Misleadings in Doctrine and Living
1 Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus by the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed) our Hope [the fulfillment of our salvation],
2 to Timothy, my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 As I urged you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain individuals not to teach any different doctrines,
4 nor to pay attention to legends (fables, myths) and endless genealogies, which give rise to useless speculationandmeaningless arguments rather than advancing God’s programof instructionwhich is grounded in faith [and requires surrendering the entire self to God in absolute trust and confidence].
5 But the goal of our instruction is love [which springs] from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
6 Some individuals have wandered away from these things into empty argumentsanduseless discussions,
7 wanting to be teachers of the Law [of Moses], even though they do not understand the terms they use or the subjects about which they make [such] confident declarations.
8 Now we know [without any doubt] that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfullyandappropriately,
9 understanding the fact that law is not enacted for the righteous person [the one in right standing with God], but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinful, for the irreverent and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,
10 for sexually immoral persons, for homosexuals, forkidnappersandslave traders, for liars, for perjurers–and for whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,
11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has granted me [the needed] strengthandmade me able for this, because He considered me faithfulandtrustworthy, putting me into service [for this ministry],
13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer [of our Lord] and a persecutor [of His church] and a shamefulandoutrageousandviolent aggressor [toward believers]. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief.
14 The grace of our Lord [His amazing, unmerited favor and blessing] flowed out in superabundance [for me, together] with the faith and love which are [realized] in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithfulandtrustworthy statement, deserving full acceptanceandapproval, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost.
16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an exampleorpattern for those whowould believe in Him for eternal life.
17 Now to the King of the ages [eternal], immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, so that [inspired and aided] by them you may fight the good fight [in contending with false teachers],
19 keeping your faith [leaning completely on God with absolute trust and confidence in His guidance] and having a good conscience; for some [people] have rejected [their moral compass] and have made a shipwreck of their faith.
20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I havehanded over to Satan, so that they will be disciplinedandtaught not to blaspheme.