1Ti 1:6-7 | JFB | STEP | 6. 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," . Instead of aiming at and attaining the graces above named, they "have turned aside ( ) unto vain jangling"; literally, "vain talk," about the law and genealogies of angels ( ); , "vain babblings and oppositions." It is the greatest vanity when divine things are not truthfully discussed ( ) [BENGEL ].

1 Timothy 1:6-7

6. 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; 2Ti 2:18. Instead of aiming at and attaining the graces above named, they "have turned aside (1Ti 5:15; 2Ti 4:4; Heb 12:13) unto vain jangling"; literally, "vain talk," about the law and genealogies of angels (1Ti 1:7; Tit 3:9; 1:10); 1Ti 6:20, "vain babblings and oppositions." It is the greatest vanity when divine things are not truthfully discussed (Ro 1:21) [BENGEL].

7. Sample of their "vain talk" (1Ti 1:6).

Desiring—They are would-be teachers, not really so.

the law—the Jewish law (Tit 1:14; 3:9). The Judaizers here meant seem to be distinct from those impugned in the Epistles to the Galatians and Romans, who made the works of the law necessary to justification in opposition to Gospel grace. The Judaizers here meant corrupted the law with "fables," which they pretended to found on it, subversive of morals as well as of truth. Their error was not in maintaining the obligation of the law, but in abusing it by fabulous and immoral interpretations of, and additions to, it.

neither what they say, nor whereof—neither understanding their own assertions, nor the object itself about which they make them. They understand as little about the one as the other [ALFORD].