1 Timothy 1:1–14

1 Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the command of God our Saviour, and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 to Timotheus, my true child in faith: grace, mercy, peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 Even as I begged thee to remain in Ephesus, when I was going to Macedonia, that thou mightest enjoin some not to teach other doctrines, 4 nor to turn their minds to fables and interminable genealogies, which bring questionings rather than further God’s dispensation, which is in faith.

5  But the end of what is enjoined is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith; 6  which things some having missed, have turned aside to vain discourse, 7  desiring to be law-teachers, not understanding either what they say or concerning what they so strenuously affirm. 8  Now we know that the law is good if any one uses it lawfully, 9  knowing this, that law has not its application to a righteous person, but to the lawless and insubordinate, to the impious and sinful, to the unholy and profane, to smiters of fathers and smiters of mothers; to murderers, 10  fornicators, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, perjurers; and if any other thing is opposed to sound teaching, 11  according to the glad tidings of the glory of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

12  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me power, that he has counted me faithful, appointing to ministry him 13  who before was a blasphemer and persecutor, and an insolent overbearing man: but mercy was shewn me because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief. 14  But the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.