Worthy.Bible » Parallel » 1 Timothy » Chapter 1

1 Timothy 1:1-20 King James Version (KJV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

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

3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

9 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,

10 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;

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

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

15 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.

16 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.

17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

18 This 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;

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.


1 Timothy 1:1-20 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Paul, G3972 an apostle G652 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 by G2596 the commandment G2003 of God G2316 our G2257 Saviour, G4990 and G2532 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 which G3588 is our G2257 hope; G1680

2 Unto Timothy, G5095 my own G1103 son G5043 in G1722 the faith: G4102 Grace, G5485 mercy, G1656 and peace, G1515 from G575 God G2316 our G2257 Father G3962 and G2532 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 our G2257 Lord. G2962

3 As G2531 I besought G3870 thee G4571 to abide still G4357 at G1722 Ephesus, G2181 when I went G4198 into G1519 Macedonia, G3109 that G2443 thou mightest charge G3853 some G5100 that they teach G2085 no G3361 other doctrine, G2085

4 Neither G3366 give heed G4337 to fables G3454 and G2532 endless G562 genealogies, G1076 which G3748 minister G3930 questions, G2214 rather G3123 than G2228 godly G2316 edifying G3620 which G3588 is in G1722 faith: G4102 so do.

5 Now G1161 the end G5056 of the commandment G3852 is G2076 charity G26 out of G1537 a pure G2513 heart, G2588 and G2532 of a good G18 conscience, G4893 and G2532 of faith G4102 unfeigned: G505

6 From which G3739 some G5100 having swerved G795 have turned aside G1624 unto G1519 vain jangling; G3150

7 Desiring G2309 to be G1511 teachers of the law; G3547 G3361 understanding G3539 neither G3383 what G3739 they say, G3004 nor G3383 whereof G4012 G5101 they affirm. G1226

8 But G1161 we know G1492 that G3754 the law G3551 is good, G2570 if G1437 a man G5100 use G5530 it G846 lawfully; G3545

9 Knowing G1492 this, G5124 that G3754 the law G3551 is G2749 not G3756 made G2749 for a righteous man, G1342 but G1161 for the lawless G459 and G2532 disobedient, G506 for the ungodly G765 and G2532 for sinners, G268 for unholy G462 and G2532 profane, G952 for murderers of fathers G3964 and G2532 murderers of mothers, G3389 for manslayers, G409

10 For whoremongers, G4205 for them that defile themselves with mankind, G733 for menstealers, G405 for liars, G5583 for perjured persons, G1965 and G2532 if there be any G1536 other thing G2087 that is contrary G480 to sound G5198 doctrine; G1319

11 According G2596 to the glorious G1391 gospel G2098 of the blessed G3107 God, G2316 which G3739 was committed to G4100 my G1473 trust. G4100

12 And G2532 I thank G2192 G5485 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 our G2257 Lord, G2962 who G3588 hath enabled G1743 me, G3165 for G3754 that he counted G2233 me G3165 faithful, G4103 putting me G5087 into G1519 the ministry; G1248

13 Who G3588 was G5607 before G4386 a blasphemer, G989 and G2532 a persecutor, G1376 and G2532 injurious: G5197 but G235 I obtained mercy, G1653 because G3754 I did G4160 it ignorantly G50 in G1722 unbelief. G570

14 And G1161 the grace G5485 of our G2257 Lord G2962 was exceeding abundant G5250 with G3326 faith G4102 and G2532 love G26 which G3588 is in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus. G2424

15 This is a faithful G4103 saying, G3056 and G2532 worthy G514 of all G3956 acceptation, G594 that G3754 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 came G2064 into G1519 the world G2889 to save G4982 sinners; G268 of whom G3739 I G1473 am G1510 chief. G4413

16 Howbeit G235 for this G5124 cause G1223 I obtained mercy, G1653 that G2443 in G1722 me G1698 first G4413 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 might shew forth G1731 all G3956 longsuffering, G3115 for G4314 a pattern G5296 to them which should hereafter G3195 believe G4100 on G1909 him G846 to G1519 life G2222 everlasting. G166

17 Now G1161 unto the King G935 eternal, G165 immortal, G862 invisible, G517 the only G3441 wise G4680 God, G2316 be honour G5092 and G2532 glory G1391 for G1519 ever G165 and ever. G165 Amen. G281

18 This G5026 charge G3852 I commit G3908 unto thee, G4671 son G5043 Timothy, G5095 according to G2596 the prophecies G4394 which went before G4254 on G1909 thee, G4571 that G2443 thou G4754 by G1722 them G846 mightest war G4754 a good G2570 warfare; G4752

19 Holding G2192 faith, G4102 and G2532 a good G18 conscience; G4893 which G3739 some G5100 having put away G683 concerning G4012 faith G4102 have made shipwreck: G3489

20 Of whom G3739 is G2076 Hymenaeus G5211 and G2532 Alexander; G223 whom G3739 I have delivered G3860 unto Satan, G4567 that G2443 they may learn G3811 not G3361 to blaspheme. G987


1 Timothy 1:1-20 American Standard (ASV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our hope;

2 unto Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 As 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,

4 neither 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'.

5 But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:

6 from which things some having swerved have turned aside unto vain talking;

7 desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm.

8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully,

9 as 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,

10 for 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;

11 according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

12 I thank him that enabled me, `even' Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to `his' service;

13 though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;

14 and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

15 Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief:

16 howbeit 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.

17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, `be' honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

18 This 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;

19 holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith:

20 of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.


1 Timothy 1:1-20 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to a command of God our Saviour, and of the Lord Jesus Christ our hope,

2 to Timotheus -- genuine child in faith: Grace, kindness, peace, from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord,

3 according as I did exhort thee to remain in Ephesus -- I going on to Macedonia -- that thou mightest charge certain not to teach any other thing,

4 nor to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, that cause questions rather than the building up of God that is in faith: --

5 And the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned,

6 from which certain, having swerved, did turn aside to vain discourse,

7 willing to be teachers of law, not understanding either the things they say, nor concerning what they asseverate,

8 and we have known that the law `is' good, if any one may use it lawfully;

9 having known this, that for a righteous man law is not set, but for lawless and insubordinate persons, ungodly and sinners, impious and profane, parricides and matricides, men-slayers,

10 whoremongers, sodomites, men-stealers, liars, perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that to sound doctrine is adverse,

11 according to the good news of the glory of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted.

12 And I give thanks to him who enabled me -- Christ Jesus our Lord -- that he did reckon me stedfast, having put `me' to the ministration,

13 who before was speaking evil, and persecuting, and insulting, but I found kindness, because, being ignorant, I did `it' in unbelief,

14 and exceedingly abound did the grace of our Lord, with faith and love that `is' in Christ Jesus:

15 stedfast `is' the word, and of all acceptation worthy, that Christ Jesus came to the world to save sinners -- first of whom I am;

16 but because of this I found kindness, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering, for a pattern of those about to believe on him to life age-during:

17 and to the King of the ages, the incorruptible, invisible, only wise God, `is' honour and glory -- to the ages of the ages! Amen.

18 This charge I commit to thee, child Timotheus, according to the prophesies that went before upon thee, that thou mayest war in them the good warfare,

19 having faith and a good conscience, which certain having thrust away, concerning the faith did make shipwreck,

20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I did deliver to the Adversary, that they might be instructed not to speak evil.


1 Timothy 1:1-20 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ, according to [the] command of God our Saviour, and of Christ Jesus our hope,

2 to Timotheus, [my] true child in faith: grace, mercy, peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 Even as I begged thee to remain in Ephesus, [when I was] going to Macedonia, that thou mightest enjoin some not to teach other doctrines,

4 nor to turn their minds to fables and interminable genealogies, which bring questionings rather than [further] God's dispensation, which [is] in faith.

5 But the end of what is enjoined is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith;

6 which [things] some having missed, have turned aside to vain discourse,

7 desiring to be law-teachers, not understanding either what they say or concerning what they [so] strenuously affirm.

8 Now we know that the law [is] good if any one uses it lawfully,

9 knowing this, that law has not its application to a righteous person, but to [the] lawless and insubordinate, to [the] impious and sinful, to [the] unholy and profane, to smiters of fathers and smiters of mothers; to murderers,

10 fornicators, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, perjurers; and if any other thing is opposed to sound teaching,

11 according to the glad tidings of the glory of the blessed God, with which *I* have been entrusted.

12 [And] I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me power, that he has counted me faithful, appointing to ministry him

13 who before was a blasphemer and persecutor, and an insolent overbearing [man]: but mercy was shewn me because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief.

14 But the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded with faith and love, which [is] in Christ Jesus.

15 Faithful [is] the word, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom *I* am [the] first.

16 But for this reason mercy was shewn me, that in me, [the] first, Jesus Christ might display the whole long-suffering, for a delineation of those about to believe on him to life eternal.

17 Now to the King of the ages, [the] incorruptible, invisible, only God, honour and glory to the ages of ages. Amen.

18 This charge, [my] child Timotheus, I commit to thee, according to the prophecies as to thee preceding, in order that thou mightest war by them the good warfare,

19 maintaining faith and a good conscience; which [last] some, having put away, have made shipwreck as to faith;

20 of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan, that they may be taught by discipline not to blaspheme.


1 Timothy 1:1-20 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and Christ Jesus our hope;

2 to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 As I exhorted you to stay at Ephesus when I was going into Macedonia, that you might charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine,

4 neither to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God's stewardship, which is in faith--

5 but the end of the charge is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith;

6 from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking;

7 desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.

8 But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully,

9 as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, 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,

10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;

11 according to the Gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

12 And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service;

13 although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

14 The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

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.

16 However, 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.

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

18 This charge I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage the good warfare;

19 holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith;

20 of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.


1 Timothy 1:1-20 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the order of God our Saviour and Christ Jesus our hope;

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

3 It was my desire, when I went on into Macedonia, that you might make a stop at Ephesus, to give orders to certain men not to put forward a different teaching,

4 Or to give attention to stories and long lists of generations, from which come questionings and doubts, in place of God's ordered way of life which is in faith;

5 But the effect of the order is love coming from a clean heart, and a knowledge of what is right, and true faith:

6 From which some have been turned away, giving themselves to foolish talking;

7 Desiring to be teachers of the law, though they have no knowledge of what they say or of the statements which they make so certainly.

8 We are conscious that the law is good, if a man makes a right use of it,

9 With the knowledge that the law is made, not for the upright man, but for those who have no respect for law and order, for evil men and sinners, for the unholy and those who have no religion, for those who put their fathers or mothers to death, for takers of life,

10 For those who go after loose women, for those with unnatural desires, for those who take men prisoners, who make false statements and false oaths, and those who do any other things against the right teaching,

11 Which may be seen in the good news of the glory of the great God, which was given into my care.

12 I give praise to him who gave me power, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he took me to be true, making me his servant,

13 Though I had said violent words against God, and done cruel acts, causing great trouble: but I was given mercy, because I did it without knowledge, not having faith;

14 And the grace of our Lord was very great, with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

15 It is a true saying, in which all may put their faith, that Christ Jesus came into the world to give salvation to sinners, of whom I am the chief:

16 But for this reason I was given mercy, so that in me, the chief of sinners, Jesus Christ might make clear all his mercy, as an example to those who in the future would have faith in him to eternal life.

17 Now to the King eternal, ever-living, unseen, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. So be it.

18 This order I give to you, Timothy my son, in harmony with the words of the prophets about you, so that by them you may be strong, fighting the good fight,

19 Keeping faith, and being conscious of well-doing; for some, by not doing these things, have gone wrong in relation to the faith:

20 Such are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have given up to Satan, so that they may say no more evil words against God.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Timothy 1

Commentary on 1 Timothy 1 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 1

After the inscription (v. 1, 2) we have,

  • I. The charge given to Timothy (v. 3, 4).
  • II. The true end of the law (v. 5-11), where he shows that it is entirely agreeable to the gospel.
  • III. He mentions his own call to be an apostle, for which he expresses his thankfulness (v. 12-16)
  • IV. His doxology (v. 17).
  • V. A renewal of the charge to Timothy (v. 18). And of Hymenaeus and Alexander (v. 19, 20).

1Ti 1:1-4

Here is,

  • I. The inscription of the epistle, from whom it is sent: Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, constituted an apostle by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ. His credentials were unquestionable. He had not only a commission, but a commandment, not only from God our Saviour, but from Jesus Christ: he was a preacher of the gospel of Christ, and a minister of the kingdom of Christ. Observe, God is our Saviour.-Jesus Christ, who is our hope. Observe, Jesus Christ is a Christian's hope; our hope is in him, all our hope of eternal life is built upon him; Christ is in us the hope of glory, Col. 1:27. He calls Timothy his own son, because he had been an instrument of his conversion, and because he had been a son that served him, served with him in the gospel, Phil. 2:22. Timothy had not been wanting in the duty of a son to Paul, and Paul was not wanting in the care and tenderness of a father to him.
  • II. The benediction is, grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father. Some have observed that whereas in all the epistles to the churches the apostolical benediction is grace and peace, in these two epistles to Timothy and that to Titus it is grace, mercy, and peace: as if ministers had more need of God's mercy than other men. Ministers need more grace than others, to discharge their duty faithfully; and they need more mercy than others, to pardon what is amiss in them: and if Timothy, so eminent a minister, must be indebted to the mercy of God, and needed the increase and continuance of it, how much more do we ministers, in these times, who have so little of his excellent spirit!
  • III. Paul tells Timothy what was the end of his appointing him to this office: I besought thee to abide at Ephesus. Timothy had a mind to go with Paul, was loth to go from under his wing, but Paul would have it so; it was necessary for the public service: I besought thee, says he. Though he might assume an authority to command him, yet for love's sake he chose rather to beseech him. Now his business was to take care to fix both the ministers and the people of that church: Charge them that they teach no other doctrine than what they have received, that they do not add to the Christian doctrine, under pretence of improving it or making up the defects of it, that they do no alter it, but cleave to it as it was delivered to them. Observe,
    • 1. Ministers must not only be charged to preach the true doctrine of the gospel, but charged to preach no other doctrine. If an angel from heaven preach any other doctrine, let him be anathema, Gal. 1:8.
    • 2. In the times of the apostles there were attempts made to corrupt Christianity (we are not as many, who corrupt the word, 2 Co. 2:17), otherwise this charge to Timothy might have been spared.
    • 3. He must not only see to it that he did not preach any other doctrine, but he must charge others that they might not add any thing of their own to the gospel, or take any thing from it, but that they preach it pure and uncorrupt. He must also take care to prevent their regarding fables, and endless genealogies, and strifes of words. This is often repeated in these two epistles (as ch. 4:7; 6:4; 2 Tim. 2:23), as well as in the epistle to Titus. As among the Jews there were some who brought Judaism into Christianity; so among the Gentiles there were some who brought paganism into Christianity. "Take heed of these,' says he, "watch against them, or they will be the corrupting and ruining of religion among you, for they minister questions rather than edifying.' That which ministers questions is not for edifying; that which gives occasion for doubtful disputes pulls down the church rather than builds it up. And I think, by a parity of reason, every thing else that ministers questions rather than godly edifying should be disclaimed and disregarded by us, such as an uninterrupted succession in the ministry from the apostles down to these times, the absolute necessity of episcopal ordination, and of the intention of the minister to the efficacy and validity of the sacraments he ministers. These are as bad as Jewish fables and endless genealogies, for they involve us in inextricable difficulties, and tend only to shake the foundations of a Christian's hope and to fill his mind with perplexing doubts and fears. Godly edifying is the end ministers should aim at in all their discourses, that Christians may be improving in godliness and growing up to a greater likeness to the blessed God. Observe, further, Godly edifying must be in faith: the gospel is the foundation on which we build; it is by faith that we come to God at first (Heb. 11:6), and it must be in the same way, and by the same principle of faith, that we must be edified. Again, Ministers should avoid, as much as may be, what will occasion disputes; and would do well to insist on the great and practical points of religion, about which there can be no disputes; for even disputes about great and necessary truths draw off the mind from the main design of Christianity, and eat out the vitals of religion, which consist in practice and obedience as well as in faith, that we may not hold the truth in unrighteousness, but may keep the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

1Ti 1:5-11

Here the apostle instructs Timothy how to guard against the judaizing teachers, or others who mingled fables and endless genealogies with the gospel. He shows the use of the law, and the glory of the gospel.

  • I. He shows the end and uses of the law: it is intended to promote love, for love is the fulfilling of the law, Rom. 13:10.
    • 1. The end of the commandment is charity, or love, Rom. 13:8. The main scope and drift of the divine law are to engage us to the love of God and one another; and whatever tends to weaken either our love to God or love to the brethren tends to defeat the end of the commandment: and surely the gospel, which obliges us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us (Mt. 5:44) does not design to lay aside or supersede a commandment the end whereof is love; so far from it that, on the other hand, we are told that though we had all advantages and wanted charity, we are but as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal, 1 Co. 13:1. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another, Jn. 13:35. Those therefore who boasted of their knowledge of the law, but used it only as a colour for the disturbance that they gave to the preaching of the gospel (under pretence of zeal for the law, dividing the church and distracting it), defeated that which was the very end of the commandment, and that is love, love out of a pure heart, a heart purified by faith, purified from corrupt affections. In order to the keeping up of holy love our hearts must be cleansed from all sinful love; our love must arise out of a good conscience, kept without offence. Those answer the end of the commandment who are careful to keep a good conscience, from a real belief of the truth of the word of God which enjoins it, here called a faith unfeigned. Here we have the concomitants of that excellency grace charity; they are three:-
      • (1.) A pure heart; there it must be seated, and thence it must take its rise.
      • (2.) A good conscience, in which we must exercise ourselves daily, that we may not only get it, but that we may keep it, Acts 24:16.
      • (3.) Faith unfeigned must also accompany it, for it is love without dissimulation: the faith that works by it must be of the like nature, genuine and sincere. Now some who set up for teachers of the law swerved from the very end of the commandment: they set up for disputers, but their disputes proved vain jangling; they set up for teachers, but they pretended to teach others what they themselves did not understand. If the church be corrupted by such teachers, we must not think it strange, for we see from the beginning it was so. Observe,
        • [1.] When persons, especially ministers, swerve from the great law of charity-the end of the commandment, they will turn aside to vain jangling; when a man misses his end and scope, it is no wonder that every step he takes is out of the way.
        • [2.] Jangling, especially in religion, is vain; it is unprofitable and useless as to all that is good, and it is very pernicious and hurtful: and yet many people's religion consists of little else but vain jangling.
        • [3.] Those who deal much in vain jangling are fond and ambitious to be teachers of others; they desire (that is, they affect) the office of teaching.
        • [4.] It is too common for men to intrude into the office of the ministry when they are very ignorant of those things about which they are ton speak: they understand neither what they say nor whereof they affirm; and by such learned ignorance, no doubt, they edify their hearers very much!
    • 2. The use of the law (v. 8): The law is good, if a man use it lawfully. The Jews used it unlawfully, as an engine to divide the church, a cover to the malicious opposition they made to the gospel of Christ; they set it up for justification, and so used it unlawfully. We must not therefore think to set it aside, but use it lawfully, for the restraint of sin. The abuse which some have made of the law does not take away the use of it; but, when a divine appointment has been abused, call it back to its right use and take away the abuses, for the law is still very useful as a rule of life; though we are not under it as under a covenant of works, yet it is good to teach us what is sin and what is duty. It is not made for a righteous man, that is, it is not made for those who observe it; for, if we could keep the law, righteousness would be by the law (Gal. 3:21): but it is made for wicked persons, to restrain them, to check them, and to put a stop to vice and profaneness. It is the grace of God that changes men's hearts; but the terrors of the law may be of use to tie their hands and restrain their tongues. A righteous man does not want those restraints which are necessary for the wicked; or at least the law is not made primarily and principally for the righteous, but for sinners of all sorts, whether in a greater or less measure, v. 9, 10. In this black roll of sinners, he particularly mentions breaches of the second table, duties which we owe to our neighbour; against the fifth and sixth commandments, murderers of fathers and mothers, and manslayers; against the seventh, whoremongers, and those that defile themselves with mankind; against the eighth, men-stealers; against the ninth, liars and perjured persons; and then he closes his account with this, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. Some understand this as an institution of a power in the civil magistrate to make laws against such notorious sinners as are specified, and to see those laws put in execution.
  • II. He shows the glory and grace of the gospel. Paul's epithets are expressive and significant; and frequently every one is a sentence: as here (v. 11), According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God. Let us learn hence,
    • 1. To call God blessed God, infinitely happy in the enjoyment of himself and his own perfections.
    • 2. To call the gospel the glorious gospel, for so it is: much of the glory of God appears in the works of creation and providence, but much more in the gospel, where it shines in the face of Jesus Christ. Paul reckoned it a great honour put upon him, and a great favour done him, that this glorious gospel was committed to his trust; that is, the preaching of it, for the framing of it is not committed to any man or company of men in the world. The settling of the terms of salvation in the gospel of Christ is God's own work; but the publishing of it to the world is committed to the apostles and ministers. Note here,
      • (1.) The ministry is a trust, for the gospel was committed unto this apostle; it is an office of trust as well as of power, and the former more than the latter; for this reason ministers are called stewards, 1 Co. 4:1.
      • (2.) It is a glorious trust, because the gospel committed to them is a glorious gospel; it is a trust of very great importance. God's glory is very much concerned in it. Lord, what a trust is committed to us! How much grace do we want, to be found faithful in this great trust!

1Ti 1:12-17

Here the apostle,

  • I. Returns thanks to Jesus Christ for putting him into the ministry. Observe,
    • 1. It is Christ's work to put men into the ministry, Acts 26:16, 17. God condemned the false prophets among the Jews in these words, I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied, Jer. 23:21. Ministers, properly speaking, cannot make themselves ministers; for it is Christ's work, as king and head, prophet and teacher, of his church.
    • 2. Those whom he puts into the ministry he fits for it; whom he calls he qualifies. Those ministers who are no way fit for their work, nor have ability for it, are not of Christ's putting into the ministry, though there are different qualifications as to gifts and graces.
    • 3. Christ gives not only ability, but fidelity, to those whom he puts into the ministry: He counted me faithful; and none are counted faithful but those whom he makes so. Christ's ministers are trusty servants, and they ought to be so, having so great a trust committed to them.
    • 4. A call to the ministry is a great favour, for which those who are so called ought to give thanks to Jesus Christ: I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath put me into the ministry.
  • II. The more to magnify the grace of Christ in putting him into the ministry, he gives an account of his conversion.
    • 1. What he was before his conversion: A blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious. Saul breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, Acts 9:1. He made havoc of the church, Acts 8:3. He was a blasphemer of God, a persecutor of the saints, and injurious to both. Frequently those who are designed for great and eminent services are left to themselves before their conversion, to fall into great wickedness, that the mercy of God may be the more glorified in their remission, and the grace of God in their regeneration. The greatness of sin is no bar to our acceptance with God, no, nor to our being employed for him, if it be truly repented of. Observe here,
      • (1.) Blasphemy, persecution, and injuriousness, are very great and heinous sins, and those who are guilty of them are sinners before God exceedingly. To blaspheme God is immediately and directly to strike at God; to persecute his people is to endeavour to wound him through their sides; and to be injurious is to be like Ishmael, whose hand was against every one, and every one was against him; for such invade God's prerogative, and encroach upon the liberties of their fellow-creatures.
      • (2.) True penitents, to serve a good purpose, will not be backward to own their former condition before they were brought home to God: this good apostle often confessed what his former life had been, as Acts 22:4; 26:10, 11.
    • 2. The great favour of God to him: But I obtained mercy. This was a blessed but indeed, a great favour, that so notorious a rebel should find mercy with his prince.
      • (1.) If Paul had persecuted the Christians wilfully, knowing them to be the people of God, for aught I know he had been guilty of the unpardonable sin; but, because he did it ignorantly and in unbelief, he obtained mercy. Note,
        • [1.] What we do ignorantly is a less crime than what we do knowingly; yet a sin of ignorance is a sin, for he that knew not his Master's will, but did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes, Lu. 12:48. Ignorance in some cases will extenuate a crime, though it do not take it away.
        • [2.] Unbelief is at the bottom of what sinners do ignorantly; they do not believe God's threatenings, otherwise they could not do as they do.
        • [3.] For these reasons Paul obtained mercy: But I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief.
        • [4.] Here was mercy for a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an injurious person: "But I obtained mercy, I a blasphemer,' etc.
      • (2.) Here he takes notice of the abundant grace of Jesus Christ, v. 14. The conversion and salvation of great sinners are owing to the grace of Christ, his exceedingly abundant grace, even that grace of Christ which appears in his glorious gospel (v. 15): This is a faithful saying, etc. Here we have the sum of the whole gospel, that Jesus Christ came into the world. The Son of God took upon him our nature, was made flesh, and dwelt among us, Jn. 1:14. He came into the world, not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance, Mt. 9:13. His errand into the world was to seek and find, and so save, those that were lost, Lu. 19:10. The ratification of this is that it is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation. It is good news, worthy of all acceptation; and yet not too good to be true, for it is a faithful saying. It is a faithful saying, and therefore worthy to be embraced in the arms of faith: it is worthy of all acceptation, and therefore to be received with holy love, which refers to the foregoing verse, where the grace of Christ is said to abound in faith and love. In the close of the verse Paul applies it to himself: Of whom I am chief. Paul was a sinner of the first rank; so he acknowledges himself to have been, for he breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, etc., Acts 9:1, 2. Persecutors are some of the worst of sinners: such a one Paul had been. Or, of whom I am chief, that is, of pardoned sinners I am chief. It is an expression of his great humility; he that elsewhere calls himself the least of all saints (Eph. 3:8) here calls himself the chief of sinners. Observe,
        • [1.] Christ Jesus has come into the world; the prophecies concerning his coming are now fulfilled.
        • [2.] He came to save sinners; he came to save those who could not save and help themselves.
        • [3.] Blasphemers and persecutors are the chief of sinners, so Paul reckoned them.
        • [4.] The chief of sinners may become the chief of saints; so this apostle was, for he was not a whit behind the very chief apostles (2 Co. 11:5), for Christ came to save the chief of sinners.
        • [5.] This is a very great truth, it is a faithful saying; these are true and faithful words, which may be depended on.
        • [6.] It deserves to be received, to be believed by us all, for our comfort and encouragement.
      • (3.) The mercy which Paul found with God, notwithstanding his great wickedness before his conversion, he speaks of,
        • [1.] For the encouragement of others to repent and believe (v. 16): For this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to those who should hereafter believe. It was an instance of the long-suffering of Christ that he would bear so much with one who had been so very provoking; and it was designed for a pattern to all others, that the greatest sinners might not despair of mercy with God. Note here,
          • First, Our apostle was one of the first great sinners converted to Christianity.
          • Secondly, He was converted, and obtained mercy, for the sake of others as well as of himself; he was a pattern to others.
          • Thirdly, The Lord Jesus Christ shows great long-suffering in the conversion of great sinners.
          • Fourthly, Those who obtain mercy believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; for without faith it is impossible to please God, Heb. 11:6.
          • Fifthly, Those who believe on Christ believe on him to life everlasting; they believe to the saving of the soul, Heb. 10:39.
        • [2.] He mentions it to the glory of God having spoken of the mercy he had found with God, he could not go on with his letter without inserting a thankful acknowledgment of God's goodness to him: Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Observe,
          • First, That grace which we have the comfort of God must have the glory of. Those who are sensible of their obligations to the mercy and grace of God will have their hearts enlarged in his praise. Here is praise ascribed to him, as the King eternal, immortal, invisible.
          • Secondly, When we have found God good we must not forget to pronounce him great; and his kind thoughts of us must not at all abate our high thoughts of him, but rather increase them. God had taken particular cognizance of Paul, and shown him mercy, and taken him into communion with himself, and yet he calls him the King eternal, etc. God's gracious dealings with us should fill us with admiration of his glorious attributes. He is eternal, without beginning of days, or end of life, or change of time. He is the Ancient of days, Dan. 7:9. He is immortal, and the original of immortality; he only has immortality (1 Tim. 6:16), for he cannot die. He is invisible, for he cannot be seen with mortal eyes, dwelling in the light to which no man can approach, whom no man hath seen nor can see, 1 Tim. 6:16. He is the only wise God (Jude 25); he only is infinitely wise, and the fountain of all wisdom. "To him be glory for ever and ever,' or, "Let me be for ever employed in giving honour and glory to him, as the thousands of thousands do,' Rev. 5:12, 13.

1Ti 1:18-20

Here is the charge he gives to Timothy to proceed in his work with resolution, v. 18. Observe here, The gospel is a charge committed to the ministers of it; it is committed to their trust, to see that it be duly applied according to the intent and meaning of it, and the design of its great Author. It seems, there had been prophecies before concerning Timothy, that he should be taken into the ministry, and should prove eminent in the work of the ministry; this encouraged Paul to commit this charge to him. Observe,

  • 1. The ministry is a warfare, it is a good warfare against sin and Satan: and under the banner of the Lord Jesus, who is the Captain of our salvation (Heb. 2:10), and in his cause, and against his enemies, ministers are in a particular manner engaged.
  • 2. Ministers must war this good warfare, must execute their office diligently and courageously, notwithstanding oppositions and discouragements.
  • 3. The prophecies which went before concerning Timothy are here mentioned as a motive to stir him up to a vigorous and conscientious discharge of his duty; so the good hopes that others have entertained concerning us should excite us to our duty: That thou by them mightest war a good warfare.
  • 4. We must hold both faith and a good conscience: Holding faith and a good conscience, v. 19. Those that put away a good conscience will soon make shipwreck of faith. Let us live up to the directions of a renewed enlightened conscience, and keep conscience void of offence (Acts 24:16), a conscience not debauched by any vice or sin, and this will be a means of preserving us sound in the faith; we must look to the one as well a the other, for the mystery of the faith must be held in a pure conscience, ch. 3:9. As for those who had made shipwreck of the faith, he specifies two, Hymeneus and Alexander, who had made a profession of the Christian religion, but had quitted that profession; and Paul had delivered them to Satan, had declared them to belong to the kingdom of Satan, and, as some think, had, by an extraordinary power, delivered them to be terrified or tormented by Satan, that they might learn not to blaspheme not to contradict or revile the doctrine of Christ and the good ways of the Lord. Observe, The primary design of the highest censure in the primitive church was to prevent further sin and to reclaim the sinner. In this case it was for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, 1 Co. 5:5. Observe,
    • (1.) Those who love the service and work of Satan are justly delivered over to the power of Satan: Whom I have delivered over to Satan.
    • (2.) God can, if he please, work by contraries: Hymeneus and Alexander are delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme, when one would rather think they would learn of Satan to blaspheme the more.
    • (3.) Those who have put away a good conscience, and made shipwreck of faith, will not stick at any thing, blasphemy not excepted.
    • (4.) Therefore let us hold faith and a good conscience, if we would keep clear of blasphemy; for, if we once let go our hold of these, we do not know where we shall stop.