Add parallel Print Page Options

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ[a] our hope; to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine, and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith— but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith, from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned away to vain talking, desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a person uses it lawfully, as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine, 11 according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

12 I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service; 13 although I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

18 I commit this instruction to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

Footnotes

  1. 1:1 NU reads Christ Jesus and omits the Lord.

Greeting

Paul,(A) an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command(B) of God our Savior(C) and of Christ Jesus our hope:(D)

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

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 false doctrine or to pay attention to myths(I) and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan,(J) which operates by faith. 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) Some have departed from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on. But we know that the law is good,(O) provided one uses it legitimately. 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 males who have sex with males,(R) for slave traders, liars,(S) perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching(T) 11 that conforms to the gospel(U) concerning the glory 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 even though I 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[b] 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 recalling them you may fight the good fight, 19 having faith(AQ) and a good conscience,(AR) which some(AS) have rejected and have shipwrecked the faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus(AT) and Alexander,(AU) whom I have delivered to Satan,(AV) so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

Footnotes

  1. 1:2 Other mss read our
  2. 1:17 Other mss add wise