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1 Timothy Chapter 1

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 20 Verses

What is 1 Timothy 1 about?

Paul's instructions to Timothy on church leadership, sound doctrine, and conduct in God's household. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our hope;
2unto Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine,
4neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith; [so do I now].
5But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:
6from which things some having swerved have turned aside unto vain talking;
7desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm.
8But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully,
9as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;
11according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12I thank him that enabled me, [even] Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to [his] service;
13though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;
14and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15Faithful is the 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 as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life.
17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
18This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou mayest war the good warfare;
19holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith:
20of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
1 Timothy 2 →

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, etc.] His name was well known to Timothy, and very dear to him; and so was his office as an apostle, and which he mentions, not so much for Timothy's sake, but for the sake of others, that what he delivers in this epistle might come with its proper weight and authority, and be regarded: of this his office, as well as name, (see Gill on “ <450101>Romans 1:1”). How he came into this office next follows, not of himself, nor by men, but by the commandment of God; the appointment and decree of God, by which he was separated to this office, even from eternity, and is the same with the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“ADDRESS: PAUL'S DESIGN IN HAVING LEFT TIMOTHY AT EPHESUS, NAMELY, TO CHECK FALSE TEACHERS; TRUE USE OF THE LAW; HARMONIZING WITH THE GOSPEL; GOD'S GRACE IN CALLING PAUL, ONCE A BLASPHEMER, TO EXPERIENCE AND TO PREACH IT; CHARGES TO TIMOTHY. (1Ti. 1:1-20) by the commandment of God--the authoritative injunction, as well as the commission, of God. In the earlier Epistles the phrase is, "by the will of God." Here it is expressed in a manner implying that a necessity was laid on him to act as an apostle, not that it was merely at his option. The same expression occurs in the doxology, probably written long after the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ; - see the notes on Romans 1:1. By the commandment of God - See the notes at 1 Corinthians 1:1. Our Saviour - The name Saviour is as applicable to God the Father as to the Lord Jesus Christ, since God is the great Author of salvation; see the notes, Luke 1:47; compare 1 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:10; Jude 1:25. And Lord Jesus Christ - The apostle Paul had received his commission directly from him; see the notes, Galatians 1:11-12. Which is our hope - See the notes at Colossians 1:27. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Paul an apostle - Familiarity is to be set aside where the things of God are concerned. According to the commandment of God - The authoritative appointment of God the Father. Our Saviour - So styled in many other places likewise, as being the grand orderer of the whole scheme of our salvation. And Christ our hope - That is, the author, object, and ground, of all our hope. 1 Timothy 1:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“1:1-2 This opening has the standard components of a letter: sender, recipient, and greeting. Additions to the basic pattern underscore Paul’s authoritative message (see also Rom 1:1-7; 1 Cor 1:1-3; Gal 1:1-5; Titus 1:1-4). 1:1 Our Savior, here used of God, applies equally to Christ Jesus (1:15; 2:3-4; see 2 Tim 1:9-10; Titus 1:3-4; 2:10, 13). • Hope is based on God in contrast to other objects such as wealth (1 Tim 4:10; 5:5; 6:17).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“an apostle: Rom 1:1; Co1 1:1 by: Ti1 2:7; Act 9:15, Act 26:16-18; Co1 9:17; Gal 1:1, Gal 1:11; Ti2 1:11; Tit 1:3 God: Ti1 2:3, Ti1 4:10; Psa 106:21; Isa 12:2, Isa 43:3, Isa 43:11, Isa 45:15, Isa 45:21, Isa 49:26, Isa 60:16, Isa 63:8; Hos 13:4; Luk 1:47, Luk 2:11; Ti2 1:10; Tit 1:3, Tit 2:10, Tit 2:13, Tit 3:4, Tit 3:6; Pe2 1:1; Jo1 4:14; Jde 1:25 is: Rom 15:12, Rom 15:13; Col 1:27; Th2 2:16; Pe1 1:3, Pe1 1:21 1 Timothy 1:2”
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