1 Timothy 1:16-18
EasyEnglish Bible
16 But God was kind to me.[a] Christ Jesus showed that he was completely patient with me, the worst person. That was an example to those people who would later believe in him. They would believe and receive life for ever with God.
17 Praise God, the King who rules for ever! He can never die. He lives where we cannot see him. He is the only God. So praise him and say how great he is! That is true always and for ever! Amen! This is true.
Timothy should be a good leader in the church
18 Timothy, you are like my own child. So now I am telling you to serve God well. Remember the words from God that people spoke about you, when you became a servant of God.[b] Those words will help you to be strong, like a soldier who fights well.[c]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1:16 Before Paul became a Christian, he caused a lot of trouble for Christians. He did not agree with what Christians believed. He did bad things to Christians. He thought that he was working in a way that made God happy, but he was wrong. See Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2. When he became a Christian he knew that God was very kind to save him.
- 1:18 Some Christian leaders had prayed for Timothy before Paul wrote this letter. See 1 Timothy 4:14. They had spoken words from God to Timothy. Perhaps God had said that he would make Timothy strong. Timothy needed to be strong so that he could be a Christian leader.
- 1:18 Timothy did not have to fight anyone. Paul did not mean that. He meant that Timothy had to be strong and brave, like a soldier. Then he could teach the true Christian message.
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