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Paul's instructions to Timothy

The aged apostle Paul wrote to his beloved young coworker Timothy, urging him to stand firm in the true teaching in the church at Ephesus. Paul warned Timothy to watch out for people who taught strange stories and endless family lists, because these only caused arguments and did not help faith. Paul explained that the law shows and restrains what is wrong, rather than placing a burden on those who walk rightly. He then remembered with gratitude that he had once blasphemed God and persecuted believers, yet the Lord Jesus Christ showed him great patience and mercy, saved him, and made him a messenger of the gospel. Paul declared with thankfulness that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and that he himself was the foremost of sinners, so that later believers could see God's boundless grace. Finally, Paul entrusted this good charge to Timothy, encouraging him to fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a clear conscience.