Fathers

1 Timothy 1

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing 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, For 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; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit 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. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. This 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; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 1:15

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"This is a faithful saying," he says. But why is it to be believed? This appears both from what precedes and from what follows. Observe how he prepares us for this assertion, and how he then dwells upon it. For he hath previously declared that He showed mercy to me "a blasphemer and a persecutor"; this was in the way of preparation. And not only did He show mercy, but "He accounted me faithful." So far should we be he means, from disbelieving that He showed mercy. …

Homily on 1 Timothy 4 ↗

Athanasius of Alexandria

What the apostles received, they passed on without change, so that the doctrine of the mysteries (the sacraments) and Christ would remain correct. The divine Word—the Son of God—wants us to be their (the apostles') disciples. It is appropriate for them to be our teachers, and it is necessary for us to submit to their teaching alone. …

Letter 2, Section 7 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Having said above that He had mercy on me, a persecutor, he continues: do not marvel and do not doubt the greatness of the gift. For He came into the world for this very reason, to save all sinners. And so the word is faithful and worthy of acceptance. Because it is impossible not to trust what has been granted; on the contrary, since the goodness of the Giver is infinite, it deserves trust and acceptance. This is also directed against the Jews who were devoted to the law, to show them that without faith it is impossible to be saved. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"For all have sinned," either in Adam or by themselves, "and are deprived of the glory of God." Consequently, the whole human mass ought to be punished, and if the deserved punishment of damnation were rendered to all, beyond all doubt it would be justly rendered. This is why those who are liberated from it by grace are not called vessels of their own merits but "vessels of mercy." But whose mercy was it but him who sent Jesus Christ into this world to save sinners, whom he foreknew, predestined, called, justified and glorified? …

On Nature and Grace 1.4.4-1.5.5

Jerome

They may choose to read, "It is a man's saying, and worthy of all acceptation." We are content to err with the Greeks, that is to say, with the apostle himself, who spoke Greek. Our version, therefore, is, "it is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation."

Letters 27.3 ↗

Leo the Great

That which was fore-known in respect of the Jews' malice is far different, indeed quite contrary to what was ordained in respect of Christ's Passion. Their desire to slay Him did not proceed from the same source as His to die: nor were their atrocious crime and the Redeemer's endurance the offspring of One Spirit. …

Sermon 67.2-3 ↗