1 Timothy

Greeting

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s command—our Savior—and of Christ Jesus, our hope,

to Timothy, my true son in faith. May God the Father and Christ Jesus, our Lord, grant you grace, mercy, and peace.

False teachers

When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay in Ephesus to warn certain people not to teach false doctrines

or to get involved in fables and endless genealogies. These give rise to discussions rather than promoting a better service of God through faith. 

Our warning aims to show love, which stems from a pure mind, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

Some people have abandoned this motivation and wandered into pointless discussions. 

They claim to be teachers of the law, but in reality, they don’t understand what they’re saying or the topics they discuss. 

We know the law is good if one uses it legitimately. 

The law is not meant for the righteous but for the lawless, the wicked, and sinners—those who do not respect God or religion, those who kill their parents, murderers, 

and those who engage in unlawful sex and homosexuality, kidnappers, exploiters, liars, perjurers, and all who oppose sound doctrine, 

all against the gospel of the glory and happiness of God, which was entrusted to me.

Paul and Timothy

I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord, who gives me strength, considers me trustworthy, and has appointed me to his service,

although I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a fanatical enemy, yet I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance when I opposed the faith; 

and the grace of our Lord was more than enough, along with the faith and love found in Christ Jesus. 

This saying is true and worth believing: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 

Because of that, I was mercifully treated; Christ Jesus wanted to show his greatest patience so that I might serve as an example for all who are to believe and receive eternal life. 

To the King of ages, the only God who exists beyond all perishable and visible creations—be honor and glory forever. Amen! 

Timothy, my child, I command you to fight the good fight, fulfilling the prophetic words spoken over you, so that by following them you may fight a good fight. 

Hold onto faith and a good conscience, unlike those who, ignoring their conscience, have ultimately destroyed their faith. 

Among them, Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.