1TI 1:3-11

Correcting False Teachers

3As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may charge certain people not to teach different doctrine, [1:4] nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship of God that is by faith. [1:5] The aim of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith. [1:6] Certain people have wandered away from these and turned aside to meaningless talk, [1:7] wanting to be teachers of the law without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. [1:8] Now we know that the law is good, if anyone uses it lawfully, [1:9] understanding this: that the law is not laid down for a righteous person but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill fathers and mothers, for murderers, [1:10] for those who engage in sexual immorality, for men who lie with men, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, [1:11] in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

In the world it was spoken into

In the Greco-Roman world, Ephesus was a bustling urban center with diverse religious and philosophical influences. The mention of 'myths and endless genealogies' likely refers to speculative teachings that were circulating, possibly influenced by Jewish or Hellenistic traditions. These teachings often focused on elaborate stories or ancestral lines, which were seen as sources of wisdom but could distract from practical faith. The term (stewardship) would have resonated with the idea of household management, a familiar concept in a society structured around patronage and domestic order. The (command) carries a tone of authority, akin to military orders, emphasizing the seriousness of adhering to sound doctrine. The phrase (having missed the mark) evokes the imagery of archery, suggesting a failure to aim correctly rather than a deliberate error. The list of moral transgressions, including (men who engage in same-sex acts), reflects the broader cultural and religious boundaries of the time, where such behaviors were often viewed as violations of natural order and societal norms.

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How other translations render this

1TI 1:3

KJV: As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
BSB: As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines
Koinōnos: As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may charge certain people not to teach different doctrine,

1TI 1:4

KJV: Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
BSB: or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of Godʼs work, which is by faith.
Koinōnos: nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship of God that is by faith.

1TI 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:
BSB: The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
Koinōnos: The aim of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith.

1TI 1:6

KJV: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
BSB: Some have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk.
Koinōnos: Certain people have wandered away from these and turned aside to meaningless talk,

1TI 1:7

KJV: Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
BSB: They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.
Koinōnos: wanting to be teachers of the law without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

1TI 1:8

KJV: But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
BSB: Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.
Koinōnos: Now we know that the law is good, if anyone uses it lawfully,

1TI 1:9

KJV: Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
BSB: We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers,
Koinōnos: understanding this: that the law is not laid down for a righteous person but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill fathers and mothers, for murderers,

1TI 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;
BSB: for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching
Koinōnos: for those who engage in sexual immorality, for men who lie with men, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,

1TI 1:11

KJV: According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
BSB: that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
Koinōnos: in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

1TI 1:4

stewardship:The word translated 'stewardship' refers to the management of a household or affairs, implying a responsibility entrusted to someone for careful oversight and administration.

1TI 1:5

of [our] instruction:The term used here for 'instruction' carries the weight of a command or order issued by an authority, similar to a military directive, rather than just general teaching.

1TI 1:6

having missed the mark:The phrase 'having missed the mark' uses a word that literally means to fail to hit a target, implying a deviation from a proper course or standard.

1TI 1:10

for homosexuals,:The word translated 'homosexuals' is a compound term that specifically refers to men who engage in sexual acts with other men, often in a predatory or exploitative manner.