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:

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} the end {G5056} of the commandment {G3852} is {G2076} charity {G26} out of {G1537} a pure {G2513} heart {G2588}, and {G2532} of a good {G18} conscience {G4893}, and {G2532} of faith {G4102} unfeigned {G505}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The purpose of this order is to promote love from a clean heart, from a good conscience and from sincere trust.

Berean Standard Bible

The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.

American Standard Version

But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Timothy 1:5 articulates the ultimate purpose of all Christian instruction and the divine commandment: to cultivate genuine love, which emanates from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. This verse serves as a foundational principle for ministry and discipleship, redirecting focus from speculative debates and legalistic adherence to the transformative power of God’s truth, culminating in authentic, God-centered affection for God and others.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Paul's charge to Timothy regarding false teachers and their "fables and endless genealogies" (compare [1 Timothy 1:4](/1_timothy/1-4 "1 Timothy 1:4 - Warning Against False Teachings")). Paul has just instructed Timothy to remain in Ephesus to combat those who teach "different doctrine" ([1 Timothy 1:3](/1_timothy/1-3 "1 Timothy 1:3 - Paul's Charge to Timothy")). Verse 5, therefore, stands in stark contrast to the unproductive and divisive nature of such teachings. It defines the true "end" or goal (`telos`) of sound doctrine, shifting the emphasis from intellectual speculation or legalistic performance to the internal spiritual realities that produce genuine love. This sets the stage for Paul's subsequent discussion of the law's proper use ([1 Timothy 1:8-10](/1_timothy/1-8-10 "1 Timothy 1:8-10 - The Purpose of the Law")) and his own testimony of God's grace ([1 Timothy 1:12-17](/1_timothy/1-12-17 "1 Timothy 1:12-17 - Paul's Testimony of Grace")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Timothy was serving as a young leader in the church at Ephesus, a prominent city in the Roman province of Asia. Ephesus was a hub of diverse religious and philosophical ideas, including various forms of Gnosticism and Jewish legalism that threatened to corrupt the nascent Christian community. False teachers were likely promoting ascetic practices, mythical genealogies, and endless theological debates that distracted believers from the core message of the Gospel. Paul’s letter provides essential guidance for Timothy on how to lead, teach, and combat these heresies effectively. The emphasis on "pure heart," "good conscience," and "faith unfeigned" directly addresses the need for internal integrity and authentic spirituality in a context where outward conformity or intellectual pride might have been mistaken for true godliness.
* **Key Themes:** First Timothy 1:5 encapsulates several major themes prevalent throughout Paul's pastoral epistles. Foremost is the theme of **sound doctrine versus false teaching**. Paul consistently contrasts the life-giving truth of the Gospel with the "vain jangling" ([1 Timothy 1:6](/1_timothy/1-6 "1 Timothy 1:6 - Vain Jangling")) of those who miss the true purpose of God's revelation. Another key theme is the **primacy of love** (`agape`) as the fulfillment of the law and the supreme Christian virtue, echoing Paul's teachings in [Romans 13:10](/romans/13-10 "Romans 13:10 - Love Fulfills the Law") and [1 Corinthians 13:13](/1_corinthians/13-13 "1 Corinthians 13:13 - The Greatest of These is Love"). The verse also highlights the **necessity of inner transformation**, emphasizing that true godliness is not merely external obedience but stems from a renewed "heart," a discerning "conscience," and genuine "faith." This holistic view of spiritual maturity underscores the importance of both belief and behavior, with love as the ultimate outcome.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Charity (Greek, _agápē'_):** From ἀγαπάω; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love. This term refers to a divine, unconditional, and self-sacrificial love, distinct from mere human affection or erotic desire. It is a love that seeks the highest good of the other, reflecting God's own character.
* **Pure (Greek, _katharós'_):** Of uncertain affinity; clean (literally or figuratively):--clean, clear, pure. This word signifies a state of being unmixed, uncorrupted, and undefiled. In the context of the heart, it implies sincerity, integrity, and freedom from duplicity or ulterior motives.
* **Faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** From πείθω; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. Here, it refers to genuine trust and reliance on God and His Word, not merely intellectual assent.
* **Unfeigned (Greek, _anypókritos'_):** From Α (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of ὑποκρίνομαι; undissembled, i.e. sincere:--without dissimulation (hypocrisy), unfeigned. This crucial descriptor emphasizes the authenticity and sincerity of the faith, contrasting it with hypocrisy or a mere outward show of piety.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the end of the commandment is charity":** Paul begins by stating the ultimate purpose or goal (`telos`) of God's "commandment" or instruction (`parangelía`). This is not merely the Mosaic Law, but the entire body of divine teaching and Gospel truth. Its supreme aim is `agápē`, divine love. This love is not a means to an end, but the very culmination and fulfillment of all God's commands.
* **"out of a pure heart":** This clause specifies the source from which true `agápē` must flow. It must originate from an inner being that has been cleansed and made sincere, free from defilement, hypocrisy, or mixed motives. This emphasizes internal transformation over external conformity.
* **"and of a good conscience":** A "good conscience" is presented as a second essential wellspring for genuine love. This refers to a moral awareness that is sensitive to God's will, free from the guilt of unconfessed sin, and actively striving to live in accordance with divine standards. It implies an inner witness that approves of one's actions and motives.
* **"and of faith unfeigned":** The third and foundational source is "faith unfeigned," meaning faith that is authentic, sincere, and without hypocrisy. This genuine trust in God and His Word provides the bedrock upon which a pure heart and a good conscience are built, ultimately enabling the outflow of true `agápē`. It is not a superficial or performative belief, but a deep, transformative reliance on Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful use of **Emphasis** through the deliberate ordering and connection of the spiritual virtues. The verse presents a clear **Progression** or **Causal Chain**, where genuine `agápē` (love) is the ultimate "end" or goal, which is produced "out of" (Greek `ek`, denoting origin) three interconnected internal realities: a pure heart, a good conscience, and unfeigned faith. This structure highlights that true Christian living is not merely about outward actions but about the internal spiritual condition that gives rise to them. The use of the Greek `kai` ("and") to link the three sources (`heart`, `conscience`, `faith`) underscores their inseparable nature, forming a unified foundation for authentic love. This **Triadic Structure** reinforces the holistic nature of spiritual maturity that Paul advocates, contrasting it with the fragmented and superficial teachings of the false instructors.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly impacts our understanding of Christian discipleship, asserting that the entirety of God's revealed will—His commandments and the Gospel—culminates in love. This is not merely human affection, but a divine love, `agápē`, which is the very essence of God's character and the supreme virtue for believers. It underscores that true spirituality is an internal reality, flowing from a transformed inner being, rather than a set of external rules or intellectual exercises. The interconnectedness of a pure heart, a good conscience, and unfeigned faith reveals that genuine love is the fruit of a holistic spiritual life, where belief and behavior are seamlessly integrated. This theological truth serves as a constant reminder that all Christian endeavors, whether doctrinal study, ethical living, or acts of service, must ultimately lead to a deeper, more authentic expression of love for God and neighbor.

* [Romans 13:10](/romans/13-10 "Romans 13:10 - Love is the Fulfillment of the Law")
* [Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Great Commandment")
* [1 Corinthians 13:13](/1_corinthians/13-13 "1 Corinthians 13:13 - The Greatest of These is Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Timothy 1:5 serves as a critical compass for every believer, urging us to examine the true trajectory of our spiritual journey. It challenges us to move beyond superficial religiosity or mere intellectual understanding of doctrine, compelling us to pursue a profound internal transformation that manifests as authentic love. This verse calls us to constantly evaluate our motivations, ensuring that our faith is not a performance but a genuine reliance on God, leading to a heart cleansed by His grace and a conscience sensitive to His will. In a world often preoccupied with external appearances or endless debates, Paul's words redirect our focus to the core of what it means to live a life pleasing to God: to love with a love that is pure in its source, clear in its moral discernment, and sincere in its foundation. This means actively cultivating a relationship with God that purifies our innermost being, allowing His `agápē` to flow through us to others, making our lives a living testament to the transformative power of the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my daily walk reflect the "end of the commandment" as genuine love, or am I more focused on external religious activities or intellectual assent?**
* **In what ways can I actively cultivate a "pure heart" and a "good conscience" in my life, and what might be hindering these?**
* **Am I demonstrating "faith unfeigned" in all areas of my life, or are there aspects where my faith might be superficial or hypocritical?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of what truly constitutes spiritual maturity and effective ministry?**

### FAQ

**What does Paul mean by "the end of the commandment"?**

Answer: By "the end of the commandment," Paul uses the Greek word `telos` (G5056), which signifies the goal, purpose, or ultimate aim, rather than merely the cessation or termination of something. In this context, it means that the entire body of God's instruction, including the Law and the Gospel, finds its ultimate fulfillment and purpose in producing `agápē` (divine love). It's not that the commandments cease, but that their true intent and highest expression are realized in love. This contrasts sharply with the "fables and endless genealogies" [1 Timothy 1:4](/1_timothy/1-4 "1 Timothy 1:4 - Warning Against False Teachings") that do not lead to this divine end.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Timothy 1:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the "end of the commandment." He is the very definition of `agápē` (love), demonstrating it supremely through His life, death, and resurrection ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")). Christ lived with a pure heart, free from sin and all duplicity ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Was Tempted But Without Sin")), His motives always aligned with the Father's will. His conscience was always "good" and undefiled, for He committed no sin and knew no sin ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin For Us")). Furthermore, His faith in the Father was absolutely "unfeigned," a perfect trust and obedience even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). As believers, we are called to imitate Christ, and it is through our union with Him that we receive the power to live out the principles of this verse. His Spirit indwells us, purifying our hearts, guiding our consciences, and strengthening our faith, enabling us to truly love as He loved ([Galatians 5:22](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22 - The Fruit of the Spirit is Love")). Thus, Christ is not only the goal but also the means by which the "end of the commandment" is realized in our lives.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Timothy 1:19

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

2 Timothy 2:22

¶ Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Galatians 5:13

¶ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Galatians 5:14

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

2 Timothy 1:5

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Mark 12:28

¶ And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?