Correcting False Teaching

Paul, (A)an apostle of (B)Christ Jesus (C)according to the commandment of (D)God our Savior, and of (E)Christ Jesus, who is our (F)hope,

To (G)Timothy, (H)my true [a]son in the faith: (I)Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and (J)Christ Jesus our Lord.

Just as I urged you [b]upon my departure for (K)Macedonia, to remain on at (L)Ephesus so that you would instruct certain people not to (M)teach strange doctrines, nor to [c]pay attention to (N)myths and endless (O)genealogies, which give rise to useless (P)speculation rather than (Q)advance [d]the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now. But the goal of our [e](R)instruction is love (S)from a pure heart, from a (T)good conscience, and from a sincere (U)faith. Some people have strayed from these things and have turned aside to (V)fruitless discussion, (W)wanting to be (X)teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.

But we know that (Y)the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that (Z)law is not made for a righteous person but for those who are lawless and (AA)rebellious, for the (AB)ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and (AC)worldly, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the [f](AD)sexually immoral, (AE)homosexuals, [g](AF)slave traders, (AG)liars, (AH)perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to (AI)sound teaching, 11 according to (AJ)the glorious gospel of (AK)the blessed God, with which I have been (AL)entrusted.

Paul’s Testimony

12 I thank (AM)Christ Jesus our Lord, who has (AN)strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, (AO)putting me into service, 13 even though I was previously a blasphemer and a (AP)persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was (AQ)shown mercy because (AR)I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the (AS)grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the (AT)faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 15 (AU)It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that (AV)Christ Jesus came into the world to (AW)save sinners, among whom (AX)I am foremost. 16 Yet for this reason I (AY)found mercy, so that in me as the foremost sinner Jesus Christ might (AZ)demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those [h]who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17 Now to the (BA)King [i]eternal, (BB)immortal, (BC)invisible, the (BD)only God, (BE)be honor and glory [j]forever and ever. Amen.

18 This (BF)command I entrust to you, Timothy, (BG)my [k]son, in accordance with the (BH)prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you (BI)fight the good fight, 19 keeping (BJ)faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to [l](BK)their faith. 20 [m]Among these are (BL)Hymenaeus and (BM)Alexander, whom I have (BN)handed over to Satan, so that they will be (BO)taught not to blaspheme.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 1:2 Or child
  2. 1 Timothy 1:3 Lit while going to
  3. 1 Timothy 1:4 Or occupy themselves with
  4. 1 Timothy 1:4 I.e., prob. the plan of salvation
  5. 1 Timothy 1:5 Lit commandment
  6. 1 Timothy 1:10 Or fornicators
  7. 1 Timothy 1:10 Or kidnappers
  8. 1 Timothy 1:16 Or destined to
  9. 1 Timothy 1:17 Lit of the ages
  10. 1 Timothy 1:17 Lit to the ages of the ages
  11. 1 Timothy 1:18 Or child
  12. 1 Timothy 1:19 Or the
  13. 1 Timothy 1:20 Lit Of

Salutation

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

To Timothy, my true child in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Warning against False Teachers

As I urged you when I was going to Macedo′nia, remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies which promote speculations rather than the divine training[a] that is in faith; whereas the aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith. Certain persons by swerving from these have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.

Now we know that the law is good, if any one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 immoral persons, sodomites, kidnapers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

Gratitude for Mercy

12 I thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service, 13 though I formerly blasphemed and persecuted and insulted him; but I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; 16 but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.[b] Amen.

18 This charge I commit to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophetic utterances which pointed to you, that inspired by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among them Hymenae′us and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 1:4 Or stewardship, or order
  2. 1 Timothy 1:17 Greek to the ages of ages