К Тимофею первое послание Апостола Павла

Neither the time of writing of both letters to Timothy nor the place from which they were sent is known. – The second epistle is considered by many to be the last of the known epistles of the Apostle Paul. It talks about the bonds in which the Apostle is, and about suffering. which he himself regards as the last. – Timothy, born of a Greek father and a Jewish mother, was converted from Judaism by the Apostle. He lived in Lystra, in Asia Minor (Acts 16), joined the Apostle during his second journey and, as can be seen from the letter, was put in charge of the new church, according to legend - the Church of Ephesus. In his first letter, the Apostle gives Timothy instructions and advice about church government. In the second, he especially warns him against false teachings and teachers. Paul, Apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the command of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope. To Timothy, a true son in the faith: grace, mercy, peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. A Warning Against Lying Teachers When leaving for Macedonia, I asked you to stay in Ephesus and instruct other people so that they would not start new (different) teachings and did not engage in fables and endless genealogies, which produce more controversy than God’s edification in faith. The purpose of the teaching is to affirm love from a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith. But others, having retreated from this goal, veered into idle talk: they want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand either what they are talking about or what they are asserting. We know that the law is beneficial if someone uses it lawfully, who understands that the law is not made for the righteous, but for the lawless, the disobedient, for the wicked and sinners, for the depraved and defiled, for those who despise father and mother, for murderers, for fornicators, homosexuals, predators of mankind, 38 liars, perjurers, and all such opponents of sound doctrine, opponents of the gospel of the eternally blessed God, my trustee. Thanking God for the call to the apostleship I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who strengthens me, for making me faithful and appointing me to serve, the former detractor and persecutor and offender; but I received mercy, because I did all this out of ignorance, in unbelief, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ increased in me through faith and love in Christ Jesus. This word is true and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. But for this reason I received mercy, because Jesus Christ showed all long-suffering in me first, as a model for those who will believe in Him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. I bequeath to you, my child Timothy, in accordance with the prophecies that were previously about you, the following testament: fight a good war, as was prophesied. Have faith and a good conscience: others who rejected it suffered a failure of faith. Such are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan so that they would learn not to blaspheme. Chapter 2. About church prayers So I pray, first of all, to make prayers, petitions, supplications, thanksgivings for all people, for kings and for all those in power, so that we may lead a quiet and serene life in all piety and purity; for this is good and pleasing to God our Savior, and He wants us all to be saved and to reach the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all. This is our testimony in times of need, and for this testimony I was appointed a preacher and an Apostle - I speak the truth about Christ, I do not lie - a teacher of the pagans in faith and truth. So this is my desire, that in every place men would say prayers, raising clean hands, without anger and reasoning. Likewise, the women, in dignified attire, with shame and modesty, did not adorn themselves with braided hair, gold and pearls, or costly clothing, but by good deeds, as is fitting for wives devoting themselves to piety. Let the wife study in silence, with all submission. But I do not allow my wife to teach, nor to rule over her husband, but to be silent. For Adam was created first, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the wife, being deceived, fell into crime. But the wife will be saved, for the sake of childbearing, if she remains in love and holiness, with chastity. Chapter 3. Church ranks, command and service The word is true: whoever desires the episcopate desires a good deed. But the bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, 39 sober, chaste, decent, hospitable, and teaching; not a drunkard, not a killer (not quarrelsome), not selfish, but meek, peace-loving, not a lover of money; ruling his household well, keeping his children in obedience with all honesty. But whoever does not know how to manage his own home, can he care about the church of God? He must not be one of the new converts, lest he become proud and fall into condemnation with the devil. He must also have a good testimony from outsiders, so as not to fall into reproach and into the snare of the devil. Deacons must also be honest, not bilingual people, not addicted to wine, not greedy; people who keep the sacrament of faith in a clear conscience. And they must first be tested, then, if they are blameless, they must be allowed to serve. Likewise, their wives must be honest, not slanderers, sober, faithful in everything. A deacon must be the husband of one wife and rule well over his children and his home. And those who have served well will earn the highest degree for themselves and will gain great boldness in the faith in Christ Jesus. I am writing to you about this, hoping to come to you soon. If I delay, so that you know how you should act in the house of God: it is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. In it, before everyone, we confess a great mystery of piety: God appeared in the flesh, was justified in the Spirit, revealed Himself to the Angels, preached in tongues, was accepted by faith in the world, ascended in glory. Chapter 4. About false teachings The Spirit speaks clearly that in the last times some will depart from the faith, listening to seductive spirits and teachings of demons, through the mouths of hypocrites, false speakers, people burned in their conscience. They forbid marriage and eating food that God created - created so that the faithful and those who know the truth would eat with thanksgiving. Every creation of God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving - it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. By instilling all this in your brethren, you will become a good servant of Jesus Christ, nourished by the words of faith and the good teaching that you have followed. Turn away from absurd and old woman's fables, and train yourself in piety. Physical exercise is beneficial in little ways, and piety is beneficial in everything, having the promise of the present life and the life to come. This word is true and worthy of all acceptance. For this is why we work and endure reproaches, because we trust in the living God, Who is the Savior of all people, and especially of the faithful. About success in true teaching Let no one despise your youth; but be an example for the faithful - in your word, life, love, spirit, faith, purity. Until I come, give all your attention to the readings, to the sermon, to the teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you with the prophecy when the hands of the priesthood were laid on you. Practice this diligently, remain with this, so that everyone can see your success. Delve into yourself and the teaching, and remain in this constantly, for by doing this, you yourself will be saved, and you will save those who listen to you. Do not reproach the elder, but beg him as if he were a father; persuade the younger ones like brothers, old women as mothers, young women as sisters, with all purity. Honor widows, such as true widows. If any widow has children or grandchildren, let her first learn to take care of her family and pay tribute to her parents: this is a pleasing deed before God. A true widow and lonely person trusts in God and remains in prayers and supplications day and night. And the voluptuous one died alive. And instill this in them, so that they may be blameless. If anyone does not take care of his own, and especially his family, he has renounced the faith and is worse than an infidel. A widow must be 40 years of age and at least sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, known for good deeds if she raised children, received strangers, washed the feet of saints, helped the needy, and was zealous for every good deed. Do not accept young widows, for when they become soft under the yoke of Christ, they will want to get married, and will fall under condemnation because they rejected their former faith (they broke their vow). Moreover, living in idleness, they learn to walk from house to house and are not only idle, but also talkative, curious and say what they should not. So I advise young widows to get married, give birth to children, build a home, and not give the enemy any reason for slander. And some have already turned aside after Satan. If any Christian or Christian woman has widows in himself (in his family, in his kinship), he should provide for them and not burden the church so that it can provide for true widows. Worthy elders should be given great honor, especially to those who labor in preaching and teaching. Scripture says: “Do not muzzle the threshing ox” (Deuteronomy 25) and “the worker is worthy of his reward.” Accept an accusation against a presbyter in no other way than in the presence of two or three witnesses. Reprove those who sin before everyone, so that others too may have fear. Before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the chosen Angels, I command you to preserve this without prejudice, doing nothing out of partiality. Do not lay your hands on anyone hastily and do not join in the sins of others: keep yourself pure. From now on, drink more than just water, but use a little wine, for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. The sins of some people are obvious and directly lead to condemnation, while for others the sins follow them. So good deeds are obvious; and if they are not, they cannot hide. Chapter 6. About slaves to Christian masters Slaves living under the yoke must consider their masters worthy of all honor, so that there is no blasphemy against the name of God and the teaching. Those who have faithful masters should not behave carelessly with them, because they are brothers; but we must serve them all the more diligently because our faithful and beloved brothers benefit from their good service. Teach and exhort this. Whoever teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching of the true faith, he is inflated with pride, knows nothing, but is infected with a passion for competition and word debate. And from them come envy, discord, slander, crafty suspicions, empty disputes between people of depraved minds who have lost the meaning of truth: such people seek only profit in piety. Stay away from them. And this is the great gain - in piety and contentment. After all, we brought nothing into the world; It’s obvious that we can’t take anything out of it. Having food and clothing, we will be satisfied. But those who desire to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts, leading people to ruin and destruction. The love of money is the root of all evil: in pursuit of wealth, some people deviated from the faith and subjected themselves to many sorrows. You, a man of God, avoid this, but gain for yourself truth, piety, faith, love, patience, meekness; fight the good fight of faith, direct your soul towards eternal life; to it you were called, and made a good confession before many witnesses. Before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who testified to the great confession of faith before Pontius Pilate, I command you to keep the commandment pure and blameless even until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. The all-blessed and only King of kings and Lord of lords will reveal Him in due time, The only one who has immortality, who lives unapproachable in the world, whom no one has seen, can see below. To him is honor and eternal power. Amen. Command the rich in this age not to think highly of themselves and to trust not in pernicious wealth, but in the living God, who abundantly gives us everything for our delight; so that they do good, become rich in good deeds, be generous and sociable, laid up for themselves treasure, a good foundation for the future, that they might receive eternal life. Oh, Timofey! keep what is given to you, avoiding the useless vanity and contradictions of the false mind. Others glorified him and strayed from the faith. May grace be with you. Amen. Perhaps this word refers to people who make their living by capturing slaves and trading in slaves - “άνδραποδισταί.” Can also mean: in an honest marriage, having one wife. Of course, among those who belong to the church. You might be interested in: