Fathers

1 Timothy 1

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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.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 1:18

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

The office of a Teacher and that of a Priest is of great dignity, and to bring forward one that is worthy requires a divine election. So it was of old, and so it is now, when we make a choice without human passion, not looking to any temporal consideration, swayed neither by friendship, nor enmity. For though we be not partakers of so great a measure of the Spirit as they, yet a good purpose is sufficient to draw unto us the election of God. …

Homily on 1 Timothy 5 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since he used the word "charge," and a charge is something commanding, he added: "my son Timothy." For I do not say this to you in a commanding way, but as to a son. He also said: "I commit," in order to explain the strictness of keeping, because what we have is not ours, but God's. Therefore, what He has granted, we must keep. "According to the prophecies previously made concerning you." The calling of teacher and priest, being great, requires a divine indication, so that a worthy person may receive this calling. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

I entrust this command to you, Timothy, my child, according to the prophecies previously made about you, so that by them you may wage the good warfare. this command. It means careful observation. I entrust. As to a child, Paul says, I command, not according to any authority applying to masters. according to the prophecies previously. For the sake of emphasis it is placed there. …

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, this precept, I commend to you, he instructs Timothy to keep certain things in mind: first, he reminds him of the task entrusted to him; second, he instructs him on its proper performance; third, he shows how to use it. He says, therefore: this precept, namely, to guard the end of the law, i.e., always cling to charity and not to Jewish fables, I commend to you, as a faithful trust, because that is how it has been entrusted to you. But how? …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗