7 But reject profane and old women's fables; and exercise thyself to godliness: 8 for bodily exercise profiteth for a little time only; but godliness is profitable for all time, having a promise of the life which now is, THE pillar and firm support and of that which is coming. of the truth 16 (and confessed-9 This is a true saying, and ly great) is this mystery of god-worthy to be received by all. liness: He whot was manifest- 10 For on this account we ed in flesh, justified in spirit, [both] labour and suffer rehath appeared to messengers, proach, because we trust in been proclaimed among nations, the living God, who is

+ This is according to the pointing in Griesbach. Some good copies read which, instead of os

saviour of all men, but especially of those who believe. 11 Give in charge and teach these things.

provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own household, he denieth the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Let not a widow be taken into the number of deaconnesses under sixty years old, having been the wife of one husband,

12 LET no one despise thy youth: but be thou an example to the believers, in discourse, in behaviour, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhor-10 well reported of for good tation, to teaching. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the putting on of the hands of the elders. 15 Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress [in] all may appear: 16, take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching; continue in them: for by doing this thou wilt save both thyself, and those who hear thee.

CH. V. 1 REBUKE not an elder, but exhort him as a father; and the younger men as brethren: 2 the elder women as mothers; the younger, as sisters, with all purity.

3 SUPPORT widows who are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let them learn in the first place to treat their own family piously, and to requite their progenitors; for this is acceptable before God.

5 Now she who is a widow indeed, and left alone, hopeth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day: 6 but she who rioteth in pleasure, is dead while she liveth. 7 These things also give in charge; that they may be blameless. 8 But if any one

works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the feet of the saints, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

11 But reject younger widows; for, when they grow weary of the restraints of Christ, they desire to marry; 12 and are blameable, because they have laid aside their first resolution: 13 and at the same time they learn to be idle also, going about from house to house; and not idle only, but tattlers also, and busy-bodies, speaking what they ought not.

14 I will therefore, that the younger widows marry, bear children, guide their family, give no occasion to the adversary of speaking reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after the adversary. 16 If any [brother in the faith, or] sister in the faith, have widows, let such relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve those who are widows indeed.

17 LET the elders who preside well, be counted worthy of double reward; especially those who labour in the word and in

teaching: 18 for the scripture saith, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that is treading out the corn." And, "The labourer is worthy of his hire." 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

21 I charge thee in the presence of God, and of [the Lord] Jesus Christ, and of the chosen messengers,* *that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

22 Put thy hands hastily on no one; and partake not in the sins of others.

KEEP thyself pure. 23 (Drink no longer water; but use a little wine, because of thy stomach and thy frequent infirmities.)

are

brethren: but let them serve the more willingly, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. These things teach and exhort.

3 IF any one teach otherwise, and consent not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, 4 he is lifted up with vanity, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words; whence cometh envy, contention, evil-speakings, wicked surmisings, 5 perverse disputings among men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that godliness is gain: [from such withdraw thyself.] 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world; and it is [certain] that we can carry nothing out.

24 THE sins of some men are manifest beforehand, going before to condemnation; but of some men they follow after. 258 And, having food and raiment, In like manner, also, the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and those works which are otherwise cannot be hid.

let us with these be content. 9 But they who would be rich, fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtCH. VI 1-LET as many ser- ful desires, which overwhelm vants as are under the yoke, men in calamity and ruin. 10 count their own masters worthy For the love of money is the of all honour; that the name of root of all evil which while God, and his doctrine, be not some covet, they have erred evil-spoken of. 2 And let not from the faith, and have piercthose who have believing mas-ed themselves through with ters despise them, because they many sorrows.

chosen messengers, i. e. the apostles of Christ, who were chosen to bear testimony to his resurrection. Acts i. 2. q. d. I charge you as in the presence of God your creator and judge, of Christ your master and chief, and of the apostles of Jesus, whose example you are to follow, etc. Abp. Newcome, with the public version, renders the words, "the elect angels," and some suppose an allusion to the court of heaven, as analogous to the Persian court. See Benson and Priestly. But the former interpretation best suits the connexion. If it be objected that Timothy was not actually in the presence of the apostles, it may be replied that the apostle's language does not necessarily imply this. Nor can it be proved that he was in the presence of the elect angels, whoever may be the persons intended.

11 But, O man of God, do mortality, dwelling in light inthou flee these things; and fol- accessible; whom no man hath low after righteousness, godli-seen, or can see: to whom be ness, faith, love, patience, meek- aionian honour and dominion. ness, 12 Contend the good con- Amen. test of faith; lay hold on aionian life, to which thou hast been called, and with respect to which thou madest the honourable confession before many witnes

ses.

17 CHARGE the rich in the present age, not to be highminded, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in [the living] God, who richly giveth us all things to enjoy; 18 to do good, to be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to bestow; 19 treasuring up for themselves a good foundation against the time approaching, that they may lay hold on the true life.

13 I charge thee in the sight of God, who giveth life to all, and in the sight of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession, 14 that thou keep this commandment, so as to be without spot, 20 O TIMOTHY, keep that and unrebukeable, till the ap- which is committed to thy trust, pearance of our Lord Jesus avoiding profane empty declaChrist, 15 when, in its own sea-mations, and antitheses of scison, he will manifest, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 who only hath im

ence falsely so called: 21 which some professing, have erred concerning the faith. The favour of God be with thee.

THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY.

CHAP. I.

1 PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, on account of the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 to Timothy my beloved son, favour, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I THANK God, whom I serve, as did my forefathers, with a pure conscience, that without ceasing I make mention of thee

in my prayers night and day; 4 longing to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 and calling to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Loïs, and in thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that it dwelleth also in thee.

6 WHEREFORE I remind thee that thou stir up the free gift of God, which is in thee through

the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of prudence. 8 Be therefore not ashamed of the testimony concerning our Lord, or of me his prisoner: but suffer joint-affliction with the gospel, according to the power given thee of God; 9 who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose, and favour which was bestowed on us in Christ Jesus, before the aionian times; 10 but which hath now been made manifest by the appearance of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and incorruption to light, through the gospel: 11 of which I have been appointed a herald, and an apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles. 12 For which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which he hath committed to me,* to that day.

all those who are in Asia have turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus : for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but, when he was in Rome, sought for me very diligently, and found me. 18 (The Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord in that day.) And in how many things he ministered to me in Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

CH. II. 1 BE thou therefore, my son, strong in the favour which is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things which thou hast heard from me through many witnesses, these commit to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Wherefore suffer thou hardships, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No one who warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; but that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And also if any one contend in the games, he is not crowned unless he contend according to the laws.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard from me, in that faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 Keep that good doc-standing in all things. trine, which is committed to thy trust, through the holy spirit which dwelleth in us.

6 The husbandman must first labour, and then partake of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee under

15 THOU knowest this, that

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the race of David, hath been raised from the dead, according to the gospel which I preach;† 9

i. e. the gospel. See ver. 14; 1 Tim. v. 21, which are the only places in which the same word occurs. "The apostle triumphed in the thought, that, though he was persecuted, and soon to fall a sacrifice to the fury of his enemies, the gospel which was entrusted to him would not perish with him, but would be preserved by the power of God to the end of time." See Slichtingius in loco. Im. Ver. note.

† Or, the gospel proclaimed by me.