11 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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Timothy 1:1-11
Commentary on 1 Timothy 1:1-4
(Read 1 Timothy 1:1-4)
Jesus Christ is a Christian's hope; all our hopes of eternal life are built upon him; and Christ is in us the hope of glory. The apostle seems to have been the means of Timothy's conversion; who served with him in his ministry, as a dutiful son with a loving father. That which raises questions, is not for edifying; that which gives occasion for doubtful disputes, pulls down the church rather than builds it up. Godliness of heart and life can only be kept up and increased, by the exercise of faith in the truths and promises of God, through Jesus Christ.
Commentary on 1 Timothy 1:5-11
(Read 1 Timothy 1:5-11)
Whatever tends to weaken love to God, or love to the brethren, tends to defeat the end of the commandment. The design of the gospel is answered, when sinners, through repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ, are brought to exercise Christian love. And as believers were righteous persons in God's appointed way, the law was not against them. But unless we are made righteous by faith in Christ, really repenting and forsaking sin, we are yet under the curse of the law, even according to the gospel of the blessed God, and are unfit to share the holy happiness of heaven.