The Epistles · Chapter 1 of 6

1 Timothy 1

Paul charges Timothy to stay in Ephesus and stop those teaching false doctrine and endless speculation, reminding him the goal of instruction is love from a pure heart and sincere faith. The law is good when rightly used, exposing sin. Paul then marvels at the mercy shown to him, once a blasphemer and persecutor, for Christ Jesus came to save sinners, of whom Paul calls himself chief.

What happens in 1 Timothy 1

Paul greets Timothy, his son in the faith, and recalls asking him to remain at Ephesus to charge some to teach no other doctrine and to stop heeding fables and endless genealogies that breed questions rather than godly edifying. The aim of all instruction, he says, is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith, from which some have swerved into empty talk, wanting to teach the law without understanding it. The law is good if used lawfully, made not for the righteous but to expose the lawless and every sin contrary to sound doctrine.

Paul then breaks into thanksgiving to Christ Jesus, who counted him faithful though he had been a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent man. He obtained mercy because he acted in ignorance and unbelief. He states the faithful saying that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom he is chief. A doxology to the King eternal follows, and Paul commits to Timothy the charge to war a good warfare, unlike Hymenaeus and Alexander.

1 Timothy 1 in context

First Timothy is one of the Pastoral Epistles, written by Paul to his younger colleague whom he had left in charge at Ephesus. The city's church was troubled by false teachers promoting speculative myths, genealogies, and a distorted use of the law.

Paul writes to guide Timothy in ordering the church and confronting error. This opening chapter sets the tone, contrasting fruitless controversy with the true goal of love and holding up Paul's own conversion as the pattern of the gospel of grace.

Main themes of 1 Timothy 1

1 Timothy 1 (KJV)

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be 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 hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 18This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Verses to carry from 1 Timothy 1

“And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”1 Timothy 1:14

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”1 Timothy 1:15

“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”1 Timothy 1:16

Reflection

Paul never got over the mercy that reached him. Do you remember your own need of grace, or has familiarity dulled it? Naming yourself, like Paul, among those Christ came to save keeps the gospel fresh and humble. And notice his aim for every believer: not clever arguments, but love from a pure heart and a sincere faith.

A prayer from 1 Timothy 1