1 Timothy 1:10
What does 1 Timothy 1:10 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 1:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 1:10 means
Paul extends the list to include sexual sins, including same-sex acts, exploitation such as menstealing (kidnapping or slave trading), deceit like lying and false swearing, and then he widens it further to anything contrary to sound doctrine. The law’s scope is comprehensive wherever conduct deviates from God’s revealed standard. By linking behavior to “sound doctrine,” Paul insists that healthy teaching shapes holy living. The law, properly taught, unmasks ungodliness and drives sinners to seek mercy. Timothy’s task is not to major on curiosities but to apply truth to life so that the church reflects the gospel’s transforming power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;
KJV
King James Version · 1611For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For those who go after loose women, for those with unnatural desires, for those who take men prisoners, who make false statements and false oaths, and those who do any other things against the right teaching,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862whoremongers, sodomites, men-stealers, liars, perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that to sound doctrine is adverse,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For fornicators, for them who defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and whatever other thing is contrary to sound doctrine:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890fornicators, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, perjurers; and if any other thing is opposed to sound teaching,
Context
This completes the vice list that began in verse 9, showing the law’s reach into personal morality and public justice. The closing phrase connects ethics to doctrine, preparing for verse 11’s claim that true teaching accords with the glorious gospel entrusted to Paul. The flow tightens the link between right belief and right behavior. Next, Paul will pivot from principle to personal testimony, displaying how the gospel he preaches has transformed the chief of sinners—himself (vv. 12–16).
v.9as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
v.10This passage
v.11according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 5:33
Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
- Titus 1:13
This testimony is true. For which cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
- Mark 7:21
For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,
- Revelation 21:27
and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
- Hosea 10:4
They speakvainwords, swearing falsely in making covenants: therefore judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
- Revelation 21:8
But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.
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