Introduction

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2 To Timothy, a genuine child in the faith: Grace, mercy, peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Warnings Regarding Heresy in Teaching and Living

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may command certain persons not to teach other doctrines,
4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than God’s administration which is by faith.
5 The aim of the command is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.
6 From these some, by deviating, have turned aside into vain talk,
7 desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say nor the things about which they make confident assertions.
8 Now we know that the law is good if anyone uses it lawfully,
9 understanding this: that law is not made for the righteous but for lawless and disobedient, for ungodly and sinners, for unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers or mothers, for murderers,
10 for sexually immoral persons, for sodomites, for enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever is contrary to sound doctrine,
11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which has been entrusted to me.

Paul’s Testimony

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who enabled me, because he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
13 though formerly I was a blasphemer and persecutor and insolent, yet I obtained mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;
14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
15 Faithful is the saying and worthy of all acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first.
16 But for that reason I obtained mercy, so that in me as foremost the Christ Jesus might display all his patience, as an example to those who would believe on him for eternal life.

Doxology

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Charge & Warnings

18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, according to the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
19 having as a firm hold the faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith.
20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.