17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The second Epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens

THE

FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY.

This Epistle was written by Paul the Apostle from Rome during his first imprisonment, about the year of our Lord 63 or 64.

It is supposed Timothy was then at Ephesus, of which place he was the bishop.

It contains six chapters.

CHAP. I.

1 PAUL an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment [appointment] of God our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our only hope;

2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith [begotten, converted by me :] Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other than sound doctrine,

4 Neither give heed to Jewish fables and to end

less genealogies, [tracing up descents to Abraham, and trusting to the formalities of the law,] all which things tend to questions and discussions rather than to godly edifying which is in faith: as I besought thee therefore before, so do.

5 Now the end and purpose of the commandment of God is charity, flowing out of a pure heart and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

6 From which some having swerved, have turned aside unto vain jangling;

7 Desiring to be teachers of the law of Moses; understanding neither their own words nor the subjects on which they talk.

8 Think not that I would undervalue the law; we know that the law is good if a man use it lawfully [not as justification, but as a restraint from sin].

9 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,

10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine ;

11 According to the directions [doctrine] of the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who by his Holy Spirit hath made me able, for that he counted me

as one who would be faithful, putting me into the ministry;

13 Me, who before was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious to the interest of the gospel; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief.

14 And the grace of our Lord towards me abounded exceedingly with that faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all ассерtation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in the pardon of me, a blasphemer and a persecutor, Jesus Christ might shew forth all the riches of his mercy and long-suffering, for a pattern to them that should hereafter believe on him for the attainment of everlasting life.

17 For which cause, I must ever say, Unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen..

18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the foreknowledge of thee which is vouchsafed to me; that thou, being encouraged by such knowledge and so great a trust, mightest war a good warfare [be a good minister of Jesus Christ].

19 Holding fast faith and a good conscience; which some having put away, have, by perverting the word of God to meet their own sins, made shipwreck of [lost] their faith.

20 Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander; whom

I have delivered unto Satan, to have power to afflict them with divers diseases, [1 Cor. v. 1-5,] that they may by affliction be drawn to repentance, and learn not to blaspheme.

CHAP. II.

1 I EXHORT, therefore, that [in discharge of thine office as bishop of the church of Ephesus,] first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

2 For kings, and all that are in authority; that God may so dispose their hearts, that we may, without persecution, lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this [praying for all men] is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour:

4 Who would have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God over all men [Jews and Gentiles,] and one Mediator between God and man, him who was made man, Jesus Christ the Son of God. 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher and an apostle, (this I affirm most solemnly, I speak the truth and lie not,) a teacher not only of the Jews, but of the Gentiles, in faith and verity.

8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy [pure] hands, without wrath, and without doubting the promises of God.