Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s chosen ones and [to lead and encourage them to recognize and pursue] the knowledge of the truth which leads to godliness,

sound message beyond reproach, in order that {an opponent} may be put to shame, [because he] has nothing bad to say concerning us.

Urge bond-servants to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing and not talk back,