Paul's Charge to Timothy

       You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings--what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet THE LORD rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in CHRIST JESUS will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in CHRIST JESUS. All Scripture is GOD-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of GOD may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
In the presence of GOD and of CHRIST JESUS, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of HIS appearing and HIS kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
       For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which THE LORD, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for HIS appearing.


Paul's 2nd Letter to Timothy: chapter 3, verses 10 - 17 & chapter 4, verses 1 - 8

Personal Remarks | Final Greetings

       Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
       Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. THE LORD will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
       At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But THE LORD stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. THE LORD will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to HIS heavenly kingdom. To HIM be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


       Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.
       THE LORD be with your spirit. Grace be with you.


Paul's 2nd Letter to Timothy: chapter 4, verses 9 - 22

Titus's Task on Crete

Paul, a servant of GOD and an apostle of JESUS CHRIST for the faith of GOD'S elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness--a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which GOD, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at HIS appointed season HE brought HIS word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of GOD our Savior.

       To Titus, my true son in our common faith:

       Grace and peace from GOD THE FATHER and CHRIST JESUS our Savior.


       The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with GOD'S work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
       For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach--and that for the sake of dishonest gain. Even one of their own prophets has said, "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons." This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know GOD, but by their actions they deny HIM. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.


Paul's Letter to Titus: chapter 1

What Must Be Taught to Various Groups

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
       Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of GOD.
       Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
       Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about GOD our Savior attractive.
       For the grace of GOD that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great GOD and Savior, JESUS CHRIST, who gave HIMSELF for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for HIMSELF a people that are HIS very own, eager to do what is good.
       These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.


Paul's Letter to Titus: chapter 2

Doing What Is Good

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
       At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of GOD our Savior appeared, HE saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of HIS mercy. HE saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by THE HOLY SPIRIT, whom HE poured out on us generously through JESUS CHRIST our Savior, so that, having been justified by HIS grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in GOD may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
       But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

       As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.
       Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
       Grace be with you all.


Paul's Letter to Titus: chapter 3

Greetings, Thanksgiving and Prayer

       Paul, a prisoner of CHRIST JESUS, and Timothy our brother,

       To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:

       Grace to you and peace from GOD our FATHER and THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

       I always thank my GOD as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in THE LORD JESUS and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in CHRIST. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.


Paul's Letter to Philemon: verses 1 - 7

Paul's Plea for Onesimus

       Therefore, although in CHRIST I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul--an old man and now also a prisoner of CHRIST JESUS--I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
       I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good--no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in THE LORD.
       So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in THE LORD; refresh my heart in CHRIST. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
       And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
       Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in CHRIST JESUS, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
       The grace of THE LORD JESUS CHRIST be with your spirit.


Paul's Letter to Philemon: verses 8 - 25

THE SON Superior to Angels

In the past GOD spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days HE has spoken to us by HIS SON, whom HE appointed heir of all things, and through whom HE made the universe. THE SON is the radiance of GOD'S glory and the exact representation of HIS being, sustaining all things by HIS powerful word. After HE had provided purification for sins, HE sat down at the right hand of THE MAJESTY in heaven. So HE became as much superior to the angels as the name HE has inherited is superior to theirs.
       For to which of the angels did GOD ever say,

       "You are MY Son;
          today I have become your Father"?

Or again,

       "I will be his Father,
          and he will be MY Son"?

And again, when GOD brings HIS firstborn into the world, HE says,

       "Let all GOD'S angels worship HIM."

In speaking of the angels HE says,

       "HE makes HIS angels winds,
       HIS servants flames of fire."

But about THE SON HE says,

       "YOUR throne, O GOD, will last for ever and ever,
          and righteousness will be the scepter of YOUR kingdom.
       YOU have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
          therefore GOD, YOUR GOD, has set YOU above YOUR companions
          by anointing YOU with the oil of joy."

HE also says,

       "In the beginning, O LORD, YOU laid the foundations of the earth,
          and the heavens are the work of YOUR hands.
       They will perish, but YOU remain;
          they will all wear out like a garment.
       YOU will roll them up like a robe;
          like a garment they will be changed.
       But YOU remain the same,
          and YOUR years will never end."

To which of the angels did GOD ever say,

          "Sit at MY right hand
       until I make your enemies
          a footstool for your feet"?

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?


The Book of Hebrews: chapter 1

Warning to Pay Attention

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by THE LORD, was confirmed to us by those who heard HIM. GOD also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of THE HOLY SPIRIT distributed according to HIS will.


The Book of Hebrews: chapter 2, verses 1 - 4

JESUS Made Like HIS Brothers

       It is not to angels that HE has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified:

       "What is man that YOU are mindful of him,
          the son of man that YOU care for him?
       YOU made him a little lower than the angels;
          YOU crowned him with glory and honor
          and put everything under his feet."

In putting everything under him, GOD left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see JESUS, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because HE suffered death, so that by the grace of GOD HE might taste death for everyone.
       In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that GOD, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both THE ONE who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So JESUS is not ashamed to call them brothers. HE says,

       "I will declare YOUR name to MY brothers;
          in the presence of the congregation I will sing YOUR praises."

And again,

       "I will put MY trust in HIM."

And again HE says,

       "Here am I, and the children GOD has given ME."

       Since the children have flesh and blood, HE too shared in their humanity so that by HIS death HE might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels HE helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason HE had to be made like HIS brothers in every way, in order that HE might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to GOD, and that HE might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because HE HIMSELF suffered when HE was tempted, HE is able to help those who are being tempted.


The Book of Hebrews: chapter 2, verses 5 - 18