Paul's Greeting to Timothy

(2 Timothy 1:1-2)

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and Christ Jesus our hope;

2to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Warning against False Teaching

3As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine, 4neither to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God's stewardship, which is in faith— 5but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith; 6from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking; 7desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.

8But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully, 9as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine; 11according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

God's Grace to Paul

12And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service; 13although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

18This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage the good warfare; 19holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith; 20of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.