The Coming Apostasy

¹ Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

² by the hypocrisy of liars, who are seared in their own conscience,

³ who forbid marrying and insist on abstaining from foods that God created for sharing in with thankfulness by those who believe and who know the truth,

⁴ because everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is¹ received with thankfulness,

1. *Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“received”) which is understood as conditional

⁵ for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

The Good Servant of Christ

⁶ By¹ teaching these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, trained in the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed faithfully.

1. *Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“teaching”) which is understood as means

⁷ But reject those ⌞worthless myths told by elderly women⌟¹, and train yourself for godliness.

1. Literally “worthless and characteristic of an elderly woman myths”

⁸ For the training of the body is ⌞somewhat⌟¹ profitable, but godliness is profitable for everything, because it² holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.

1. Literally “for a little”
2. *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“holds”) which is understood as causal

⁹ The statement is trustworthy and deserving of complete acceptance.

¹⁰ For to this end we labor and suffer reproach,¹ because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.

1. Some manuscripts have “and strive”

¹¹ Command these things and teach them.

¹² Let no one look down on your youth, but be an example for the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

¹³ Until I come, pay attention to the public reading,¹ to exhortation, to teaching.

1. Many English translations supply “of scripture” here to clarify what is to be read aloud

¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift that is in you, that was granted to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

¹⁵ Practice these things. Be diligent¹ in these things, in order that your progress may be evident to everyone.

1. Literally “be in these things,” though most English versions supply a predicate here

¹⁶ Fix your attention on yourself and on your teaching. Continue in them, for by¹ doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1. *Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“doing”) which is understood as means