1 TIM 2:7 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT for which I was made a herald and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ,[fn] I am not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Some manuscripts do not include the words in Christ here.

UST It was to testify in that way that Jesus appointed me to speak for him and to represent him. Jesus also appointed me to instruct non-Jewish people about what is true and about what to believe. As surely as God has united me to the Messiah, I am not telling you what is false, but what is true!

BSB For [this reason] I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, [and] a faithful and true teacher of [the] Gentiles. I am telling [the] truth; [I am] not lying [ about anything ].

MSB For [this reason] I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, [and] a faithful and true teacher of [the] Gentiles. I am telling [the] truth in Christ;[fn] [I am] not lying [ about anything ].

BLB in regard to which I was appointed a herald and an apostle--I am speaking the truth; I do not lie--a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

AICNT For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle - I am telling the truth [[in Christ]],[fn] I am not lying - a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

2:7, in Christ: Later manuscripts add. BYZ TR

OEB and it was for this that I was myself appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the simple truth and no lie) – a teacher of the Gentiles in the faith and truth.

WEBBE to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

WMBB to which I was appointed a proclaimer and an emissary—I am telling the truth in Messiah, not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

MSG ^(4-7)He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.

NET For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle – I am telling the truth; I am not lying – and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

LSV in regard to which I was set a preacher and apostle—truth I say in Christ, I do not lie—a teacher of nations, in faith and truth.

FBV I was appointed to share this message and be its messenger,[fn] a teacher to the foreigners[fn] about trusting God and the truth (I'm not lying, I'm telling the truth!)

2:7 Literally, “an apostle.”

2:7 Literally, “Gentiles.”

TCNT For this testimony I was appointed to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (I am speaking the truth [fn]in Christ; I am not lying.)

2:7 in Christ ¦ — CT

T4T As for me, he appointed me to declare this message and to be an apostle. I am telling the truth about God appointing me. I am not lying! He appointed me to teach the non-Jews that they should believe God’s true message.

LEB for which I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am speaking the truth, I am not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

BBE And of this I became a preacher and an Apostle (what I say is true, not false,) and a teacher of the Gentiles in the true faith.

Moff and I was appointed to be its herald and apostle (I am not telling a lie, it is quite true), to teach the Gentiles faith and truth.

Wymth and of which I have been appointed a herald and an Apostle (I am speaking the truth: it is not a fiction), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

ASV whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

DRA Whereunto I am appointed a preacher and an apostle, (I say the truth, I lie not,) a doctor of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

YLT in regard to which I was set a preacher and apostle — truth I say in Christ, I do not lie — a teacher of nations, in faith and truth.

Drby to which I have been appointed a herald and apostle, (I speak [the] truth, I do not lie,) a teacher of [the] nations in faith and truth.

RV whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

SLT For which I was placed a herald, and the sent, (I speak truth in Christ, I lie not;) a teacher of the nations in faith and truth.

Wbstr For which I am ordained a preacher and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

KJB-1769 Where unto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
(Where unto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity/truth. )

KJB-1611 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an Apostle (I speake the trueth in Christ, and lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and veritie.
(Whereunto/To_what I am ordained a preacher, and an Apostle (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity/truth.)

Bshps Wherevnto I am ordeined a preacher and an apostle (I tell the trueth in Christe, and lye not) a teacher of the gentiles in fayth and veritie.
(Whereunto/To_what I am ordained a preacher and an apostle (I tell the truth in Christ, and lie not) a teacher of the gentiles in faith and verity/truth.)

Gnva Whereunto I am ordeined a preacher and an Apostle (I speake the trueth in Christ, and lie not) euen a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and veritie.
(Whereunto/To_what I am ordained a preacher and an Apostle (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not) even a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity/truth. )

Cvdl wherevnto I am ordeyned a preacher & an Apostle (I tell ye trueth in Christ and lye not) a teacher of the Heythe in faith and in the trueth.
(wherevnto I am ordained a preacher and an Apostle (I tell ye/you_all truth in Christ and lie not) a teacher of the Heathen in faith and in the truth.)

TNT where vnto I am ordayned a preacher and an apostle: I tell the trueth in Christ and lye not beynge the teacher of the gentyls in fayth and veritie.
(where unto I am ordained a preacher and an apostle: I tell the truth in Christ and lie not being the teacher of the gentiles in faith and verity/truth. )

Wycl in which Y am set a prechour and an apostle. For Y seye treuthe, and Y lie not, that am a techere of hethene men in feith and in treuthe.
(in which I am set a prechour and an apostle. For I say truth, and I lie not, that am a teacher of heathen men in faith and in truth.)

Luth dazu ich gesetzt bin ein Prediger und Apostel (ich sage die Wahrheit in Christo und lüge nicht), ein Lehrer der Heiden im Glauben und in der Wahrheit.
(to_that/in_addition I set(v) am a preacher and apostles (I said the truth in Christo and lie(v) not), a teacher the/of_the heathens in_the faith and in the/of_the truth.)

ClVg in quo positus sum ego prædicator, et Apostolus (veritatem dico, non mentior) doctor gentium in fide, et veritate.[fn]
(in/into/on where placed I_am I preachor, and Apostolus (the_truth I_mean/say, not/no mentior) doctor nations in/into/on with_faith, and with_truth. )

2.7 Et veritate Futura veritas est res et merces fidei. Quæris, mercedem? fides præcedat. Credimus enim ut cognoscamus, non cognoscimus ut credamus. Quid est enim fides, nisi credere quod non vides? fides ergo est, quod non vides credere. Veritas, quæ credidisti videre.

2.7 And with_truth Futura the_truth it_is thing and reward/wages of_faith. I_am_looking_fors, a_reward? faith beforecedat. Credimus because as cognoscamus, not/no we_know as let_us_believe. What it_is because faith, except to_believe that not/no sees? faith therefore it_is, that not/no sees to_believe. Veritas, which credidisti to_see.

UGNT εἰς ὃ ἐτέθην ἐγὼ κῆρυξ καὶ ἀπόστολος (ἀλήθειαν λέγω ἐν Χριστῷ, οὐ ψεύδομαι), διδάσκαλος ἐθνῶν ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀληθείᾳ.
(eis ho etethaʸn egō kaʸrux kai apostolos (alaʸtheian legō en Ⱪristōi, ou pseudomai), didaskalos ethnōn en pistei kai alaʸtheia.)

SBL-GNT εἰς ὃ ἐτέθην ἐγὼ κῆρυξ καὶ ἀπόστολος— ἀλήθειαν ⸀λέγω, οὐ ψεύδομαι— διδάσκαλος ἐθνῶν ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀληθείᾳ.
(eis ho etethaʸn egō kaʸrux kai apostolos— alaʸtheian ⸀legō, ou pseudomai— didaskalos ethnōn en pistei kai alaʸtheia.)

RP-GNT εἰς ὃ ἐτέθην ἐγὼ κῆρυξ καὶ ἀπόστολος· ἀλήθειαν λέγω ἐν χριστῷ, οὐ ψεύδομαι· διδάσκαλος ἐθνῶν ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀληθείᾳ.
(eis ho etethaʸn egō kaʸrux kai apostolos; alaʸtheian legō en ⱪristōi, ou pseudomai; didaskalos ethnōn en pistei kai alaʸtheia.)

TC-GNT εἰς ὃ ἐτέθην ἐγὼ κῆρυξ καὶ ἀπόστολος· ἀλήθειαν λέγω [fn]ἐν Χριστῷ, οὐ ψεύδομαι· διδάσκαλος ἐθνῶν ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀληθείᾳ.
(eis ho etethaʸn egō kaʸrux kai apostolos; alaʸtheian legō en Ⱪristōi, ou pseudomai; didaskalos ethnōn en pistei kai alaʸtheia. )

2:7 εν χριστω ¦ — CT

Key for above GNTs: red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:1–15: Paul told Timothy that it was important that believers should pray

In this section Paul told Timothy some things that the believers should do when they met together regularly to worship God. They should pray for everybody. The men should pray in holiness and without anger, and the women should dress and behave modestly and appropriately.

Paragraph 2:1–7

When believers gather together, they should pray for everybody. They should pray that God would help their government officials to govern well so that believers can worship God peacefully. They should also pray for everybody else because God wants to save everybody.

Everything that Paul wrote in this paragraph (2:1–7) was to help Timothy communicate the gospel to everyone.

One reason that Paul emphasized that the gospel was for everyone was probably because the false teachers were doing exactly the opposite. They were encouraging their followers to consider themselves as better than other people and as part of a small, elite group that excluded other people.Fee, pages 61 and 62, says, “…what might be the place of this first paragraph in the argument? The frequent answer is that the point lies in verse 2, that prayer be made for rulers so that the church may enjoy a peaceful existence. It has even been suggested that a correct Christian attitude toward the state is what is in view. Verses 4–7, then, are seen as nearly irrelevant to that point, but go back to elaborate on a secondary point made in verse 1 (prayer be made for everyone). However, it seems much more likely that precisely the opposite is the case. The one clear concern that runs through the whole paragraph has to do with the gospel as for everyone (‘all people,’ vv. 1, 4–6, and 7). In this view, the phrase this is good in verse 3 refers to prayer for everyone in verse 1, thus seeing verse 2 as something of a digression —albeit as before (1:12–17), a meaningful one. The best explanation for this emphasis lies with the false teachers, who either through the esoteric, highly speculative nature of their teaching (1:4–6) or through its ‘Jewishness’ (1:7) or ascetic character (4:3) are promoting an elitist or exclusivist mentality among their followers. The whole paragraph attacks that narrowness.”

2:7a

For this reason

That is why

For this reason: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as For this reason literally means “for which.” The phrase connects 2:7 with 2:6 and this connection can be understood in two ways:

Verse 7 is the result of 2:6. For example, the GNT says:
and that is why (GNT, NCV, CEV)
Verse 7 is the purpose for which 2:6 occurred. For example, the NIV says:
And for this purpose (BSB, NIV, GW)

Some English translations say “for this.” This English phrase does not make it clear whether they mean “for this reason” or “for this purpose” (NASB, RSV, NET). If you cannot keep the ambiguity, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Because God sent Christ Jesus to save all people (2:3–6), he appointed Paul to announce the gospel.

2:7b

I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle,

I was chosen to be a herald of the gospel and an apostle.
God appointed me to announce the gospel and be an apostle.

I was appointed: The Greek text uses a passive here and does not say who had appointed Paul. If it is necessary in your language to use an active verb here, you should say that God appointed him. Some other words for appointed are “assigned” or “chosen.”

a preacher: The Greek word that the BSB translates as a preacher is more literally “a herald.” A herald is a person that a king or another ruler has appointed to announce a message publicly. Paul was emphasizing that he announced important news like a herald does.

an apostle: Paul was emphasizing that God had sent him to represent Christ. For more details, see the note on “apostle” at 1:1b.

In some languages it may be helpful to translate this part of the verse as a direct quote. For example:

That is the reason that Christ appointed me and told me: “You are to announce the gospel message publicly and represent me.”

2:7c

and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles.

I was also chosen to teach the true message of faith to the Gentiles.
God also appointed me to teach his true message to the non-Jews.

faithful and true: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as faithful and true literally means “in faith and truth.” These words can refer to:

what Paul taught: the content of his message. For example, the GNT says:
the message of faith and truth (GNT, NIV, REB, GW, NLT, CEV, NCV)
how Paul taught, that is, he taught faithfully and truthfully. For example, the NJB says:
a teacher of the gentiles in faith and truth (BSB, NJB, RSV, KJV, NASB)

Paul had been talking about the message that he proclaimed. There is no reason to think that Paul suddenly changed his topic and said that he himself was teaching faithfully and truthfully. So it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). That is, Paul was continuing to talk about the message that he proclaimed.

The Greek words meaning “faith and truth” that the BSB translates as faithful and true can be understood in two ways:

This is a hendiadys; that is, the two words “faith” and “truth” refer to one thing. For example, the NIV says:
the true faith (NIV, REB)
The two words refer to two things. For example, the GNT says:
the message of faith and truth (BSB, GNT, GW, NLT, CEV, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and translate this as one phrase, “the true faith.” “The true faith” refers to God’s message.

See faith, meaning 2, in the Glossary.

teacher of the Gentiles: Gentiles are people who are not Jews. You may wish to put a footnote or glossary entry in your translation to explain who Gentiles are.

2:7d

I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.

What I am saying is true. I am not lying.

I am telling the truth;The translators of some versions add the words “in Christ.” For example, the KJV says, “I speak the truth in Christ.” However, most scholars agree that these words were not present in Paul’s original letter to Timothy. The Editorial Committee of the United Bible Societies New Testament (4^th edition) gives the reading without “in Christ” an {A} rating, indicating that the text is almost certain. I am not lying: Paul had written in 2:7b, that he had been appointed as an apostle. Then he added that he was telling the truth and not lying. This could refer to three things:

the whole sentence (GNT, NLT, GW)
just the phrase that he was a teacher of the Gentiles (NJB)
just the phrase that he was an apostle

Other English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you translate this to refer to the whole sentence. Probably some people were saying that Paul was not really an apostle. Others may have been saying that Christ had not really authorized Paul to teach the Gentiles.

General Comment on 2:7b–d

Paul was not saying that God had chosen him to do three different jobs (herald, apostle, and teacher). Instead, he was saying that he had one task that had three parts. These same three parts are also mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:11.

General Comment on 2:7a–d

Another way to translate this verse is:

^7aThat is why ^7bGod sent me as an apostle to announce ^7cand teach his true message even to those who are not Jews. ^7dWhat I am saying is true. I am not lying.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

εἰς ὃ ἐτέθην ἐγὼ κῆρυξ καὶ ἀπόστολος (ἀλήθειαν λέγω ἐν Χριστῷ, οὐ ψεύδομαι), διδάσκαλος ἐθνῶν ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀληθείᾳ

to (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰς ὅ ἐτέθην ἐγώ κῆρυξ καί ἀπόστολος ἀλήθειαν λέγω ἐν Χριστῷ οὒ ψεύδομαι διδάσκαλος ἐθνῶν ἐν γνώσει καί ἀληθείᾳ)

In this verse, Paul interrupts himself to affirm strongly that he is telling the truth. The ULT indicates this by using dashes. Most likely, Paul is affirming that everything he writes in this verse is true. Consider where you would naturally put an affirmation like this. Alternate translation: [for which—I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying—I was made a herald and an apostle, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth]

Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns

εἰς ὃ

Here, the pronoun which refers back to “the testimony” in the previous verse. If this is not clear for your readers, you could refer to “the testimony” more directly. Alternate translation: [for which testimony]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἐτέθην ἐγὼ

˓was˒_appointed (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰς ὅ ἐτέθην ἐγώ κῆρυξ καί ἀπόστολος ἀλήθειαν λέγω ἐν Χριστῷ οὒ ψεύδομαι διδάσκαλος ἐθνῶν ἐν γνώσει καί ἀληθείᾳ)

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, Paul could be implying that: (1) Jesus did it. Alternate translation: [Christ made me] (2) God the Father did it. Alternate translation: [God made me]

Note 4 topic: translate-unknown

κῆρυξ

˓a˒_proclaimer

A herald is someone who is sent out to announce a message. If your readers would not be familiar with a person who performs this kind of task, you could use the name of something similar in your area or you could use a more general term. Alternate translation: [an announcer] or [a messenger]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism

ἀλήθειαν λέγω ἐν Χριστῷ, οὐ ψεύδομαι

˓the˒_truth ˱I˲_˓am˒_speaking in Christ (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰς ὅ ἐτέθην ἐγώ κῆρυξ καί ἀπόστολος ἀλήθειαν λέγω ἐν Χριστῷ οὒ ψεύδομαι διδάσκαλος ἐθνῶν ἐν γνώσει καί ἀληθείᾳ)

These two clauses mean basically the same thing. The second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea in negative form. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could connect the phrases with a word that shows that the second clause is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternatively, you could combine the two clauses into one strong statement. Alternate translation: [I am speaking the whole trust in Christ] or [in Christ I am not lying at all]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἀλήθειαν

˓the˒_truth

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of truth, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [truthfully]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐν Χριστῷ

in Christ

Here Paul uses the spatial metaphor in Christ to describe his union with Christ. In this case, Paul claims that he is speaking the truth as surely as he is in Christ, or united to Christ. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that indicates that Paul is referring to his union with Christ to strengthen his claim to be speaking the truth. Alternate translation: [as one who is united to Christ] or [in my union with Christ]

Note 8 topic: translate-textvariants

ἐν Χριστῷ

in Christ

Many ancient manuscripts read in Christ. The ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts do not include these words. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT.

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀληθείᾳ

in in (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰς ὅ ἐτέθην ἐγώ κῆρυξ καί ἀπόστολος ἀλήθειαν λέγω ἐν Χριστῷ οὒ ψεύδομαι διδάσκαλος ἐθνῶν ἐν γνώσει καί ἀληθείᾳ)

Here, the phrase in faith and truth could provide: (1) the content of what Paul teaches. Alternate translation: [who teaches about faith and truth] (2) the manner in which Paul teaches. Alternate translation: [who is faithful and true]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / hendiadys

ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀληθείᾳ

Here, the phrase faith and truth could: (1) refer to two distinct things that Paul teaches. Alternate translation: [in faith and in truth] (2) express a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word truth tells what the faith is like. Alternate translation: [in the true faith]

Note 11 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀληθείᾳ

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of faith and truth, you could express the same ideas in another way. Make sure your translation fits with the options you chose in the previous two notes. Alternate translation: [concerning what they should trust and what they should accept as true]

Parallel 1 TIM 2:7

Section 2:1–15: Paul told Timothy that it was important that believers should pray

Paragraph 2:1–7

2:7a

2:7b

2:7c

2:7d

General Comment on 2:7b–d

General Comment on 2:7a–d

Parallel 1 TIM 2:7