The Law is good (see the similar statement in Romans 7:12 ). The Jews thought that St. Paul spoke against the Law (comp. Acts 6:13 , Acts 6:14 ), because he vindicated its true use ( Romans 10:4 ; Galatians 3:24 ; Galatians 4:4 , Galatians 4:5 , etc.). But he everywhere speaks of the Law as good and holy. If a man — i.e., a teacher of the Law—use it lawfully ; knowing its proper use, as it follows in the next verse. read more
As knowing for knowing , A.V.; Law for the Law , A.V.; unruly for disobedient , A.V.; and sinners for and for sinners , A.V.; the unholy for unholy , A.V. Law is not made for a righteous man. It is much better to render νόμος , with the A.V., "the Law," as e . g . Romans 2:12-14 . The whole proposition relates to the Law of Moses, which these teachers perverted and tried to force upon Christians, being ignorant that the Law was made, not for the... read more
But we know that the law is good - We admit this; it is that which we all concede. This declaration is evidently made by the apostle to guard against the supposition that he was an enemy of the law. Doubtless this charge would be brought against him, or against anyone who maintained the sentiments which he had just expressed. By speaking thus of what those teachers regarded as so important in the law, it would be natural for them to declare that he was an enemy of the law itself, and would be... read more
Knowing this - That is, “If anyone knows, or admits this, he has the prover view of the design of the law.” The apostle does not refer particularly to himself as knowing or conceding this, for then he would have uses the plural form of the participle (see the Greek), but he means that anyone who had just views of the law would see that that which he proceeds to specify was its real purpose.The law is not made for a righteous man - There has been great variety in the interpretation of this... read more
1 Timothy 1:8-11. We know that the law is good Answers excellent purposes; if a man use it lawfully In a proper manner. Even the ceremonial law is good as it points to Christ, and is emblematical of the various branches of salvation that are in and through him; and the moral law is holy, just, and good, resulting from the nature of God and man, and the relations of mankind to him and each other, and of admirable use both to convince men of sin, and to bring them to Christ for... read more
1:1-20 WARNING AGAINST FALSE TEACHERSFalse and true (1:1-11)The letter begins with a reminder to Timothy of the reason Paul urged him to stay at Ephesus. Timothy has to stop people wasting time and confusing others with senseless discussions that lead only to conflict and argument. Those responsible for this confusing teaching must learn to control their imagination. Instead of inventing fanciful stories based on Old Testament genealogies, they should concentrate on the kind of teaching that... read more
know . App-132 . if , App-118 . a man . Greek. tis. App-123 . lawfully. Gr nomimos Only here and 2 Timothy 2:5 . read more
not . App-105 . made = appointed. righteous. App-191 . lawless . App-128 . disobedient = not under subjection, undisciplined . Greek. anupotaktos . Here; Titus 1:6 , Titus 1:10 . Hebrews 2:8 . ungodly . Greek. asebes See Romans 4:5 . sinners . Greek. hamartalos . Compare App-128 . unholy . Greek. anosios Here and 2 Timothy 3:2 . Contrast Acts 2:21 . profane . Gr bebelos . Here, 1 Timothy 4:4 ; 1Ti 6:20 . 2 Timothy 2:16 . Hebrews 12:16 . murderers , &c. Greek. patraloas . .... read more
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully,It is an error to make this verse some kind of license for binding the Mosaic law upon Christians. Nothing could be clearer in the Pauline writings than the fact of the law of Moses having been "taken out of the way," "fulfilled," "abrogated," "nailed to the cross," etc. Paul flatly declared that Christians are "dead to the law by the body of Christ" (Romans 7:4), this having reference, of course, to all requirements of the law in their... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:1-20
St. Paul was about to commit extensive powers in the Church to Timothy. It was therefore necessary that lie should define clearly the source of his own authority. This he does very distinctly. He was an apostle according to the commandment of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence his power to delegate authority to his son Timothy, and hence the duty of the Church to submit to Timothy's ruling. Among the powers committed to Timothy was that of ordaining bishops and deacons by the laying on of... read more