1 Timothy 1 · Robertson's Word Pictures
1According to the commandment (kat' epitagen). A late Koine word (Polybius, Diodorus), but a Pauline word also in N.T. This very idiom ("by way of command") in 1Co 7:6; 2Co 8:8; Ro 16:26; 1Ti 1:1; Tit 1:3 . Paul means to say that he is an apostle under orders.
Of God our Saviour (theou soteros emon). Genitive case with epitagen. In the LXX soter (old word from sozo for agent in saving, applied to deities, princes, kings, etc.) occurs 20 times, all but two to God. The Romans called the emperor "Saviour God." In the N.T. the designation of God as Saviour is peculiar to Lu 1:47; Jude 1:25; 1Ti 1:3; 2:3; 4:10; Tit 1:3; 2:10; 3:4 . In the other Epistles Paul uses it of Christ (Php 3:20; Eph 5:23 ) as in 2Ti 1:10 . In 2 Peter 1:1 we have "our God and Saviour Jesus Christ" as in Tit 2:13 .
Our hope (tes elpidos emon). Like Col 1:27 . More than the author and object of hope, "its very substance and foundation" (Ellicott).
2True (gnesio). Legitimate, not spurious. Old word from ginoma, but Pauline only in N.T. (Php 4:3; 2Co 8:8; Tit 1:4 ). In Php 2:20 the adverb gnesios occurs and of Timothy again.
Christ Jesus (Christou Iesou). So twice already in verse 1 and as usual in the later Epistles (Col 1:1; Eph 1:1 ).
3As I exhorted (kathos parekalesa). There is an ellipse of the principal clause in verse 4 ( so do I now not being in the Greek).
To tarry (prosmeina). First aorist active infinitive of prosmeno, old verb, attributed by Luke to Paul in Ac 13:43 .
That thou mightest charge (ina parangeileis). Subfinal clause with ina and the first aorist active subjunctive of parangello, old verb, to transmit a message along (para) from one to another. See 2Th 3:4,6,10 . Lock considers this idiom here an elliptical imperative like Eph 4:29; 5:33 .
Certain men (tisin). Dative case. Expressly vague (no names as in 1:20), though Paul doubtless has certain persons in Ephesus in mind.
Not to teach a different doctrine (me eterodidaskalein). Earliest known use of this compound like kakodidaskalein of Clement of Rome. Only other N.T. example in 6:3. Eusebius has eterodidaskalos. Same idea in Ga 1:6; 2Co 11:4; Ro 16:17 . Perhaps coined by Paul.
4To give heed (prosechein). With noun understood. Old and common idiom in N.T. especially in Luke and Acts (Ac 8:10ff. ). Not in Paul's earlier Epistles. 1Ti 3:8; 4:1,13; Tit 1:14 .
To fables (muthois). Dative case of old word for speech, narrative, story, fiction, falsehood. In N.T. only 2 Peter 1:16; 1Ti 1:4; 4:7; Tit 1:14; 2Ti 4:4 .
Genealogies (genealogiais). Dative of old word, in LXX, in N.T. only here and Tit 3:9 .
Endless (aperantois). Old verbal compound (from a privative and peraino, to go through), in LXX, only here in N.T. Excellent examples there for old words used only in the Pastorals because of the subject matter, describing the Gnostic emphasis on aeons.
Questionings (ekzeteseis). "Seekings out." Late and rare compound from ekzeteo (itself Koine word, Ro 3:11 from LXX and in papyri). Here only in N.T. Simplex zetesis in Ac 15:2; 1Ti 6:4; Tit 3:9; 2Ti 2:23 .
A dispensation (oikonomian). Pauline word (1Co 9:17; Col 1:25; Eph 1:9; 3:9; 1Ti 1:4 ), Lu 16:2-4 only other N.T. examples.
In faith (en piste). Pauline use of pistis.
5The end (to telos). See Ro 6:21; 10:4 for telos (the good aimed at, reached, result, end).
Love (agape). Not "questionings." Ro 13:9 . "Three conditions for the growth of love" (Parry): "Out of a pure heart" (ek katharas kardias, O.T. conception), "and a good conscience" (ka suneideseos agathes, for which see Ro 2:25 ), "and faith unfeigned" (ka pisteos anupokritou, late compound verbal in 2Co 6:6; Ro 12:9 ).
6Having swerved (astochesantes). First aorist active participle of astocheo, compound Koine verb (Polybius, Plutarch) from astochos (a privative and stochos, a mark), "having missed the mark." In N.T. only here, 6:21; 2Ti 2:18 . With the ablative case on (which).
Have turned aside (exetrapesan). Second aorist passive indicative of ektrepo, old and common verb, to turn or twist out or aside. In medical sense in Heb 12:13 . As metaphor in 1Ti 1:6; 6:20; 2Ti 4:4 .
Vain talking (mataiologian). Late word from mataiologos, only here in N.T., in the literary Koine.
7Teachers of the law (nomodidaskalo). Compound only in N.T. (here, Lu 5:17; Ac 5:34 ) and ecclesiastical writers.
Though they understand (noountes). Concessive participle of noeo, old verb (Eph 3:4,20 ).
Neither what (mete a). Relative a (which things).
Nor whereof (mete per tinon). Here the interrogative tinon used in sense of relative on. It may be regarded as the use of an indirect question for variety (Parry).
They confidently affirm (diabebaiounta). Present middle indicative of the common Koine compound, in N.T. only here and Tit 3:8 .
8If a man use it lawfully (ean tis auto chreta). Condition of third class with ean and present middle subjunctive of chraoma with instrumental case.
9Is not made for (ou keita). The use of keita for tetheita (perfect passive of tithem) is a common enough idiom. See the same point about law in Ga 18-23; Ro 13:13 . For "knowing this" (eidos touto) see Eph 5:5 .
Unruly (anupotaktois). Dative (like all these words) of the late verbal (a privative and upotasso). In N.T. only here, Tit 1:6,10; Heb 2:8 .
Ungodly (asebes). See Ro 4:5; 5:6 .
Sinners (amartolois). See Ro 3:7 .
Unholy (anosiois). Common word (a privative and osios. In N.T. only here and 2Ti 3:2 .
Profane (bebelois). Old word from baino, to go, and belos, threshold. See Heb 12:16 .
Murderers of fathers (patroloiais). Late form for common Attic patraloiais (from pater, father, and aloiao, to smite) only here in N.T.
Murderers of mothers (metroloiais). Late form Attic metraloiais. Only here in N.T.
Manslayers (andraphonois). Old compound (aner, man, phonos, murder). Only here in N.T.
10For abusers of themselves with men (arsenokoitais). Late compound for sodomites. In N.T. only here and 1Co 6:9 .
Men-stealers (andrapodistais). Old word from andrapodizo (from aner, man, pous, foot, to catch by the foot), to enslave. So enslavers, whether kidnappers (men-stealers) of free men or stealers of the slaves of other men. So slave-dealers. By the use of this word Paul deals a blow at the slave-trade (cf. Philemon).
Liars (pseustais). Old word, see Ro 3:4 .
False swearers (epiorkois). Old word (epi, orkos, oath). Perjurers. Only here in N.T. For similar lists, see 1Co 5:11; 6:9f.; Ga 5:19f.; Ro 1:28f.; 13:13; Col 3:5; Eph 5:5; 2Ti 3:2f .
The sound doctrine (te ugiainouse didaskalia). Dative case after antikeita, for which verb see Ga 5:17 for the conflict between the Spirit and the flesh. "The healthful (ugiaino, old word for being well, as Lu 5:31; 3Jo 1:2 , in figurative sense in N.T. only in the Pastorals) teaching." See Tit 1:9; 2Ti 4:3 .
11Of the blessed God (tou makariou theou). Applied to God only here and 6:15, but in Tit 2:13 makarios occurs with elpis (hope) of the "epiphany of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ."
Which was committed to my trust (o episteuthen ego). "with which (o accusative retained with first aorist passive verb episteuthen) I was entrusted."
12I thank (charin echo). "I have gratitude to." Common phrase (Lu 17:9 ), not elsewhere in Paul.
That enabled me (to endunamosant me). First aorist active articular participle of endunamoo. Late verb, but regular Pauline idiom (Ro 4:20; Php 4:13; Eph 6:10; 1Ti 1:12; 2Ti 4:17 ).
Appointing me to his service (themenos eis diakonian). Second aorist middle participle. Pauline phrase and atmosphere (Ac 20:24; 1Co 3:5; 12:18,28; 2Co 3:6; 4:1; Col 1:23; Eph. 3:7; 1Ti 4:6; 2Ti 4:5,11 ).
13Before (to proteron). Accusative of general reference of the articular comparative, "as to the former-time," formerly, as in Ga 4:13 .
Though I was (onta). Concessive participle agreeing with me.
Blasphemer (blasphemon). Old word either from blax (stupid) and pheme, speech, or from blapto, to injure. Rare in N.T. but Paul uses blasphemeo, to blaspheme in Ro 2:24 .
Persecutor (dioktes). So far found only here. Probably made by Paul from dioko, which he knew well enough (Ac 22:4,7; 26:14f.; Ga 1:13,23; Php 3:6; 2Ti 3:12 ).
Injurious (ubristen). Substantive, not adjective, "an insolent man." Old word from ubrizo, in N.T. only here and Ro 1:30 .
I obtained mercy (eleethen). First aorist passive indicative of eleeo, old verb. See 2Co 4:1; Ro 11:30f .
Ignorantly (agnoon). Present active participle of agnoeo, "not knowing." Old verb (Ro 2:4 ). In a blindness of heart.
In unbelief (en apistia). See Ro 11:20,25 .
14Abounded exceedingly (uperepleonasen). Aorist active indicative of the late and rare (So 5:19 and in Herond.) compound uperpleonazo (here alone in N.T.), in later ecclesiastical writers. The simplex pleonazo Paul used in Ro 5:20; 6:1 and the kindred upereperisseusen used also with e charis. Paul is fond of compounds with uper. For "faith in Christ Jesus" see Ga 3:26 , for "faith and love in Christ Jesus" as here, see 2Ti 1:13 .
15Faithful is the saying (pistos o logos). Five times in the Pastorals (1Ti 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; Tit 3:8; 2Ti 2:11 ). It will pay to note carefully pistis, pisteuo, pistos. Same use of pistos (trustworthy) applied to logos in Tit 1:9; Re 21:5; 22:6 . Here and probably in 2Ti 2:11 a definite saying seems to be referred to, possibly a quotation (ot) of a current saying quite like the Johannine type of teaching. This very phrase (Christ coming into the world) occurs in Joh 9:37; 11:27; 16:28; 18:37 . Paul, of course, had no access to the Johannine writings, but such "sayings" were current among the disciples. There is no formal quotation, but "the whole phrase implies a knowledge of Synoptic and Johannine language" (Lock) as in Lu 5:32; Joh 12:47 .
Acceptation (apodoches). Genitive case with axios (worthy of). Late word (Polybius, Diod., Jos.) in N.T. only here and 4:9.
Chief (protos). Not en (I was), but eim (I am). "It is not easy to think of any one but St. Paul as penning these words" (White). In 1Co 15:9 he had called himself "the least of the apostles" (elachistos ton apostolon). In Eph 3:8 he refers to himself as "the less than the least of all saints" (to elachistotero panton agion). On occasion Paul would defend himself as on a par with the twelve apostles (Ga 2:6-10 ) and superior to the Judaizers (2Co 11:5f.; 12:11 ). It is not mock humility here, but sincere appreciation of the sins of his life (cf. Ro 7:24 ) as a persecutor of the church of God (Ga 1:13 ), of men and even women (Ac 22:4f.; 26:11 ). He had sad memories of those days.
16In me as chief (en emo proto). Probably starts with the same sense of protos as in verse 15 (rank), but turns to order (first in line). Paul becomes the "specimen" sinner as an encouragement to all who come after him.
Might shew forth (endeixeta). First aorist middle subjunctive (purpose with ina) of endeiknum, to point out, for which see Eph 2:7 (same form with ina).
Longsuffering (makrothumian). Common Pauline word (2Co 6:6 ).
For an ensample (pros upotuposin). Late and rare word (in Galen, Sext. Emp., Diog. Laert., here only in N.T.) from late verb upotupoo (in papyri) to outline. So substantive here is a sketch, rough outline. Paul is a sample of the kind of sinners that Jesus came to save. See upodeigma in 2 Peter 2:6 .
17This noble doxology is a burst of gratitude for God's grace to Paul. For other doxologies see Ga 1:5; Ro 11:36; 16:27; Php 4:20; Eph 3:21; 1Ti 6:16 . White suggests that Paul may have often used this doxology in his prayers. Lock suggests "a Jewish liturgical formula" (a needless suggestion in view of Paul's wealth of doxologies seen above). For God's creative activity (King of the ages) see 1Co 10:11; Eph 2:7; 3:9,11 .
Incorruptible (aphtharto). As an epithet of God also in Ro 1:23 .
Invisible (aorato). Epithet of God in Col 1:15 .
The only God (mono theo). So Ro 16:27; Joh 5:44; 17:3 .
For ever and ever (eis tous aionas ton aionon). "Unto the ages of ages." Cf. Eph 3:21 "of the age of the ages."
18I commit (paratithema). Present middle indicative of old and common verb, to place beside (para) as food on table, in the middle to entrust (Lu 12:48 ) and used by Jesus as he was dying (Lu 23:46 ). Here it is a banking figure and repeated in 2Ti 2:2 .
According to the prophecies which went before on thee (kata tas proagousas ep se propheteias). Intransitive use of proago, to go before. When Timothy first comes before us (Ac 16:2 ) "he was testified to" (emartureito) by the brethren. He began his ministry rich in hopes, prayers, predictions.
That by them thou mayest war the good warfare (ina strateue en autais ten kalen strateian). Cognate accusative (strateian, old word from strateuo, in N.T. only here and 2Co 4:4 ) with strateue (second person singular middle present subjunctive of strateuo, old verb chiefly in Paul in N.T., 1Co 9:7; 2Co 10:3 ). As if in defensive armour.
19Holding faith and a good conscience (echon pistin ka agathen suneidesin). Possibly as a shield (Eph 6:16 ) or at any rate possessing (Ro 2:20 ) faith as trust and a good conscience. A leader expects them of his followers and must show them himself.
Having thrust from them (aposameno). First aorist indirect middle participle of apotheo, to push away from one. Old verb (see Ro 11:1f. ).
Made shipwreck (enauagesan). First aorist active indicative of nauageo, old verb from nauagos (shipwrecked, naus, ship, agnum, to break), to break a ship to pieces. In N.T. only here and 2Co 11:25 .
Concerning the faith (per ten pistin). Rather, "concerning their faith" (the article here used as a possessive pronoun, a common Greek idiom).
20Hymenaeus (Humenaios). The same heretic reappears in 2Ti 2:17 . He and Alexander are the chief "wreckers" of faith in Ephesus.
Alexander (Alexandros). Probably the same as the one in 2Ti 4:14 , but not the Jew of that name in Ac 19:33 , unless he had become a Christian since then.
I delivered unto Satan (paredoka to Satana). See this very idiom (paradouna to Satana) in 1Co 5:5 . It is a severe discipline of apostolic authority, apparently exclusion and more than mere abandonment (1Th 2:18; 1Co 5:11; 2Co 2:11 ), though it is an obscure matter.
That they might be taught not to blaspheme (ina paideuthosin me blasphemein). Purpose clause with ina and first aorist passive subjunctive of paideuo. For this use of this common late verb, see 1Co 11:32; 2Co 6:9 .
1 Timothy 2