1 Timothy 1
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Greeting
1 Paul,(A) an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command(B) of God our Savior(C) and of Christ Jesus our hope:(D)
2 To Timothy,(E) my true son in the faith.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the[a] Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
False Doctrine and Misuse of the Law
3 As I urged you when I went to Macedonia,(F) remain in Ephesus(G) so that you may instruct certain people(H) not to teach different doctrine 4 or to pay attention to myths(I) and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan,(J) which operates by faith. 5 Now the goal of our instruction is love(K) that comes from a pure heart,(L) a good conscience,(M) and a sincere faith.(N) 6 Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on. 8 But we know that the law is good,(O) provided one uses it legitimately. 9 We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious,(P) for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral(Q) and homosexuals,(R) for kidnappers,[b] liars,(S) perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching(T) 11 based on the glorious gospel(U) of the blessed God,(V) which was entrusted to me.(W)
Paul’s Testimony
12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened(X) me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— 13 one who was formerly a blasphemer,(Y) a persecutor,(Z) and an arrogant man.(AA) But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 This saying is trustworthy(AB) and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world(AC) to save sinners”(AD)—and I am the worst of them.(AE) 16 But I received mercy(AF) for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience(AG) as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.(AH) 17 Now to the King(AI) eternal,(AJ) immortal,(AK) invisible, the only[c] God,(AL) be honor(AM) and glory(AN) forever and ever. Amen.(AO)
Engage in Battle
18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies(AP) previously made about you, so that by them you may strongly engage in battle, 19 having faith(AQ) and a good conscience.(AR) Some(AS) have rejected these and have suffered the shipwreck of their faith. 20 Hymenaeus(AT) and Alexander(AU) are among them, and I have delivered them to Satan,(AV) so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 1:2 Other mss read our
- 1 Timothy 1:10 Or slave traders
- 1 Timothy 1:17 Other mss add wise
1 Timothy 1
Modern English Version
Salutation
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the command of God our Savior, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
2 To Timothy, my true son in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
Warning Against False Doctrine
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, continue to remain at Ephesus so that you might command some to teach no other doctrine, 4 nor pay attention to fables and endless genealogies, which cause debates rather than godly edifying, which is in faith. 5 Now the goal of this command is love from a pure heart, and from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. 6 From this, some have lost their way and turned aside to empty talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, and understanding neither what they say nor what they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good if someone uses it lawfully. 9 And we know that the law is not given for a righteous person, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and the profane, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for sodomites, for slave traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for anything else that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
Thankfulness for Mercy
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful and appointed me to the ministry. 13 I was previously a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and an insolent man. But I was shown mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord overflowed with the faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, first, Jesus Christ might show all patience, as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life. 17 Now to the eternal, immortal, invisible King, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever. Amen.
18 This command I commit to you, my son Timothy, according to the prophecies that were previously given to you, that by them you might fight a good fight, 19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
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The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.