1 Timothy 1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the command of God our Saviour, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope,

2 To Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

False teaching, misuse of the law of Moses

3 As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so you can command some not to teach any other doctrine,

1:3 It would appear from this that Timothy was a leader in the church at Ephesus and probably the principal leader (about matters concerning the church there Paul writes only to him). He had authority to forbid false teaching in the Church. “Any other doctrine” means teachings contrary to the truth Christ revealed to His apostles. By the authority God gave them the apostles taught this truth, and it was very important for all Christians to believe it (compare 1 Tim 4:16; Gal 1:6-12; Rom 6:17; Jude 3).

God has appointed pastors and elders to be overseers of the church (Acts 20:28-31). They must not permit teachings contrary to God’s revealed truth to be taught to Christians in their care. If they do permit them, they are being traitors to the faith and a cause of great harm to the churches. Today’s Christians, like the Christians in the first century, are to be devoted to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42). In the three letters written to Titus and Timothy there is much emphasis on sound doctrines and teaching – see v 10; 1 Tim 4:6, 13, 16; 5:17; 6:1, 3; 2 Tim 3:10, 16; 4:2-3; Titus 1:9; 2:1, 7, 10.⚜

4 or pay attention to empty stories and endless genealogies, which cause debates instead of godly edification, which comes by faith. 5 Now the purpose of this command is love from a pure heart and from a good conscience and from sincere faith. 6 From these some have veered off and turned aside to useless talk.

1:6 Verse 5 gives the heart of the Christianity God wants people to experience. It is a sad truth that today also many professing Christians turn to “useless talk” and ignore these vital matters.⚜

7 They desire to be teachers of the Law but do not understand either what they say, or what they affirm.

The right use of the law

8 But we know that the Law is good, if a man uses it lawfully, 9 knowing that the Law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for killers, 10 for sexually immoral men, for those who practice sodomy, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine 11 that is according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.

1:11 Observe what Paul means by sound doctrine. True teaching will conform to Christ’s gospel; false teaching will be contrary to it.⚜

Paul saved by God’s grace

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, for he counted me faithful and put me into the ministry, 13 me who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and harmful. But I obtained mercy because I did so in ignorance, in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant toward me together with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

The chief of sinners

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and worthy of all acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

An example of mercy

16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might display complete patience, as a pattern for those who would afterwards believe on him for everlasting life.

1:16 By showing mercy and saving Paul, the chief of sinners, Christ has shown that He can save any sinner. No one should despair thinking he is too bad and beyond the reach of Christ’s grace and power.⚜

Praise to God for this

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1:12-17 Paul shows how the “glorious gospel” worked in his case and gives thanks and glory to the “blessed God” whose gospel it is. He knew in his own life that the gospel is the power of God for salvation – Rom 1:16. He did not try to preach to others truth he had not experienced himself (as some do).⚜

Fighting the good spiritual fight

18 This charge I set before you, son Timothy, in accordance with previous prophecies concerning you, that by them you might fight a good fight,

The spiritual shipwreck of some Christians

19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have cast these away and made shipwreck concerning the faith.

1:19 Verse 5. Observe the connection between faith and a good conscience. That is, between faith and avoidance of sin. The only way to a good conscience is to refuse to do what conscience forbids.⚜

20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have given over to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1:20 Paul did not hesitate to name individuals when he thought churches should be warned against them. See also 2 Tim 2:17; 4:14-15.⚜