1 Timothy – Chapter 1

New Testament20 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the commandment of God our Saviour and Christ Jesus our hope:" — so begins 1 Timothy 1. The chapter centers on Timothy and Paul. Across its 20 verses, two threads run through the text: faith and trust in God and family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the commandment of God our Saviour and Christ Jesus our hope:

2To Timothy, his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.

3As I desired thee to remain at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some not to teach otherwise:

4Not to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which furnish questions rather than the edification of God which is in faith.

5Now the end of the commandment is charity from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and an unfeigned faith.

6From which things some, going astray, are turned aside unto vain babbling:

7Desiring to be teachers of the law: understanding neither the things they say, nor whereof they affirm.

8But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.

9Knowing this: That the law is not made for the just man but for the unjust and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the wicked and defiled, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

10For fornicators, for them who defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and whatever other thing is contrary to sound doctrine:

11Which is according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God which hath been committed to my trust.

12I give him thanks who hath strengthened me, even to Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he hath counted me faithful, putting me in the ministry:

13Who before was a blasphemer and a persecutor and contumelious. But I obtained the mercy of God, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

14Now the grace of our Lord hath abounded exceedingly with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.

15A faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.

16But for this cause have I obtained mercy: that in me first Christ Jesus might shew forth all patience, for the information of them that shall believe in him unto life everlasting.

17Now to the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

18This precept, I commend to thee, O son Timothy: according to the prophecies going before on thee, that thou war in them a good warfare,

19Having faith and a good conscience, which some rejecting have made shipwreck concerning the faith.

20Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered up to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Important Verses in 1 Timothy 1

To Timothy, his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Timothy 1:2

Which is according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God which hath been committed to my trust.

1 Timothy 1:11

Now the grace of our Lord hath abounded exceedingly with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:14

Now to the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:17

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, 1 Timothy was written with timothy and the church at Ephesus, ordered for sound doctrine and worship in view. Chapter 1 of 6 opens the book and sets the stage for everything that follows. It is a apostolic teaching addressed to a Christian community with 20 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Timothy and Paul appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the commandment of God our Saviour and Christ Jesus our hope:" The final verse reads: "Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered up to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. " In terms of historical background, Written to Timothy, Paul's spiritual son, left to oversee the church at Ephesus. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 63-65.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Paul

When It Was Written

About AD 63-65

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, this chapter addresses specific questions facing early Christian communities. A pivotal line is verse 2: "To Timothy, his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord." The passage repeatedly touches on faith and trust in God.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1265). Here, this letter grounds Catholic teaching on ordained ministry (CIC 1577). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize faith and trust in God as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that The Church is the pillar and foundation of truth. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, 1 Timothy 1 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's mercy is greater than any sin; He calls us to receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.

People in This Chapter

Timothy2 mentionsPaul1 mention

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims 1 Timothy Chapter 1 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in 1 Timothy Chapter 1. At the moral level, the unity of Scripture and the Magisterium challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 1814).

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of the unity of Scripture and the Magisterium bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Timothy Chapter 1 about?

1 Timothy 1 contains 20 verses. It opens with "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the commandment of God our Saviour and Christ Jesus our hope:" and closes with "Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered up to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. ". The book as a whole is pastoral epistle.

What is a key verse in 1 Timothy 1?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "To Timothy, his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Timothy Chapter 1?

This chapter mentions Timothy, Paul.

Who wrote 1 Timothy and when?

The Apostle Paul. About AD 63-65.

Deepen your understanding with these related articles