Paragraph 1:5–7

Paul said that when people taught about God, the result should be that people begin to love each other. The false teachers did not love other believers. They wanted people to think that they were important teachers but they did not teach the Scriptures correctly.

1:5

In Greek this verse connects with the previous verse with the Greek word de. (BAGD says that the word de is “one of the most commonly used Gk. particles, used to connect one clause w. another when it is felt that there is some contrast betw. them, though the contrast is oft. scarcely discernible. Most common translations: but, when a contrast is clearly implied; and, when a simple connective is desired, without contrast; freq. it cannot be translated at all.” However, Levinsohn (1992) refers to it simply as a “developmental marker, in the sense that the information it introduces builds on what has gone before and makes a distinct contribution to the argument” (page 64). He further adds, “…the sense in which material introduced with de builds on and develops from the context is not always readily apparent. However, we do well to take the presence of de seriously” (pages 65–66).) In this context, de shows that Paul was contrasting two ways of behaving: “arguing” (1:4b) and “loving each other” (1:5a). One way to translate this word in English is “instead.” People should not argue, but love one another.

1:5a

The goal of our instruction: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as goal refers to the purpose/aim for which something is done. Timothy should give these instructions with a certain purpose in mind. In some languages it may be necessary to say “your” goal/purpose/aim instead of the goal/purpose/aim.

our instruction: There are at least three ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) It refers to the instruction that Timothy was to give to the false teachers. In 1:3c–d Paul urged Timothy to instruct the false teachers to stop teaching incorrect doctrines. Here Paul told Timothy to instruct people to love each other instead of arguing about what the false teachers had said. For example, the New Revised Standard Version says:

the aim of such instruction

(New Revised Standard Version, New International Version (2011 Revision), Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, perhaps the Berean Standard Bible)

(2) It refers to Paul’s instruction to Timothy. For example, the New Living Translation (2004 Revision) says:

The purpose of my instruction…

(New Living Translation (2004 Revision), God’s Word)

(3) It refers to God’s instruction to people to obey him and to teach others about him. It is another way of speaking of “God’s work,” which Paul mentioned in 1:4c. The Revised Standard Version possibly follows this interpretation when it uses the expression “our charge.”

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) which is supported by the majority of English versions.

1:5b

that comes from: Paul said that love comes from three sources: a pure heart (1:5b), a clear conscience and a sincere faith (1:5c). This means that if a person has these things, he will be able to love other people. One way to express this would be:

If a man has a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith, he will [be able to] love others.

a pure heart: The phrase “to do something from a pure heart” means “to do something sincerely or without deceit.” In many languages there is an idiom to express this aspect of a person’s character. If your language has such an idiom, use it if it is appropriate.

1:5c

a clear conscience: A person who has a clear conscience knows that he has done the right thing. Therefore he does not feel guilty. In English this is could also be expressed as “a good conscience.”

conscience: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as conscience refers to the part of a person that helps him know what is right and what is wrong to think or do. A person’s conscience causes him to feel ashamed or guilty when he does something wrong. It also makes him feel good when he does what is right.

However, in many languages, there is not a word that means conscience. In some languages, there may be an idiom that can be used. In other languages, it may be necessary to translate the expression clear conscience by an expression like:

doing what he knows is right

a sincere faith: When a person has a sincere faith, it means that he truly trusts in God. In some languages it may be possible to say:

he truly/completely believes

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.