1 Timothy 1:8

6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to ^aidle talk,

7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

8 But we know that the law is ^agood if one uses it lawfully,

9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is¹ contrary to sound doctrine,

11 according to the glorious gospel of the ^ablessed God which was ^bcommitted to my trust.

Glory to God for His Grace

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has ^aenabled me, ^bbecause He counted me faithful, ^cputting me into the ministry,

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

<< 1 Timothy 1:7

1 Timothy 1:9 >>

1 Timothy 1:8

But we know that the law is good - We admit this; it is that which we all concede. This declaration is evidently made by the apostle to guard against the supposition that he was an enemy of the law. Doubtless this charge would be brought against him, or against anyone who maintained the sentiments which he had just expressed. By speaking thus of what those teachers regarded as so important in the law, it would be natural for them to declare that he was an enemy of the law itself, and would be glad to see all its claims abrogated. Paul says that he designs no such thing. He admitted that the law was good. He was never disposed for one moment to call it in question. He only asked that it should be rightly understood and properly explained. Paul was never disposed to call in question the excellency and the utility of the law, however it might bear on him or on others; compare Romans 7:12 note, and Acts 21:21-26 notes.

If a man use it lawfully - In a proper manner; for the purposes for which it was designed. It is intended to occupy a most important place, but it should not be perverted. Paul asked only that it should be used aright, and in order to this, he proceeds to state what is its true design.

Other Barnes' Notes entries containing 1 Timothy 1:8:

1 Timothy 1:18

<< 1 Timothy 1:7

1 Timothy 1:9 >>

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