All who are slaves, being under the yoke, must consider their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the doctrine is not defamed.
False Teachers and True Contentment
And those who have masters that believe must not look down on them because they are brothers or sisters; but they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words—the words of our Lord Jesus Christ—and with the doctrine that leads to godliness,
he is conceited, knowing nothing, but has a morbid interest in speculations and disputes about words. From this only comes envy, strife, defaming speech, evil suspicions,
and constant arguing among people whose mind is corrupt and has been robbed of the truth, who assume that godliness is a means of procuring gain.
But godliness with contentment is great gain,
for we brought nothing into the world, and neither are we able to carry anything out.
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
But those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Because of their craving for money, some have been led astray from the faith and have pierced themselves through with many griefs.
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
But you, O man of God, flee these things and diligently pursue righteousness, godliness, trust, love, endurance, and meekness.
Fight the good fight for the faith. Take hold of the life in the age to come to which you were called and for which you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in his testimony before Pontius Pilate,
that you keep the commandment without spot, being above reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which He will bring about in its proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone has immortality, who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen, nor is able to see. To him belongs honor and dominion forever. Amen.
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.
Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, and willing to share,
thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they take hold of that which is truly life.
O Timothy, guard that which is entrusted to you, turning away from worldly, empty chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called “knowledge,”
which some have professed and thus have strayed away from the faith. Grace be with you all.