1 Timothy 1

Greeting

1 Paul, a an apostle of Christ Jesus b by command of c God our Savior and of Christ Jesus d our hope,

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

Warning Against False Teachers

3 g As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not h to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor i to devote themselves to myths and endless j genealogies, which promote k speculations rather than the stewardship 1 from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love l that issues from a pure heart and m a good conscience and n a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by o swerving from these, have wandered away into p vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, q without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

8 Now we know that r the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the s law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, 2 liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to t sound 3 doctrine, 11 in accordance with u the gospel of the glory of v the blessed God w with which I have been entrusted.

Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners

12 I thank him x who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, y appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, z persecutor, and insolent opponent. But a I received mercy b because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and c the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the d faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is e trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus f came into the world to save sinners, g of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To h the King of ages, i immortal, j invisible, k the only God, l be honor and glory forever and ever. 4 Amen.

18 This charge m I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with n the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may o wage the good warfare, 19 p holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have q made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are r Hymenaeus and s Alexander, whom I t have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to u blaspheme.

  1. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:1
    Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:
  2. Cross References
    Titus 1:3
    And at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior.
    Romans 16:26
    But has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith -
  3. Cross References
    Luke 1:47
    And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
  4. Cross References
    Colossians 1:27
    To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
  5. Cross References
    Titus 1:4
    To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
  6. Cross References
    2 Timothy 1:2
    To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
    2 John 1:3
    Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.
    Jude 1:2
    May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
  7. Cross References
    Titus 1:5
    This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you -
  8. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:3
    If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness.
    Galatians 1:6 - 7
    I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel -
  9. Cross References
    1 Timothy 4:7
    Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness.
    2 Timothy 4:4
    And will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
    Titus 1:14
    Not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.
    2 Peter 1:16
    For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
  10. Cross References
    Titus 3:9
    But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
  11. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:4
    He is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions.
  12. Cross References
    2 Timothy 2:22
    So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
  13. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:16
    Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
    1 Peter 3:21
    Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  14. Cross References
    Romans 12:9
    Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
    2 Timothy 1:5
    I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
  15. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:21
    For by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
  16. Cross References
    Titus 1:10
    For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
  17. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:4
    He is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions.
    Colossians 2:18
    Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind.
  18. Cross References
    Romans 7:16
    Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.
  19. Cross References
    Galatians 5:23
    Gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
  20. Cross References
    2 Timothy 4:3
    For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.
    1 Timothy 6:3
    If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness.
    2 Timothy 1:13
    Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
    Titus 1:13
    This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.
    Titus 2:2
    Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.
  21. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:4
    In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
  22. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:15
    Which he will display at the proper time - he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
  23. Cross References
    Titus 1:3
    And at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior.
    Romans 2:16
    On that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
    Galatians 2:7
    On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised
  24. Cross References
    Acts 9:22
    But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
    Philippians 4:13
    I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
  25. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:6
    Who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
  26. Cross References
    Acts 8:3
    But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
  27. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:25
    Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.
    2 Corinthians 4:1
    Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
  28. Cross References
    Acts 3:17
    And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
  29. Cross References
    Romans 5:20
    Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.
  30. Cross References
    Luke 7:47
    Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven - for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.
    Luke 7:50
    And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace.
    1 Thessalonians 1:3
    Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
  31. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:1
    The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
    1 Timothy 4:9
    The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.
    2 Timothy 2:11
    The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him.
    Titus 3:8
    The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
    Revelation 22:6
    And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.
  32. Cross References
    Matthew 9:13
    Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
    John 3:17
    For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
    Romans 4:25
    Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
  33. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:9
    For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
  34. Cross References
    Psalms 10:16
    The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land.
    Revelation 4:9 - 10
    And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever.
  35. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:15 - 16
    Which he will display at the proper time - he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
    Romans 1:23
    And exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
  36. Cross References
    John 1:18
    No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
    Colossians 1:15
    He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
    Hebrews 11:27
    By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
    1 John 4:12
    No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
  37. Cross References
    Jude 1:25
    To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
  38. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 29:11
    Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.
  39. Cross References
    2 Timothy 2:2
    And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
  40. Cross References
    1 Timothy 4:14
    Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
  41. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:7
    Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
    2 Corinthians 10:4
    For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
    2 Timothy 2:3 - 4
    Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
    1 Timothy 6:12
    Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
  42. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:9
    They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
  43. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:9
    But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
  44. Cross References
    2 Timothy 2:17
    And their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus.
  45. Cross References
    2 Timothy 4:14
    Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
  46. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:5
    You are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
  47. Cross References
    Acts 13:45
    But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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