1 Timothy 1:1-11

1:1-4 | These verses summarize the main purpose of the entire letter. Although Paul writes this letter to an individual (Timothy) – his true son in the faith (1 Cor. 4:17; Phil. 2:22) – he expects it to be read to the whole church.

1:3-4 | Charge means “strongly instruct or command.” The church must tolerate no other doctrine than the one found in the Scriptures and must especially avoid speculative concerns that cause disputes (Rom. 16:17; Gal. 1:6-7; Titus 1:4).

1:3-5 | Doctrinal purity and scriptural integrity are essential but not enough. Christians must also demonstrate obedience and allegiance to God’s truth. A sincere faith is a substantive faith that is, above all, characterized by conformity to Christ and His call to love (Rom. 13:8-10; Gal. 5:14).

1:4-7 | True doctrine will build up people rather than divide them. It also produces love from a pure heart rather than the sin and confusion of false teaching.

1:6 | Idle talk includes gossip, pointless conversations, criticism, and self-serving interpretations of God’s Word (6:4,20).

1:7-8 | These self-appointed, misguided leaders claimed to understand the law (Luke 5:17-21; Acts 5:33), and yet they misused it and required the righteous to abide by it. Paul knows that the law is good (“useful”) for guiding a Christian’s morality; otherwise, its purpose is to show sinners their need of Christ (Gal. 3:24). (Paul addresses a similar situation in Titus 1:10-14).

1:8-11 | The list of the lawless and insubordinate draws largely on the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-16). Sound (“health-giving”) doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1) that conforms to the glorious gospel should be the believer’s focus rather than Jewish practices.