1:1 Paul, an Ambassador of Jesus the Anointed, according to the divine command of God our Savior and Master Jesus the Anointed, our hope,

1:2 To Timothy, a genuine member of the faith:Favor, compassion, and peace from God the Father and Anointed Jesus our master.

1:3 Just as I encouraged you when we were going into Macedonia, stay in Ephesus in order to direct some of them not to spread contrary teachings,

1:4 and to stop being obsessed with made-up stories and never-ending genealogies. These lead to uncertainty instead of trust in the orderly planning of God.

1:5 The intended outcome of this directive is love from a clean heart, a good conscience, and a faith that isn’t pedantic.

1:6 Some have gone off-course from this into empty rhetoric,

1:7 determined to be respected teachers of the law but having no idea what they’re talking about and so strongly asserting.

1:8 Now of course the law is fine if it’s handled properly.

1:9 But we need to keep in mind that it isn’t laid down for decent people but for the lawless and rebellious, the irreverent and errant, those who malign and profane, who would murder even their own parents,

1:10 the promiscuous, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and anything else that is against wholesome teaching.

1:11 This is in keeping with the Gospel of the majestic and blessed God, with which I was entrusted.

1:12 I am grateful to the one empowering me— our Master Jesus the Anointed— for considering me trustworthy enough to be placed into his service.

1:13 I used to be irreverent; I persecuted and was arrogant. But I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

1:14 Yet the favor of our Master abounded with the faith and love that are in Anointed Jesus.

1:15 This saying is trustworthy and acceptable in every way: Jesus came into the world to save the errant— of which I am the supreme example.

1:16 But I was shown mercy so that in me, the supreme example, Jesus the Anointed could demonstrate his limitless patience, as a prototype of those who would put their trust in him for eternal life.

1:17 So to the King of the Ages, the immortal, invisible, and only God, let there be the greatest honor for ever and ever; absolutely!

1:18 Timothy, my child, here is the charge I lay before you: In accordance with the prior prophecies pronounced over you, be a good soldier in this war.

1:19 Do this with faithfulness and a clean conscience— from which some have shoved off and shipwrecked, as far as the faith is concerned.

1:20 Two such people are Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I handed over to the Adversary to be schooled not to slander.