Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of 1 Timothy
First Timothy is one of the Pastoral Epistles, guiding a young leader in ordering the church around sound doctrine and grace. It teaches on prayer, leadership, and godly conduct, so that we may know how to behave in the house of God. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The First Epistle to Timothy was written by the apostle Paul to Timothy, his 'true son in the faith,' whom he had left in charge of the church at Ephesus, likely in the mid-60s AD. One of the three Pastoral Epistles, it gives practical guidance for church life: guarding sound doctrine against false teachers, ordering public prayer and worship, appointing qualified leaders, and pursuing godliness. Its aim is that believers know how they ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, the church of the living God.
This commentary covers 1 Timothy verse by verse, with the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. The letter holds truth and grace together: sound doctrine whose goal is love, and the faithful saying at the heart of the gospel, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
This commentary on 1 Timothy is now complete, covering all six chapters verse by verse.
Author
The apostle Paul, to Timothy his true son in the faith.
Setting
Guidance for the church at Ephesus, likely mid-60s AD.
Key Themes
Sound doctrine, prayer, leadership, and godly conduct.
Faithful Saying
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1:15).
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
1 Timothy Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
1 Timothy 1:1-20
Christ Came to Save Sinners
Paul charges Timothy to guard sound doctrine that produces love, gives the faithful saying that Christ Jesus came to save sinners, of whom he is chief, and breaks into praise to the King eternal.
Read Chapter 1 →1 Timothy 2:1-15
One God, One Mediator
Pray 'for all men... for kings,' because 'God our Saviour... will have all men to be saved.' The ground of it all: 'there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all.' Men are to 'pray every where, lifting up holy hands,' and women to 'adorn themselves in modest apparel... with good works,' in reverent order before the one God.
Read Chapter 2 →1 Timothy 3:1-16
God Was Manifest in the Flesh
The qualifications of bishops and deacons, chiefly godly character, so the church is led by proven, blameless people. The church is 'the pillar and ground of the truth,' and that truth, at its heart, is the great mystery of godliness: 'God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.'
Read Chapter 3 →1 Timothy 4:1-16
Exercise Thyself Unto Godliness
The Spirit warns of latter-times apostasy, but 'every creature of God is good... if it be received with thanksgiving.' Paul urges, 'exercise thyself rather unto godliness,' for it 'is profitable unto all things.' He charges Timothy, 'be thou an example of the believers,' and, weightiest of all, 'take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine... for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.'
Read Chapter 4 →1 Timothy 5:1-25
Honour Widows Indeed
The church cares for its own as a family: 'honour widows that are widows indeed,' while families provide for their own, for 'if any provide not for his own... he hath denied the faith.' Elders 'that rule well' are 'worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine,' protected from careless accusation yet corrected 'without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.'
Read Chapter 5 →1 Timothy 6:1-21
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
'Godliness with contentment is great gain,' but 'the love of money is the root of all evil.' Paul charges the 'man of God' to 'flee these things' and 'fight the good fight of faith,' keeping the commandment 'until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,' and glorifies 'the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto.'
Read Chapter 6 →