NETtext - I Timothy - 1

1:1  From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

1:2  to Timothy, my genuine child in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!

1:3  As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings,

1:4  nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. Such things promote useless speculations rather than God's redemptive plan that operates by faith.

1:5  But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

1:6  Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion.

1:7  They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently.

1:8  But we know that the law is good if someone uses it legitimately,

1:9  realizing that law is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

1:10  sexually immoral people, practicing homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers - in fact, for any who live contrary to sound teaching.

1:11  This accords with the glorious gospel of the blessed God that was entrusted to me.

1:12  I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry,

1:13  even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief,

1:14  and our Lord's grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus.

1:15  This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" - and I am the worst of them!

1:16  But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.

1:17  Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.

1:18  I put this charge before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you, in order that with such encouragement you may fight the good fight.

1:19  To do this you must hold firmly to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith.

1:20  Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.