The Abridged First Letter to Timothy

1:1. From: Paul

1:2. To: Timothy

1:3-4. As I told you before, stay in Ephesus so that you can continue to teach them the truth about myths and questionable genealogies. These topics miss the point.

1:5-6. This is only coming from a place of love and worry, there are people who do this stuff.

1:7. They want to be teachers, but they don't know what they're talking about.

1:8. We know the law has a purpose if used properly.

1:9-11. But we know the law was made for people who couldn't tell right from wrong- cheaters, perverts, slave traders, liars, and everything else against what God taught me, and I share with you.

1:12-13. I thank Jesus for choosing me to do work for him, even though I once was violent and arrested Christians myself.

1:14. The forgiveness, love, and dedication of Jesus was made abundantly clear.

1:15. Here is something you need to fully accept: Jesus came here to save wrongdoers, and I am one of the worst.

1:16. But it was exactly that reason Jesus forgave me, to show his limitless patience for those who would believe.

1:17. Praise to the eternal, invisible God forever and ever. Amen.

1:18-20. Timothy, I give you this advice so you can live up to the prophecies made about you, so you can continue fighting the good fight, having faith and a good concience.
Not every has that, like Hymenaeus and Alexander, who are in time out until they learn not to talk bad about God.

2:1-2. First, pray and bless and give thanks- for everyone, including the government.

2:3-4. This makes God happy, who wants to save everyone and give them knowledge of the truth.

2:5-6. There is one God, and one communicator between them, Jesus.

2:7-8. This is why I was made an apostle to those who are not already Jewish, because I want everyone to come together peacefully.

2:9-10. I also want women to dress appropriately.

2:11. A woman should be quiet and submissive.

2:12. I do not give women authority to teach- they must be silent.

2:13. Adam was made first, then Eve.

2:14. Adam wasn't the one who screwed up, Eve was.

2:15. Women can make up for it and be saved by having children.

3:1. If anyone wants to be a teacher, they must have to be ready for good, hard work.

3:2-3. The teacher must be above criticism, have one wife, be patient, respectable, kind, sober, gentle, and not argumentative or materialistic.

3:4. The teacher must be a leader in their family and make sure their children obey them.

3:5. If you can't manage your own family, how can you take care of a whole church?

3:6-7. They must be experienced and have a good reputation.

3:8. Deacons should be the same.

3:9. They must understand the deep truths of God with a clear conscience.

3:10. They should be tested, and if they pass, let them serve as deacons.

3:11. Also, their spouses should be respectful, patient, and trustworthy.

3:12. They should only have one spouse and run their household well.

3:13. Those who serve gain bonus points with Jesus.

3:14-15. I'm coming soon, but wanted to write this in case it takes a while.

3:16. One thing is clear- the mystery of God is a big one. Jesus appeared in a body, was proven by the Spirit, was taught to the world, was believed on, and went up to heaven with honor.

4:1. The Spirit says that people will abandon God in the end times by following demons.

4:2. Those teachings come through liars who have no guilt.

4:3. They don't let people marry and force them to follow other rules, like forbidding certain foods, which don't really matter.

4:4-5. Everything God created is good, and nothing is evil if accepted with thanks, because it is cleaned by God.

4:6. Point these things out to your siblings, and you will be a good follower of Jesus spreading the truth you know.

4:7. Don't mess with myths and superstitions.

4:8. Physical fitness has some use, but God is useful in all things, in the present and forever.

4:9-10. Another trustworthy saying is that we work hard because we have hope in God.

4:11. Teach these things.

4:12. Don't let anyone think less of you becuase you're young. Set an example in life, love, faith, and purity.

4:13. Keep reading scripture, preaching, and teaching until I get to you.

4:14. Use your gift that was given to you when the elders blessed you.

4:15-16. Keep up with everything, and continue to grow. You will save many people, including yourself.

5:1-2. Treat old people nicely, but urge them a bit if you have to. Treat elders like parents, and younger folk like siblings.

5:3-6. Remember widows, but really only the ones who are completely alone.

If they have family, make sure they are taking of their family and not having too much fun.

5:7. Tell the people all the things I'm telling you.

5:8. If someone doesn't provide for their family and relatives, they are a huge asshole.

5:9-10. Widows only count and go on the list to help if they over 60, never cheated, and have done lots of good for the community.

5:11-13. Don't put younger widows on the list. They'll give in to their desires and want to marry, breaking their oath. Also, they are lazy and gossip and a lot.

5:14. So younger widows should just marry.

5:15. Some have already decided to follow Satan.

5:16. If you have widows in your family, take care of them yourself, so the church doesn't have to waste time with them, and is able to help those who are actually in need.

5:17. Elders who help lead the church get double bonus points.

5:18. After all, the scriptures say to feed animals while they are working, and to pay workers fair wages.

5:19. Do not even investigate an accusation against an elder unless two or three people saw.

5:20. Those who are wrongdoers should be shamed publically as a warning.

5:21. Listen and do these things, and apply them evenly to everything.

5:22. Don't be quick to bless people, and don't take join them in wrongdoing.

5:23. Stop drinking water, and drink wine instead because of your stomach and sicknesses.

5:24-25. When people do wrong, the truth comes out sooner or later.
It's the same with good deeds - they will be known.

6:1-2. Slaves should respect their owners, and if those owners are Christian, too, they should work twice as hard.

6:3-5. If anyone teaches things that don't agree with us and Jesus, they are ignorant and evil, and likely out to only make money.

6:6. God does give wealth, but only by making you appreciate what you already have, not by giving you more.

6:7. We were born with nothing, and we can't take anything from here to heaven.

6:8. So be happy with what little you have.

6:9. Desiring to get rich is a slippery slope that will lead to destruction.

6:10. Money is the root of all evil, and it will make you do stupid things.

6:11. But I know you're above all this- and you pursue justice, faith, love, and gentleness.

6:12. Continue to fight the good fight of God. Remember your eternal life.

6:13-14. Keep doing what you're doing until Jesus gets back to save us.

6:15. Only God knows when this will happen.

6:16. God is God, ruler of all, immortal, and light. Amen.

6:17. Tell the rich not to be arrogant, and to see the bigger picture.

6:18. Tell them to do good, be generous, and share.

6:19. That way, they will find the true wealth that will build their home in heaven.

6:20-21. Timothy, protect what you've been trusted with.
Ignore the fake teachings.
Grace to you.