1 Timothy 1 10

1 Timothy 1:10 kjv

For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

1 Timothy 1:10 nkjv

for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,

1 Timothy 1:10 niv

for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers?and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine

1 Timothy 1:10 esv

the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,

1 Timothy 1:10 nlt

The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching

1 Timothy 1 verses

1 Timothy 1 10 Meaning

This verse details specific types of individuals and behaviors for whom the Mosaic Law was given, not for the righteous, but for those who oppose God's standards. It presents a robust list of sins that stand in direct opposition to "sound doctrine"—the wholesome, healthy teaching of the Christian faith. The Law reveals and condemns these actions, which undermine spiritual health, societal order, and a relationship with God.

1 Timothy 1 10 Context

This verse falls within Paul's opening address to Timothy in his first epistle, where the apostle warns against false teachers who were disseminating erroneous doctrines in Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3-7). Paul asserts the proper use of the Law, clarifying that it is not intended for the righteous, but rather serves to expose and restrain the unrighteous. Verse 10 completes a list of those specifically targeted by the Law’s condemnations, setting these illicit behaviors against the backdrop of "sound doctrine." The passage contrasts the speculative and distracting nature of the false teachings with the foundational and healthy truths of the gospel, emphasizing moral uprightness as an inherent outflow of genuine Christian belief.

1 Timothy 1 10 Word analysis

• fornicators (πόρνος - pornos): Refers to anyone engaging in sexual immorality outside the boundaries of God's design for marriage, including prostitution, adultery, and premarital sex. It encompasses a broad range of illicit sexual acts and was a prevalent vice in the Greco-Roman world.
• sodomites (ἀρσενοκοίτης - arsenokoitēs): This compound Greek word literally means "male-bed" (from arsēn "male" and koitē "bed, lying with"). It specifically denotes men who engage in sexual acts with other men. This term emerged in Greek, possibly coined by Paul himself or derived from the Septuagint's condemnation of homosexual practices (Lev 18:22, 20:13), making it a direct biblical denunciation of male homosexual acts.
• enslavers (ἀνδροποδιστῇ - andrapodistēs): This term signifies those who kidnap individuals and sell them into slavery, often including general human trafficking. It highlights the profound violation of human dignity and liberty, opposing God's design for human freedom.
• liars (ψεῦσται - pseustai): Those who deliberately speak falsehoods or misrepresent the truth. This sin undermines trust, relationships, and societal integrity, directly contradicting God's nature as truth.
• perjurers (ἐπίορκοι - epiorkoi): Individuals who swear falsely, especially under oath, invoking the name of God or a deity to support a lie. This act not only involves deceit but also a blasphemous disrespect for what is sacred, gravely violating the Ninth Commandment.
• whatever else is contrary to: This phrase (καὶ εἴ τι ἕτερον τῇ... ἀντίκειται) serves as an encompassing clause, indicating that the preceding list is not exhaustive. It signifies any act, attitude, or teaching that directly opposes the nature and will of God as revealed in Christian truth.
• sound doctrine (τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ - tē hygiainousē didaskalia): This foundational concept literally means "healthy teaching" or "wholesome instruction." It's not just intellectual correctness but refers to truth that promotes spiritual well-being, moral health, and godly living within individuals and the church. It counteracts the "sick" or "diseased" doctrines of the false teachers mentioned in 1 Tim 1:3-7. It encompasses all aspects of Christian truth that are good, beneficial, and lead to true piety.

• "fornicators, sodomites, enslavers, liars, perjurers": This enumeration is a list of distinct moral transgressions that significantly violate God's law and moral order. These are not merely cultural offenses but foundational wrongs that cause harm to individuals, families, and society, illustrating the depravity against which the Law stands as a divine boundary. The gravity of these sins is emphasized as they were universally recognized in various forms of ethical codes, but particularly condemned in the Old Testament Law.
• "and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine": This broad closing statement demonstrates that God's moral requirements, as encapsulated in "sound doctrine," extend beyond specific examples. It implies that any action or teaching that deviates from, undermines, or opposes the holistic and healthy truth of Christ's Gospel is considered sinful and subject to God's judgment. It reinforces that the Law's purpose is not to endorse specific sins, but to condemn all that opposes God's righteous standard.

1 Timothy 1 10 Bonus section

The specific inclusion of arsenokoitēs ("sodomites") in this list (and in 1 Cor 6:9) highlights Paul’s clear understanding and application of the Old Testament Law's prohibition on homosexual acts, translating it into the New Covenant context as a grave moral failing. The term "sound doctrine" (ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ) implies that true Christian teaching is inherently wholesome and produces spiritual vitality, in contrast to "sick" doctrines that lead to moral decay or empty speculation. The vices listed reflect categories that broadly violate human dignity and God's nature, indicating that biblical morality is not arbitrary but rooted in universal truths about good and evil.

1 Timothy 1 10 Commentary

First Timothy 1:10 concludes Paul’s explanation of the proper function of God’s Law: it serves to convict and condemn specific categories of individuals whose lives are characterized by unrighteousness. The diverse list of "fornicators, sodomites, enslavers, liars, and perjurers" covers a spectrum of profound moral failures – from sexual perversion and exploitation to deceit and blasphemy. These vices directly assault divine and human relationships. By concluding with "and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine," Paul underscores that the Christian Gospel, far from abolishing moral standards, establishes a comprehensive "healthy teaching" that guides every aspect of life and diametrically opposes all forms of evil. Thus, the Law’s purpose is perfectly aligned with Gospel doctrine: both highlight humanity's sinfulness and call for lives aligned with God's holiness, convicting of sin and leading to the transformative power of Christ.