1 Timothy 1:6
in 1 Timothy 1Some have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
from which things some having swerved have turned aside unto vain talking;
KJV
From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
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This verse in 1 Timothy 1
Commentary
12 notes on this verseFrom which some having swerved - From which some, though they have pretended to aim at the τελος, scope, or mark, have missed that mark. This is the import of the original word αστοχησαντες. Turned aside unto vain jangling - The original term, ματαιολογιαν, signifies empty or vain talking; discourses that turn to no profit; a great many words and little sense; and that sense not worth the pains of hearing. Such, indeed, is all preaching where Jesus Christ is not held forth.
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 Fathers4 voices
from which some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to empty talk. from which. Being, of the things spoken, of the household of God in faith, and of sincere love. having missed the mark. For it requires skill, so as not to fall outside …
In the ark and in the house, one and the same church was prefigured. As for those who perished outside the ark in the flood and in those who died by the sword outside that house, a twofold mystery can be considered: In the flood …
"From which some having swerved have turned aside to vain jangling." He has well said, "swerved," for it requires skill, to shoot straight and not beside the mark, to have the direction of the Spirit. For there are many things to turn us aside from the right course, and we should look but to one object.
What is this vain juggling with words? Is he aware that it is God of Whom he speaks, Who was in the beginning and is in the Father, nor was there any time when He was not? He knows not what he says nor whereof he affirms, but he endeavours, as though he were constructing the pedigree of a mere man, to apply to the Lord of all creation the language which properly belongs to our nature here below.
The Medieval Church1 voice
Above he showed the value and usefulness of the virtues; here he explains why they are needed, namely, because whoever lacks them runs into the danger of false doctrine. In regard to this he does two things: first, he shows the falsity of the doctrine …
5 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church1 voice
The word ἀστοχήσαντες is used of those who shoot poorly. Therefore here too, he says, skill is needed in order to throw straight and not miss the target. But some have departed from love and faith, and as a result have turned aside to vain …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
From which - Love and a good conscience. Some are turned aside - An affectation of high and extensive knowledge sets a man at the greatest distance from faith, and all sense of divine things. To vain jangling - And of all vanities, none are more vain than dry, empty disputes on the things of God.
From which some having swerved,....
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
From which--namely, from a pure heart, good conscience, and faith unfeigned, the well-spring of love. having swerved--literally, "having missed the mark (the 'end') to be aimed at." It is translated, "erred," 1Ti 6:21; Instead of aiming at and attaining the graces above named, they "have turned aside (1Ti 5:15;
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens+odd-straight-quotes
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
From which some having swerved - Margin, “not aiming at.” The word here used - ἀστοχέω astocheō - means properly, to miss the mark; to err; and then, to swerve from compare 1Ti 6:21; 2Ti 2:18. It does not mean that they had ever had that from which they are said to have swerved - for it does not follow that a man who misses a mark had ever hit it - but merely that they failed of the things referred to, and had turned to vain talk. The word “which” ὧν hōn, in the plural, refers not to the law, but to the things enumerated - a pure heart, a good conscience, and unfeigned faith. Have turned aside unto vain jangling - Vain talk, empty declamation, discourses without sense. The word here used does not mean contention or strife, but that kind of discourse which is not founded in good sense. They were discourses on their pretended distinctions in the law; on their traditions and ceremonies; on their useless genealogies, and on the fabulous statements which they had appended to the law of Moses.
The words behind it
6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ὧν | hon | from which | G3739 → | 1405 times |
| τινες | tines | some | G5100 → | 528 times |
| ἀστοχήσαντες | astochesantes | having missed the mark | G795 → | |
| ἐξετράπησαν | exetrapesan | they have turned aside | G1624 → | 5 times |
| εἰς | eis | to | G1519 → | 1755 times |
| ματαιολογίαν | mataiologian | meaningless discourse | G3150 → |
ὧνfrom which
honG3739 →1405 times
τινεςsome
tinesG5100 →528 times
ἀστοχήσαντεςhaving missed the mark
astochesantesG795 →
ἐξετράπησανthey have turned aside
exetrapesanG1624 →5 times
εἰςto
eisG1519 →1755 times
ματαιολογίανmeaningless discourse
mataiologianG3150 →
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
Titus 3:9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
it leads to
- 2 Timothy 2:14
Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
- 1 Timothy 4:7
But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
- 2 Timothy 2:23
But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
- 2 Timothy 2:16
But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
- Titus 1:14
and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.
- 2 Timothy 2:14
Through
1 Timothy 5:15For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
it leads to
- 2 Peter 2:2
Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed.
- Jude 1:4–5
For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only…
- 2 Peter 2:2
Through
Titus 1:10For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision,
it leads to
- 1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- 1 John 4:1
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies3
On this verse
About 1 Timothy
This page draws on 12 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); Fulgentius of Ruspe, ON THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS 1.20; Gregory of Nyssa, AGAINST EUNOMIUS 2.9; 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.