1 Timothy 1
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope,
2to Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you can instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine,
4nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which lead to useless speculations, rather than teaching God’s administration of grace, which has to do with trust.
5Now the goal of this instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere trust.
6Certain people have strayed away from these things and have turned aside to pointless discussions,
7wanting to be teachers of the law, even though they do not understand what they are saying or what they speak about so confidently.
8But we know that the law is good when used as God intended.
9We also know this: the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, the ungodly and sinners, the unholy and worldly-minded, those who kill their father or mother, murderers,
10the sexually immoral, those who practice homosexuality, kidnappers, liars, those who swear falsely, and for those who do any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine
11that conforms to the glorious good news of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.
12I give thanks to the one who has empowered me—Christ Jesus our Lord—because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry,
13even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and arrogantly aggressive. But I received mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief,
14and the grace of our Lord overflowed abundantly, along with the trust and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15This statement is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” of whom I am the worst.
16Nevertheless, I received mercy for this reason: so that in me, the worst sinner, Jesus Christ could show his immense patience as an example to those who are going to believe in him for life in the age to come.
17Now to the King of the ages—immortal, invisible, the only God—be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
18Timothy, my child, I am giving you this instruction based on the prophecies previously spoken over you, so that by remembering them you can fight the good fight,
19maintaining trust and a good conscience, which some have rejected and have caused a shipwreck concerning the faith.
20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to the Adversary, so that they will learn not to blaspheme.