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:12that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
NOW we entreat you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him:2that ye be not hastily agitated with apprehension, nor troubled, neither by spirit, nor by discourse, nor by letter, as coming from us, as though the day of the Lord was instantly approaching.3Let no man deceive you in any way: because that cannot be till the apostasy come first, and the man of sin appear, the son of perdition,4who opposeth himself against, and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or is the object of adoration; so that he in the temple of God sitteth as God, exhibiting himself in public that he is God.5Do ye not remember that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?6And now ye know what withholdeth, that he may be revealed in his own time.7For the mystery of iniquity is already powerfully working; only he that withholdeth hitherto, will do so till he is removed.8And then that lawless person will appear, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming;9whose appearing is known by fanatical energy, displayed in all power, and signs, and lying miracles,10and in every unrighteous delusion among those who perish: in consequence of which things they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.11And for this cause God shall send unto them the energy of delusion, that they should believe a lie:12that they all might be damned who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in unrighteousness.13But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath elected you from the beginning unto salvation, by sanctification of the Spirit, and faith in the truth:14whereunto also he called you by our gospel, in order to your acquisition of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.15Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and firmly hold the injunctions delivered to you, as ye have been taught, whether by our discourse, or by letter.
16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and our God, and Father, who hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace,17comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
FINALLY, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run, and be glorified, even as among you;2and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for there is not faith in all.3But the Lord is faithful, who will stablish you, and keep you from the wicked one.4But we have confidence in the Lord towards you, that the things which we have enjoined you, ye both do, and will do.5And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.
6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw yourselves from every brother who walketh disorderly, and not according to the injunction which he hath received from us.7For ye yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you,8neither did we eat bread with any man unpaid for, but with labour and toil worked night and day, that we might be burdensome to none of you:9not that we have not such power, but that we might be ourselves an example for you to imitate.10For when we were with you, this we enjoined you, that if a man would not work, neither should he eat.11For we hear that there are some among you who walk disorderly, doing no work, but being busy-bodies.12Now such we command, and conjure, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they labour, and eat their own bread.
13But ye, brethren, be not weary of well doing.14And if any man obey not our word by letter, mark that man, and maintain no society with him, that he may be ashamed.15Yet regard him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.16And the Lord of peace himself give you peace, by every means, in every situation.
The Lord be with you all.
17The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is my sign in every letter: so I write.
18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The second epistle was written to the Thessalonians from Athens.
OF
THE APOSTLE PAUL
TO
TIMOTHY.
PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the order of God, our Saviour, and Lord, Jesus Christ, who is our hope;2to Timothy, my genuine son in faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3As I exhorted thee to abide at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest enjoin certain persons to introduce no different doctrine,4nor to attend to fables and endless genealogies, which give occasion to disputes rather than godly edification, which is by faith;so do.5For the end of the commandment is love out of a clean heart, and good conscience, and faith unfeigned:6from which some, having swerved, have turned aside to vain babbling;7affecting to be doctors of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.8But we know that the law is good if a man use it according to its institution;9knowing this, that the law is not made for the just man, but for the lawless and disorderly, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for men-slayers,10for whoremongers, for sodomites, for stealers of men, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing which is contrary to sound doctrine,11according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been put in trust.12And I render thanks to him who hath strengthened me, even to Christ Jesus our Lord, that he hath counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;13who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and insolently violent, But I was admitted to mercy, for I did it ignorantly in unbelief;14but the grace of our Lord hath exceedingly abounded with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.15It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.16But for this end obtained I mercy, that in me, the chief, Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to those who should after believe in him unto eternal life.17Now to the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18This commandment, son Timothy, I give thee, according to the prophecies which were before delivered concerning thee, that by them thou mightest war a good warfare;19holding faith and a good conscience, which some having renounced, as touching the faith, have been shipwrecked:20of whom are Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered over unto Satan, that they may be corrected, so as to blaspheme no more.
IEXHORT therefore, first of all, that there be offered supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings for the whole race of mankind:2for kings, and all that are in a state of eminence, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and seriousness.3For this is becoming, and acceptable before God our Saviour;4who wills all men to be saved, and come to the acknowledgment of truth.5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;6who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony to be born in his appointed times;7of which I am ordained a preacher and apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, I lie not,) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8I will then that men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands without wrath or doubting:9in like manner also that the women dress themselves in decent apparel, with modesty and sobriety; not with plaited tresses, or gold, or pearls, or very costly clothing,10but as becometh women professing godliness, with good works.
11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection:12for I permit not a woman to teach in public, or to assume authority over the man, but to abide in silence.13For Adam was first formed, Eve afterwards.14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, by transgression fell.15But she shall be saved through childbearing, if they abide in faith, and love, and holiness with sobriety.
IT is a true saying, If a man seeks the office of a bishop, he desireth a laudable employment.2A bishop then must be irreprehensible, the husband of one wife, temperate, sagacious, respectable, hospitable, well qualified for teaching;3not addicted to wine, not using hard words or blows, not greedy of base gain; but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money;4presiding over his own family with propriety, having his children under subjection with all gravity of behaviour:5for if a man knoweth not how to order his own family, how shall he take proper care of the church of God?6Not a new convert, lest he be puffed up, and fall into the devil’s crime.7He must also have a fair character from those who are without, that he may not fall into reproach, and into the snare of the devil.
8The deacons also in like manner must be grave, not doubletongued, not addicting themselves to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;9holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.10And let these also be first proved, and if found blameless, then let them enter on the deacon’s office.
11Their wives in like manner must be grave women, not addicted to scandal, sober, faithful in all things.
12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ordering well their children and their own families.13For they who discharge the office of a deacon with propriety, acquire to themselves a respectable stationin the church, and great boldness in the faith which is in Jesus Christ.
14These things I write to thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:15but should I be delayed, that thou mayest know how it behoveth thee to conduct thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and the pedestal of truth.16And confessedly great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen of angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
NOW the Spirit speaketh expresly, that in the latter days some will apostatise from the faith, giving heed to spirits of delusion, and doctrines of devils;2men who teach lies with hypocrisy; and have their own consciences cauterised;3prohibiting marriage, and enjoining abstinence from particular meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful, and those who acknowledge the truth.4For every creature of God is good, and none to be rejected, if used with thanksgiving:5for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.6If thou suggest these truths to the brethren, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and sound doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.7But profane and antiquated fables reject, but exercise thyself unto godliness.8For bodily exercise is of little advantage, but godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.9This is a faithful saying, and deserving all acceptance.10For therefore do we labour and are exposed to abuse, because we have hoped in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of the faithful.11Announce and teach these things.12Let no man despise thy youth; but be a pattern of the faithful, in discourse; in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.13Till I come, apply to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.14Neglect not the gift which is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the presbytery.15Let these things be thy care; be wholly devoted to them; that thy progress may be evident to all men.16Take heed unto thyself, and to thy doctrine; abide in them: for so doing thou shalt both save thyself, and those who hear thee.
REBUKE not harshly an aged man, but admonish him as a father; the younger men as brethren;2the aged women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.3Honour the widows, that are widows indeed.4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn as their first duty to shew their piety towards their own family, and make a grateful return to their progenitors: for this is becoming and acceptable before God.5But she who is a widow indeed, and abandoned to solitude, hopeth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.6But she who lives voluptuously is dead, though she liveth.7And these things inculcate, that they may be blameless.8But if any man provide not for his own relations, and especially for those more immediately of his own family, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
9Let no widow be put on the list under sixty years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband,10bringing attestation of her good works; that she hath well educated her children, that she hath been hospitable to strangers, that she hath washed the saints feet, that she hath assisted the afflicted, that she hath followed diligently every good work.11But the younger widows reject: for when they give themselves to wantonness contrary to Christ, they will marry;12incurring censure, for having violated their former engagement.13And at the same time also they learn to be idle, visiting about in the houses; and not merely idle, but talkative and inquisitive, speaking things they ought not.14I would therefore have the younger widows to marry, bear children, govern their house, give no occasion to the adversary to bring a reproach on them.15For some are already turned aside after Satan.16But if any man or woman who believes hath widows their relations, let him provide for them, and let not the church be burdened; that there may be a sufficiency for the real widows.
17Let the elders who preside properly be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who are laborious in preaching and teaching.18For the Scripture saith, “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox while he treadeth out the corn119.” And again, “The labourer is worthy of his hire.”
19Against a presbyter receive not an accusation, except it be from two or three witnesses.20Those who sin rebuke before all, that the rest also may tremble.
21I adjure thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.
22Lay hands hastily on no man, nor share another’s sins: keep thyself pure;23confine thyself no longer to water-drinking; but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake, and thy frequent indispositions.24Some men’s sins are glaringly manifest, going before to judgment; and after others also they followto detection.25In like manner also the good worksof someare previously manifest; and it is not possible that what they have besides should be concealed.
LET as many slaves as are under the yoke account their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed.2But they who have believing masters, let them not think less of them, because they are brethren; but serve them the rather, because they are faithful and beloved, who have equally partaken of the benefit. These things teach and enjoin.3If any man teach another doctrine, and attend not to the sound words, which are those of Jesus Christ our Lord, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;4he is conceited, knowing nothing, but delirious with disputes and quarrels about words, from whence come wrath, contentions, evil speakings, wrong suspicions,5perverse wranglings of men corrupt in mind, and destitute of truth, who think to make gain of godliness; depart from such men.6But godliness with contentment is great gain.7For that we brought nothing into the world is evident, neither can we carry any thing out of it.8Having then food and raiment, let us be therewith content.9For they who will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful passions, which sink men in the abyss of destruction and perdition.10For the love of money is the root of all evils, which some coveting, have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11But thou, O man of God, flee from these things; but pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.12Strain every nerve in the noble conflict of faith, lay fast hold on eternal life, unto which also thou hast been called, and hast confessed the good confession before many witnesses.
13I conjure thee in the presence of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who witnessed that noble confession before Pontius Pilate;14that thou observe this injunction spotless, irreproachable, unto the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:15which in his own appointed times he will shew forth, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;16who alone possesseth immortality, inhabiting light inaccessible, whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and glory eternal. Amen.
17Charge the rich in this world not to be lifted up with pride, nor to trust on the stability of wealth, but on the living God, who giveth us richly all things for our enjoyment;18to do good, to be rich in generous actions, to take pleasure in liberality, ready to distribute;19laying up treasure for themselves a noble foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
20O Timothy, guard the sacred deposit, avoiding profane trifling talk, and antitheses of misnamed science:21which some affecting have erred concerning the faith.
Grace be with thee.—Amen.
The first epistle was written from Laodicea, which is the metropolis of Phrygia Pacatiana.
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO
TIMOTHY.
PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,2to Timothy, my beloved son: grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with a pure conscience, that I keep up a constant remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;4earnestly desiring to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I might be filled with joy;5recalling to my memory the unfeigned faith which was in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded thatit isin thee also.6For which cause I remind thee that thou fan into a flame the divine gift, which is in thee by the imposition of my hands.7For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of courage, and of love, and of sobriety.
8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer affliction with me in the gospel, supported by the power of God;9who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before time had a beginning;10but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and brought to light life and immortality by the gospel:11whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.12For which cause also I suffer these things; but I am not ashamed: for I know on whom I have placed my confidence, and am persuaded that he is mighty to guard my deposit unto the great day.
13Model thy teaching according to the pattern of the sound discourses, which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.14The glorious deposit committed to thy trust, guard by the Holy Ghost who dwelleth in us.
15Knowest thou this, that all those of Asia have deserted me? among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.16The Lord grant mercy unto the household of Onesiphorus because he frequently was a refreshment to my soul, and was not ashamed of my chain:17but, when he was at Rome, he sought me out diligently, and found me.18The Lord grant that he may find mercy with the Lord in the great day; and how liberally he ministered to me at Ephesus, thou knowest better than any other person.
THOU therefore, my son, be mighty in the grace which is in Jesus Christ.2And the things which thou hast heard of me before many witnesses, these commit to faithful men, who shall be qualified to teach others also.3Thou therefore endure hardships, as a brave soldier of Jesus Christ.4No man who enters the army involves himself with secular affairs; that he may please the person who hath enlisted him.5And if a man contend in the public games, he is not crowned victor, unless he contend according to the laws.6The husbandman who toils is the first who ought to partake of the fruits.7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead, according to my gospel:9for which I suffer affliction, even unto chains as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.10Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Jesus Christ with eternal glory.
11It is a faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:12if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him: if we renounce him, he also will renounce us:13if we are unbelieving, he abideth faithful; he cannot contradict himself.14Put them in mind of these things, adjuring them before the Lord not to quarrel about words of no use, but tending to the perversion of the audience.
15Be diligent to present thyself before God approved, a workman that need not blush, rightly dividing the word of truth.16But profane vain bablings avoid: for they will proceed to greater lengths of impiety.17And their discourse will eat like as a gangrene; of whom are Hymeneus and Philetus;18who with respect to the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection hath been already; and pervert the faith of some.19Nevertheless the stable foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal, the Lord knoweth those who belong to him. And, let every man who mentions the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.
20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and pottery; and some for an honourable use, and others for baser service.21If therefore a man preserve himself pure from these things, he shall be a vessel for honour, sanctified and highly useful to the master, ready for every good work.
22But flee youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.23But foolish and uninstructive disputes avoid, knowing that they produce quarrels.24And a servant of the Lord ought not to quarrel; but to be gentle to all men, apt to teach, forbearing,25with meekness correcting those who are opposers, if at last God may give unto them repentance so as to submit to the conviction of the truth;26and that they may escape out of the snare of the devil, who have been captured by him for his will.
BUT this know, that in the last days distressing times will come.2For men will be self-lovers, money-lovers, boasters, vainglorious, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3unnatural, implacable, slanderers, intemperate, inhuman, averse to goodness,4treacherous, wilful, puffed upwith pride, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God;5holding the form of godliness, but denying the power of it: from these men turn with aversion.6For such are they who insinuate themselves into houses, and captivate weak women laden with accumulated sins, and actuated by a variety of passions,7always learning, yet never able to attain unto the knowledge of truth.8But in the same manner as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also set themselves in opposition to the truth; men corrupt in mind, reprobate respecting the faith.9But they shall not proceed to the uttermost; for their infatuation shall be evident to all men, as theirs also was.
10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, conduct, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, patience,11the persecutions, the sufferings, which beset me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, yet out of them all the Lord delivered me.12And all indeed who will live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.13But wicked men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and deceived.14But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and believed, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;15and that from a child thou hast known the sacred writings, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ.16All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and advantageous for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness17that the man of God may be properly furnished, fully qualified for every good work.
IADJURE thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;2preach the word, be urgent, in season, out of season; reprove, enjoin, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own inclinations will set up a herd of teachers for themselves, having the itch of hearing;4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and listen unto fables.5But watch thou in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully discharge thy ministry.6For I am now ready to be sacrificed, and the time of my dissolution approaches.7I have struggled hard in the honourable contest, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith:8henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: yet not to me only, but also to all who have loved his appearing.
9Hasten to come to me shortly:10for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is gone unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia.11Luke alone is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is very useful to me in the ministry.12But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
13The cloke which I left behind me at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest bring, and the books, especially the parchments.
14Alexander the brazier did me many ill offices: the Lord repay him according to his works:15against whom be thou also on thy guard, for he hath greatly resisted our words.
16At my first apology no man stood by me, but all forsook me: (may it not be imputed to them!)17but the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching might be fully discharged, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was snatched out of the lion’s mouth.18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and preserve me for his celestial kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19Salute Priscilla and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.20Erastus hath abode at Corinth: but Trophimus I left behind me at Miletum sick.
21Hasten to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
The second epistle to Timothy, appointed the first bishop of the Ephesian church, was written from Rome, when the second time Paul stood before the Cæsar Nero.
EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLE
TO
TITUS.
PAUL, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of the elect of God, and the knowledge of truth which leads to godliness;2in hope of life eternal, which God, who cannot lie, hath promised before time had a being;3but hath manifested in his own appointed season his word by the preaching, with which I have been entrusted, according to the command of our Saviour God;4to Titus, my genuine son after the common faith, be grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5For this purpose I left thee behind me at Crete, that thou mightest direct the regulations which remained to be executed, and that thou shouldest appoint presbyters in every city, as I charged thee to do:6if there be a man blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not under an accusation or debauchery, or disorderly conduct.7For a bishop ought to be irreproachable, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not irritable, not addicted to wine, not quarrelsome, not greedy of filthy lucre;8but the stranger’s host, the good man’s friend, grave, just, holy, temperate;9firmly attached to the faithful word, according to the doctrine delivered, that he may be able to exhort with sound instruction and to confute the opposers.10For there are many disorderly persons vainly talkative, and under a spirit of delusion, especially some of the circumcised;11whose mouths ought to be muzzled, who pervert whole families, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of base gain.12One of them, a poet of their own nation, hath said, The Cretans are always liars, wicked beasts, slothful gluttons.13This testimony is true. For which cause rebuke them with severity, that they may be sound in the faith;14not attending to Jewish fables, and injunctions of men, who have turned away from the truth.15All things indeed are clean to the clean: but to the defiled and to the unbelievers there is nothing clean; but their very mind and conscience are defiled.16They profess to know God; but in works deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
BUT speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:2that the elder men be sober, grave, discreet, sound in faith, in love, in patience.3That the elder women also be sacredly becoming in their behaviour, not slanderers, not enslaved by much wine, teachers of propriety;4that they instruct the young women to be discreet, to love their husbands, to love their children,5to be sober, domestic, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not ill reported of.6The younger men in like manner exhort to be sober minded.7In all things approving thyself as a pattern of good works: in thy teaching, shewing integrity, gravity, incorruptibility,8sound discourse, incapable of confutation; that he who is in opposition may be confounded, having nothing faulty to say of you.
9Let servants be subject to their own masters, in all things to be agreeable to them; not contradicting;10not embezzling their property, but demonstrating all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
11For the grace of God which leads to salvation hath appeared unto all men,12instructing us, that denying ungodliness and worldly affections, we should live soberly and righteously, and godly in the present day;13expecting the blessed hope, and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ;14who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.15These things speak and enjoin, and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
REMIND them to be subject to princes and those invested with authority, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work,2to slander no man, to be inoffensive, gentle, shewing all meekness to all men.3For we ourselves also in time past were thoughtless, disobedient, erroneous, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.4But even then the kindness and love of God our Saviour to man shone forth,5not for works of righteousness which we had done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and by renovation of the Holy Spirit;6which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;7that justified by his grace, we might become heirs in hope of eternal life.
8Faithful is the saying, and of these things I wish thee firmly to testify, that they who have believed in God be careful to be pre-eminent in good works. These are becoming and advantageous to men.9But foolish disquisitions, and genealogies, and disputes, and contentions about the law avoid; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10An heretical person after a first and second admonition reject;11knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned.
12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, hasten to come to me unto Nicopolis: for there I have determined to pass the winter.
13Send forward diligently Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, that nothing may be wanting for them.14And let those who belong to us learn also to be pre-eminent in good works for all necessary calls, that they be not without fruits.
15All that are with me salute thee. Salute those who love us with fidelity.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
This epistle was written to Titus appointed by suffrage first bishop of the church of Crete, from Nicopolis in Macedonia.