1Verse 1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,Verse 2To Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Warnings Against False Teachings
Verse 3Just as I urged you to remain in Ephesus as I traveled into Macedonia, that you should command certain people not to teach differently,Verse 4nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.Verse 5Now the goal of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,Verse 6from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to futile talk,Verse 7desiring to be teachers of the law, not understanding either what they say or what they affirm.Verse 8But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,Verse 9knowing this: that the law is not laid down for the righteous, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for killers of fathers and killers of mothers, for murderers,Verse 10for fornicators, for homosexuals, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is opposed to sound doctrine,Verse 11according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted.
Paul's Gratitude for God's Mercy
Verse 12And I give thanks to the One who empowers me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He considered me faithful, putting me into the ministry,Verse 13I, who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I was shown mercy, because, being ignorant, I did it in unbelief,Verse 14and the grace of our Lord superabounded with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.Verse 15Faithful is this word, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.Verse 16However, because of this I was shown mercy, so that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, as a pattern for those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.Verse 17Now to the King of the Ages, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Fight the Good Fight
Verse 18This charge I commit to you, my son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that you may war by them the good warfare,Verse 19having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,Verse 20of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.