Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope; to Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which give rise to disputes rather than to the edification brought about by godly matters, which is in faith: so do. Now the end of this warning is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. From which some having swerved have turned aside to vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor what they are affirming.

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for white slave drivers, for those who defile themselves with mankind, for slave traders, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, because he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, I who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long suffering, as an example for them who should hereafter believe in him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies about you, that you by them might fight a good warfare, holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck. Among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

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Dearly beloved, I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who wills that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. For this was I ordained preacher and apostle, as I speak the truth in Christ and do not lie, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

I wish to this end that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without anger and doubting.

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with modesty and sobriety; not with hairdos, or gold, or pearls, or costly array, but with that which becomes women professing godliness, with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but it was the woman who, having been deceived, was at fault. This notwithstanding, she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

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Dearly beloved, this is a true saying: If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, having been the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity, for if a man knows not how to rule his own house how shall he take care of the church of God, not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he falls into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have good relations with the outcast, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly. Yet should I take long, that you may know how you should behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Undoubtedly, great is the mystery of our faith:

God was manifest in the flesh,

justified in the Spirit,

seen of angels,

preached unto the Gentiles,

believed on in the world,

received up into glory.

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Readings of the 27^th Week – Wednesday The Reading is from the First Epistle of St Paul to Timothy

Dearly beloved, now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

If you recall these things to your brethren, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, according to which you have walked. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For which reason we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those who believe.

These things command and teach. Let no man despise your youth; but be of an example to believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift there is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate on these things; give yourself wholly to them; that all may witness to your progress. Take heed of yourself and of the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this you shall both save yourself and those who hear you.

Do not rebuke an elder, but entreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren, the elder women as mothers, and the younger as sisters, with all purity.

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Dearly beloved, honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusts in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Let not a widow be taken into the number under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, well known for her good works: if she have brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to harbour desires which cut them off from Christ, they will marry, having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And moreover they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, and give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan. If any man or woman who believes have widows with them, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged so that it may relieve those who are indeed widows.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture says, ‘you shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn,’ and also ‘the labourer is worthy of his reward^’. Against an elder receive not an accusation, unless it is given before two or three witnesses. Rebuke before all those that sin, that others also may fear. I charge you before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that you observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep yourself pure.

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and such infirmities as you often have.

Some men’s sins are open before they pass to final judgment, and others’ follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand, and indeed those that are not manifest cannot be hid.

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Dearly beloved, let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.

These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness. From all this withdraw yourself.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, let us be content with all this. But those who want to be rich will fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

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Dearly beloved, you are a man of God, so flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called and have professed a good profession before many witnesses. I warn you in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed to a good confession. I warn you to keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ which he shall show in his times.

Who is the blessed and only Potentate, King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in a light towards whom no man can approach, whom no man has seen nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy, that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to share with others.

This way they would be laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Beloved Timothy, keep that which is committed in your trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and the contradictions of a false science, which in professing some have erred in the faith.

May grace be with you. Amen.

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