1 Timothy 1

Paul, an apostle, writes to Timothy, charging him to remain in Ephesus to counter false doctrines, specifically “fables and endless genealogies” that hinder godly edifying. He clarifies that the law’s true purpose is to expose sin in the unrighteous, not to be misused. Paul then shares his personal testimony, highlighting God's abundant grace in transforming him, a former blasphemer, into a minister, demonstrating Christ's mission to save sinners.

Paul, an apostle by divine command, greets Timothy and instructs him to address those in Ephesus who teach “other doctrine,” particularly “fables and endless genealogies” that generate questions rather than fostering “godly edifying.” He clarifies that the ultimate goal of the commandment is “charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned,” from which some have strayed into “vain jangling.” Paul explains that the law is good when used lawfully, serving to convict the lawless and ungodly, rather than the righteous. He then recounts his personal transformation, from a persecutor and blasphemer to a recipient of Christ's mercy, serving as a pattern of divine longsuffering. Finally, Paul charges Timothy to maintain faith and a good conscience, warning against those like Hymenaeus and Alexander who have “made shipwreck” concerning faith.

The chapter opens with Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, addressing Timothy, his “own son in the faith,” with a greeting of grace, mercy, and peace. Paul reminds Timothy of his instruction to remain in Ephesus to prevent the teaching of “other doctrine,” specifically cautioning against “fables and endless genealogies” that generate questions rather than fostering “godly edifying.” He asserts that the true “end of the commandment” is “charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned,” noting that some have deviated from these principles into “vain jangling,” desiring to be teachers of the law without understanding. Paul clarifies that the law itself is good when used lawfully, but it is not intended for the righteous; rather, it is for the lawless, disobedient, ungodly, and various moral offenders, aligning with the “glorious gospel.” Paul then offers a profound personal testimony, expressing gratitude to Christ Jesus for enabling him for ministry despite his past as a blasphemer, persecutor, and injurious man. He explains that he obtained mercy because he acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of the Lord was “exceeding abundant.” He declares the “faithful saying” that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” identifying himself as the chief among them. Paul emphasizes that his own conversion serves as a pattern of Christ's “longsuffering” for all who would believe unto everlasting life. He concludes with a doxology to the eternal, immortal, invisible God. Finally, Paul reiterates his charge to Timothy to “war a good warfare,” stressing the importance of holding “faith, and a good conscience,” and warns against those, like Hymenaeus and Alexander, who have abandoned these, thereby making “shipwreck” concerning faith, whom Paul delivered unto Satan for correction.