Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Timothy 1:5

"But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:" — 1 Timothy 1:5 (ASV)

Now the end of the commandment. (See Barnes on Romans 10:4).

So that Timothy might fulfill the purpose of his appointment, it was necessary for him to have a correct understanding of the purpose of the law. The teachers to whom Paul refers greatly emphasized its obligation and importance. Paul intends to say that he did not mean to teach that the law was of no consequence or that it was not obligatory when properly understood.

However, its nature and use were not correctly understood by these teachers; therefore, it was very important for Timothy to instill correct views of the purpose for which it was given. Some (like Doddridge) have understood the word "commandment" here to mean the gospel; others (like Benson, Clarke, and Macknight) understand it as the particular command the apostle gives to Timothy here. However, it seems more natural to refer to all that God had commanded—His whole law.

Since the error of these teachers arose from improper views of the nature and purpose of the law, Paul says that its purpose should be understood. It was not intended to produce divisions and angry disputes, nor to fetter the minds of Christians with minute and burdensome observances, but it was to produce love.

Is charity. (On the meaning of this word, see Barnes on 1 Corinthians 13:1).

Out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22). The love which is genuine must proceed from a holy heart. The commandment was not designed to secure merely the outward expressions of love, but that which had its seat in the heart.

And of a good conscience. This means a conscience free from guilt. Of course, there can be no genuine love for God where the dictates of conscience are constantly violated, or where someone knows they are continually doing wrong. If someone wishes to have evidence of love for God, they must keep a good conscience. All pretended love, where someone knows they are living in sin, is mere hypocrisy.

And of faith unfeigned. This means undissimulated confidence in God. This does seem to refer specifically to faith in the Lord Jesus, but it also means that all true love for God, such as this law would produce, must be based on confidence in Him. How can anyone have love for Him if they have no confidence in Him? Can we exercise love toward a professed friend in whom we have no confidence? Faith, then, is as necessary under the law as it is under the gospel.