1 Whoever is under the burden of slavery is to consider their master worthy of respect, so that the reputation of God and the Teaching may not be slandered. 2 But if the master is a believer, they must not treat them with any less respect. In fact, they should serve them all the more since they are a dear fellow believer, and both will benefit.
Caution against subversives and materialism
3 Teach and encourage these things. If anyone teaches otherwise, and does not come to you with the healthy sayings of our Master Jesus Christ according to godly instruction, 4 they are conceited and skilled in nothing. They are consumed with investigations and verbal wars, which lead to envy, strife, slander, suspicion, 5 and malicious friction. They’ve lost their minds and are devoid of the truth, seeing devoutness as a way to make a profit. 6 But it is of great profit to have independent wealth together with devoutness, 7 because none of us brought anything into the world, and we can’t take anything out. 8 Be content to have food and clothing. 9 Now those who are determined to get rich are wandering into a trial and a trap and into many unwise and harmful cravings, which are sinking some people into ruin and devastation. 10 Desire for wealth is the root of everything evil, and some such people have wandered from the faith and caused themselves much suffering.
The discipline required of Timothy
11 But since you belong to God, run away from these things and toward righteousness, devoutness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Fight for the best in the contest of faith, and seize the eternal life into which you were called, along with the good confession you made in front of many witnesses. 13 I am directing you in the sight of God, the one sustaining all life, and of Christ Jesus who made the same good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 to guard this injunction. Remain unblemished and blameless until the sudden return of our Master Jesus Christ, 15 who will appear at the right time. He is the only Power, the King of kings and Master of masters, 16 the only immortal one living in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or is able to see. To him belong absolute honor and mighty rule!
17 As for those who are rich in this age, direct them to not be elitist. They are to stop trusting in uncertain riches instead of God, the one richly supplying everything to us for our enjoyment. 18 They must be good, be rich in good deeds, and share generously. 19 Then they will be storing up for themselves the best foundation for what is to come, acquiring real life.
20 Timothy, protect the deposit entrusted to you. Turn aside from those profane and empty words, and the opposition from what is falsely called knowledge
,20 21 which some have professed so authoritatively. They have missed the mark concerning the faith.
May you all enjoy God’s favor.
- 20 “Knowledge” here is an obvious reference to Gnosticism. Some think the word here means “science” in the modern sense, but in Early Modern English it simply meant "knowledge", and to be scient was to be skillful. See this source, p. 168 or this source.