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16 But for that very reason I was treated mercifully, so that in me Jesus Christ might exhibit his inexhaustible patience, making me an example for those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God,[a] be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

18 Never Falsify the Gospel. To you, Timothy, my child, I am giving these instructions in accordance with those prophecies once made about you,[b] so that by following them you may fight the good fight

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 1:17 Immortal, invisible, the only God: here again Paul gives the true God titles used in pagan worship; see vv. 1 and 11.
  2. 1 Timothy 1:18 Prophecies . . . about you: Timothy received his investiture as an apostle in the presence of prophets, that is, charismatic individuals who had the gift of guiding the faithful along their way to God or of calling men to the missionary apostolate (see 1 Cor 12:28-29; Acts 13:1-3; Eph 3:5).
    Fight the good fight: the Christian life is one long struggle against (1) Satan (see 2 Cor 2:11; Eph 6:11-12); (2) the flesh (see Rom 7:23; Gal 5:17; 1 Pet 2:11); (3) the world (see Jn 16:33; 1 Jn 5:4f); and (4) death (see 1 Cor 15:26; Heb 2:14f). Christians are called upon to be filled with faith and to use the armaments of faith (see Eph 6:14-18), and to be vigilant (see 1 Pet 5:8). Through Christ, they will attain the final victory with its eternal rewards (see Rom 16:20; 2 Tim 4:8; Rev 2:17; 3:5; 21:7).