1 Timothy1
New King James Version
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
2To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.
5Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,
6from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk,
7desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
8But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,
9knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,
11according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
13although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
15This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
16However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
18This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
19having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,
20of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Timothy 1.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle salutes Timothy. (1–4). The design of the law as given by Moses. (5–11). Of his own conversion and call to the apostleship. (12–17). The obligation to maintain faith and a good conscience. (18–20).
vv1-4
Jesus Christ is a Christian's hope; all our hopes of eternal life are built upon him; and Christ is in us the hope of glory. The apostle seems to have been the means of Timothy's conversion; who served with him in his ministry, as a dutiful son with a loving father. That which raises questions, is not for edifying; that which gives occasion for doubtful disputes, pulls down the church rather than builds it up. Godliness of heart and life can only be kept up and increased, by the exercise of faith in the truths and promises of God, through Jesus Christ.
vv5-11
Whatever tends to weaken love to God, or love to the brethren, tends to defeat the end of the commandment. The design of the gospel is answered, when sinners, through repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ, are brought to exercise Christian love. And as believers were righteous persons in God's appointed way, the law was not against them. But unless we are made righteous by faith in Christ, really repenting and forsaking sin, we are yet under the curse of the law, even according to the gospel of the blessed God, and are unfit to share the holy happiness of heaven.
vv12-17
The apostle knew that he would justly have perished, if the Lord had been extreme to mark what was amiss; and also if his grace and mercy had not been abundant to him when dead in sin, working faith and love to Christ in his heart. This is a faithful saying; these are true and faithful words, which may be depended on, That the Son of God came into the world, willingly and purposely to save sinners. No man, with Paul's example before him, can question the love and power of Christ to save him, if he really desires to trust in him as the Son of God, who once died on the cross, and now reigns upon the throne of glory, to save all that come to God through him. Let us then admire and praise the grace of God our Saviour; and ascribe to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three Persons in the unity of the Godhead, the glory of all done in, by, and for us.
Key Words
Παῦλος (Paûlos): (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle
ἀπόστολος (apóstolos): a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers)
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
κατά (katá): (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἐπιταγή (epitagḗ): an injunction or decree; by implication, authoritativeness
θεός (theós): figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
ἡμῶν (hēmōn): of (or from) us
σωτήρ (sōtḗr): a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
1 Timothy 1Paul charges Timothy to check those who teach 'other doctrine,' mirroring his severe warning to Galatian churches.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's self-reproach as 'chief' of sinners echoes his confession here as the least of the apostles.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Christ Jesus explicitly as 'our hope' or 'the hope of glory' for believers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The purpose of the law; it was added because of transgressions, not for the righteous.
Supported by JFB
Paul's detailed personal account of his violent career as a persecutor and blasphemer before Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The apostolic practice of delivering unrepentant sinners to Satan for discipline and ultimate restoration.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Paul affirms Timothy's spiritual sonship, calling him his beloved and faithful son.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Paul warns Timothy again in this same epistle to refuse profane and old wives' fables.
Supported by JFB
Exhorts Timothy to avoid profane babblings and oppositions of science falsely so called.
Supported by JFB
Love/charity is identified as the fulfillment and end of the commandments of the law.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The necessity of holding fast the form of 'sound words' or 'sound doctrine'.
Supported by JFB
Paul uses the same military metaphor, having successfully 'fought a good fight' himself.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the unique salutation phrasing of 'God our Saviour' committing the gospel to trust.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the use of 'the commandment of the everlasting God' in commissioning apostolic ministry.
Supported by JFB
Warns Titus against the very same 'Jewish fables' and commandments of men.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Alexander the coppersmith as one who did Paul much evil, likely the same Alexander.
Supported by JFB