1 Timothy 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus—by injunction of God our Saviour and Christ Jesus our hope, —

This letter comes from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus appointed by the authority of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who is our hope.

2 unto Timothy, my true child in faith: favour, mercy, peace, from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I'm sending it to you Timothy. You are my true son because of your trust in God. May you have grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 Even as I exhorted thee to remain in Ephesus, when I was journeying into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some—

When I was on my way to Macedonia I asked you to stay behind in Ephesus, so that you could speak with those who teach false ideas and insist that they stop.

4 Not to be teaching otherwise, nor yet to be giving heed to stories and endless genealogies, —the which, bring, arguings, rather than that stewardship of God which is with faith; —

They shouldn't concern themselves with legends and never-ending obsessions about ancestry. Such ideas only lead to pointless debates, instead of understanding God as we trust in him.

5 Now, the end of the charge, is love—out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned, —

The reason why I insist on this is so we may have love that comes from a pure heart, from a clear conscience and sincere trust in God.

6 Which some, missing, have turned them aside unto idle talk,

Some have deviated from these things, and have ended up talking nonsense.

7 Desiring to be law-teachers, —not understanding, either what they say or whereof they confidently affirm.

They have ambitions to be teachers of the law, but they have no idea what they're talking about or what they're so boldly announcing!

8 Now we know that, excellent, is the law, if one put it to a lawful use: —

Now we recognize that the law is good if people use it properly.

9 Knowing this—that, to a righteous man, law, doth not apply, but to the lawless and insubordinate, ungodly and sinful, irreligious and profane, smiters of fathers and smiters of mothers, murderers,

We also know that law isn't laid down for those who do what is good and right, but for those who are rebellious and ignore the law. It applies to people who have no use for God, who are sinful, who treat nothing as holy and are completely irreligious. It's for those who kill fathers and mothers, for murderers,

10 fornicators, sodomites, man-stealers, liars, false- swearers, —and, if anything else, unto the healthful teaching, is opposed; —

for those who are sexually immoral, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, false witnesses—and anything else that's opposed to good teachings

11 According to the glad-message of the glory of the happy God, with which entrusted am, I.

as determined by the wonderful good news of our blessed God which he entrusted to me.

12 Grateful, am I unto him that empowered me, Christ Jesus our Lord, in that, faithful, he accounted me, putting me into ministry, —

I'm just so grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord for the strength he's given me, and that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to work for him.

13 Though, formerly, a defamer, and persecutor, and insulter; nevertheless mercy was shown me, because, without knowledge, I acted, in unbelief:

Even though I used to insult God, and persecuted and abused God's people, God showed me mercy because of my ignorance and unbelief.

14 Yet exceeding abundant was the favour of our Lord, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

Our Lord in his grace filled me to overflowing with trust and love that comes from Christ Jesus.

15 Faithful, the saying! and, of all acceptance, worthy, —that, Christ Jesus, came into the world, sinners, to save: of whom, the chief, am, I;—

You can trust this saying that everyone should accept: “Christ Jesus came to this world to save sinners,” and I'm the worst of them.

16 Nevertheless, on this account, was mercy shewn me, —that, in me, the chief, Christ Jesus might shew forth his entire longsuffering, for an ensample of them about to believe on him unto life age-abiding. (aiōnios g166)

For this reason I was shown mercy—since I'm the worst sinner, Jesus Christ could demonstrate his infinite patience as an example to those who choose to trust in him and gain eternal life. (aiōnios g166)

17 Now, unto the King of the ages, —incorruptible, invisible, alone God, be honour and glory, unto the ages of ages, Amen! (aiōn g165)

Honor and glory forever and ever to the eternal King, the immortal, invisible, and only God! Amen. (aiōn g165)

18 This charge, I commit unto thee, child Timothy, According to the prophecies, running before on thee, in order that thou mightest war, with them, the noble warfare.

These are the instructions I want to give to you, Timothy, my son, following the prophecies that brought you this far, so you can fight the good fight!

19 Holding faith and a good conscience, —which some, thrusting from them, concerning their faith, have made shipwreck: —

Keep on trusting God and make sure you have a clear conscience. Some have refused to do this and have shipwrecked their trust in God.

20 Of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may be taught by discipline not to be defaming.

Hymenaeus and Alexander are such people, and I have “handed them over to Satan” to teach them not to misrepresent God.