1 Timothy
Summary
Paul addresses Timothy as his "true son in the faith," urging him to remain in Ephesus to confront those teaching "different doctrines" and engaging in "endless genealogies." He emphasizes that the goal of the commandment is love from a pure heart and a good conscience. Paul contrasts the proper use of the Law, which is for the lawless and disobedient, with the glorious Gospel. He shares his own testimony as the "chief of sinners" who received mercy as an example of Christ's perfect patience, concluding with a charge to Timothy to wage a good warfare.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope;
To Timothy, my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
As I urged you to remain at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia, that you might charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith; so do.
Now the goal of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith;
From which some, having strayed, have turned aside to vain talk;
Desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor what they confidently affirm.
But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
For the sexually immoral, for those who defile themselves with mankind, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all patience, as a pattern to those who would hereafter believe on Him for everlasting life.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.
This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you might wage a good warfare,
Having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck;
Of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.