1 Timothy Chapter 1 — Sound Doctrine and God's Mercy
Paul instructs Timothy to guard against false teachings in Ephesus and reflects on God’s grace in his own life as an example for all believers.
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ*NU reads Christ Jesus and omits the Lord. our hope,
2to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine,
4and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith.
5But the goal of this command is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith,
6from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned away to vain talking,
7desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say nor about what they strongly affirm.
8But we know that the law is good if a person uses it lawfully,
9as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine,
11according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service,
13although I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
16However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.
17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
18I commit this instruction to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
19holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith,
20of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Timothy 1:5
“But the goal of this command is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith,”
It defines the core motivation behind Paul's instructions and the desired outcome of Christian teaching.
1 Timothy 1:15
“The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”
This verse concisely captures the essence of the Gospel and Paul's personal humility regarding his past.
Chapter Summary
In the opening chapter of this letter, Paul addresses Timothy, his protégé in Ephesus, urging him to command certain individuals to stop teaching false doctrines and focusing on myths or genealogies. Paul explains that the goal of his instruction is love stemming from a pure heart and sincere faith. He clarifies that while the law is good when used correctly, its primary purpose is to restrain the lawless and ungodly rather than the righteous. Paul then shares his personal testimony, describing himself as the chief of sinners who was once a persecutor but found mercy through Christ Jesus. He presents his transformation as evidence of God's immense patience toward those who will believe. The chapter concludes with Paul charging Timothy to persevere in the good warfare, holding fast to faith and a good conscience, unlike others like Hymenaeus and Alexander who have abandoned them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paul urged Timothy to remain in Ephesus to ensure that certain men did not teach false doctrines or focus on myths and endless genealogies. He wanted Timothy to maintain sound teaching that leads to God’s stewardship through faith rather than useless disputes.
Paul explains that the law is good if used lawfully, but it is not primarily for the righteous. Instead, it is intended to restrain and convict the lawless, the ungodly, and those whose lives are contrary to sound doctrine.
They are individuals Paul mentions who rejected faith and a good conscience, resulting in a shipwreck of their faith. Paul states he delivered them to Satan so they might be taught not to blaspheme.
Study Note
The phrase 'The saying is faithful' is one of five such formulas in the Pastoral Epistles used to highlight essential theological truths.
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