Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
1 Timothy 1
Greeting
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope, to Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Charge Certain People Not to Teach Differently
Just as I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach different doctrine or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than God’s stewardship that is by trust. The goal of the command is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere trust. Some have wandered away from these things and turned aside to empty talk, wanting to be teachers of the Law, though they understand neither what they are saying nor the things they confidently insist on.
The Law Is Good When Used Lawfully
But we know that the Law is good if someone uses it lawfully, knowing this: law is not laid down for a righteous person but for the lawless and rebellious, the ungodly and sinners, the unholy and profane, those who strike fathers and mothers, murderers, sexually immoral people, men who have sex with men, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is opposed to sound teaching, according to the glorious good news of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted.
Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who strengthened me, because he considered me trustworthy and appointed me to service, though I formerly was a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent man. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed with the trust and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost. But for this reason I received mercy: so that in me, the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who were going to trust in him for eternal life. Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Fight the Good Fight
Timothy, my child, I entrust this command to you according to the prophecies previously made about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight, holding on to trust and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and suffered shipwreck concerning the faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme.