Daily Bible Reading

Day 39

Today's reading: 1 Timothy 1-3

Look for the promises in God’s word. As you read and find them, write them in your journal along with the scripture reference.

1 Timothy 1

Salutation

1. From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2. to Timothy, my genuine child in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!

Timothy’s Task in Ephesus

3. As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings,
4. nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan that operates by faith.
5. But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
6. Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion.
7. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently.
8. But we know that the law is good if someone uses it legitimately,
9. realizing that law is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,
10. sexually immoral people, practicing homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers – in fact, for any who live contrary to sound teaching.
11. This accords with the glorious gospel of the blessed God that was entrusted to me.
12. I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry,
13. even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief,
14. and our Lord’s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus.
15. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them!
16. But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.
17. Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.
18. I put this charge before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you, in order that with such encouragement you may fight the good fight.
19. To do this you must hold firmly to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith.
20. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 2

Prayer for All People

1. First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people,
2. even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
3. Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior,
4. since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
5. For there is one God and one intermediary between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human,
6. who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God’s purpose at his appointed time.
7. For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle – I am telling the truth; I am not lying – and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8. So I want the men to pray in every place, lifting up holy hands without anger or dispute.

Conduct of Women

9. Likewise the women are to dress in suitable apparel, with modesty and self-control. Their adornment must not be with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive clothing,
10. but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God.
11. A woman must learn quietly with all submissiveness.
12. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet.
13. For Adam was formed first and then Eve.
14. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she was fully deceived, fell into transgression.
15. But she will be delivered through childbearing, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.

1 Timothy 3

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

1. This saying is trustworthy: “If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.”
2. The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,
3. not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.
4. He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.
5. But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God?
6. He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact.
7. And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.
8. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain,
9. holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10. And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless.
11. Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect.
12. Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households.
13. For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Conduct in God’s Church

14. I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you
15. in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth.
16. And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

{Genesis 49-50}   {Daily Reading Guide}   {2 Timothy 1-4}