The Early Church · c. AD 62–64
Chapter 35
Timothy and Titus
The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
For parents
Paul writes that he handed two men over to Satan, so that they might be taught not to blaspheme (1 Timothy 1:20), and lists those the law is made for, among them murderers and the sexually immoral (1:9–10), exactly as the text has it. The letters give instructions, as they are written and without comment, for men and for women (2:8–15), for widows (5:3–16), for older men and women, young wives and younger men (Titus 2:2–6), and for slaves and servants toward their masters (1 Timothy 6:1–2; Titus 2:9–10); Paul also quotes “a prophet of their own” who said that Cretans are always liars (Titus 1:12).
wrote a letter to , whom he called his true child in faith. As the letter tells it, Paul had urged Timothy to stay on at when Paul was going into .
“Paul, an of , as God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope commanded,” it begins, “to Timothy, my true child in faith: , mercy, and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
“Stay on at Ephesus, as I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, so that you may command certain men not to teach a different doctrine, and not to pay attention to myths and endless lists of ancestors. Those things stir up arguments rather than God’s , which is in faith.
“But the goal of this command is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. There are some who have missed the mark and turned away from these things to empty talk. They would like to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they are saying nor the things they insist on so strongly.
“But we know that the law is good if a person uses it rightly, as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine, according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
“I am thankful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who enabled me, because he counted me faithful and put me into service, though I used to be a , a persecutor, and insolent. But I found mercy, because I didn’t know what I was doing; I did it in unbelief. The grace of our Lord was given far beyond measure, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
“The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. But this is the reason I found mercy: so that Jesus Christ might show all his patience in me first, as a pattern for those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.
“Now to the King eternal, , invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. .
“Timothy, my child, I am handing this instruction on to you, in keeping with the prophecies that were given to you before, so that by them you may wage the good warfare, keeping hold of faith and a good conscience. Some have thrust this away and have made a shipwreck of the faith, and and are among them. I handed them over to , so that they might be taught not to blaspheme.”
“So before anything else,” Paul wrote, “I urge that requests, prayers, pleas for others, and thanks be made for everyone: for kings and for all who are in high places, so that we may live a calm and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.
“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, whose desire is that all people be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.
“For there is one God, and one between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a for all, the testimony at the proper time. It was for this that I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying), a teacher of the in faith and truth.
“I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting. In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness. Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission. But I don’t permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. Adam wasn’t deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into disobedience; but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with sobriety.”
“This is a faithful saying,” Paul went on: “anyone who hopes to be an has set his heart on a good work.
“So the overseer must be someone no one can find fault with: the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, welcoming to guests, good at teaching. He must not be a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle; not quarrelsome, not covetous.
“He must lead his own household well, with his children obeying him in all reverence. (For how could someone who doesn’t know how to lead his own household take care of God’s ?)
“He must not be a new believer, in case he gets puffed up with pride and falls into the same condemnation as the . Those outside must also speak well of him, so that he won’t be brought to shame and caught in the devil’s snare.
“In the same way, must be reverent, not two-faced, not given to drinking much wine, not greedy for money, and they are to keep hold of the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And they too must be tested first; then, if they are blameless, let them serve.
“Their wives, in the same way, must be reverent, not spreading slander, temperate, and faithful in everything.
“Servants must be husbands of one wife, leading their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
“I’m writing you these things, and I hope to come to you soon. But if I’m delayed, I’m writing so that you will know how people ought to behave in God’s house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth.
“No one can dispute it: the mystery of godliness is great.
God was revealed in the flesh,justified in the spirit,seen by ,preached among the nations,believed on in the world,and received up in glory.”
“But the Spirit says plainly,” Paul wrote, “that in later times some will fall away from the faith. They will listen to spirits that lead people astray and to what teach, through the hypocrisy of men who tell lies. The consciences of those men are branded, as if with a hot iron. They forbid marrying, and they command people to keep away from foods God made to be received with thanks by those who believe and know the truth.
“Everything God made is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanks, because the word of God and prayer make it holy.
“If you teach the brothers and sisters these things, you’ll be a good servant of Christ Jesus, fed on the words of the faith and on the good teaching you have followed. But reject unholy, old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself in godliness. Exercising the body is worth a little, but godliness is worth something in all things, since it carries the promise of the life that is now and of the life that is to come.
“This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance. It is for this that we work hard and suffer insults, because we have set our trust in the living God, the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe. Command these things and teach them.
“Let no one look down on you for being young. Instead, be an example to those who believe, in your words, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. Until I come, pay attention to reading, to encouraging, and to teaching. Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying their hands on you.
“Work hard at these things. Give yourself wholly to them, so that your progress may be plain to everyone. Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Keep at these things, because in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
“Don’t scold an older man,” Paul wrote, “but encourage him like a father, and the younger men like brothers, the older women like mothers, the younger women like sisters, in all purity.
“Honor widows who really are widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show godliness toward their own family and to repay their parents, because this is acceptable in God’s sight.
“The widow who really is a widow, and is left alone, has her hope set on God, and she keeps on with her requests and prayers night and day. But the one who gives herself over to pleasure is dead while she is still alive.
“Give these commands too, so that they may be beyond blame. But if anyone doesn’t take care of his own, above all those of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
“Don’t put anyone on the list as a widow if she is under sixty years old. She must have been the wife of one man, and have a good name for her good works: if she has brought up children, if she has welcomed strangers, if she has washed the feet, if she has brought relief to those who suffer, and if she has worked hard at every good work.
“But turn down younger widows, because when their desires grow strong against Christ, they want to marry. And they stand condemned, because they have cast off the first pledge they made. They also learn to be idle, going around from house to house; and not only idle, but gossips and busybodies too, saying things they shouldn’t.
“So I want the younger widows to marry, bear children, run their households, and give the enemy no opening to insult, because some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
“If any man or woman who believes has widows of their own, let them help those widows. Don’t let the assembly be weighed down, so that it can help those who are truly widows.
“The elders who lead well should be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching, because the Scripture says, ‘Don’t muzzle the ox while it .’ And, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages.’
“Don’t accept an accusation against an elder except on the word of two or three witnesses. Those who sin must be corrected in front of everyone, so that the rest may be afraid as well. I command you before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels: observe these things without prejudice, playing no favorites in anything you do.
“Don’t be in a hurry to lay hands on anyone, and don’t take part in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.
“Don’t drink only water any longer. Use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and for the illnesses you so often have.
“Some people’s sins are out in the open, going ahead of them to judgment, and some come along later. In the same way, there are good works that are plain to see, and those that are not plain can’t be hidden.”
“All who are slaves under the ,” Paul wrote, “should hold their own masters worthy of all honor, so that God’s name and the teaching are not spoken against. Those whose masters believe must not look down on their masters because they are brothers. Instead, they should serve them, because those who receive the benefit are believers and dearly loved. Teach these things and urge them.
“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and doesn’t agree to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the teaching that fits with godliness, he is conceited and knows nothing. He is obsessed with arguments, disputes, and fights about words. Out of these come envy, quarreling, insults, evil suspicions, and the constant clashing of people whose minds are corrupt and who are empty of the truth. They think godliness is a road to profit. Keep away from people like that.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. But with food and clothes, we will be content.
“But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful cravings, the kind that drown people in ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. In their greed, some have been led astray from the faith and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
“But you, man of God, run from these things, and chase after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of eternal life. You were called to it, and you spoke the good confession in front of many witnesses.
“I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who testified to the good confession before : keep the commandment spotless and blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. The blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will show it at the right time. He alone has immortality. He lives in light that no one can come near. No human being has seen him, and none can. Honor and eternal power be his. Amen.
“Tell those who are rich in this present age that they must not be arrogant, or set their hope on riches, which can’t be counted on, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. Have them do good and be rich in good works, ready to give, glad to share. In this way they will be storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, so that they may take hold of eternal life.
“Timothy, guard what was put in your keeping. Turn away from empty chatter and from the opposing arguments of what is falsely called knowledge. Some have claimed this knowledge, and so they have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.”
Paul also wrote a letter to , whom he called his true child according to a common faith. As that letter tells it, Paul had left Titus in to set in order what was lacking there, and to appoint elders in every city.
“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,” it begins, “in keeping with the faith of God’s chosen ones and the knowledge of the truth that fits with godliness, in hope of eternal life. God, who can’t lie, promised that life before time began, but in his own time he revealed his word in the message that was entrusted to me as God our Savior commanded. To Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
“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. Each must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with children who believe and who are not accused of wild or unruly living.
“The overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward. He must not be set on pleasing himself, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain, but welcoming to guests, a lover of good, clear-headed, fair, holy, and self-controlled. He must keep a firm grip on the faithful word that agrees with the teaching, so that he may be able to encourage people in sound teaching, and to prove wrong those who contradict him.
“There are also many unruly men who are empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the . Their mouths must be shut. They are overturning whole households, teaching things they shouldn’t, for the sake of dishonest gain.
“One of them, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons.’ This testimony is true. For this reason, correct them sharply. Then they can be sound in the faith and not pay attention to Jewish fables, or to rules made by men who turn their backs on the truth.
“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They say they know God, but by what they do they deny him. They are vile, disobedient, and useless for any good work.”
“But you must say the things that fit sound teaching,” Paul wrote: “that older men should be temperate, sensible, clear-headed, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance.
“In the same way, older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers and not slaves to much wine. They should teach what is good, so that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children, to be clear-headed and pure, to work at home, to be kind, and to be in subjection to their own husbands. This is so that God’s word may not be spoken against.
“In the same way, urge the younger men to be clear-headed. In everything, show yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness, and purity, and sound speech that can’t be condemned, so that anyone who opposes you may be ashamed, with nothing wrong to say about us.
“Urge servants to be in subjection to their own masters and to please them in everything, not answering back, not stealing, but showing complete good faith, so that in all things they may make the teaching of God our Savior beautiful.
“The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It instructs us to turn our backs on ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live in this present age with clear heads, rightly, and in a godly way, as we look for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, so that he might redeem us from all wrongdoing and make clean for himself a people to be his own, eager for good works.
“Say these things, and urge and correct with all authority. Don’t let anyone treat you with contempt.”
“Remind them,” Paul wrote, “to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak ill of no one, not to be quarrelsome, to be gentle, and to show every kind of humility toward all people.
“We too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving all sorts of desires and pleasures, living in spite and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
“But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, justified by his grace, we might be made heirs, in keeping with the hope of eternal life.
“This saying is faithful, and I want you to speak with confidence about these things, so that those who have believed God may take care to keep at good works. These things are good and useful for people.
“But keep away from foolish questions, lists of ancestors, strife, and disputes about the law, because they are useless and empty.
“After a first and a second warning, avoid a man who splits people into rival groups, because you know that a man like that is twisted and sinful, and condemns himself.
“When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, hurry to come to me at , since I have made up my mind to spend the winter there. Send the lawyer and Apollos quickly on their journey, so that they lack nothing.
“And let our people learn to keep at good works too, to meet real needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. Everyone who is with me greets you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”