Instructions to Those Who Minister

1All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be [a]spoken against. 2Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers or sisters, but must serve them all the more, because those who [b]partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and [c]preach these principles.

3If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not [d]agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4he is conceited and understands nothing; but he [e]has a sick craving for controversial questions and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5and constant friction between people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that [f]godliness is a means of gain. 6But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. 8If we have food and [g]covering, with these we shall be content. 9But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all [h]sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many [i]griefs.

11But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, [j]perseverance, and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13I direct you in the presence of God, who [k]gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14that you keep the commandment without [l]fault or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which He will [m]bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of [n]kings and Lord of [o]lords, 16who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom [p]no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

17Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good [q]works, to be generous and ready to share, 19storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

20Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21which some have professed and thereby have gone astray [r]from the faith.

Grace be with you.