I Timothy 1:6
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Some have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
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," Ti1 6:21; Ti2 2:18. Instead of aiming at and attaining the graces above named, they "have turned aside (Ti1 5:15; Ti2 4:4; Heb 12:13) unto vain jangling"; literally, "vain talk," about the law and genealogies of angels (Ti1 1:7; Tit 3:9; Tit 1:10); Ti1 6:20, "vain babblings and oppositions." It is the greatest vanity when divine things are not truthfully discussed (Rom 1:21) [BENGEL].
Open source ↗After the inscription (Ti1 1:1, Ti1 1:2) we have, I. The charge given to Timothy (Ti1 1:3, Ti1 1:4). II. The true end of the law (Ti1 1:5-11), where he shows that it is entirely agreeable to the gospel. III. He mentions his own call to be an apostle, for which he expresses his thankfulness (Ti1 1:12-16) IV. His doxology (Ti1 1:17). V. A renewal of the charge to Timothy (Ti1 1:18). And of Hymenaeus and Alexander (Ti1 1:19, Ti1 1:20).
Open source ↗1:6-11 Paul now elaborates on the false teachers and turns their subject matter against them. 1:6 Some people is probably a put-down, demoting the false teachers to a general class of opponents of the Good News (cp. Rom 3:8; 1 Cor 4:18; 2 Cor 3:1; Gal 1:7). • They were professing believers who had missed the whole point of the Good News and had turned away.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision,
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.
because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.