1Paul,1:1 Ac 13:9 an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command1:1 Rm 16:26; Ti 1:3 of God our Savior1:1 1Tm 2:3; Ti 1:3; 2:10; 3:4; Jd 25 and of Christ Jesus our hope:1:1 1Co 15:19; Col 1:27; 1Th 1:3; 1Pt 1:3,13

3As I urged you when I went to Macedonia,1:3 Ac 16:9 remain in Ephesus1:3 Eph 1:1 so that you may instruct certain people1:3 Jd 4 not to teach false doctrine

4or to pay attention to myths1:4 1Tm 4:7; 2Tm 4:4; Ti 1:14; 2Pt 1:16 and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan,1:4 Eph 1:10; 3:2,9; Col 1:25 which operates by faith.

5Now the goal of our instruction is love1:5 Rm 13:10 that comes from a pure heart,1:5 Ps 24:4; 2Tm 2:22; 1Pt 1:22 a good conscience,1:5 Ac 23:1; 24:16; Rm 9:1; 2Co 1:12; 1Tm 1:19; 3:9; Heb 10:22; 1Pt 3:21 and a sincere faith.1:5 2Tm 1:5

6Some have departed from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion.

7They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.

8But we know that the law is good,1:8 Rm 7:12,16 provided one uses it legitimately.

9We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious,1:9 Ti 1:6,10; Heb 2:8 for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers,

10for the sexually immoral1:10 1Co 5:9 and males who have sex with males,1:10 Gn 19:5; Rm 1:27; 1Co 6:9 for slave traders, liars,1:10 Jn 8:44 perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching1:10 1Tm 6:3; 2Tm 1:13; Ti 1:9; 2:1

11that conforms to the gospel1:11 2Co 4:4 concerning the glory of the blessed God,1:11 1Tm 6:15 which was entrusted to me.1:11 Lv 6:4; Lk 12:48; 1Co 9:17; Gl 2:7; 1Th 2:4; 1Tm 1:11; 6:20; 2Tm 1:12,14; Ti 1:3

12I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened1:12 Ac 9:22; Php 4:13 me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry — 

13even though I was formerly a blasphemer,1:13 Ac 6:11; 2Tm 3:2; 2Pt 2:11 a persecutor,1:13 Php 3:6 and an arrogant man.1:13 1Co 15:8 But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief,

14and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15This saying is trustworthy1:15 1Tm 3:1; 4:9; 2Tm 2:11; Ti 3:8 and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world1:15 Jn 3:17; 12:46; 18:37; 1Jn 4:9 to save sinners”1:15 Mk 2:17; Lk 19:10; Rm 11:4 — and I am the worst of them.1:15 1Co 15:9

16But I received mercy1:16 Lk 1:50 for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience1:16 Ex 34:6; Rm 2:4 as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life.1:16 Jn 12:25; Ac 13:48

17Now to the King1:17 Ps 47:7 eternal,1:17 Ps 90:2 immortal,1:17 1Co 9:25 invisible, the only1:17 Other mss add wise God,1:17 Jn 5:44; 1Co 8:6; Eph 4:6; 1Tm 2:5; 6:15; Jd 25 be honor1:17 2Pt 1:17; Rv 5:12 and glory1:17 Mk 10:37 forever and ever. Amen.1:17 Php 4:20; 1Tm 6:16; Rv 22:21

18Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies1:18 1Co 13:2; 1Tm 4:14; 2Tm 1:6 previously made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight,

19having faith1:19 Eph 3:12; 6:16; Col 1:23; 2:5; 1Th 5:8; 1Tm 3:13; 6:12; 2Tm 4:7; 1Jn 5:4 and a good conscience,1:19 Heb 10:22 which some1:19 2Tm 2:18; Jd 4 have rejected and have shipwrecked the faith.

20Among them are Hymenaeus1:20 2Tm 2:17 and Alexander,1:20 2Tm 4:14 whom I have delivered to Satan,1:20 1Co 5:5 so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.