The most sacred Bible, whiche is the Holy Scripture conteyning the Old and New Testament / translated into English, and newly recognised with great diligence after most faythful exemplars, by Rychard Taverner.

¶ The fyrst Epystle of S. Paule vnto Timothe.

¶ He exhorteth Timothe to wayte vpon his office: namely, to se that nothynge be taught but Goddes word &c. He sheweth also wherfore the law is good, and telleth this swete and glad tydinges, that Christ Iesus came in to the worlde to saue synners.

CAPI. I.

[ A] PAul apostle of Iesu Christ, by the commaundement of God our sauiour & Lorde Iesus Christ whiche is our hope.

Vnto Timothe his ryghte sonne in the faythe.

Grace, mercye, and peax, from God oure fa∣ther, and Lorde Iesus Christ our Lorde.

As I besought the to abyde styll in Ephe∣sus when I departed in to Macedony, euen so do, that thou cōmaunde some that they teache none otherwyse: neither gyue hede to fables and genealogyes which are endles, and brede doubtes rather then godly edifyinge, whiche [ B] is by faythe: for the ende of the commaunde∣ment is loue that commeth of a pure herte, and of a good conscience, and of fayth vnfay∣ned: frome whiche thynges some haue erred, and haue turned vnto vayne iangling, bicause they wolde be doctours in the scripture, and yet vnderstande not what they speke, neither wherof they affyrme.

✚ We knowe that the lawe is good, yf a man vse it lawfully, vnderstandynge this, that the lawe is not gyuen vnto a ryghtous man, but vnto the vnryghtous & disobedient, to the vngodly, and to sinners, to vnholy, and vncleane, to murtherers of fathers, and mur∣therers of mothers, & to mansleers hooremon¦gers: to them that defyle them selues with mankynde: to men stealers: to lyars, and to periured, and so forthe / yf there be any o∣ther thynge that is contrarye to holsome do∣ctryne: accordynge to the gospell of the glo∣rye of the blessed God, whiche is commytted [ C] vnto me.

And I thanke Chryste Iesu oure Lorde, whiche hathe made me stronge: for he coun∣ted me true, and put me in offyce, when be∣fore I was a blasphemer, and a persecutour, and a tyraunt, but I obteyned mercye, bicause I dyd it ignorauntly thorowe vnbylefe. Ne∣uerthelesse the grace of oure Lorde was more abundaunt with fayth and loue whiche is in Chryst Iesu. ⊦

This is a true sayinge, and by all mea∣nes worthye to be receyued, that Chryste Ie∣sus came in to the worlde to saue synners, of whome I am chiefe. Notwithstandynge for this cause was mercye gyuen vnto me, that Iesus Chryste sholde fyrste shewe on me all longe pacyence, vnto the exemple of them whiche shall in tyme to come byleue on hym [ D] vnto euerlastynge lyfe. So then vnto God kynge euerlastynge, immortall, inuysible, and wyse onely, be honoure and prayse for euer and euer. Amen.

This commaundement commyt I vnto the (sonne Timothe) accordynge to the pro∣phesyes, whiche in tyme past were prophesied of the, that thou in them shouldest fyghte a good fyghte, hauynge faythe and good consci∣ence whiche some haue put awaye from them, and as concernynge faythe, haue made shyp∣wracke. Of whose nombre is Hymeneus, and Alexander, whiche I haue delyuered vnto Sathan, that they myghte be taughte not to blaspheme.

¶ He exhorteth to pray for all men. He wyl not haue wemen to be ouer costly arayed nor to teache in the congregacion, but to be in silence, and obey their hus∣bandes.

CAPI. II.

I Exhorte therfore that aboue all thynges, [ A] prayers, supplicacions, intercessions, and gyuynge of thankes he hadde for all men: for kynges, and for all that are in auctoritie, that we maye lyue a quyet and a peasable lyfe, in all godlynes, and honestie. For that is good and accepted in the syght of God our [ B] sauyour, whiche wyll haue all men saued, and to come vnto the knowlege of the trouthe. For there is one God, and one mediatour by∣twene God and man, which is the man Christ Iesus, whiche gaue hym selfe a raunsome for all men, that it sholde be testifyed at his tyme whervnto I am ordeyned a preacher and an Apostle: I tell the truthe in Chryste and lye not, beinge the teacher of the Gentyles in fayth and verite. ⊦

I wyll therfore that the men praye eue∣rye where, lyftynge vp pure handes without [ C] wrathe, or doubtinge. Lykewyse also the wo∣men, that they araye them selues in comlye apparell, with shamfastnes and discrete be∣hauiour: not with broyded heete, either gold, or pearles, or costly araye: but with suche as becommeth women that professe the worship¦pynge of God thorowe good workes. Let the woman learne in sylence with all subie∣ction. I suffre not a woman to teache, ney∣ther to haue auctoritie ouer the man: but for [ D] to be in sylence. For Adam was fyrst formed, & then Eue. Also Adam was not disceyued. but the woman was disceyued, and was in trans∣gression. Notwithstandynge thorowe bea∣rynge of chyldren they shall be saued, so they continue in faythe, loue, and holynes, with discrecion.

¶ What maner a man a bisshop or prest ought to do, and what condicion his wyfe and chyldren shulde haue The propertyes also requyred in a deacon or minister, and in his wyfe.

CAPI. III.

THis is a true sayinge: Yf a man couet the offyce of a Bysshop, he desyreth a [ A] good worke: Wherfore a Bysshoppe muste be fautlesse, the husbande of one wyfe,

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sober, discrete, honestly appparayled, har∣berous, apte to teache, not dronken, no fygh∣ter, not gyuen to fylthy lucre, but gentle, ab∣horrynge fyghtynge, abhorrynge couetous∣nesse, and one that ruleth his owne house ho∣nestly, [ B] hauynge chyldren vnder obedience, with all honestie. For yf a man can not rule his owne house, howe shall he care for the congregacion of God. He may not be a yonge scoler, leest he swell and fall in to the iudge∣ment of the euyll speaker. He muste also be reapported amonge them which are without-forthe, leest he fall in to rebuke, and snare of the euyll speaker.

Lykewyse muste Deacons be honest, not double tonged, not gyuen vnto moche dryn∣king, [ C] neyther to fylthy lucre, but hauynge the mistery of the fayth in pure conscience. And let them fyrst be proued, and then let them mini∣stre, yf they be founde fautles.

Euen so muste theyr wyues be honest, not euyll speakers: but sober and faythfull in all thynges. Let the Deacons be the husbandes of one wyfe, and suche as rule theyr chyldren well, and theyr owne housholdes. For they [ D] that ministre well, get them selues good de∣gre and great libertie in the faythe, whiche is in Chryst Iesu.

These thynges wryte I vnto the, trustynge to come shortly vnto the: but yf I tarye longe that then thou mayst yet haue knowlege how thou oughtest to behaue thy selfe in the house of God, whiche is the congregacion of the li∣uynge God, the pyller and grounde of truthe. And doubtles greate is that misterye of god∣lynes: God was shewed in the flesshe, was iustifyed in theφ spiryte, was sene of aun∣gelles, was preached vnto the Gentyles, was byleued on in earthe, and receyued vp in glorye.

¶ He prophesieth of the latter dayes, and exhorteth Timothe to the dilygent readynge of the holy scry∣pture.

CAPI. IIII.

[ A] THe spiryte speaketh euidently, that in the latter tymes, some shal depart from the faythe, and shall gyue hede vnto spirites of erroure, and deuyllysshe doctryne of them whiche speke false thorow ypocresye, and haue theyr consciences marked with an hote yron, forbyddyng to mary, and commaun¦dynge to abstayne frome meates whiche God hath created to be receyued with giuing than∣kes, of them whiche byleue and knowe the [ B] truthe. For all the creatures of God are good and nothynge to be refused, yf it be receyued with thankesgyuynge. For it is sanctifyed by the worde of God and prayer. Yf thou shalt put the brethren in remembraunce of these thynges, thou shalte be a good mynistre of Iesu Chryste, whiche haste ben nourysshed vp in the wordes of the faythe and good do∣ctryne whiche thou haste continually folo∣wed. But caste awaye vngostly and olde wy∣ues [ C] fables.

Exercyse thy selfe vnto godlynes. For body-exercyse profyteth lytel, but godlynes in good vnto all thynges, as a thynge whiche hathe promyses of the lyfe that is nowe, and of the lyfe to come This is a sure sayinge, and of all partyes worthye to be receyued. For therfore we laboure and suffre rebuke, bycause we by∣leue in the lyuynge God, whiche is the sauy∣oure of all men, but specially of those that byleue. Suche thynges commaunde & teache. Let no man despyse thy youthe: but be vnto them that byleue an exemple, in worde, in con¦uersacion, in loue, in spiryte, in faythe, and in purenes.

Tyll I come, gyue attendaunce to rea∣dynge, to exhortacion, and to doctryne. Des∣pyse [ D] not that gyfte that is in the, whiche was gyuen the thorowe prophesye, with layinge on the handes of an elder. These thynges ex∣ercyse, and gyue thy selfe vnto them, that it maye be sene howe thou profytest in all thyn∣ges. Take hede vnto thy selfe, and vnto ler∣nynge, and contynue therin. For yf thou shalt so do, thou shalte saue thy selfe, and them that heare the.

¶ He teacheth him how he shall behaue him selfe in rebukynge all degres. An ordre concernynge wyd∣dowes.

CAPI. V.

REebuke not an elder: but exhorte hym [ A] as a father, and the yonger men as bre∣thren, the elder women as mothers, the yonger as systers, with all purenes. Honoure wydowes, whiche are true wydowes. Yf any wydowe haue chyldren or nephews, let them lerne fyrste to rule theyr owne houses godly, and to recompence theyr elders. For that is good and acceptable before God. She that is a verye wydowe and frendlesse, putteth her truste in God, and continueth in supplicacion and prayer nyghte and daye. But she that ly∣ueth in pleasure, is deed euen yet alyue. And these thynges commaunde, that they maye be without fault. Yf there be any that prouideth not for his owne, and namely for them of his housholde, the same denyeth the fayth, and is worse then an infidell.

Let no wydowe be chosen, vnder thre score [ B] yere olde, and suche one, as was the wyfe of one man, and well reaported in good workes: yf she haue nourysshed chyldren, yf she haue ben lyberall to straungers, yf she haue was∣shed the sayntes fete, yf she haue mynistred vnto them whiche were in aduersitie, yf she were continually gyuen vnto all maner good workes. The yonger wydowes refuse. For when they haue begon to wexe wantone, to the dishonour of Christ, then wyll they mary, hauinge damnacion, bicause they haue broken their first faith. And also they lerne to go from house to house ydle: and not ydle onely, but also tryflyng, and besy bodyes, speakyng thin∣ges which are not comly.

I wyll therfore that the yonger women [ C] mary and beare chyldren, and guyde the house,

and gyue none occasion to the aduersarye to speake euyll. For manye of them are alredye turned backe, and are gone after Satan. And yf any man or woman that byleueth, haue wydowes, let them ministre vnto them, and let not the congregacion be charged▪ that ye maye haue suffycyent for them that are wy∣dowes in dede.

The elders that rule well, are worthye of double honour, moost specially, they whi∣che labour in the worde and teachynge. For the scripture saythe: thou shalte not mosell the mouthe of the oxe that treadeth oute the corne. And the labourer is worthye of his re∣warde. Agaynst an elder receyue none occu∣sacion, but vnder .ij. or thre wytnesses. Them that synne, rebuke openly, that other maye feare.

I testifye before God, and the Lorde Ie∣sus Chryste, and the electe aungelles, that thou obserue these thynges without hastye iudgement, and do nothynge parcially. Laye handes sodeynly on no man, neyther be per∣taker [ D] of other mennes synnes, kepe thy selfe selfe pure. Drynke no longer water but vse a lyttell wyne for thy stomake, and thyne of∣ten diseases.

Some mens synnes are open before hande, and go before in to iudgement: some mennes synnes folowe after. Likewise also good wor∣kes are manyfest before hande and they that are otherwyse, can not be hyd.

¶ The dutye of seruauntes towarde theyr masters. Agaynst suche as are not satisfied with the worde of God. Agaynst couetousnes. A good lesson for ryche men.

CAPI. VI.

[ A] LEt as many seruauntes as are vnder the yoke, count theyr masters, worthy of all henoure, that the name of God and his doctryne be not euyll spoken of. Se that they whiche haue byleuynge masters, despyse them not bycause they are brethren: but so moche the rather do seruyce, for as moche as they are byleuynge and beloued, and pertakers of the benefyte.

[ B] These thynges teache and exhorte. Yf any man teache otherwyse, and is not contente with the holsome wordes of oure Lorde Ie∣su Chryste, and with the doctryne of godly∣nesse, he is pufte vp, and knoweth nothynge: but wasteth his braynes aboute questyons and stryfe of wordes, wherof sprynge enuye, stryfe, raylynges, euyll surmysynges, & vayne disputacions of men, with corrupte myndes, and destitute of the truthe, which thinke that lucre is godlynes. Frome suche seperate thy selfe. Godlynes is great ryches, yf a man be content with that he hath. For we brought nothynge in to the worlde, and it is a playne case, that we can carye nothynge out.

When we haue fode and rayment, let vs therwith be content. They that wyl be ryche fall in to temptacion and snares, and in to many folysshe and noysome lustes, whiche do drowne men in perdicion and destruction. For couetousnes is the roote of all euyll, whiche whyle some lusted after, they erred frome the [ C] faythe, and tangled them selfe with many so∣rowes. But thou whiche art the man of god, flee suche thynges. Folowe ryghtousnes, god∣lynes, loue, pacience, and mekenes. Fyghte the good fyght of fayth. Laye hande on eter∣nall lyfe, whervnto thou art called, and hast professed a good profession before many wit∣nesses.

I gyue the charge in the syght of God, whi∣che quyckneth all thynges, and before Iesu Chryste, whiche vnder Poncius Pylate wyt∣nessed a good wytnessynge, that thou kepe the commaundement, and be without spotte, and vnrebukeable, vntyll the appearynge of oure Lorde Iesus Chryst, which (when the tyme is come) he shall shewe that is blessed & migh∣tye onely, kynges of kynges, and lordes of lordes: whiche onely hath immortalitie, and dwelleth in the light that no man can atteyn, whome neuer man sawe, neither can se, vnto whome be honoure and rule euerlastynge. Amen.

Charge them that are ryche in this worlde, [ D] that they be not excedinge wise, and that they truste not in the vncertayne ryches, but in the lyuynge God, whiche gyueth vs abundantly all thynges to enioye them, and that they do good, and be ryche in good workes, and redye to gyue and distribute, layinge vp in store for them selues a good foundacyon agaynste the tyme to come, that they maye haue erernall lyfe.

O Timothe, saue that which is gyuen the to kepe, and auoyde vngostly vanities of voy∣ces, and opposicions of science falsiy so called, whiche whyle some pro∣fessed, they haue erred con∣cernynge the faythe. Grace be with the. Amen.

¶ Sent from Laodicia, whiche is the chyefest citye of Phrigia Paca∣ciana.

Notes

• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. ••vi.
• ••••e is the¦rof the cō¦••••••dement •• muste in∣••••••ete it.
• ••••m .vii .c. •• .iii. d 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cv. a
• ☞
• ••••gro•••• be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 f••yth.
• wemen.
• ☜
• i. Cori .xiiii. g
• Gene .i. d Gene .iii. b
• A yong sco∣ler, so calleth Paule him y^t was latly chri¦stened or new¦ly conuerted to the fayth.
• φ

  In the spi∣rite or by the spirite bare re¦corde to him & to his doctrin.
• ii. Timo .iii. b .ii. Petri .ii. a. Iude .i. f
• ☞
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 .xxv. d. Corin .ix. a. ••••th .x.x. b ••e .x. b
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 .i. d 〈◊〉〈◊〉, v .c
• ☞
• Couetousnes
• Apoca .xvii. and .xix .c
• Ihon .i. b .i. Ihon .i .c