1 Timothy 1:5
in 1 Timothy 1The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:
KJV
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
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This verse in 1 Timothy 1
Commentary
24 notes on this verseNone of these things is hid from you, if ye perfectly possess that faith and love towards Christ Jesus which are the beginning and the end of life. For the beginning is faith, and the end is love. Now these two, being inseparably connected together, are of God, while all other things which are requisite for a holy life follow after them. No man [truly] making a profession of faith sinneth; nor does he that possesses love hate any one.
This site's exposition
the end of the commandment is charity
on 1 Timothy 1:5-6
Against speculation Paul sets the true aim of all teaching, charity out of a pure heart, a good conscience, and faith unfeigned, three inward marks rather than one outward performance. The false teachers have swerved from this target, missing the mark like an archer, and turned aside unto vain jangling, talk that leads nowhere and settles nothing. Sound doctrine is judged here by its fruit as much as its content, a test the whole letter will keep applying.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
The goal of the command is love from a pure heart and of a good conscience and sincere faith. For since this was the case, the practice of teaching others also ceased. How so? Because from not loving, envy entered some against the teachers due …
A commentator
Augustine of HippoON CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE 1.35.39-1.36.40-41 · Written in the 5th century.
proposed
The end of all divine Scriptures is the love for the Being in which we should rejoice and love for the being that can rejoice with us in that love. … Whoever … thinks that he understands the divine Scriptures or any part of them so that it does not build the double love of God and of our neighbor does not understand it at all. Whoever finds a lesson there useful to the building of charity, even though he has not said what the author may be shown to have intended in that place, has not been deceived.… But anyone who understands in the Scriptures something other than that intended by them is deceived, although they do not lie.
When all these things have been said and considered, I am unwilling to contend about words, for such contention is profitable for nothing but the subverting of the hearer. But the law is profitable for edification if one uses it lawfully. For the end of the law "is love out of a pure heart, and a good conscience and faith unfeigned." And our Master knew it well, for it was on these two commandments that he hung all the law and the prophets.
For where are there those three, in order to build up which in the mind the whole apparatus of the divine Scriptures has been raised up, namely Faith, Hope, and Charity, except in a mind believing what it does not yet see, and hoping and loving what it believes? Even He therefore who is not known, but yet is believed, can be loved. But indisputably we must take care, lest the mind believing that which it does not see, feign to itself something which is not, and hope for and love that which is false. For in that case, it will not be charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned, which is the end of the commandment, as the same apostle says.
When anyone knows the end of the commandments to be charity "from a pure heart, and a good conscience and an unfeigned faith" and has related all of his understanding of the divine Scriptures to these three, he may approach the treatment of these books with security. For when he says "charity" he adds "from a pure heart," so that nothing else would be loved except that which should be loved. And he joins with this "a good conscience" for the sake of hope, for he in whom there is the smallest taint of bad conscience despairs of attaining that which he believes in and loves. Third, he says "an unfeigned faith." If our faith involves no lie, then we do not love that which is not to be loved, and living justly, we hope for that which will in no way deceive our hope.
17 more voices on this verse
The Church Fathers4 voices
A commentator
Augustine of HippoON THE TRINITY 15.23.44-15.24.44 · Written in the 5th century.
proposed
But when the sight shall have come which is promised anew to us face to face, we shall see this not only incorporeal but also absolutely indivisible and truly unchangeable Trinity far more clearly and certainly than we now see its image which we ourselves are: and yet they who see through this glass and in this enigma, as it is permitted in this life to see, are not those who behold in their own mind the things which we have set in order and pressed upon them; but those who see this as if an image, so as to be able to refer what they see, in some way be it what it may, to Him whose image it is, and to see that also by conjecturing, which they see through the image by beholding, since they cannot yet see face to face. For the apostle does not say, We see now a glass, but, We see now through a glass. They, then, who see their own mind, in whatever way that is possible, and in it that Trinity of which I have treated as I could in many ways, and yet do not believe or understand it to be an image of God, see indeed a glass, but do not so far see through the glass Him who is now to be seen through the glass, that they do not even know the glass itself which they see to be a glass, i.e. an image. And if they knew this, perhaps they would feel that He too whose glass this is, should by it be sought, and somehow provisionally be seen, an unfeigned faith purging their hearts, that He who is now seen through a glass may be able to be seen face to face. And if they despise this faith that purifies the heart, what do they accomplish by understanding the most subtle disputes concerning the nature of the human mind, unless that they be condemned also by the witness of their own understanding?
You have now, if I am not mistaken, an answer to two questions—what kind of person you ought to be if you would pray, and what things you should ask in prayer; and the answer has been given not by my teaching, but by His who has condescended to teach us all. A happy life is to be sought after, and this is to be asked from the Lord God. Many different answers have been given by many in discussing wherein true happiness consists; but why should we go to many teachers, or consider many answers to this question? It has been briefly and truly stated in the divine Scriptures, "Blessed is the people whose God is the Lord." That we may be numbered among this people, and that we may attain to beholding Him and dwelling for ever with Him, "the end of the commandment is, charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned."
Ascend the mountain and see the end. Christ is the mountain; come to him, and from there you will see the end of all perfection. What is the end? Ask Paul, "Now the purpose of this charge is charity, from a pure heart and a …
Nothing is so injurious to mankind as to undervalue friendship; and not to cultivate it with the greatest care; as nothing, on the other hand, is so beneficial, as to pursue it to the utmost of our power. This Christ has shown, where He says, "If two of you shall agree on earth, as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father" (Matt. xviii. 19); and again, "Because iniquity shall abound, love shall wax cold." (Matt. xxiv. 12.) It is this that has been the occasion of all heresies. For men, because they loved not their brethren, have envied those who were in high repute, and from envying, they have become eager for power, and from a love of power have introduced heresies. On this account Paul having said, "that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine," now shows that the manner in which this may be effected is by charity. As therefore when he says, "Christ is the end of the Law" (Rom. x. 4), that is, its fulfillment, and this is connected with the former, so this a commandment implied in love. The end of medicine is health, but where there is health, there is no need to make much ado; so where there is love, there is no need of much commanding. But what sort of love does he speak of? That which is sincere, which is not merely in words but which flows from the disposition, from sentiment, and sympathy. "From a pure heart," he says, either with respect to a right conversation, or sincere affection. For an impure life too produces divisions. "For every one that doeth evil, hateth the light." (John iii. 20.) There is indeed a friendship even among the wicked. Robbers and murderers may love one another, but this is not "from a good conscience," not "from a pure" but from an impure "heart," not from "faith unfeigned," but from that which is false and hypocritical. […]
The Medieval Church8 voices
If you, he says, will admonish them not to teach otherwise, you will achieve this, namely love. If you instill love in them, then every corrupt doctrine will find no place among them. Before, when there was no love, there was envy; from envy came …
The incarnate Word restores no one unless he both conceives it by believing in his heart and brings forth outwardly what is believed by confessing with due confession; of this kind is truthful confession full of truth, which is not only speculative truth but also …
A commentator
BonaventureCollations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 1 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
The Church is a union of rational men united in harmonious and uniform adherence to divine peace. For the Church in return loves itself. And love is born of obedience to the Law. And the Law itself commands love: Now "the purpose of this charge …
A commentator
BonaventureCollations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 2 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
The eager desire for discipline gives birth to love. Hence the proper attention to discipline is love. For if you love discipline, you love virtue in yourself and in others and in its very Source. Discipline, however, does not have to be servile: it may …
A commentator
BonaventureCollations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 7 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
It should be noted that charity alone heals the affective dispositions. For, according to Augustine in "The City of God," love is the root of all affections. Wherefore love must be healed, otherwise all affections are distorted; but it can be healed only by divine …
A commentator
BonaventureCollations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 21 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
And in this commandment consists the consummation of God's precepts, whether the world accepts it or not — this, indeed, he asserted — that is, in the abdication of all cupidity. And so, as a ninefold series is completed and made perfect by the addition …
A commentator
BonaventureItinerarium Mentis in Deum, Chapter 4 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
For sacred Scripture is principally concerned with the works of reparation. Whence it treats chiefly of faith, hope, and charity, through which virtues the soul must be reformed, and most especially of charity. Of which the Apostle says that it is the end of the …
Then when he says, now the end, he shows what should be kept of the law. In regard to this he does two things: first, he proves this; second, that there is a danger for those who do not hold this, at from which things. …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Whereas the end of the commandment - of the whole Christian institution. Is love - And this was particularly the end of the commandment which Timotheus was to enforce at Ephesus, ver. 3, 18. The foundation is faith; the end, love.
Now the end of the commandment is charity,....
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
1Ti 1:11), which was the sum and substance of the "charge" committed to Timothy wherewith he should "charge" his flock. charity--LOVE; the sum and end of the law and of the Gospel alike, and that wherein the Gospel is the fulfilment of the spirit of the law in its every essential jot and tittle (Ro 13:10). The foundation is faith (1Ti 1:4), the "end" is love (1Ti 1:14;
Now the end of the commandment is charity - These genealogical questions lead to strife and debate; and the dispensation of God leads to love both to God and man, through faith in Christ. These genealogical questions leave the heart under the influence of all its vile tempers and evil propensities; Faith in Jesus purifies the heart. No inquiry of this kind can add to any thing by which the guilt of sin can be taken away; but the Gospel proclaims pardon, through the blood of the Lamb, to every believing penitent. The end, aim, and design of God in giving this dispensation to the world is, that men may have an unfeigned faith, such as lays hold on Christ crucified, and produces a good conscience from a sense of the pardon received, and leads on to purity of heart; Love to God and man being the grand issue of the grace of Christ here below, and this fully preparing the soul for eternal glory. He whose soul is filled with love to God and man has a pure heart, a good conscience, and unfeigned faith. But these blessings no soul can ever acquire, but according to God’s dispensation of faith. The paraphrase and note of Dr. Macknight on this verse are very proper: “Now the scope of the charge to be given by thee to these teachers is, that, instead of inculcating fables and genealogies, they inculcate love to God and man, proceeding from a pure heart, and directed by a good conscience, and nourished by unfeigned faith in the Gospel doctrine. The word παραγγελια denotes a message or order, brought to one from another, and delivered by word of mouth. […]
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Now the end of the commandment - see the notes on Rom 10:4. In order that Timothy might fulfil the design of his appointment, it was necessary that he should have a correct view of the design of the law. The teachers to whom he refers insisted much on its obligation and importance; and Paul designs to say that he did not intend to teach that the law was of no consequence, and was not, when properly understood, obligatory.
The words behind it
16 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| τὸ | to | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| δὲ | de | And | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| τέλος | telos | the goal | G5056 → | |
| τῆς | tes | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| παραγγελίας | parangelias | of [our] instruction | G3852 → | |
| ἐστὶν | estin | is | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| ἀγάπη | agape | love | G26 → | 114 times |
| ἐκ | ek | out of | G1537 → | |
| καθαρᾶς | katharas | a pure | G2513 → | |
| καρδίας | kardias | heart | G2588 → | |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| συνειδήσεως | suneideseos | a conscience | G4893 → | 30 times |
| ἀγαθῆς | agathes | good | G18 → | 102 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| πίστεως | pisteos | a faith | G4102 → | 242 times |
| ἀνυποκρίτου, | anupokritou | sincere, | G505 → |
τὸ<the>
toG3588 →19766 times
δὲAnd
deG1161 →2765 times
τέλοςthe goal
telosG5056 →
τῆς<the>
tesG3588 →19766 times
παραγγελίαςof [our] instruction
parangeliasG3852 →
ἐστὶνis
estinG1510 →2333 times
ἀγάπηlove
agapeG26 →114 times
ἐκout of
ekG1537 →
καθαρᾶςa pure
katharasG2513 →
καρδίαςheart
kardiasG2588 →
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
συνειδήσεωςa conscience
suneideseosG4893 →30 times
ἀγαθῆςgood
agathesG18 →102 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
πίστεωςa faith
pisteosG4102 →242 times
ἀνυποκρίτου,sincere,
anupokritouG505 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
it leads to
- Colossians 3:12–17
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
- John 15:5
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.
- James 3:17–18
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- John 15:2
He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.
- Colossians 3:12–17
Through
2 Timothy 2:22Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
it leads to
- 1 Peter 2:11
Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.
- 1 Peter 3:11
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
- 1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
- 1 Peter 2:11
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies3
On this verse
About 1 Timothy

This page draws on 24 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, ON CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE 1.35.39-1.36.40-41; Augustine of Hippo, Confessions 12.18; Augustine of Hippo, ON THE TRINITY 8.4.6; Augustine of Hippo, ON CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE 1.40.44; Augustine of Hippo, ON THE TRINITY 15.23.44-15.24.44; Augustine of Hippo, LETTERS 130.13.24; Bonaventure, Breviloquium, Part 6; Bonaventure, Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 1; Bonaventure, Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 2; Bonaventure, Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 7; Bonaventure, Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 21; Bonaventure, Itinerarium Mentis in Deum, Chapter 4; Caesarius of Arles, SERMONS 137.1; Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Timothy 2; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Timothy and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Timothy.
