1 Timothy 1:18-20

Timothy should be a good leader in the church

18 Timothy, you are like my own child. So now I am telling you to serve God well. Remember the words from God that people spoke about you, when you became a servant of God. Those words will help you to be strong, like a soldier who fights well. 19 You must continue to trust God. Always do what you know to be right. Some people have refused to do what is right, even when they know what they should do. As a result, they no longer believe God's true message. 20 Hymenaeus and Alexander are people like that. I have given them to Satan so that he may punish them. Then they will learn not to say bad things against God any more.

1:18Some Christian leaders had prayed for Timothy before Paul wrote this letter. See 1 Timothy 4:14. They had spoken words from God to Timothy. Perhaps God had said that he would make Timothy strong. Timothy needed to be strong so that he could be a Christian leader.
1:18Timothy did not have to fight anyone. Paul did not mean that. He meant that Timothy had to be strong and brave, like a soldier. Then he could teach the true Christian message.
1:20Paul had told Hymenaeus and Alexander to leave the church. He wanted them to become ashamed of themselves. He hoped that they would learn to obey God.