Instructions to Good Minister

1 As many as are under a yoke as slaves, let them regard their own masters as worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed.
2 And those having believing masters must not despise them because they are brethren; rather they must serve them more, because those receiving the good service are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

False Teachers and True Godliness

3 If anyone teaches differently and does not come to sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the teaching that accords with godliness,
4 he has been puffed up, knowing nothing, but is sick about controversies and word-battles, out of which come envy, strife, slanders, evil suspicions,
5 constant friction among men corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose godliness to be a means of gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world; it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 But having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
9 But those wishing to become rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and harmful desires, which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils, which some by craving after have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

The Man of God’s Charge

11 But you, O man of God, flee these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith; seize eternal life, to which you were called and confessed the good confession before many witnesses.
13 I charge you before God, the One giving life to all things, and Christ Jesus, the One who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 that you keep the commandment spotless, irreproachable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 which in its own times He will reveal, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
16 the only One having immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen nor is able to see, to Him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.

Instructions to the Rich

17 Charge those who are rich in the present age not to be high-minded, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God who richly provides us all things for enjoyment;
18 to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share,
19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may lay hold of the life which is truly life.

Final Exhortation

20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you, turning away from the profane empty chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”
21 which some professing have missed the mark concerning the faith.
Grace be with you.