Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia, in which St. Paul, having preached the Gospel, converted some Jews and a great number of the Gentiles: but the unbelieving Jews, envying his success, raised such a commotion against him that he, and his companion, Sylvanus were obliged to quit the city. Afterwards he went to Athens, where he heard that the converts in Thessalonica were under a severe persecution, ever since his departure; and lest they should lose their fortitude, he sent Timothy to strengthen and comfort them in their sufferings. In the meantime St. Paul came to Corinth, where he wrote this first Epistle, and also the second to the Thessalonians, both in the same year, being the nineteenth after our Lord's Ascension. These are the first of his Epistles in the order of time.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 1
He gives thanks for the grace bestowed on the Thessalonians.
1:1. Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians: in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:2. Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all: making a remembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing,
1:3. Being mindful of the work of your faith and labour and charity: and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father.
1:4. Knowing, brethren, beloved of God, your election:
1:5. For our gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also: and in the Holy Ghost and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes.
1:6. And you became followers of us and of the Lord: receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
1:7. So that you were made a pattern to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.
1:8. For from you was spread abroad the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and in Achaia but also in every place: your faith which is towards God, is gone forth, so that we need not to speak any thing.
1:9. For they themselves relate of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you: and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.
1:10. And to wait for his Son from heaven (whom he raised up from the dead), Jesus, who hath delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 2
The sincerity of the apostle's preaching the gospel to them and of their receiving it.
2:1. For yourselves know, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2:2. But having suffered many things before and been shamefully treated, (as you know) at Philippi, we had confidence in our God, to speak unto you the gospel of God in much carefulness.
2:3. For our exhortation was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deceit.
2:4. But as we were approved by God that the gospel should be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who proveth our hearts.
2:5. For neither have we used at any time the speech of flattery, as you know: nor taken an occasion of covetousness (God is witness):
2:6. Nor sought we glory of men, neither of you, nor of others.
2:7. Whereas we might have been burdensome to you, as the apostles of Christ: but we became little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse should cherish her children:
2:8. So desirous of you, we would gladly impart unto you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls: because you were become most dear unto us.
2:9. For you remember, brethren, our labour and toil: working night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you, we preached among you the gospel of God.
2:10. You are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and without blame we have been to you that have believed:
2:11. As you know in what manner, entreating and comforting you (as a father doth his children),
2:12. We testified to every one of you that you would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
2:14. For you, brethren, are become followers of the churches of God which are in Judea, in Christ Jesus: for you also have suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they have from the Jews:
2:15. Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and the prophets, and have persecuted us, and please not God, and are adversaries to all men;
2:16. Prohibiting us to speak to the Gentiles, that they may be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath of God is come upon them to the end.
To fill up their sins... That is, to fill up the measure of their sins, after which God's justice would punish them. For the wrath of God is come upon them to the end... That is, to continue on them to the end.
2:17. But we, brethren, being taken away from you for a short time, in sight, not in heart, have hastened the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
2:18. For we would have come unto you, I Paul indeed, once and again: but Satan hath hindered us.
2:19. For what is our hope or joy or crown of glory? Are not you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
2:20. For you are our glory and joy.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 3
The apostle's concern and love for the Thessalonians.
3:1. For which cause, forbearing no longer, we thought it good to remain at Athens alone.
3:2. And we sent Timothy, our brother and the minister of God in the gospel of Christ, to confirm you and exhort you concerning your faith:
3:3. That no man should be moved in these tribulations: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
3:4. For even when we were with you, we foretold you that we should suffer tribulations: as also it is come to pass, and you know.
3:5. For this cause also, I, forbearing no longer, sent to know your faith: lest perhaps he that tempteth should have tempted you: and our labour should be made vain.
3:6. But now when Timothy came to us from you and related to us your faith and charity, and that you have a good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us as we also to see you:
3:7. Therefore we were comforted, brethren, in you, in all our necessity and tribulation, by your faith.
3:8. Because now we live, if you stand in the Lord.
3:9. For what thanks can we return to God for you, in all the joy wherewith we rejoice for you before our God,
3:10. Night and day more abundantly praying that we may see your face and may accomplish those things that are wanting to your faith?
3:11. Now God himself and our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
3:12. And may the Lord multiply you and make you abound in charity towards one another and towards all men: as we do also towards you,
3:13. To confirm your hearts without blame, in holiness, before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his saints. Amen.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 4
He exhorts them to purity and mutual charity. He treats of the resurrection of the dead.
4:1. For the rest therefore, brethren, pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus that, as you have received from us, how you ought to walk and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more.
4:2. For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus.
4:3. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: That you should abstain from fornication:
4:4. That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour,
4:5. Not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles that know not God:
4:6. And that no man overreach nor circumvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you before and have testified.
4:7. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification.
4:8. Therefore, he that despiseth these things, despiseth not man, but God, who also hath given his holy Spirit in us.
4:9. But as touching the charity of brotherhood, we have no need to write to you: for yourselves have learned of God to love one another.
4:10. For indeed you do it towards all the brethren in all Macedonia. But we entreat you, brethren, that you abound more:
4:11. And that you use your endeavour to be quiet: and that you do your own business and work with your own hands, as we commanded you: and that you walk honestly towards them that are without: and that you want nothing of any man's.
4:12. And we will not have you ignorant brethren, concerning them that are asleep, that you be not sorrowful, even as others who have no hope.
4:13. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again: even so them who have slept through Jesus, will God bring with him.
4:14. For this we say unto you in the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them who have slept.
4:15. For the Lord himself shall come down from heaven with commandment and with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God: and the dead who are in Christ shall rise first.
4:16. Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air: and so shall we be always with the Lord.
4:17. Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 5
The day of the Lord shall come when least expected. Exhortations to several duties.
5:1. But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you:
5:2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord shall so come as a thief in the night.
5:3. For when they shall say: Peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape.
5:4. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief.
5:5. For all you are the children of light and children of the day: we are not of the night nor of darkness.
5:6. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do: but let us watch, and be sober.
5:7. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunk, are drunk in the night.
5:8. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, having on the breast plate of faith and charity and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
5:9. For God hath not appointed us unto wrath: but unto the purchasing of salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
5:10. Who died for us: that, whether we watch or sleep, we may live together with him.
5:11. For which cause comfort one another and edify one another, as you also do.
5:12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you;
5:13. That you esteem them more abundantly in charity, for their work's sake. Have peace with them.
5:14. And we beseech you, brethren, rebuke the unquiet: comfort the feeble minded: support the weak: be patient towards all men.
The unquiet... That is, such as are irregular and disorderly.
5:15. See that none render evil for evil to any man: but ever follow that which is good towards each other and towards all men.
5:16. Always rejoice.
5:17. Pray without ceasing.
5:18. In all things give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all.
5:19. Extinguish not the spirit.
5:20. Despise not prophecies.
5:21. But prove all things: hold fast that which is good.
5:22. From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves.
5:23. And may the God of peace himself sanctify you in all things: that your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5:24. He is faithful who hath called you, who also will do it.
5:25. Brethren, pray for us.
5:26. Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.
5:27. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
5:28. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
In this Epistle St. Paul admonishes the Thessalonians to be constant in the faith of Christ and not to be terrified by the insinuations of false teachers telling them that the day of judgment was near at hand, as there must come many signs and wonders before it. He bids them to hold firm the traditions received from him, whether by word, or by epistle, and shews them how they may be certain of his letters by the manner he writes.
2 Thessalonians Chapter 1
He gives thanks to God for their faith and constancy and prays for their advancement in all good.
1:1. Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians. In God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
1:2. Grace unto you: and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3. We are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith groweth exceedingly and the charity of every one of you towards each other aboundeth.
1:4. So that we ourselves also glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith, and in all your persecutions and tribulations: which you endure
1:5. For an example of the just judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which also you suffer.
1:6. Seeing it is a just thing with God to repay tribulation to them that trouble you:
1:7. And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with the angels of his power:
1:8. In a flame of fire, giving vengeance to them who know not God and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1:9. Who shall suffer eternal punishment in destruction, from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his power:
1:10. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be made wonderful in all them who have believed; because our testimony was believed upon you in that day.
1:11. Wherefore also we pray always for you: That our God would make you worthy of his vocation and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith in power:
1:12. That the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians Chapter 2
The day of the Lord is not to come till the man of sin be revealed. The apostle's traditions are to be observed.
2:1. And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and of our gathering together unto him:
2:2. That you be not easily moved from your sense nor be terrified, neither by spirit nor by word nor by epistle as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand.
2:3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for unless there come a revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition
A revolt... This revolt, or falling off, is generally understood, by the ancient fathers, of a revolt from the Roman empire, which was first to be destroyed, before the coming of Antichrist. It may, perhaps, be understood also of a revolt of many nations from the Catholic Church; which has, in part, happened already, by means of Mahomet, Luther, &c., and it may be supposed, will be more general in the days of the Antichrist. The man of sin... Here must be meant some particular man, as is evident from the frequent repetition of the Greek article [ ], the man of sin, the son of perdition, the adversary or opposer. It agrees to the wicked and great Antichrist, who will come before the end of the world.
2:4. Who opposeth and is lifted up above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself as if he were God.
In the temple... Either that of Jerusalem which some think he will rebuild; or in some Christian church, which he will pervert to his own worship: as Mahomet has done by the churches of the east.
2:5. Remember you not that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2:6. And now you know what withholdeth, that he may be revealed in his time.
2:7. For the mystery of iniquity already worketh: only that he who now holdeth do hold, until he be taken out of the way.
2:8. And then that wicked one shall be revealed: whom the Lord Jesus shall kill with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: him
2:9. Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power and signs and lying wonders:
2:10. And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish: because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Therefore God shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying:
God shall send... That is God shall suffer them to be deceived by lying wonders, and false miracles, in punishment of their not entertaining the love of truth.
2:11. That all may be judged who have not believed the truth but have consented to iniquity.
2:12. But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto salvation, in sanctification of the spirit and faith of the truth:
2:13. Whereunto also he hath called you by our gospel, unto the purchasing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2:14. Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the traditions, which you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle.
Traditions... See here that the unwritten traditions are no less to be received than their epistles.
2:15. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God and our Father, who hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope in grace,
2:16. Exhort your hearts and confirm you in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians Chapter 3
He begs their prayers and warns them against idleness.
3:1. For the rest, brethren, pray for us that the word of God may run and may be glorified, even as among you:
May run... That is, may spread itself, and have free course.
3:2. And that we may be delivered from importunate and evil men: for all men have not faith.
3:3. But God is faithful, who will strengthen and keep you from evil.
3:4. And we have confidence concerning you in the Lord that the things which we command, you both do and will do.
3:5. And the Lord direct your hearts, in the charity of God and the patience of Christ.
3:6. And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition which they have received of us.
3:7. For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us. For we were not disorderly among you.
3:8. Neither did we eat any man's bread for nothing: but in labour and in toil we worked night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you.
3:9. Not as if we had not power: but that we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us.
3:10. For also, when we were with you, this we declared to you: that, if any man will not work, neither let him eat.
3:11. For we have heard there are some among you who walk disorderly: working not at all, but curiously meddling.
3:12. Now we charge them that are such and beseech them by the Lord Jesus Christ that, working with silence, they would eat their own bread.
3:13. But you, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
3:14. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
3:15. Yet do not esteem him as an enemy but admonish him as a brother.
3:16. Now the Lord of peace himself give you everlasting peace in every place. The Lord be with you all.
3:17. The salutation of Paul with my own hand: which is the sign in every epistle. So I write.
3:18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
St. Paul write this Epistle to his BELOVED TIMOTHY, being then bishop of Ephesus, to instruct him in the duties of a bishop, both in respect to himself and to his charge; and that he ought to be well informed of the good morals of those on whom he was to impose hands: Impose not hands lightly upon any man. He tells him also how he should behave towards his clergy. The Epistle was written about 33 years after our Lord's Ascension; but where it was written is uncertain: the more general opinion is, that it was in Macedonia.
1 Timothy Chapter 1
He puts Timothy in mind of his charge and blesses God for the mercy he himself had received.
1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the commandment of God our Saviour and Christ Jesus our hope:
1:2. To Timothy, his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.
1:3. As I desired thee to remain at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some not to teach otherwise:
1:4. Not to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which furnish questions rather than the edification of God which is in faith.
1:5. Now the end of the commandment is charity from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and an unfeigned faith.
1:6. From which things some, going astray, are turned aside unto vain babbling:
1:7. Desiring to be teachers of the law: understanding neither the things they say, nor whereof they affirm.
1:8. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.
1:9. Knowing this: That the law is not made for the just man but for the unjust and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the wicked and defiled, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
The law is not... He means, that the just man doth good, and avoideth evil, not as compelled by the law, and merely for fear of the punishment appointed for transgressors; but voluntarily, and out of the love of God and virtue; and would do so, though there were no law.
1:10. For fornicators, for them who defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and whatever other thing is contrary to sound doctrine:
1:11. Which is according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God which hath been committed to my trust.
1:12. I give him thanks who hath strengthened me, even to Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he hath counted me faithful, putting me in the ministry:
1:13. Who before was a blasphemer and a persecutor and contumelious. But I obtained the mercy of God, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1:14. Now the grace of our Lord hath abounded exceedingly with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.
1:15. A faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.
1:16. But for this cause have I obtained mercy: that in me first Christ Jesus might shew forth all patience, for the information of them that shall believe in him unto life everlasting.
1:17. Now to the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1:18. This precept, I commend to thee, O son Timothy: according to the prophecies going before on thee, that thou war in them a good warfare,
1:19. Having faith and a good conscience, which some rejecting have made shipwreck concerning the faith.
1:20. Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered up to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
1 Timothy Chapter 2
Prayers are to be said for all men, because God wills the salvation of all. Women are not to teach.
2:1. I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men:
2:2. For kings and for all that are in high station: that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all piety and chastity.
2:3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour,
2:4. Who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2:5. For there is one God: and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus:
One mediator... Christ is the one and only mediator of redemption, who gave himself, as the apostle writes in the following verse.
2:6. Who gave himself a redemption for all, a testimony in due times, a redemption for all.... He is also the only mediator, who stands in need of no other to recommend his petitions to the Father. But this is not against our seeking the prayers and intercession, as well of the faithful upon earth, as of the saints and angels in heaven, for obtaining mercy, grace, and salvation, through Jesus Christ. As St. Paul himself often desired the help of the prayers of the faithful, without any injury to the mediatorship of Jesus Christ.
2:7. Whereunto I am appointed a preacher and an apostle (I say the truth, I lie not), a doctor of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
2:8. I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands, without anger and contention.
2:9. In like manner, women also in decent apparel: adorning themselves with modesty and sobriety, not with plaited hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly attire:
2:10. But, as it becometh women professing godliness, with good works.
2:11. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
2:12. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to use authority over the man: but to be in silence.
2:13. For Adam was first formed; then Eve.
2:14. And Adam was not seduced; but the woman, being seduced, was in the transgression.
2:15. Yet she shall be saved through child bearing; if she continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety.
1 Timothy Chapter 3
What sort of men are to be admitted into the clergy. The church is the pillar of truth.
3:1. A faithful saying: If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth good work.
3:2. It behoveth therefore a bishop to be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, of good behaviour, chaste, given to hospitality, a teacher,
Of one wife.... The meaning is not that every bishop should have a wife (for St. Paul himself had none), but that no one should be admitted to the holy orders of bishop, priest, or deacon, who had been married more than once.
3:3. Not given to wine, no striker, but modest, not quarrelsome, not covetous, but
3:4. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all chastity.
3:5. But if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?
3:6. Not a neophyte: lest, being puffed up with pride, he fall into the judgment of the devil.
A neophyte.... That is, one lately baptized, a young convert.
3:7. Moreover, he must have a good testimony of them who are without: lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
3:8. Deacons in like manner: chaste, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre:
3:9. Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.
3:10. And let these also first be proved: and so let them minister, having no crime.
3:11. The women in like manner: chaste, not slanderers, but sober, faithful in all things.
3:12. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife: who rule well their children and their own houses.
3:13. For they that have ministered well shall purchase to themselves a good degree and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
3:14. These things I write to thee, hoping that I shall come to thee shortly.
3:15. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
The pillar and ground of the truth.... Therefore the church of the living God can never uphold error, nor bring in corruptions, superstition, or idolatry.
3:16. And evidently great is the mystery of godliness, which was manifested in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, appeared unto angels, hath been preached unto the Gentiles, is believed in the world, is taken up in glory.
1 Timothy Chapter 4
He warns him against heretics, and exhorts him to the exercise of piety.
4:1. Now the Spirit manifestly saith that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to spirits of error and doctrines of devils,
4:2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy and having their conscience seared,
4:3. Forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful and by them that have known the truth.
Forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats.... He speaks of the Gnostics, the Marcionites, the Eneratites, the Manicheans, and other ancient heretics, who absolutely condemned marriage, and the use of all kind of meat; because they pretended that all flesh was from an evil principle. Whereas the church of God, so far from condemning marriage, holds it a holy sacrament; and forbids it to none but such as by vow have chosen the better part: and prohibits not the use of any meats whatsoever in proper times and seasons; though she does not judge all kind of diet proper for days of fasting and penance.
4:4. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected that is received with thanksgiving:
4:5. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
4:6. These things proposing to the brethren, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished up in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which thou hast attained unto.
4:7. But avoid foolish and old wives fables: and exercise thyself unto godliness.
4:8. For bodily exercise is profitable to little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
4:9. A faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
4:10. For therefore we labour and are reviled, because we hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of the faithful.
4:11. These things command and teach:
4:12. Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the faithful, in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity.
4:13. Till I come, attend unto reading, to exhortation and to doctrine.
4:14. Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood.
4:15. Meditate upon these things, be wholly in these things: that thy profiting may be manifest to all.
4:16. Take heed to thyself and to doctrine: be earnest in them. For in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.
1 Timothy Chapter 5
He gives him lessons concerning widows, and how he is to behave to his clergy.
5:1. An ancient man rebuke not, but entreat him as a father: young men, as brethren:
5:2. Old women, as mothers: young women, as sisters, in all chastity.
5:3. Honour widows that are widows indeed.
5:4. But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let her learn first to govern her own house and to make a return of duty to her parents; for this is acceptable before God.
5:5. But she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, let her trust in God and continue in supplications and prayers night and day.
5:6. For she that liveth in pleasures is dead while she is living.
5:7. And this give in charge, that they may be blameless.
5:8. But if any man have not care of his own and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.
5:9. Let a widow be chosen of no less than threescore years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband.
5:11. But the younger widows avoid. For when they have grown wanton in Christ, they will marry:
5:12. Having damnation, because they have made void their first faith.
Their first faith.... Their vow, by which they had engaged themselves to Christ.
5:13. And withal being idle they learn to go about from house to house: and are not only idle, but tattlers also and busy bodies, speaking things which they ought not.
5:14. I will, therefore, that the younger should marry, bear children, be mistresses of families, give no occasion to the adversary to speak evil.
5:15. For some are already turned aside after Satan.
5:16. If any of the faithful have widows, let him minister to them, and let not the church be charged: that there may be sufficient for them that are widows indeed.
5:17. Let the priests that rule well be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
5:18. For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
5:19. Against a priest receive not an accusation, but under two or three witnesses.
5:20. Them that sin reprove before all that the rest also may have fear.
5:21. I charge thee, before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by declining to either side.
5:22. Impose not hands lightly upon any man, neither be partaker of other men's sins. Keep thyself chaste.
5:23. Do not still drink water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thy frequent infirmities.
5:24. Some men's sins are manifest, going before to judgment: and some men they follow after.
5:25. In like manner also good deeds are manifest: and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
1 Timothy Chapter 6
Duties of servants. The danger of covetousness. Lessons for the rich.
6:1. Whosoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be blasphemed.
6:2. But they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but serve them the rather, because they are faithful and beloved, who are partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
6:3. If any man teach otherwise and consent not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to that doctrine which is according to godliness,
6:4. He is proud, knowing nothing, but sick about questions and strifes of words; from which arise envies, contentions, blasphemies, evil suspicions,
6:5. Conflicts of men corrupted in mind and who are destitute of the truth, supposing gain to be godliness.
6:6. But godliness with contentment is great gain.
6:7. For we brought nothing into this world: and certainly we can carry nothing out.
6:8. But having food and wherewith to be covered, with these we are content.
6:9. For they that will become rich fall into temptation and into the snare of the devil and into many unprofitable and hurtful desires, which drown men into destruction and perdition.
6:10. For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting have erred from the faith and have entangled themselves in many sorrows.
6:11. But thou, O man of God, fly these things: and pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness.
6:12. Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called and be it confessed a good confession before many witnesses.
6:13. I charge thee before God who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate, a good confession:
6:14. That thou keep the commandment without spot, blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
6:15. Which in his times he shall shew, who is the Blessed and only Mighty, the King of kings and Lord of lords:
6:16. Who only hath immortality and inhabiteth light inaccessible: whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and empire everlasting. Amen.
6:17. Charge the rich of this world not to be highminded nor to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God (who giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy)
6:18. To do good, to be rich in good work, to give easily, to communicate to others,
6:19. To lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the true life.
6:20. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding the profane novelties of words and oppositions of knowledge falsely so called.
6:21. Which some promising, have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.