1 Timothy 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the command of God our Savior and Sovereign Jesus Christ our hope,
This letter comes from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus appointed by the authority of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who is our hope.
2 to Timothy, true son by faith: Grace, mercy, peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I'm sending it to you Timothy. You are my true son because of your trust in God. May you have grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 You recall that I urged you to remain in Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, in order that you should command certain persons to stop teaching a different doctrine
When I was on my way to Macedonia I asked you to stay behind in Ephesus, so that you could speak with those who teach false ideas and insist that they stop.
4 and occupying themselves with myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than the godly training which is by faith.
They shouldn't concern themselves with legends and never-ending obsessions about ancestry. Such ideas only lead to pointless debates, instead of understanding God as we trust in him.
5 Now the goal of that command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith;
The reason why I insist on this is so we may have love that comes from a pure heart, from a clear conscience and sincere trust in God.
6 some having strayed from these have been turned aside to empty talk,
Some have deviated from these things, and have ended up talking nonsense.
7 desiring to be teachers of the law, not understanding either what they say or the things that they affirm.
They have ambitions to be teachers of the law, but they have no idea what they're talking about or what they're so boldly announcing!
8 Now we know that the law is good if one uses it correctly,
Now we recognize that the law is good if people use it properly.
9 knowing that law is not made for a righteous person but for lawless and rebellious ones, for ungodly and sinners, for unholy and profane, for father-smiters and mother-smiters, for murderers,
We also know that law isn't laid down for those who do what is good and right, but for those who are rebellious and ignore the law. It applies to people who have no use for God, who are sinful, who treat nothing as holy and are completely irreligious. It's for those who kill fathers and mothers, for murderers,
10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine
for those who are sexually immoral, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, false witnesses—and anything else that's opposed to good teachings
11 as defined by the Gospel of the glory of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted.
as determined by the wonderful good news of our blessed God which he entrusted to me.
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who enables me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into a ministry;
I'm just so grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord for the strength he's given me, and that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to work for him.
13 I, who was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and arrogant; but I was shown mercy, because being ignorant I did it in unbelief;
Even though I used to insult God, and persecuted and abused God's people, God showed me mercy because of my ignorance and unbelief.
14 the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Our Lord in his grace filled me to overflowing with trust and love that comes from Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy word, worthy of total acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am chief;
You can trust this saying that everyone should accept: “Christ Jesus came to this world to save sinners,” and I'm the worst of them.
16 precisely for this reason I was shown mercy, that in me, the ‘chief’, Jesus Christ might display all his forbearance, as an example for those who are going to rely on Him into eternal life. (aiōnios g166)
For this reason I was shown mercy—since I'm the worst sinner, Jesus Christ could demonstrate his infinite patience as an example to those who choose to trust in him and gain eternal life. (aiōnios g166)
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
Honor and glory forever and ever to the eternal King, the immortal, invisible, and only God! Amen. (aiōn g165)
18 Son Timothy, I am giving you this charge in accordance with the prophecies about you that lead the way, that in them you may wage the good warfare,
These are the instructions I want to give to you, Timothy, my son, following the prophecies that brought you this far, so you can fight the good fight!
19 holding on to faith and a good conscience (which some having rejected have suffered shipwreck concerning the Faith;
Keep on trusting God and make sure you have a clear conscience. Some have refused to do this and have shipwrecked their trust in God.
20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander—whom I have handed over to Satan that they may be taught not to blaspheme).
Hymenaeus and Alexander are such people, and I have “handed them over to Satan” to teach them not to misrepresent God.
