1 Timothy 1: Mercy for Sinners

1 Timothy 1 opens with the name Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, writing to Timothy, his true child in faith. Paul asks Timothy to stay at Ephesus and stop false teaching. The goal is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Paul thanks Christ Jesus for showing him mercy, though he once persecuted believers. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and Paul calls himself the chief. He praises the King eternal and urges Timothy to hold on to faith and a good conscience.

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World English Bible · 20 verses

¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ But the goal of this command is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned away to vain talking,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say nor about what they strongly affirm.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ But we know that the law is good if a person uses it lawfully,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ although I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ I commit this instruction to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they might be taught not to blaspheme.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

1 Timothy 1 · Preschool

Grace From Jesus

Name Date

Color Paul's letter to Timothy!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 1:14 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: Jesus was kind to Paul and forgave him. Thank Jesus for His kindness to you.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

1 Timothy 1 · Grade 4

Christ Came to Save Sinners

Name Date

Read and Think

The first verse names the writer: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ. The next verse says the letter is to Timothy, my true child in faith. Paul had asked Timothy to stay in Ephesus. Some people were teaching a different message and arguing about myths.

Paul writes: But the goal of this command is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Some had turned away from this to empty talk. Paul explains that God's law is good, and it is for those who do wrong.

Paul thanks Christ Jesus, who gave him strength and trusted him to serve. Once he spoke against God and persecuted believers. But he obtained mercy. Paul writes: The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Jesus showed patience to Paul as an example for others who would believe. Paul praises God, the King eternal.

Show What You Know

How does Paul describe Timothy?
Where did Paul ask Timothy to stay?
What is the goal of the command?
What did Paul do before he obtained mercy?
Why did Christ Jesus come into the world?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

faithloveGodsavemercy

The next verse says the letter is to Timothy, my true child in .
Paul writes: But the goal of this command is from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.
Once he spoke against and persecuted believers.
But he obtained .
Paul writes: The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to sinners, of whom I am chief.

Think About It

Paul calls himself the chief of sinners, yet Jesus forgave him. How does Paul's story give hope to anyone who feels too bad to be forgiven?
Paul says the goal is love from a pure heart. What does it look like to love someone with a pure heart?

Memory Verse

“The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

1 Timothy 1:15 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for Jesus who came to save sinners. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

When you have done wrong, why can you still run to Jesus?
How can God use mistakes?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

1 Timothy 1 · Grade 5

The King Eternal

Name Date

Read and Think

The letter opens: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ our hope. It is written to Timothy, my true child in faith. Paul reminds Timothy why he asked him to stay at Ephesus: to command certain people not to teach a different doctrine or to pay attention to myths and endless family lists, which cause arguments.

Paul states the purpose of his instruction: But the goal of this command is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Some have missed the mark and turned to empty talk. They want to be teachers of the law but do not understand it. Paul agrees that the law is good when used properly, for it shows what is wrong.

Paul then gives his own story. He thanks Christ Jesus, who enabled him and counted him faithful. Paul had been a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent, but he obtained mercy, and grace overflowed to him. He writes: The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Jesus displayed His patience in Paul as an example for future believers. Paul bursts into praise: Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. He urges Timothy to fight well, holding faith and a good conscience, since some have turned away from the faith.

Show What You Know

By whose commandment is Paul an apostle?
What were some people paying attention to?
What three words describe Paul's past?
Why did Jesus display patience in Paul?
What should Timothy hold on to?

Crossword

Across

Now to the ____ eternal, immortal, invisible
However, I obtained ____ because I did

Down

world to save ____, of whom I
be honor and ____ forever and ever.

Think About It

Paul's past did not stop God from using him. How can God use someone's past mistakes for His glory?
Paul bursts into praise when he remembers God's mercy. What has God done for you that makes you want to praise Him?

Memory Verse

“The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

1 Timothy 1:15 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for Jesus who came to save sinners. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What makes you praise God?
How can you keep a good conscience?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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1 Timothy 1: Mercy for Sinners

Read 1 Timothy 1

Worksheets

Grace From Jesus

Prayer

Take It Home

Jesus Saves

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Mercy for Paul

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Prayer

Take It Home

Jesus Came to Save

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Paul Received Mercy

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Mercy for Paul

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Christ Came to Save Sinners

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

The King Eternal

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

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