1 Timothy 1:19
What does 1 Timothy 1:19 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 1:19 means
Timothy must hold on to faith and a good conscience—right belief joined with inner integrity. Some, by rejecting conscience, have run aground in regard to the faith. The image of shipwreck is striking: leaving conscience behind does not free one; it destroys spiritual stability. Sound doctrine cannot be maintained where moral compromises persist. Paul’s warning shows that perseverance is both doctrinal and ethical. Timothy’s warfare will require guarding his inner life as much as refuting error. Faith and conscience are twin safeguards; to cast off one is to endanger the other and the health of the community he leads.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Keeping faith, and being conscious of well-doing; for some, by not doing these things, have gone wrong in relation to the faith:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862having faith and a good conscience, which certain having thrust away, concerning the faith did make shipwreck,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Having faith and a good conscience, which some rejecting have made shipwreck concerning the faith.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890maintaining faith and a good conscience; which [last] some, having put away, have made shipwreck as to faith;
Context
This verse identifies the core means by which Timothy will fight well: retaining faith and a good conscience. It connects character with doctrinal fidelity and warns of the consequences of neglect. The next verse names examples of such shipwreck, Hymenæus and Alexander, and describes severe disciplinary action taken against them. The flow moves from principle to illustration, reinforcing the seriousness of rejecting the moral and doctrinal essentials Paul has outlined throughout the chapter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 3:3
Remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear; and keep it, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
- 1 Timothy 1:5
But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:
- 2 Timothy 4:4
and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
- Philippians 3:18
For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
- 1 John 2:19
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.
- Galatians 1:6
I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel;
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