1 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of our Father, our Savior, and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: grace, mercy, peace from our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Guard the Father's Household
3 As I urged you when leaving for Macedonia, stay in Ephesus to instruct some people not to teach different doctrine, 4 nor devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which breed speculations instead of our Father's stewardship through faith. 5 The goal of this command is love from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith. 6 Some have wandered away from these and turned aside to meaningless talk, 7 wanting to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they say or what they insist on so confidently.
8 Now we know that the law is good, as long as it is used lawfully, 9 Knowing this: the law isn't laid down for the righteous but for the lawless and rebellious, the wicked and sinful, the unholy and irreverent, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 sexual sinners, men who sleep with men, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else opposes sound teaching, 11 in keeping with the glorious gospel of our blessed Father, with which I have been entrusted.
The Father's Mercy Came to the Worst
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who strengthened me, since he considered me faithful, appointing me to service. 13 I once insulted God, persecuted others, and was violent — yet I was shown mercy, since I acted ignorantly, lacking faith. 14 Our Lord's grace overflowed for me, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 15 A trustworthy saying worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — I am the worst of them. 16 But I was shown mercy for this: in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus could display his complete patience, as a pattern for those who would believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Fight the Good Fight
18 Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this charge, matching the prophecies once spoken over you, so that by them you may fight the good fight. 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. By rejecting these, some have shipwrecked their faith, 20 including Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed to Satan to be taught not to insult God.
