Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Timothy 1
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Timothy 1
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Timothy 1
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our hope; unto Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine, neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith; [so do I now]." — 1 Timothy 1:1-4 (ASV)
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. Timothy served with him in his ministry as a dutiful son with a loving father.
Whatever raises questions, is not edifying; whatever gives occasion for doubtful disputes pulls down the church rather than builds it up.
Godliness of heart and life can only be maintained and increased, by the exercise of faith in the truths and promises of God, through Jesus Christ.
"But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned: from which things some having swerved have turned aside unto vain talking; desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully, as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine; according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust." — 1 Timothy 1:5-11 (ASV)
Whatever tends to weaken love for God, or love for fellow believers, tends to defeat the purpose of the commandment. The purpose of the gospel is fulfilled when sinners, through repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ, are brought to practice Christian love. And since believers were righteous people in God's appointed way, the law was not against them. But unless we are made righteous by faith in Christ, truly repenting and forsaking sin, we are still 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.
"I thank him that enabled me, [even] Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to [his] service; though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Faithful is the 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 as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." — 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (ASV)
The apostle knew that he would justly have perished if the Lord had strictly noted what was amiss, and also if his grace and mercy had not been abundant to him when he was dead in sin, working faith and love for Christ in his heart.
This is a faithful saying; these are true and faithful words that can be depended on: That the Son of God came into the world willingly and purposely to save sinners.
No one, with Paul's example before him, can question the love and power of Christ to save him, if he really desires to trust in Christ as the Son of God, who once died on the cross, and now reigns upon the throne of glory, to save all who come to God through him.
Let us then admire and praise the grace of God our Savior; and ascribe to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three Persons in the unity of the Godhead, the glory of all done in, by, and for us.
"This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou mayest war the good warfare; holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith: of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme." — 1 Timothy 1:18-20 (ASV)
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.
Jump to: