61 All 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 spoken against . 2 Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren , but must serve them all the more , because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved . Teach and preach these principles.
3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words , those of our Lord Jesus Christ , and with the doctrine conforming to godliness , 4 he is conceited and understands nothing ; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words , out of which arise envy , strife , abusive language , evil suspicions , 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth , who suppose that godliness is a means of gain .
6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment . 7 For we have brought nothing into the world , so we cannot e take anything out of it either . 8 If we have food and covering , with these we shall be content . 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction . 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil , and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs .
11 But flee from these things , you man of God , and pursue righteousness , godliness , faith , love , perseverance and gentleness . 12 Fight the good fight of faith ; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called , and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses .
13 I charge you in the presence of God , who gives life to all things , and of Christ Jesus , who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate , 14 that you keep the commandment without e stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ , 15 which He will bring about at the proper time -He who is the blessed and only Sovereign , the King of kings and Lord of lords , 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light , whom no man has seen or can see . To Him be honor and eternal dominion ! Amen . 17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches , but on God , who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy . 18 Instruct them to do good , to be rich in good works , to be generous and ready to share , 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future , so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed . 20 O Timothy , guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge "- 21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith . Grace be with you.
31 It is a trustworthy statement : if any man aspires to the office of overseer , it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer , then , must be above reproach , the husband of one wife , temperate , prudent , respectable , hospitable , able to teach , 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious , but gentle , peaceable , free from the love of money . 4 He must be one who manages his own household well , keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household , how will he take care of the church of God ?), 6 and not a new convert , so e that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil . 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil .
8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity , not double-tongued , or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain , 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience . 10 These men must also first be tested ; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach . 11 Women must likewise be dignified , not malicious gossips , but temperate , faithful in all things . 12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife , and good managers of their children and their own households . 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus .
14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long ; 15 but in case I am delayed , I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God , which is the church of the living God , the pillar and support of the truth . 16 By common confession , great is the mystery of godliness : He who was revealed in the flesh , Was vindicated in the Spirit , Seen by angels , Proclaimed among the nations , Believed on in the world , Taken up in glory .
