Traditionally, it is believed Paul the Apostle wrote this letter to Timothy after he was released from house arrest in Rome around AD 63. Paul was in Macedonia, and he wrote to encourage Timothy to stay in Ephesus so he could stand up against false teachings. Verse 5 says, "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." These false teachers were trying to teach the law, but they did not know it, and Paul explained that the law is good if it is used properly, but the main reason for the law is to reveal our sinfulness. Then Paul gave thanks that the Lord was merciful to him because he used to be a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent man, but God's grace was poured out on him, and he is no longer that way. Then Paul said that if God's mercy can be poured out like that on my life who was the "worst of sinners," then God's grace and mercy can be pour out on anyone's life. This chapter ends with Paul encouraging Timothy, his son in the faith, to be faithful and fight the good fight, "holding on to faith and a good conscience." The unfaithful men, Hymenaeus and Alexander have shipwrecked lives as long as they are not walking in the truth.
