1 Timothy 1:1 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

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Bible Comments

This letter is an apostle's letter to a young minister having oversight of the church in Ephesus. The first part of the letter deals with the Church, its doctrine, its devotions, and its ministry. Difficulties existed in that "certain men" were teaching erroneous doctrine. In all probability, the reference was to the Gnostic heresies. The apostle shows the relation of "sound doctrine" to the law which the Gnostics were misinterpreting. Enumerating the evils resulting from such false teaching, he shows how, they are contradictory to that "sound doctrine" which is according to the "Gospel of the glory of the blessed God." Let Timothy charge these men not to teach the "different doctrine" which has such evil results, for the Gospel is a helpful doctrine.

Mention of the Gospel calls forth an exceedingly beautiful passage which is at once a song and a testimony. The apostle illustrates the beauty of the Gospel from his own experience. He had passed through stages, having been first a blasphemer, then a persecutor, and, finally, injurious. His salvation had come through faith. On that personal experience he now dogmatically affirmed the trustworthiness of the Gospel. He summarizes the Gospel in the simple statement, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Addressing Timothy as a captain of the host of God, he charges him to wage a good war. This he will accomplish by holding faith, and a good conscience." The apostle emphasized the urgency of the charge by a warning in which he cited instances of those who had failed.

Related Commentaries of 1 Timothy 1:1

1 Timothy 1:1-20

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.