1 Timothy 1:7
New International Version
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

New Living Translation
They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.

English Standard Version
desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

Berean Standard Bible
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.

Berean Literal Bible
desiring to be teachers of the Law, understanding neither what they are saying nor that about which they confidently assert.

King James Bible
Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

New King James Version
desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

New American Standard Bible
wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.

NASB 1995
wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.

NASB 1977
wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.

Legacy Standard Bible
wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.

Amplified Bible
wanting to be teachers of the Law [of Moses], even though they do not understand the terms they use or the subjects about which they make [such] confident declarations.

Christian Standard Bible
They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.

American Standard Version
desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm.

Contemporary English Version
They want to be teachers of the Law of Moses. But they don't know what they are talking about, even though they think they do.

English Revised Version
desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They want to be experts in Moses' Teachings. However, they don't understand what they're talking about or the things about which they speak so confidently.

Good News Translation
They want to be teachers of God's law, but they do not understand their own words or the matters about which they speak with so much confidence.

International Standard Version
They want to be teachers of the Law, yet they do not understand either what they are talking about or the things about which they speak so confidently.

Majority Standard Bible
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.

NET Bible
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently.

New Heart English Bible
desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.

Webster's Bible Translation
Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor concerning what they affirm.

Weymouth New Testament
They are ambitious to be teachers of the Law, although they do not understand either their own words or what the things are about which they make such confident assertions.

World English Bible
desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say nor about what they strongly affirm.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
willing to be teachers of law, not understanding either the things they say, nor concerning what they confidently assert,

Berean Literal Bible
desiring to be teachers of the Law, understanding neither what they are saying nor that about which they confidently assert.

Young's Literal Translation
willing to be teachers of law, not understanding either the things they say, nor concerning what they asseverate,

Smith's Literal Translation
Wishing to be teachers of the law; neither understanding what they say, nor of certain things they are assured.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither the things they say, nor whereof they affirm.

Catholic Public Domain Version
desiring to be teachers of the law, but understanding neither the things that they themselves are saying, nor what they are affirming about these things.

New American Bible
wanting to be teachers of the law, but without understanding either what they are saying or what they assert with such assurance.

New Revised Standard Version
desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Desiring to be teachers of the law; not understanding what they speak, nor even whereof they argue.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
In that they seek to be teachers of The Written Law, while they do not understand anything that they say, neither anything about which they contend.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
desiring to be teachers of law, though under standing neither what they say nor of what they boldly affirm.

Godbey New Testament
wishing to be teachers of the law, not knowing either what they are saying, or concerning what things they do affirm.

Haweis New Testament
affecting to be doctors of the law, though they underhand neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

Mace New Testament
pretending to be doctors of the law, tho' they neither understand what they advance, nor upon what it is founded.

Weymouth New Testament
They are ambitious to be teachers of the Law, although they do not understand either their own words or what the things are about which they make such confident assertions.

Worrell New Testament
wishing to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm.

Worsley New Testament
desiring to be teachers of the law, though they neither understand what they say, nor what things they assert.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Warning against False Teaching
6Some have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk. 7They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert. 8Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.…

Cross References
James 3:1
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Matthew 23:5-7
All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. / They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, / the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.

Romans 2:17-24
Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; / if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; / if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, ...

Galatians 4:21
Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says?

2 Timothy 3:7
who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Titus 1:10-11
For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, / who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not.

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

Acts 15:1-2
Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” / And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

Colossians 2:18-23
Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind. / He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow. / If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: ...

1 Corinthians 8:1-2
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. / The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.

Hebrews 5:12-14
Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! / For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. / But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

Matthew 15:9
They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

Romans 10:2-3
For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. / Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

Jeremiah 8:8-9
How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception? / The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.


Treasury of Scripture

Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

to.

Acts 15:1
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Romans 2:19-21
And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, …

Galatians 3:2,5
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? …

understanding.

1 Timothy 6:4
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Isaiah 29:13,14
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: …

Jeremiah 8:8,9
How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain…

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Affirm Although Ambitious Assertions Confident Desiring Either Law Statements Strenuously Strongly Talking Teachers Understand Understanding Want Wanting Whereof Willing Words
1 Timothy 1
1. Paul declares Timothy is faithful to the charge which was given him at his going to Macedonia.
5. The right use and end of the law.
11. Paul's calling to be an apostle;
20. and the disobedience or Hymenaeus and Alexander.














They want to be teachers of the Law
This phrase highlights the ambition of certain individuals to assume the role of instructors in the Mosaic Law. The Greek word for "teachers" is "νομοδιδάσκαλοι" (nomodidaskaloi), which specifically refers to those who teach the Jewish Law. Historically, this reflects a time when early Christians were grappling with the integration of Jewish traditions and the new covenant established through Christ. The desire to be a teacher of the Law was often linked to a position of authority and respect within the community. However, Paul warns against those who seek this role without true understanding, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine over mere ambition.

but they do not understand
The Greek word "νοοῦντες" (noountes) implies a lack of comprehension or insight. This suggests that these individuals are not only ignorant of the deeper meanings of the Law but also of its fulfillment in Christ. In a historical context, this reflects the challenges faced by the early church in distinguishing between the old covenant and the new teachings of Jesus. The emphasis here is on the necessity of spiritual discernment and the dangers of superficial knowledge.

what they are saying
This phrase underscores the disconnect between the words spoken by these would-be teachers and their actual understanding. The Greek "λέγουσιν" (legousin) indicates the act of speaking or proclaiming. Paul is critiquing those who speak authoritatively without grasping the truth of their message. This serves as a cautionary note for all believers to ensure that their teachings are rooted in a true understanding of Scripture, rather than empty rhetoric.

or that which they so confidently assert
The Greek word "διαβεβαιοῦνται" (diabebaioontai) conveys a sense of strong affirmation or insistence. This highlights the boldness with which these individuals proclaim their teachings, despite their lack of understanding. Historically, this reflects the presence of false teachers in the early church who, with great confidence, spread doctrines that were not aligned with apostolic teaching. Paul’s admonition serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and the need for teachers to be well-grounded in the truth of the Gospel.

(7) Desiring to be teachers of the law.--"Desiring," though they really were not. They coveted the respect and influence which was ever paid to the acknowledged teachers of the Law of Moses; but these men utterly failed to understand the real spiritual meaning of that Law which they pretended to teach. Similar pretenders in a neighbouring Church, some years later, received from another Apostle--St. John--a stern rebuke for such pretensions. "I know," wrote St. John to the Christians of Smyrna, "the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan" (Revelation 2:9).

Understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.--A wise teacher must understand what he teaches, and must, at the same time, be clear in his own mind that what he teaches is true.

The false teachers are here charged (1) with not understanding the wild fables and traditions upon which their teaching was based, and (2) with not comprehending the things whereof they make their assertions: that is, they had no real belief in those great truths which really underlie that Law with which they were meddling.

Verse 7. - Though they understand for understanding. A.V.; confidently affirm for affirm, A.V. Teachers of the Law (νομοδιδάσκαλοι. as Luke 5:17; Acts 5:34). This, again, distinctly marks the Jewish origin of these heretics. Though they understand, etc. So our Lord rebuke,1 the scribes and teachers of the Law in his day: "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God;" "Ye do greatly err" (Matthew 22:29; Mark 12:27; Matthew 12:7, etc.; compare, too, Romans 2:17-24). They confidently affirm (διαβεβαιοῦνται). Elsewhere in the New Testament only in Titus 3:8, "I will that thou affirm confidently." So in classical Greek, "to maintain strongly," "to be positive." This was right in the minister of Christ declaring Divine truth, but very wrong in these vain janglers. The nature of their confident assertions is apparent from what follows - they spoke of the Law, but not lawfully.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They want
θέλοντες (thelontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

to be
εἶναι (einai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

teachers of the Law,
νομοδιδάσκαλοι (nomodidaskaloi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3547: A teacher and interpreter of the Mosaic Law. From nomos and didaskalos; an expounder of the law, i.e. A Rabbi.

[but] they do not understand
νοοῦντες (noountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3539: From nous; to exercise the mind, i.e. to comprehend, heed.

what
(ha)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

they are saying
λέγουσιν (legousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

[or]
μήτε (mēte)
Conjunction
Strong's 3383: Nor, neither, not even, neither?nor. From me and te; not too, i.e. neither or nor; also, not even.

[that]
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

which
τίνων (tinōn)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

they so confidently assert.
διαβεβαιοῦνται (diabebaiountai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1226: To assert emphatically. Middle voice of a compound of dia and bebaioo; to confirm thoroughly, i.e. Asseverate.


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NT Letters: 1 Timothy 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)
1 Timothy 1:6
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