1 Timothy 1:12–20

PAUL’S TESTIMONY

¹²I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened^x me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry—¹³even though I was formerly a blasphemer,^y a persecutor,^z and an arrogant man.^aa But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, ¹⁴and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵This saying is trustworthy^ab and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world^ac to save sinners”^ad—and I am the worst of them.^{ae 16}But I received mercy^af for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience^ag as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life.^{ah 17}Now to the King^ai eternal,^aj immortal,^ak invisible, the only^B God,^al be honor^am and glory^an forever and ever. Amen.^ao

ENGAGE IN BATTLE

¹⁸Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies^ap previously made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight, ¹⁹having faith^aq and a good conscience,^ar which some^as have rejected and have shipwrecked their faith. ²⁰Among them are Hymenaeus^at and Alexander,^au whom I have delivered to Satan,^av so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.