The first Chapter.
Paul, Sylvanus and Timotheus.
Unto the congregation of the Thessalonians, which are in God our
father, and in the lord Iesus Christ.
Grace be with you and peace from God our father, and from the lord
Iesus Christ.
We are bound to thank God always for you brethren, as it is meet,
because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and every one of you
swimmeth in love toward another between yourselves, so that we
ourselves rejoice of you in the congregations of God, over your
patience and faith in all your persecutions, and tribulations that ye
suffer: which is a token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye are
counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer. It is
verily a righteous thing with God, to recompense tribulation to them
that trouble you: and to you which are troubled rest with us, when the
lord Iesus shall shew himself from heaven, with his mighty angels, in
flaming fire, rendering vengeance unto them that know not God, and to
them that obey not unto the gospell of our lord Iesus Christ, which
shall be punished with everlasting damnation, from the presence of the
lord, and from the glory of his power, when he shall come to be
glorified in his saints, and to be made marvelous in all them that
believe: because our testimony that we had unto you, was believed even
the same day that we preached it. Wherefore we pray always for you that
our God make you worthy of the calling, and fulfil all delectation of
goodness, and the work of faith, with power: that the name of our lord
Iesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, thorow the grace
of our God, and of the lord Iesus Christ.
The second Chapter.
We beseech you brethren by the coming of our lord Iesu Christ, and in
that we shall assemble unto him, that ye be not suddenly moved from
your mind, and be not troubled, neither by spirit, neither by words,
nor yet by letter, which should seem to come from us, as though the day
of Christ were at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means, for the
lord cometh not, except there come a departing first, and that that
sinful man be opened, the son of perdition which is an adversary, and
is exalted above all that is called God, or that is worshipped: so that
he shall sit in the temple of God, and shew himself as God.
Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
And now ye know what withholdeth: even that he might be uttered at his
time. For already the mystery of iniquity worketh. Only he that
holdeth, let him now hold, until it {hit} be taken out of the way, and
then shall that wicked be uttered, whom the lord shall consume with the
spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the appearance of his
coming, even him whose coming is by the working of Satan, with all
lying power, signs, and wonders: and in all deceivableness of
unrighteousness, among them that perish: because they received not the
love of the truth, that they might have been saved. And therefore God
shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe lies: that
all they might be damned which believed not the truth, but had pleasure
in unrighteousness.
We are bound to give thanks alwaye to God for you brethren beloved of
the lord, for because that God hath from the beginning chosen you to
health, thorow sanctifying of the spirit, And thorow believing the
truth: whereunto he called you by our gospell, to obtain the glory that
cometh of our lord Iesu Christ.
Therefore brethren stand fast and keep the ordinations, which ye have
learned: whether it were by our preaching, or by oour pistel: Our lord
Iesu Christ himself, and God our father, which hath loved us, and hath
given us everlasting consolation, and good hope thorow grace, comfort
your hearts, and establish you in all saying, and good doing.
The .iij. Chapter.
Furthermore brethren pray for us, that the word of God may have free
passage, and be glorified, as it is with you: and that we may be
delivered from unreasonable and evil men. For all men have not faith:
but the lord is faithful, which shall stablish you, and keep you from
evil. We have confidence thorow the lord to youward, that ye both do,
and will do, that which we command you. And the lord guide your hearts
unto the love of God, and patience of Christ.
We require you brethren in the name of our lord Iesu Christ, that ye
withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh inordinately, and
not after the institution which ye received of us. Ye yourselves know
how ye ought to counterfeit us: For we behaved not ourselves
inordinately among you. Neither took we bread of any man for nought:
but wrought with labour and travail night and day, because we would not
be grievous to any of you: not but that we had authority: but to make
ourselves an ensample unto you, to counterfeit us. For when we were
with you, this we warned you of, that if there were any which would not
work, that the same should not eat. We have heard say no doubt that
there are some which walk among you inordinately, and work not at all,
but are busybodies. Them that are such, we command and exhort in the
name of our lord Iesu Christ, that they work with quietness, and eat
their bread. Brethren be not weary in well doing. If any man obey not
our sayings, send us word of him by a letter: and have no company with
him, that he may be ashamed: And count him not as an enemy: but warn
him as a brother.
The very lord of peace, give you peace always, by all means. The lord
be with you all. The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. This is
the token in all pistels. So I write. The grace of our lord Iesus be
with you all Amen.
Sent from Athens.
The first pistel of S. Paul to Timothe.
The first Chapter.
Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ, by the commandment of God our saviour,
and of the lord Iesu Christ, which is our hope.
Unto Timothy his natural son in the faith.
Grace mercy and peace from God our father, and from the lord Iesu
Christ.
As I besought thee to abide still in Ephesus when I departed into
Macedonia, even so do that thou command some that they teach no other
wise: neither give heed to fables and genealogies, which are endless,
and breed doubts, more than Godly edifying which is by faith: for the
end of the commandment is love that cometh of a pure heart and of a
good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from the which things, some
have erred, and have turned unto vain jangling, because they would be
doctors in the scripture, and yet understand not what they speak,
neither whereof they affirm.
We know that the law is god, {good} if a man use it lawfully,
understanding this, how that the law is not given unto a righteous man,
but unto the unrighteous and disobedient, to the ungodly and to
sinners, to unholy and unclean, to murderers of fathers and murderers
of mothers, to manslayers and whoremongers: to them that defile
themselves with mankind: to menstealers: to liars and to perjured, and
so forth if there be any other thing that is contrary to wholesome
doctrine according to the glorious gospell of the holy God, which
gospel is committed unto me.
And I thank him that hath made me strong in Christ Iesu our lord: for
he counted me true, and put me in office, when before I was a
blasphemer, and a persecuter, and a tyrant. Nevertheless I obtained
mercy because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief: but the grace of our
lord was more abundant, with faith and love, which is in Christ Iesu.
This is a true saying, and by all means worthy to be received, that
Christ Iesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief:
Notwithstanding unto me was mercy given, that Iesus Christ should first
shew on me all long patience, unto the ensample of them which shall in
time to come believe on him unto eternal life. So then unto God, king
everlasting, immortal, invisible, and wise only, be honour and praise
for ever and ever Amen.
This commandment commit I unto thee son Timotheus, according to the
prophecies which in time past were prophesied of thee, that thou in
them shouldest fight a good fight, having faith and good conscience,
which some have put away from them, and as concerning faith have made
shipwreck. Of whose number is Himeneus, and Alexander, which I have
delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
The .ij. Chapter.
I exhort therefore that above all things prayers, supplications,
petitions, and giving of thanks, be had for all men: for kings, and for
all that are in preeminence, that we may live a quiet and a peaceable
life, in all godliness and honesty. For that is good and accepted in
the sight of god our saviour, which would have all men saved, and come
unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one god, and one mediator
between God and man, which is the man Christ Iesus, which gave himself
a ransom for all men, that it should be preached at his time, whereunto
I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle (I tell the truth in Christ
and lie not) being the teacher of the gentiles in faith and verity.
I woll therefore that the men pray every where, lifting up pure hands
without wrath, or arguing. Likewise also the women that they array
themselves in mannerly apparel with shamefastness, and honest behavior,
not with broided hair, other gold, or pearls, or costly array: but with
such as becometh women that profess the worshipping of God thorow good
works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. I suffer not
a woman to teach, neither to have authority over the man: but for to be
in silence. For Adam was first formed, and then Eve. Also Adam was not
deceived, but the woman was deceived, and was in transgression.
Notwithstanding they shall be saved thorow bearing of children, if they
continue in the faith and in love, and in sanctifying.
The .iij. Chapter.
This is a true saying: If a man covet the office of a bishop, he
desireth a good work. Yea and a bishop must be faultless, the husband
of one wife, sober, of honest behavior, honestly apparelled,
harbourous, apt to teach, not drunken, no fighter, not given to filthy
lucre: but gentle, abhorring fighting, abhorring covetousness, and one
that ruleth his own house honestly, having children under obedience,
with all honesty. For if a man cannot rule his own house, how shall he
care for the congregation of God. He may not be a young man, lest he
swell and fall into the judgment of the evil speaker. He must also be
well reported of among them which are without forth, lest he fall into
rebuke, and into the snare of the evil speaker.
Likewise must the deacons be honest, not double tongued, not given unto
much drinking, neither unto filthy lucre: but having the mystery of the
faith in pure conscience. And let them first be proved, and then let
them minister, if they be found faultless.
Even so must their wives be honest, not evil speakers: but sober, and
faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife and
such as rule their children well, and their own households. For they
that minister well, get themselves good degree, and great liberty in
the faith, which is in Christ Iesu.
These things write I unto thee, trusting to come shortly unto thee. And
if I come not, that thou mayst yet have knowledge how thou oughtest to
behave thyself in the house of God, which is the congregation of the
living God, the pillar and ground of truth. And without nay great is
that mystery of godliness. God was shewed in the flesh, was justified
in the spirit, was seen of angels, was preached unto the gentiles, was
believed on in earth and received up in glory.
The .iiij. Chapter.
The spirit speaketh evidently that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, and shall give heed unto spirits of error, and
devilish doctrine of them which speak false thorow hypocrisy, and have
their consciences marked with an hot iron, forbidding to marry, and
commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received
with giving thanks, of them which believe, and know the truth, for all
the creatures of God are good: and nothing to be refused, if it be
received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God,
and prayer. If thou shalt put the brethren in remembrance of these
things, thou shalt be a good minister of Iesu Christ which hast been
nourished up in the words of the faith, and good doctrine, which
doctrine thou hast continually followed. But cast away unghostly and
old wives' fables.
Exercise thyself unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little:
But godliness is good unto all things, as a thing which hath promises
of the life that is now, and of the life to come. This is a sure
saying, and of all parties worthy to be received. For therefore we
labour and suffer rebuke, because we believe in the living God, which
is the saviour of all men: but specially of those that believe. Such
things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth: but be unto
them that believe, an ensample, in word, in conversation, in love, in
spirit, in faith and in pureness.
Till I come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, and to
doctrine. Despise not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee
thorow prophecy, and with laying on of the hands of a senior. These
things exercise, and give thyself unto them, that all men may see how
thou profitest. Take heed unto thyself and unto learning, and continue
therein. For if thou shalt so do thou shalt save thyself, and them that
hear thee.
The .v. Chapter.
Rebuke not a senior: but exhort him as a father, and the younger men as
brethren, the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all
pureness. Honour widows which are true widows. If any widow have
children or nephews, let them learn first to rule their own houses
godly, and to recompense their elders. For that is good and acceptable
before God. She that is a very widow, and friendless, putteth her trust
in God, and continueth in supplication and prayer night and day: but
she that liveth in pleasure, is dead even yet alive. And such things
command, that they may be without fault. If there be any that provideth
not for his own, and namely for them of his household, the same denieth
the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Let no widow be chosen under threescore year old, and such a one as was
the wife of one man, and well reported of in good works: if she have
nourished children, if she have been liberal to strangers, if she have
washed the saints' feet, if she have ministered unto them which were in
adversity, if she were continually given unto all manner good works.
The younger widows refuse. For when they have begun to wax wanton, to
the dishonour of Christ, then will they marry, having damnation,
because they have despised their first faith. And also they learn to go
from house to house idle, yee not idle only, but also trifling and
busybodies, speaking things which are not comely.
I will therefore that the younger women marry and bear children, and
guide the house, and give none occasion to the adversary to speak evil.
For many of them are all ready turned back, and are gone after Satan.
And if any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them minister
unto them, and let not the congregation be charged: that it may have
sufficient for them that are widows in deed.
The seniors that rule well are worthy of double honour, most specially
they which labour in the word and in teaching. For the scripture saith:
Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.
And the laborer is worthy of his reward. Against an senior receive none
accusation: but under two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke
openly that other may fear.
I testify before God, and the lord Iesus Christ, and the elect angels,
that thou observe these things without hasty judgment, and do nothing
partially. Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be part taker of other
men's sins: Keep thyself pure. Drink no longer water, but use a little
wine, for thy stomach's sake, and thine often diseases.
Some men's sins are open beforehand and go before unto judgement: some
men's sins follow after. Likewise also good works are manifest
beforehand, and they that are otherwise, cannot be hid.
The .vj. Chapter.
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their masters worthy
of all honour, that the name of God, and his doctrine be not evil
spoken of. See that they which have believing masters despise them not
because they are brethren: but so much the rather do service, for as
much as they are believing and beloved and part takers of the benefite.
These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and is not
content with the wholesome words of our lord Iesu Christ, and with the
doctrine of godliness, he is puffed up and knoweth nothing: but wasteth
his brains about questions, and strife of words, whereof spring envy,
strife, railings, evil surmisings superfluous disputings in scowls of
men with corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, which think that
lucre is godliness. From such separate thyself. Godliness is great
riches, if a man be content with that he hath. For we brought nothing
into the world, and it is a plain case that we can carry nothing out.
When we have food and raiment, let us therewith be content. They that
will be rich, fall into temptation and snares, and into many foolish
and noisome lusts, which drown men in perdition, and destruction. For
covetousness is the root of all evil, which while some lusted after,
they erred from the faith, and tangled themselves with many sorrows.
But thou which art the man of God, fly such things. Follow
righteousness, godliness, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good
fight of faith. Lay hand on eternal life, whereunto thou art called,
and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
I give thee charge in the sight of God, which quickeneth all things,
and before Iesus Christ, which under Pontius Pilate witnessed a good
witnessing, that thou keep the commandment without spot, so that no man
find fault with thee, until the appearing of our lord Iesus Christ,
which appearing (when the time is come) he shall shew that is blessed
and mighty only, king of kings, and lord of lords, which only hath
immortality, and dwelleth in light that no man can obtain, whom never
man saw, neither can see: unto whom be honour and rule everlasting
Amen.
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not exceeding
wise, and that they trust not in the uncertain riches, but in the
living God, which giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy them, and
that they do good and be rich in good works, and ready to give and to
distribute, laying up in store for themselves, a good foundation
against the time to come, that they may obtain eternal life.
O Timothy save that which is given thee to keep, and avoid unghostly
vanities of voices, and oppositions of science falsely so called, which
science, while some professed, they have erred as concerning the faith.
Grace be with thee Amen.
Sent from Laodicea, which is the chefest cite of Phrigia Pacaciana.
The second pistel of S. Paul to Timothe.
The first Chapter.
Paul an Apostle of Iesu Christ, by the will of God, to preach the
promise of life, which life is in Christ Iesu.
To Timothy his beloved son. Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the
father, and from Iesus Christ our lord.
I thank God, whom I serve from mine elders with pure conscience, that
without ceasing I make mention of thee in my prayers night and day,
desiring to see thee, mindful of thy tears: so that I am filled with
joy, when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee,
which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunica:
and am assured that it dwelleth in thee also.
Wherefore I warn thee that thou stir up the gift of God which is in
thee, by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given to us the
spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of honest behavior. Be
not ashamed to testify our lord, neither be ashamed of me, which am
bound for his sake: but suffer adversity with the gospell also thorow
the power of God, which saved us, and called us with an holy calling,
not after our deeds, but for his purpose and grace, which grace was
given us thorow Christ Iesu before the world was, but is now declared
openly by the appearing of our saviour Iesu Christ, which hath put away
death, and hath brought life and immortality unto light thorow the
gospell, whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an Apostle, and a
teacher of the gentiles: for the which cause I also suffer this.
Nevertheless I am not ashamed. For I know whom I have believed, and am
sure that he is able keep that which I have committed to his keeping
against that day.
See thou have the example of the wholesome words which thou heardest of
me, in faith and love which is in Iesu Christ. That good thing which
was committed to thy keeping, keep in the holy ghost which dwelleth in
us. This thou knowest how that all they which are in Asia be turned
from me. Of which sort are Phigellos and Hermogenes. The lord give
mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was
not ashamed of my chain: but when he was at Rome he sought me out very
diligently, and found me. The lord grant unto him that he may find
mercy with the lord at that day. And in how many things he ministered
unto me at Ephesus thou knowest very well.
The second Chapter.
Thou therefore my son be strong in the grace that is in Christ Iesu.
And what things thou hast heard of me, many bearing witness, the same
deliver to faithful men, which are apt to teach other. Thou therefore
suffer affliction as a good soldier of Iesu Christ. No man that
warreth, entangleth himself with worldly business, and that because he
would please him that hath chosen him to be a soldier. And though a man
strive for a mastery, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
The husbandman that laboureth must first receive of the fruits.
Consider what I say. The lord give thee understanding in all things.
Remember that Iesus Christ being of the seed of David, rose again from
death according to my gospell, wherein I suffer trouble as an evil
doer, even unto bonds. But the word of God was not bound. Herefore I
suffer all things, for the elects' sakes, that they might also obtain
that health which is in Christ Iesu, with eternal glory.
It is a true saying, if we be dead with him, we also shall live with
him. If we be patient, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he
also shall deny us. If we believe not, yet abideth he faithful. He
cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, and
testify before the lord, that they strive not about words, which is to
no profit, but to pervert the hearers.
Study to shew thyself laudable unto God, a workman that needeth not to
be ashamed, dividing the word of truth justly. Unghostly and vain
voices pass over. For they shall increase unto greater ungodliness, and
their words shall fret even as doth a cancre: of whose number is
Hymeneos and Philetos, which as concerning the truth have erred, saying
that the resurrection is past all ready, and do destroy the faith of
diverse persons.
But the sure ground of God remaineth, and hath this seal: the lord
knoweth them that are his, and let every man that calleth on the name
of Christ, depart from iniquity. Notwithstanding in a great house are
not only vessels of gold and of silver: but also of wood and of earth:
Some for honour, and some unto dishonour. If a man purge himself from
such fellows, he shall be a vessel sanctified unto honour meet for the
lord, and prepared unto all good works.
Lusts of youth avoid, and follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace,
with them that call on the lord with pure heart. Foolish and unlearned
questions put from thee, remembering that they do but make strife. But
the servant of the lord must not strive: but must be peaceable unto all
men, and ready to teach, and one that can suffer the evil in meekness,
and can inform them that resist, if that God at any time will give them
repentance for to know the truth: that they may wake out of sleep
again, out of the snare of the devil, which are now taken of him at his
will.
The .iij. Chapter.
This understand, that in the last days shall come parlous times: For
the men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
cursed speakers, disobedient to father and mother, unthankful, unholy,
churlish, stubborn, false accusers, rioters, fierce, despisers of them
which are good, traitors, heady, high minded, greedy upon
voluptuousness more than the lovers of God, having a similitude of
godly living, but have denied the power there of. Such abhor. For of
this sort are they which enter into houses, and bring into bondage
women laden with sin, which women are led of divers lusts, ever
learning, and never able to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
As Iannes and Iambres withstood Moses, even so do these resist the
truth, men they are of corrupt minds, and lewd as concerning the faith:
but they shall prevail no longer. For their madness shall be uttered
unto all men as theirs was: but thou hast seen the experience of my
doctrine, ordinance, purpose, faith, long suffering, love, patience,
persecutions, and afflictions which happened unto me at Antioche, at
Iconium, and at Lystra: which persecutions I suffered patiently, And
from them all the lord delivered me. Yea and all that will live godly
in Christ Iesu, must suffer persecutions. But the evil men and
deceivers, shall wax worse and worse, while they deceive, and are
deceived themselves.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, which also
were committed unto thee seeing thou knowest of whom thou hast learned
them. and for as much also as thou hast known holy scripture of a
child, which is able to make thee wise unto health thorow faith, which
is in Christ Iesu. For all scripture given by inspiration of God, is
profitable to teach, to improve, to inform, and to instruct in
righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, and prepared unto
all good works.
The .iiij. Chapter.
I testify therefore before God, and before the lord Iesu Christ, which
shall judge quick and dead at his appearing in his kingdom, preach the
word, be fervent, be it in season, or out of season. Improve, rebuke,
exhort with all long suffering. For the time will come, when they will
not suffer wholesome doctrine: but after their own lusts shall they
(whose ears itch) get them an heap of teachers, and shall turn their
ears from the truth, and shall be given unto fables: But watch thou in
all things, and suffer adversity, and do the work of an evangelist,
fulfil thine office unto the utmost.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departing is at
hand. I have fought a good fight, and have fulfilled my course, and
have kept the faith. From henceforth is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the lord that is a righteous judge shall give me
at that day: not to me only: but unto all them that love his coming.
Make speed to come unto me at once.
For Demas hath left me, and hath loved this present world, and is
departed into Thessalonica. Crescens is gone to Galatia, and Titus unto
Dalmacea. Only Lucas is with me. Take Mark and bring him with thee, for
he is necessary unto me for to minister. And Tychicus have I sent to
Ephesus. The cloak that I left at Troada with Carpus when thou comest
bring with thee, and the books, but specially the parchment. Alexander
the coppersmith did me much evil, the lord reward him according to his
deeds, of whom be thou ware also. For he withstood our preaching sore.
At my first answering for myself, no man assisted me, but all forsook
me. I pray God, that it may not be laid to their charges: notwith
standing the lord assisted me, and strengthed me, that by me the
preaching should be fulfilled to the utmost and that all the gentiles
should hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the
lord shall deliver me from all evil doing, and shall keep me unto his
heavenly kingdom. To whom be praise for ever and ever Amen.
Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus
abode at Corinthum. Trophimos I left at Miletum sick. Make speed to
come before winter. Eubolus greeteh thee, and Pudes, and Linus, and
Claudia, and all the brethren. The lord Iesus Christ be with thy
spirit. Grace be with you Amen.
The second pistle written from Rome unto Timothy, when Paul was
presented the second time up, before the Emperor Nero.