E. Challenge to Timothy (1:18-20)

The use of son returns the reader to the earlier section and reminds Timothy of his resources in God; his relationship with God, Christ, and Paul; and his responsibility to promote love not controversy. Instruction is translated “command” in 1:5. The unspecified prophecies were to give encouragement to Timothy in the fight (v.18). Timothy must possess faith and a good conscience. This warfare is serious business as illustrated by Hymenaeus (2Ti 2:17) and Alexander (2Ti 4:14), who refused to listen to their conscience and wrecked their faith. Handed over to Satan probably indicates that they were cast out of the church (see Mt 18:17) as part of church discipline. To be taught is better translated “to be disciplined or corrected,” in keeping with church discipline, which seeks to redeem the sinner, not merely to punish (see 1Co 5:5). Note that Paul had been a blasphemer (1:13).