1 Timothy 1 5

1 Timothy 1:5 kjv

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

1 Timothy 1:5 nkjv

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

1 Timothy 1:5 niv

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

1 Timothy 1:5 esv

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

1 Timothy 1:5 nlt

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.

1 Timothy 1 verses

1 Timothy 1 5 Meaning

1 Timothy 1:5 states that the ultimate aim or goal of Paul's Christian instruction, or "the commandment," is love (ἀγάπη, agape). This genuine love is not a mere feeling but a transformative spiritual quality that must originate from three foundational sources: a pure heart, which signifies inner undefiled motives and intentions; a good conscience, indicating a moral compass that is clear and aligns with God's truth; and a sincere faith, meaning a belief in God that is without hypocrisy or pretense, genuine and authentic. These three qualities are inseparable, forming the essential internal condition for producing true Christian love.

1 Timothy 1 5 Context

1 Timothy is a letter from Paul to Timothy, his protégé and a leader in the church at Ephesus. Chapter 1 establishes Paul's immediate concern: confronting false teachers who were promoting "myths and endless genealogies" (1 Tim 1:4). These teachings led to "speculations rather than furthering the administration of God, which is by faith." Paul directly contrasts these unproductive doctrines with the true purpose of Christian teaching. Verse 5 clarifies that the genuine instruction aims not at abstract knowledge or endless debates, but at the production of love. The historical context highlights a growing concern in the early church with theological distortions that could undermine the spiritual vitality and practical witness of believers. Paul is laying down fundamental principles for sound doctrine and godly living in direct polemic against the "empty talk" (1 Tim 1:6) of those who desired to be teachers of the law but lacked true understanding. The "commandment" here refers to the gospel teaching and sound doctrine Paul delivered, which culminates in genuine love, contrasting with teachings that bred divisions and speculation.

1 Timothy 1 5 Word analysis

• Now (Δὲ, De): A particle often indicating a transition or a slight contrast, here setting off the positive purpose of instruction from the negative descriptions of false teaching in the previous verses. It means "but" or "and."
• The end (τέλος, telos): This signifies the goal, aim, purpose, or outcome. It implies the ultimate object toward which something is directed, not merely a termination. For Paul, love is the telos of all Christian instruction.
• Of the commandment (παραγγελίας, parangelias): Refers to the "instruction," "charge," or "injunction" that Paul is giving, representing the whole body of Christian teaching concerning life and godliness. It's the instruction Timothy received and is to guard and pass on, distinct from the Mosaic Law but embodying its truest spirit.
• Is (ἐστὶν, estin): Simple verb "is," asserting identity or purpose.
• Charity (ἀγάπη, agape): The Greek term for selfless, unconditional love. In the New Testament, this refers to a divine love, a purposeful choice rather than merely an emotional feeling. It is often described as sacrificial and outward-focused. This agape love is the supreme Christian virtue (1 Cor 13).
• Out of (ἐκ, ek): A preposition meaning "from" or "out of." It indicates the source, origin, or springing forth of something. Here, it denotes that the love originates from the subsequent three qualities.
• A pure (καθαρᾶς, katharas): Unmixed, undefiled, unstained. In a moral and spiritual sense, it means genuinely cleansed, free from corrupting motives, hypocrisy, or hidden sin.
• Heart (καρδίας, kardias): In biblical anthropology, the heart refers to the center of one's being—the seat of thought, will, emotion, and moral character. A pure heart implies pure intentions and motives.
• And of a good (ἀγαθῆς, agathēs): Good in a moral or qualitative sense, benevolent, upright, effective for good.
• Conscience (συνειδήσεως, syneidēseōs): The faculty of moral discernment within a person, that which testifies of right or wrong. A good conscience implies that this inner witness is aligned with God's truth, leading to an absence of guilt or moral compromise. It is sensitive and responsive to truth.
• And of faith (πίστεως, pisteōs): Trust, conviction, faithfulness, reliance on God. This refers to genuine Christian faith—trust in Christ and His gospel.
• Unfeigned (ἀνυποκρίτου, anypokritou): Meaning "without hypocrisy," "sincere," "genuine," "undisguised." It contrasts with the outward show of false teachers or mere profession without true internal reality.

1 Timothy 1 5 Bonus section

The linkage of love to a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith establishes an important principle: true doctrine must result in transformed character. It is not enough to merely know or affirm correct theological propositions; the essence of God's command demands an inner renovation that expresses itself outwardly as agape love. This distinguishes genuine Christian teaching from intellectualized religion or legalistic systems that fail to transform the core of the human being. The sequence from "charge" or "instruction" to these three inner qualities and then culminating in "love" underscores the dynamic relationship between divine revelation, spiritual discipline, and virtuous outcome. This verse powerfully combats the temptation to elevate intellectual knowledge or rigid rule-following above the foundational virtue of selfless love, which is the "sum" and "royal law" (Jas 2:8) of God's heart.

1 Timothy 1 5 Commentary

1 Timothy 1:5 serves as a profound theological compass, orienting all Christian instruction and endeavor towards its ultimate divine objective: love. Paul highlights that mere theological debate, intellectual speculation, or rigid adherence to externals—which characterized the false teachings he confronted—are spiritually bankrupt if they do not culminate in genuine love. This verse is not merely an abstract ideal but a diagnostic tool, providing the touchstones of authentic spiritual life. Love (agape) is the ultimate telos, not as an end in itself but as the divinely intended fruit of spiritual maturity.

For this agape love to be authentic and robust, it must spring from three interconnected sources: a pure heart, signifying that the wellspring of one's thoughts, emotions, and intentions must be cleansed and undefiled, focused on God and His glory rather than selfish ambition or hidden sin. Secondly, a good conscience, which is continually sensitive to God's will and truth, enables moral living without condemnation or spiritual blindness. It means one is walking uprightly, not violating their internal moral compass that has been purified by faith. Finally, sincere faith underpins both, acting as the dynamic principle that connects the believer to God. This faith is not a hollow intellectual assent but a genuine, living trust in God, evidenced by integrity and consistency in belief and practice, without hypocrisy.

The absence of any of these three—a defiled heart, a corrupted conscience, or a hypocritical faith—will inevitably impede the growth and manifestation of true love. False teachers often exhibited a lack of these internal virtues, despite their outward appearance of religiosity or knowledge. Thus, 1 Timothy 1:5 not only defines the true aim of sound doctrine but also outlines the essential character qualities necessary for anyone who claims to follow Christ and impart His truth.

Practical usage examples:

• Self-reflection: Regularly assess your motivations (pure heart), moral actions (good conscience), and genuineness of belief (sincere faith) to ensure they are producing agape love.
• Church leadership: Use these three qualities as criteria when evaluating teaching or ministry, checking if the ultimate outcome is the growth of Christ-like love among believers.
• Discipleship: Emphasize that knowing theological facts without cultivating these internal virtues is spiritually empty, guiding disciples toward holistic spiritual transformation that results in genuine love.