Paul’s Greeting to Timothy// 2 Timothy 1:1–2
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2To Timothy, my true child in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Correcting False Teachers// Titus 1:10–16
3As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines 4or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
- 1TI 1:3[FIELD NOTES]See the Artemis of the Ephesians Field Notes page. For the city of Ephesus, see Acts 19 and Ephesians.
5The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith. 6Some have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk. 7They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.
- 1TI 1:5[HEART]The goal of our teaching is love from a pure heart.
8Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. 9We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, 10for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching 11that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
- 1TI 1:10[ALLUDES TO]Refers to ← LEV 18:22; 20:13
- 1TI 1:10[NOTE]THE WORD. Homosexuals is one Greek word, arsenokoitai, also in 1 Corinthians 6:9. It joins two words found side by side in Leviticus 20:13 in the Greek Old Testament, male and bed. Most churches through history read it as men having sex with men. The KJV says them that defile themselves with mankind. Others argue it meant a narrower sin, like men who used boys or slaves, because the word is rare and its exact meaning is debated.
God’s Grace to Paul
12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service. 13I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. 14And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. 16But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
- 1TI 1:15[NOTABLE]The KJV says chief of sinners. Paul had hunted down Christians, 1:13. He does not say I was the worst. He says I am. If Jesus could save him, He can save anyone, 1:16.
18Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith. 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
- 1TI 1:20[NOTE]HANDED OVER TO SATAN. Put out of the church, back into Satan's world, so they would learn their lesson. The goal was to win them back, not destroy them. See 1 Corinthians 5:5. Hymenaeus shows up again in 2 Timothy 2:17.