John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 1:7

"desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm." — 1 Timothy 1:7 (ASV)

Wishing to be teachers of the law. He does not reprove those who openly attack the instruction of the law, but rather those who boast of belonging to the rank of its teachers. He affirms that such persons have no understanding, because they harass their minds to no purpose with curious questions. At the same time, he rebukes their pride by adding:

Of what things they affirm, for none will be found more bold in pronouncing rashly on matters unknown to them than the teachers of such fables. We see in the present day with what pride and haughtiness the schools of the Sorbonne pronounce their authoritative decisions. And on what subjects? On those which are altogether hidden from human minds—which no word of Scripture and no revelation has ever made known to us.

With greater boldness do they affirm their purgatory than the resurrection of the dead. As for their contrivances about the intercession of the saints, if we do not hold them to be an undoubted oracle, they cry out that the whole of religion is overturned. What shall I say about their vast labyrinths concerning the hierarchies of heaven, relationships, and similar contrivances? It is a matter that has no end. The Apostle declares that in all these things is fulfilled what is said in a well-known ancient proverb:

“Ignorance is rash;” as he says, puffed up by their carnal mind, they intrude into things which they know not (Colossians 2:18).