1 Timothy 1:3-7
Timothy’s Task in Ephesus
3 As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct ▼▼tn This word implies authoritative instruction: “direct, command, give orders” (cf. 1 Tim 4:11; 5:7; 6:13, 17). See BDAG 760 s.v. παραγγέλλω.
certain people not to spread false teachings, ▼ 4nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. ▼▼sn Myths and interminable genealogies. These myths were legendary tales characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus and Crete. See parallels in 1 Tim 4:7; 2 Tim 4:4; and Titus 1:14. They were perhaps built by speculation from the patriarchal narratives in the OT; hence the connection with genealogies and with wanting to be teachers of the law (v. 7).
Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan ▼▼tc A few Western mss (D* latt Ir) read οἰκοδομήν (oikodomēn, “[God’s] edification”) rather than οἰκονομίαν (oikonomian, “[God’s] redemptive plan”), which is read by the earliest and best witnesses.
▼▼tn More literally, “the administration of God that is by faith.”
▼▼sn God’s redemptive plan. The basic word (οἰκονομία, oikonomia) denotes the work of a household steward or manager or the arrangement under which he works: “household management.” As a theological term it is used of the order or arrangement by which God brings redemption through Christ (God’s “dispensation, plan of salvation” [Eph 1:10; 3:9]) or of human responsibility to pass on the message of that salvation (“stewardship, commission” [1 Cor 9:17; Eph 3:2; Col 1:25]). Here the former is in view (see the summary of God’s plan in 1 Tim 2:3-6; 2 Tim 1:9-10; Titus 3:4-7), and Paul notes the response people must make to God’s arrangement: It is “in faith” or “by faith.”
that operates by faith. 5But the aim of our instruction ▼ is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. ▼▼tn Grk “love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
6Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion. 7They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently. ▼▼tn The Greek reinforces this negation: “understand neither what they are saying nor the things they insist on…”
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