1 Timothy 1:15

1:15 This saying ¹  is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them! ² 

1 Timothy 1:18

1:18 I put this charge ³  before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you, ⁴  in order that with such encouragement ⁵  you may fight the good fight.

[1:15]  ¹ tn Grk “the saying,” referring to the following citation (see 1 Tim 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11; Titus 3:8 for other occurrences of this phrase).

[1:15]  ² tn Grk “of whom I am the first.”

[1:18]  ³ sn This charge refers to the task Paul described to Timothy in vv. 3-7 above.

[1:18]  ⁴ sn The prophecies once spoken about you were apparently spoken at Timothy’s ordination (cf. 1 Tim 4:14) and perhaps spoke of what God would do through him. Thus they can encourage him in his work, as the next clause says.

[1:18]  ⁵ tn Grk “that by them you might fight…” (a reference to the prophecies which can encourage him in his work).