Footnotes

1. 1 Timothy 1:3 In writing to the Colossians, Paul had already denounced the infatuation with hazardous theories that characterized some Christians of Jewish origins in the region of Ephesus. Once again, fanciful theologies, hollow ideas, and obscure mythologies are being given free rein in Ephesus. Some converts from Judaism—who are familiar with the new Greek mythological currents as well as the play of Biblical genealogies—give themselves up to speculations without end or purpose, and they abandon the essence of faith and love.

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   They claim to be teachers of the Law, but they preach nonsense. Hence, they must be reminded that the Law is primarily a discipline of life rather than an object of speculation (see Rom 7:12-16; Gal 3:19); above all, the importance of a sane doctrine that fixes one’s thoughts and guides one’s life must be inculcated in them. In the midst of an anarchic agitation, Christians must always come back to the profound meaning of the Gospel, exemplified by Paul’s life and vocation.

2. 1 Timothy 1:3 When I was setting out for Macedonia: an event not mentioned in Acts; hence, it probably occurred after Acts 28 between Paul’s first and second Roman imprisonment. He had founded the Church at Ephesus on the Third Missionary Journey some eight years earlier (see Acts 19:1—20:1).
3. 1 Timothy 1:10 Sodomites: adult males who have relations with boy prostitutes. The latter are also known as catamites after the Latin name (Catamitus) of Ganymede, the cupbearer of the gods in Greek mythology. See also Rom 1:26f and 1 Cor 6:9. Slave traders: literally, “dealers in men,” who included slaves but also men destined to be thrown into the arena or to serve unmentionable vices.
4. 1 Timothy 1:15 This saying can be trusted and merits complete acceptance: a formula that corresponds to the Aramaic expression in the Gospels: “Amen, I say to you.” It is found only in the Pastoral Letters—here and in four other places: 1 Tim 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11; Tit 3:8. (In the first, third, and fourth of these it is abbreviated.)
5. 1 Timothy 1:17 Immortal, invisible, the only God: here again Paul gives the true God titles used in pagan worship; see vv. 1 and 11.
6. 1 Timothy 1:18 Prophecies . . . about you: Timothy received his investiture as an apostle in the presence of prophets, that is, charismatic individuals who had the gift of guiding the faithful along their way to God or of calling men to the missionary apostolate (see 1 Cor 12:28-29; Acts 13:1-3; Eph 3:5).
   Fight the good fight: the Christian life is one long struggle against (1) Satan (see 2 Cor 2:11; Eph 6:11-12); (2) the flesh (see Rom 7:23; Gal 5:17; 1 Pet 2:11); (3) the world (see Jn 16:33; 1 Jn 5:4f); and (4) death (see 1 Cor 15:26; Heb 2:14f). Christians are called upon to be filled with faith and to use the armaments of faith (see Eph 6:14-18), and to be vigilant (see 1 Pet 5:8). Through Christ, they will attain the final victory with its eternal rewards (see Rom 16:20; 2 Tim 4:8; Rev 2:17; 3:5; 21:7).
7. 1 Timothy 1:20 Hymenaeus: see 2 Tim 2:17f. Alexander: possibly the same person as in 2 Tim 4:14. Handed over to Satan: these individuals were probably excluded from the community and abandoned “to Satan.” This excommunication was inflicted for the purpose of correcting them and making them come to their senses as they rediscovered their desire for salvation and the Gospel (see 1 Cor 5:5).