1 Timothy 1:18–20

1:18 I put this charge25 before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you,26 in order that with such encouragement27 you may fight the good fight. 1:19 To do this28 you must hold firmly to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith. 1:20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan29 to be taught not to blaspheme.

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25	sn This charge refers to the task Paul described to Timothy in vv. 3–7 above.
26	sn The prophecies once spoken about you were apparently spoken at Timothy’s ordination (cf. 1 Tim 4:14) and perhaps spoke of what God would do through him. Thus they can encourage him in his work, as the next clause says.
27	tn Grk “that by them you might fight …” (a reference to the prophecies which can encourage him in his work).
28	tn In Greek this continues the same sentence from v. 18, a participle showing the means by which Timothy will accomplish his task: Grk “fight the good fight, holding firmly …”
29	sn The expression handed over to Satan refers to an act of discipline mentioned by Paul here and in 1 Cor 5:5, with a remedial goal, not a punitive one. The Greek word translated taught in this verse is used of “discipline, training of children” to lead them to correct behavior.