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1 Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ by the commaundement of God our Sauiour, & Lord Iesus Christ which is our hope,
2 Unto Timothie my own sonne in the Faith: Grace, mercie, and peace from God our Father, and Iesus Christ our Lord.
3 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,
4 Neither giue heed to fables, and endlesse genealogies, which minister questions, rather then edifying which is in faith: so doe.
5 Now the end of the commandement is charity, out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith vnfained.
6 From which some hauing swarued, haue turned aside vnto vaine iangling,
7 Desiring to bee teachers of the Law, vnderstāding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirme.
8 But we know that the Law is good, if a man vse it lawfully.
9 Knowing this, that the Law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawlesse and disobedient, for the vngodly, and for sinners, for vnholy, and profane, for murderers of fathers, and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselues with mankinde, for men-stealers, for liars, for periured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,
11 According to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12 And I thanke Christ Iesus our Lord, who hath enabled mee: for that he counted me faithfull, putting me into the Ministerie,
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecuter, and iniurious. But I obtained mercie, because I did it ignorantly, in vnbeliefe.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with faith, & loue, which is in Christ Iesus.
15 This is a faithfull saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners, of whom I am chiefe.
16 Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Iesus Christ might shew foorth all long suffering, for a paterne to them which should hereafter beleeue on him to life euerlasting.
17 Now vnto þe king eternal, immortall, inuisible, the onely wise God, be honour and glory for euer & euer. Amen.
18 This charge I commit vnto thee, sonne Timothie, according to the prophesies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest warre a good warfare,
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience, which some hauing put away, concerning faith, haue made shipwracke.
20 Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whome I haue deliuered vnto Satan, that they may learne not to blaspheme.
The design of the epistle appears to be, that Timothy having been left at Ephesus, St. Paul wrote to instruct him in the choice of proper officers in the church, as well as in the exercise of a regular ministry. Also, to caution against the influence of false teachers, who by subtle distinctions and endless disputes, corrupted the purity and simplicity of the gospel. He presses upon him constant regard to the greatest diligence, faithfulness, and zeal. These subjects occupy the first four chapters; the fifth chapter instructs respecting particular classes; in the latter part, controversies and disputes are condemned, the love of money blamed, and the rich exhorted to good works.The apostle salutes Timothy. (1-4) The design of the law as given by Moses. (5-11) Of his own conversion and call to the apostleship. (12-17) The obligation to maintain faith and a good conscience. (18-20)1-4 Jesus Christ is a Christian's hope; all our hopes of eternal life are built upon him; and Christ is in us the hope of glory. The apostle seems to have been the means of Timothy's conversion; who served with him in his ministry, as a dutiful son with a loving father. That which raises questions, is not for edifying; that which gives occasion for doubtful disputes, pulls down the church rather than builds it up. Godliness of heart and life can only be kept up and increased, by the exercise of faith in the truths and promises of God, through Jesus Christ.
5-11 Whatever tends to weaken love to God, or love to the brethren, tends to defeat the end of the commandment. The design of the gospel is answered, when sinners, through repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ, are brought to exercise Christian love. And as believers were righteous persons in God's appointed way, the law was not against them. But unless we are made righteous by faith in Christ, really repenting and forsaking sin, we are yet under the curse of the law, even according to the gospel of the blessed God, and are unfit to share the holy happiness of heaven.
12-17 The apostle knew that he would justly have perished, if the Lord had been extreme to mark what was amiss; and also if his grace and mercy had not been abundant to him when dead in sin, working faith and love to Christ in his heart. This is a faithful saying; these are true and faithful words, which may be depended on, That the Son of God came into the world, willingly and purposely to save sinners. No man, with Paul's example before him, can question the love and power of Christ to save him, if he really desires to trust in him as the Son of God, who once died on the cross, and now reigns upon the throne of glory, to save all that come to God through him. Let us then admire and praise the grace of God our Saviour; and ascribe to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three Persons in the unity of the Godhead, the glory of all done in, by, and for us.
18-20 The ministry is a warfare against sin and Satan; carried on under the Lord Jesus, who is the Captain of our salvation. The good hopes others have had of us, should stir us up to duty. And let us be upright in our conduct in all things. The design of the highest censures in the primitive church, was, to prevent further sin, and to reclaim the sinner. May all who are tempted to put away a good conscience, and to abuse the gospel, remember that this is the way to make shipwreck of faith also.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.