1 Timothy 1 is the first chapter of the First Epistle to Timothy in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The author has been traditionally identified as the Apostle Paul as early as AD. 180,[1][2][3] although many modern scholars consider the letter pseudepigraphical,[4] perhaps written as late as the first half of the second century CE.[5]
Verse 2
King James Version
- Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.[8]
- "my own son" or "my true son" (γνησίῳ τέκνῳ, gnēsiō teknō)
Timothy was St. Paul's own son, because he had begotten him in the gospel (1 Corinthians 4:14–16; Philemon 1:10) - his spiritual son. This is best expressed by "in the faith" (compared to Titus 1:4, where the same idea is expressed by κατὰ κοινὴν πίστιν)[9] Vulgate Latin reads: "my beloved son".
- "Grace, mercy, and peace"
This varies from the blessing at the beginning of the Epistles to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians, by the addition of the word "mercy," as in 2 Timothy 1:2 and Titus 1:4, and also in 2 John 1:3 and Jude 1:2. It seems in St. Paul to connect itself with that deeper sense of the need and of the enjoyment of mercy which went with his deepening sense of sin as he drew towards his end, and harmonizes beautifully with what he says in verses 12-16.[9]
Verses 5 to 7
New Revised Standard Version
- But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.[10]
Verse 9
King James Version
- Knowing 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,[11]
- "the lawless" (Greek: ἀνόμοις, anomois)
This is meant, not the Gentiles, which were without the written law, but people who have it, and despise and reject it, and live not according to it, but transgress it.[12]
- "the disobedient" or "the unruly" (Greek: ἀνυποτάκτοις, anypotaktois)
Referring to those who are not subject to the law: who are sons of Belial, children without the yoke; who cast the law of the Lord behind their backs; who are not, nor can they be subject to it, without the powerful and efficacious grace of God. Now the law lies upon, and against such persons, as an accusing, terrifying, cursing, and condemning law.[12]
- "the ungodly" (Greek: ἀσεβέσι, asebesi)
These are intended, such as are without God in the world, who neither fear God, nor regard man, who neglect and despise the worship of God, and say to him, "depart from us", Job 21:14.[12]
- "the sinners" (Greek: ἁμαρτωλοῖς, hamartōlois)
These are designed notorious ones, who are exceeding great sinners, always sinning, making sin their constant business and employment; on and against these the law lies.[12]
- "the unholy" (Greek: ἀνοσίοις, anosiois)
Referring to persons, who are destitute of inward principles of truth and holiness, and who live unholy lives and conversations.[12]
- "the profane" (Greek: βεβήλοις, bebēlois)
Referring to those who profane the name of the Lord by cursing and swearing, and who profane his day, doctrines, and ordinances, and live dissolute and profane lives, being abandoned to all sin and wickedness; these three couples of wicked men, expressed in general terms, seem to have respect greatly to the moral part of the four precepts of the decalogue, as the following particulars do to the other six.[12]
- "murderers of fathers" (Greek: πατρολῴαις, patrolōais) and "murderers of mothers" (Greek: μητρολῴαις, mētrolōais)
Though there is no law that expressly mentions this, yet is beyond all doubt a breach both of the fifth and sixth commands; and if cursing parents, and disobedience to them, were punishable by the law with death, then much more the murder of them; see Leviticus 20:9 though the words are to be rendered, "for strikers of fathers, and strikers of mothers"; and so the Syriac and Arabic versions render them, and against this there was an express law, Exodus 21:15.[12] According to the Pompeian law, one guilty of parricide was to be sewed up in a sack with a dog, a cock, a viper, and an ape, and cast into the sea, or into a river.[13]
- "manslayers" (Greek: ἀνδροφόνοις, androphonois)
These are people guilty of the murder of any man, which was always punishable with death, and was a breach of the sixth command; see Genesis 9:6 and the "Seven Noahide Laws".[12]
Verse 10
King James Version
- For 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;[14]
- "whoremongers" (Greek: πόρνοις, pornois)
Also translated in various bible versions as "fornicators" or "sexually immoral people", referring to those who were transgressors of the seventh command of the Ten Commandments,[15][16]
- "for them that defile themselves with mankind" or "sodomites" (Greek: ἀρσενοκοίταις, arsenokoitais)
Referring to those who are guilty of sodomy, that according to the law of Torah, were to die (Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13). The wrath of God was revealed from heaven in a very visible and remarkable manner against this abomination, by raining fire and brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah, and upon the cities of the plain, who defiled themselves in this way.[16]
- "menstealers" or "kidnappers" (Greek: ἀνδραποδισταῖς, andrapodistais)
Referring to people who stole other people and sold them for slaves ("slave traders" or "enslavers"). This practice was condemned by the Hebrew Bible,[17] by the Flavian law among the Romans,[18] and was not allowed of among the Grecians;[19] the death with which such were punished was strangling, according to the Jews.[16][20]
- "liars" (Greek: ψεύσταις, pseustais)
Referring to people who speak what is false, against their own knowledge and conscience, and with a design to deceive; who lie against their neighbours, and act falsely and deceitfully in trade and merchandise, as well as speak that which is not true; see (Leviticus 6:2)[16]
- "perjured persons" or "perjurers" (Greek: ἐπιόρκοις, epiorkois)
Referring to people who take a false oath on any account, and bear false witness against their neighbour.[16] Related to the ninth command of the Ten Commandments.[21]
- "sound doctrine" or "healthy teaching" (Greek: ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ, hygiainousē didaskalia)
This is meant the doctrine of the Gospel, which is in itself pure and incorrupt, and is the cause of soundness and health to others. Here it may be observed, that there is an entire harmony and agreement between the Gospel and the law (Torah), rightly understood and used; what is contrary to the one, is also to the other; the Gospel no more countenances sin than the law does; and whatever is repugnant to the Gospel is liable to be punished by the law.[16]
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