The big picture
1 Timothy 1 opens in verse 1 with “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 10 with “For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for…”, and closes in verse 20 with “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may…” Repeated or prominent terms include Christ, Jesus, faith, good, Lord. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Timothy · King James Version · 201 Timothy 1:1-7
1–7: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour…
1 Timothy 1:1–7 opens with “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ…” and reaches “Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Timothy remaining in Ephesus to confront speculative teaching while Paul recalls mercy received, with particular weight carried by Christ, faith, Jesus.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;” Naming Christ and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Timothy 1:1-7
King James Version1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
1 Timothy 1:8-14
8–14: We know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1 Timothy 1:8–14 opens with “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;” and reaches “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Timothy remaining in Ephesus to confront speculative teaching while Paul recalls mercy received, with particular weight carried by Christ, Jesus, Lord.
Context that brings the passage to life
“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;” The line’s distinctive content terms include good, know, lawfully. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.
“Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and…” Naming Knowing keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Timothy 1:8-14
King James Version8But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9Knowing 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,
10For 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;
11According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:15-20
15–20: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ…
1 Timothy 1:15–20 opens with “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world…” and reaches “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Timothy remaining in Ephesus to confront speculative teaching while Paul recalls mercy received, with particular weight carried by Christ, faith, good.
Context that brings the passage to life
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of…” Naming Christ and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Timothy 1:15-20
King James Version15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16Howbeit 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.
17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18This 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;
19Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
20Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Timothy 1:1 begins with “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;”
Where the chapter turns
1 Timothy 1:8 forms a natural hinge: “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;”
The final note
1 Timothy 1:20 leaves the reader with “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Christ, Jesus, faith, good, Lord, mercy help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Who receives the image and the blessing?
Both male and female in verses 27-28. Human worth precedes achievement.
What limits human dominion?
The world belongs to its Creator and is already declared good. Compare the charge to tend and keep in 2:15.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.