Timothy was a student of Paul and 1 Timothy Chapter 1 is Paul’s first letter to him. In the letter, Paul told Timothy to stay in Ephesus, a town that was once Greek, then became Roman, and now is part of modern-day Turkey. Paul wanted Timothy to remain in Ephesus to make sure that false doctrines were not being taught there.
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Paul’s Warnings about Teachers
Paul warned that some people might want to teach but they should not because they do not know what they are teaching about. He trusted Timothy to teach the doctrine properly, which was why he insisted that he stay in Ephesus.
Paul Talks about the Law
Paul also reiterated to Timothy that the two of them knew that the law was not made for people who follow it, but for people who sought to break it. Paul listed the types of people he meant, including those who kill their parents, murderers, liars, and other criminal types.
Paul Discusses His Changed Life
Paul went on to praise God and Jesus Christ, whom he learned to follow after years of being a blasphemer and a persecutor of the followers of Jesus. Paul told Timothy that he was able to give up his hurtful and misguided ways through the mercy of the Lord.
Paul then reminded Timothy that Jesus came to earth to save sinners and that he, Paul, was certainly one of the chief sinners. He claimed that all who follow Jesus Christ will find everlasting life.
Paul Continues Encouraging Timothy
After he praised God again, Paul told Timothy (who he refers to as his son) to continue on with his mission in the proper way, unlike two other early Christians named Alexander and Hymenaeus. In Paul’s eyes, these two men had begun to blaspheme so Paul gave them over to Satan. However, Paul said that casting out Alexander and Hymenaeus was not necessarily permanent, but was meant as a chastisement.
1 Timothy 1 (King James Version)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.