English: Easy to Read Version

[1] 1:1 apostle A follower of Jesus chosen to represent him in a special way. During his earthly ministry, Jesus named twelve men as apostles, to whom he gave the specific responsibility and authority to represent him and proclaim his message throughout the world. Later, he appeared to Paul and gave him a similar commission, especially to non-Jewish people. Barnabas, Paul's missionary companion, and James, the brother of Jesus, are also called apostles, as well as several others in the New Testament. Some of these occurrences of the word, however, have the more general sense of "messenger" or "emissary."

[2] 1:2 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[3] 1:3 Macedonia The northern part of Greece, where Thessalonica and Philippi were.

[4] 1:7 law Probably the Jewish law that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. See Ex. 19 and 20. Also in verse 8.

[5] 1:11 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[6] 1:11 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[7] 1:14 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[8] 1:17 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[9] 1:17 Amen A Hebrew word meaning "That's right," "True," or "Yes." It is used to express strong agreement with what has been said.

[10] 1:18 prophecies Things that prophets said about Timothy's life before those things happened.

[11] 1:20 Satan A name for the devil meaning "the enemy," or "the accuser."

[12] 2:7 apostle A follower of Jesus chosen to represent him in a special way. During his earthly ministry, Jesus named twelve men as apostles, to whom he gave the specific responsibility and authority to represent him and proclaim his message throughout the world. Later, he appeared to Paul and gave him a similar commission, especially to non-Jewish people. Barnabas, Paul's missionary companion, and James, the brother of Jesus, are also called apostles, as well as several others in the New Testament. Some of these occurrences of the word, however, have the more general sense of "messenger" or "emissary."

[13] 2:14 Adam was not . tricked The devil tricked Eve, and Eve caused Adam to sin. See Gen. 3:1-13.

[14] 3:1 whose . elder Literally, "who aspires to supervision."

[15] 3:2 elder Here, literally, "overseer." See "elders" in the Word List.

[16] 3:5 church Literally, "assembly" or "community," the people who have been brought together as God's family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.

[17] 3:8 special servant The Greek word is diakonos, which is usually translated "servant." However, in three places (Rom. 16:1; Php. 1:2; 1 Tim. 3:8-13) the service of those so described is associated with a local church, indicating that they were chosen to serve in some special way. Cf. Acts 6:1-6.

[18] 3:11 women Probably the women who serve as special servants (See Rom. 16:1). It could be translated, "their wives," meaning the wives of the special servants, although there is no word for "their" in the Greek text.

[19] 3:15 family Literally, "house." This could mean that God's people are like God's temple.

[20] 3:15 church Literally, "assembly" or "community," the people who have been brought together as God's family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.

[21] 3:16 Christ Literally, "who." Some Greek copies have "God."

[22] 3:16 Spirit See "Holy Spirit."

[23] 3:16 message See "Good News."

[24] 3:16 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[25] 4:1 Spirit See "Holy Spirit."

[26] 4:1 demon An evil spirit from the devil.

[27] 4:5 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God's people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.

[28] 4:13 Scripture Part of the Scriptures or "Holy Writings"-the Old Testament.

[29] 4:14 prophecy Something said about Timothy's life before that thing happened.

[30] 4:14 elders (New Testament) A group of men chosen to lead a church. Also called "overseers" and "pastors" (shepherds), they have the work of caring for God's people. See Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Eph. 4:11; Php. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-3.

[31] 4:14 laid their hands on This act was a way of asking God to bless people in a special way-here, to give Timothy power for a special work.

[32] 5:10 serving the needs Literally, "washing the feet," a social custom of the first century, because people wore open sandals on very dusty roads.

[33] 5:15 Satan A name for the devil meaning "the enemy," or "the accuser."

[34] 5:16 woman . she Some Greek copies have "man or woman . he/she."

[35] 5:16 church Literally, "assembly" or "community," the people who have been brought together as God's family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.

[36] 5:17 elders (New Testament) A group of men chosen to lead a church. Also called "overseers" and "pastors" (shepherds), they have the work of caring for God's people. See Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Eph. 4:11; Php. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-3.

[37] 5:17 double honor Or, "double pay."

[38] 5:18 Scripture Part of the Scriptures or "Holy Writings"-the Old Testament.

[39] 5:18 Quote from Deut. 25:4.

[40] 5:18 Quote from Lk. 10:7.

[41] 5:22 lay your hands on This act was a way of asking God to bless people in a special way-here, to give them power for a special work.

[42] 6:13 Pontius Pilate The Roman governor of Judea from 26 a.d. to 36 a.d. Read Lk. 23:1-3.

[43] 6:16 Amen A Hebrew word meaning "That's right," "True," or "Yes." It is used to express strong agreement with what has been said.

[44] 6:21 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.