Survey of the Letters of Paul: 1 Timothy 1:19
1 Timothy 1:19I have lived in all good conscience - I
have conducted myself so as to maintain a
good conscience. I have done what I believed
to be right. This was a bold declaration,
after the tumult, and charges, and
accusations of the previous day Acts 22; and
yet it was strictly true. His persecutions
of the Christians had been conducted
conscientiously, Acts 26:9, “I verily
thought with myself,” says he, “that I ought
to do many things contrary to the name of
Jesus of Nazareth.” Of his conscientiousness
and fidelity in their service they could
bear witness. Of his conscientiousness
since, he could make a similar declaration.
He doubtless meant to say that as he had
been conscientious in persecution, so he had
been in his conversion and in his subsequent
course. And as they knew that his former
life had been with a good conscience, they
ought to presume that he had maintained the
same character still. This was a remarkably
bold appeal to be made by an accused man,
and it shows the strong consciousness which
Paul had of his innocence. What would have
been the drift of his discourse in proving
this we can only Conjecture. He was
interrupted Acts 23:2; but there can be no
doubt that he would have pursued such a
course of argument as would tend to
establish his innocence. Quoted verse: Acts 23:2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Before God - Greek: to God - tō Theō. He had lived to God, or with reference to his commands, so as to keep a conscience pure in his sight. The same principle of conduct he states more at length in Acts 24:16; “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men.” Until this day - Including the time before his conversion to Christianity, and after. In both conditions he was conscientious; in one, conscientious in persecution and error, though he deemed it to be right; in the other, conscientious in the truth. The mere fact that a man is conscientious does not prove that he is right or innocent. See the note on John 16:2. Quoted verse: John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And now the commentary on John 16:2: God’s service - The Jews who persecuted the apostles regarded them as blasphemers, and as seeking to overthrow the temple service, and the system of religion which God had established. Thus, they supposed they were rendering service to God in putting them to death, Acts 6:13-14; Acts 21:28-31. Sinners, especially hypocrites, often cloak enormous crimes under the pretence of great zeal for religion. Men often suppose, or profess to suppose, that they are rendering God service when they persecute others; and, under the pretence of great zeal for truth and purity, evince all possible bigotry, pride, malice, and uncharitableness. The people of God have suffered most from those who have been conscientious persecutors; and some of the most malignant foes which true Christians have ever had have been in the church, and have been professed ministers of the gospel, persecuting them under pretence of great zeal for the cause of purity and religion. It is no evidence of piety that a man is full of zeal against those whom he supposes to be heretics; and it is one of the best proofs that a man knows nothing of the religion of Jesus when he is eminent for self-conceit in his own views of orthodoxy, and firmly fixed in the opinion that all who differ from him and his sect must of course be wrong. Quoted verses: Acts 6:13-14 13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. Acts 21:28-31 28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. 29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) 30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. ~Barnes Notes |
And a good conscience - So holding the truth as
to live according to its dictates, that a good
conscience may be ever preserved. As the apostle had
just spoken of the Christian’s warfare, so he here
refers to the Christian armor, especially to the
shield and breastplate; the shield of faith, and the
breastplate of righteousness. See on Ephesians 6:13,
and 1 Thessalonians 5:8.
Quoted verses:
Ephesians 6:13
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
1 Thessalonians 5:8
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on
the breastplate of faith and love; and for an
helmet, the hope of salvation. ~Adam Clarke
Now the Geneva Bible combines the first two phrases
and gives commentary:
Holding (m) faith, and a good conscience -
(16) which some having put
away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
(m) Wholesome and sound doctrine.
(16) Whoever does not keep a good conscience,
loses also by little and little, the gift of
understanding. And this he proves by two most
lamentable examples. ~Geneva Bible Translation
Notes
The John Gill also puts the first two phrases
together:
Holding faith, and a good conscience - By "faith" is
meant, not the grace of faith, but the doctrine of
faith, a sense in which it is often used in this
epistle; see 1 Timothy 3:9 and the "holding" of it
does not intend a mere profession of it, and a
retaining of that without wavering, which is to be
done by all believers; but a holding it forth in the
ministry of the word, in opposition to a concealing
or dropping it, or any part of it; and a holding it
fast, without wavering, and in opposition to a
departure from it or any cowardice about it and
against all posers: to which must be added, a good
conscience; the conscience is not naturally good,
but is defiled by sin; and that is only good, which
is sprinkled by the blood of Christ, and thereby
purged from dead works; the effect of which is an
holy, upright, and becoming conversation; and which
seems to be chiefly intended here, and particularly
the upright conduct and behaviour of the ministers
of the Gospel, in the faithful discharge of their
work and office: see 2 Corinthians 1:12.
Quoted verses:
1 Timothy 3:9
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure
conscience.
2 Corinthians 1:12
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our
conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity,
not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we
have had our conversation in the world, and more
abundantly to you-ward. ~John Gill
Which some having put away - That is, which good
conscience some have put from them, or in other
words, have not followed its dictates. The truth
thus taught is, that people make shipwreck of their
faith by not keeping a good conscience. They love
sin. They follow the leadings of passion. They
choose to indulge in carnal propensities. As a
matter of course, they must, if they will do this,
reject and renounce the gospel. People become
infidels because they wish to indulge in sin. No man
can be a sensualist, and yet love that gospel which
enjoins purity of life. If people would keep a good
conscience, the way to a steady belief in the gospel
would be easy. If people will not, they must expect
sooner or later to be landed in infidelity.
~Barnes Notes
The Adam Clarke on this:
Which some having put away - Having thrust away; as
a fool-hardy soldier might his shield and his
breastplate, or a mad sailor his pilot, helm, and
compass. ~Adam Clarke
Now the John Gill on this phrase:
Which some having put away - that is, a good
conscience; and which does not suppose that they
once had one, since that may be put away which was
never had: the Jews, who blasphemed and
contradicted, and never received the word of God,
are said to put it from them, Acts 13:46 where the
same word is used as here; and signifies to refuse
or reject anything with detestation and contempt:
these men always had an abhorrence to a good
conscience among men, and to a good life and
conversation, the evidence of it; and at length
threw off the mask, and dropped the faith they
professed, as being contrary to their evil
conscience: though admitting it does suppose they
once had a good conscience, it must be understood
not of a conscience cleansed by the blood of Christ,
but of a good conscience in external show only, or
in comparison of what they afterwards appeared to
have: and, besides, some men, destitute of the grace
of God, may have a good conscience in some sense, or
with respect to some particular facts, or to their
general conduct and behaviour among men, as the
Apostle Paul had while unregenerate, Acts 23:1 and
which being acted against, or lost, is no instance
of falling from the true grace of God, which this
passage is sometimes produced in proof of:
Quoted verses:
Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was
necessary that the word of God should first have
been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you,
and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life,
lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Acts 23:1
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men
and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience
before God until this day. ~John Gill
Concerning faith - In respect to the whole subject
of faith. They are unfaithful to God, and they
reject the whole system of the gospel. “Faith” is
sometimes used to denote the gospel - as faith is
the principal thing in the gospel. ~Barnes Notes
Concerning faith - The great truths of the Christian
religion. ~Adam Clarke
Have made shipwreck - There is an entire destruction
of faith - as a ship is wholly ruined that strikes
on a rock and sinks. ~Barnes Notes
The Adam Clarke now:
Have made shipwreck - Being without the faith, that
only infallible system of truth; and a good
conscience, that skillful pilot, that steady and
commanding helm, that faithful and invariable
loadstone; have been driven to and fro by every wind
of doctrine, and, getting among shoals, quicksands,
and rocks, have been shipwrecked and engulfed.
~Adam Clarke
The John Gill puts the last two phrases of this
verse together:
Concerning faith have made shipwreck - which
designs not the grace, but the doctrine of faith, as
before observed, which men may profess, and fall off
from, and entirely drop and lose. Though supposing
faith as a grace is meant, the phrase, "have made
shipwreck of it", is not strong enough to prove the
total and final falling away of true believers,
could such be thought to be here meant; since
persons may be shipwrecked, and not lost, the
Apostle Paul was thrice shipwrecked, and each time
saved; besides, as there is a true and unfeigned, so
there is a feigned and counterfeit faith, which may
be in persons who have no true grace, and may be
shipwrecked, so as to be lost. ~John Gill
Now let us finish in the Treasury of Scripture
Knowledge
Holding faith, and a good conscience:
1 Timothy 1:5
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a
pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith
unfeigned:
1 Timothy 3:9
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure
conscience.
Titus 1:9
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been
taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both
to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Hebrews 3:14
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the
beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
1 Peter 3:15-16
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be
ready always to give an answer to every man that
asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they
speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be
ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation
in Christ.
Revelation 3:3
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard,
and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt
not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou
shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Revelation 3:8
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an
open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a
little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not
denied my name.
Revelation 3:10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I
also will keep thee from the hour of temptation,
which shall come upon all the world, to try them
that dwell upon the earth.
Which some having put away:
Philippians 3:18-19
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often,
and now tell you even weeping, that they are the
enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind
earthly things.)
2 Timothy 3:1-6
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous
times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient
to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false
accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those
that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures
more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses,
and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led
away with divers lusts,
2 Peter 2:1-3
1 But there were false prophets also among the
people, even as there shall be false teachers among
you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring
upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by
reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken
of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned
words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of
a long time lingereth not, and their damnation
slumbereth not.
Jude 1:10-13
10 But these speak evil of those things which they
know not: but what they know naturally, as brute
beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of
Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for
reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when
they feast with you, feeding themselves without
fear: clouds they are without water, carried about
of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without
fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own
shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the
blackness of darkness for ever.
Concerning faith:
1 Timothy 4:1-2
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the
latter times some shall depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their
conscience seared with a hot iron;
1 Corinthians 11:19
For there must be also heresies among you, that they
which are approved may be made manifest among you.
Galatians 1:6-8
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that
called you into the grace of Christ unto another
gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that
trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any
other gospel unto you than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Galatians 5:4
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of
you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from
grace.
2 Timothy 4:4
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth,
and shall be turned unto fables.
Hebrews 6:4-6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once
enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift,
and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the
powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto
repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the
Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
1 John 2:19
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for
if they had been of us, they would no doubt have
continued with us: but they went out, that they
might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Made shipwreck:
1 Timothy 6:9
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and
a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition.