1 Timothy 1

genuine
The translation as “genuine” rather than “true” helps to distinguish the Greek word used here (γνήσιος; gnēsios) from the word much more commonly used for “true” (ἀληθινός; alēthinos). Paul uses this particular designation modifying “child” only for Timothy (here) and Titus (Titus 1:4) to speak of the legitimacy of their faith.

exhorted
The word “exhorted” is from παρακαλέω (parakaleō). Where this word is used to begin a section of speech, as here, it is usually translated as “exhort” (e.g., Rom 12:1; Eph 4:1). Further within a section, however, it is translated as “urge.” In this case, Paul is beginning a section of exhortation toward Timothy to remain on at Ephesus because of the great importance of preserving sound doctrine.

command
“Command” translates the Greek word παραγγελία (parangelia). It also appears in verses 5 and 18, and is consistently translated throughout the epistle with “command,” as Paul is equipping Timothy for the task of putting an end to the false teachers. Consistent translation of the same term helps the reader to see that commanding is a theme in 1 Timothy that ties sections of this letter together (cf. 1:3, 5, 18; 4:11; 5:7; 6:17, 18).

certain ones
The translation here is “certain ones” rather than “certain men” because there is no word for “men” in the Greek text, which simply has (τισὶν; tisin). Further, some commentators believe that some of the false teachers in Ephesus were women. Thus, where Paul does not specify gender in the text, it is left unspecified in translation as well.

stewardship
“Stewardship” translates the Greek term οἰκονομία (oikonomia), which describes the idea of management or responsibility, especially over a household (note the Greek word for “house” [οἶκος; oikos] in the term). In this translation, it is rendered two ways, either as God’s “administration” (Eph 1:10; 3:9) or human “stewardship” (Luke 16:2–4; 1 Cor 9:17; Eph 3:2; Col 1:25; here). God had entrusted Paul and other faithful teachers to shepherd the church by teaching sound doctrine to fit the saints for service and help them advance in Christlikeness. Paul explains here that managing this stewardship from God is much more important than entertaining those useless speculations which appeal to men.

command
Refer to the discussion on verse 3 above.

unhypocritical
The word “unhypocritical” literally translates ἀνυπόκριτος (anypokritos), which negates “hypocritical” (ὑπόκριτος; hypocritos) by placing an alpha privative at the front. English does the same thing with the prefix “un-“. Thus, rather than using an antonym for “hypocritical” like “sincere,” it is translated here as “unhypocritical” to maintain the proper emphasis of the Greek term. This focuses more on the danger of the negative (hypocrisy), which is the default of every unbeliever and false teacher. Unhypocritical faith is very distinct and separate from the false faith of the false teachers, and is the goal of every true teacher and even for those to whom they minister.

some
Refer to the discussion on verse 3 above. “Some” here (τινες; tines) parallels “certain ones” (τισὶν; tisin) in verse 3.

for
Paul begins a list in verse 9 of those for whom the law is not made, using a chain of terms in the dative case. The English word “for” is used to bring out the sense of the dative. “And” is reserved for where the Greek word καὶ (kai) actually appears in the text, preceding Paul’s final, catch-all wording to include “whatever else is contrary to sound teaching.”

the gospel of the glory of the blessed God
This translation reflects the genitive construction (usually translated with “of”) and brings out Paul’s point—the nuance of the gospel as good news concentrates on God’s glory, in contrast with the wickedness just described.

I am grateful
The phrase “I am grateful” portrays the distinct wording Paul uses here (χάριν ἔχω; charin echō), which is different from the usual word for thanksgiving εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō). By using this expression, Paul both emphasizes a continual thankfulness, as it is something he simply “has” (ἔχω; echō). This also allows χάρις (charis), a word usually translated as “grace,” to stand out, putting greater emphasis on Christ’s grace toward him. Paul uses this particular construction only one other time, also writing to Timothy (2 Tim 1:3). It is translated identically in both places to help the reader recognize the same expression again.

saying
This is translated as “saying” rather than “statement” (Gk: λόγος; logos) to more clearly emphasize the proverbial nature of what Paul is saying here. This characteristic phrase used in the Pastoral Epistles, πιστὸς ὁ λόγος (pistos ho logos), is translated as “It is a trustworthy saying” throughout Paul’s letters to Timothy (here; 1 Tim 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11) and similarly as “This is a trustworthy saying” in Titus 3:8.

of the ages
While many translations have “to the King eternal” here, the rendering “to the King of the ages” is more literal to the Greek wording (τῷ…βασιλεῖ τῶν αἰώνων; tō…basilei tōn aiōnōn). The grammatical case of the phrase “of the ages” (genitive versus dative) is different than the other adjectives describing the King here. Thus, the literal rendering “of the ages” brings the author’s differentiation of this descriptor out in a way some past translations have not. Because the sense communicated by the translation here is essentially the same (God has reigned, reigns, and will reign over every age because of His eternality), the footnote which reads “Or eternal” shows the legitimacy of the rendering adopted by other translations, as this is not a matter of a poor versus a good translation, but a good versus a better one. Christ is indeed the eternal King because He is the King over every age.

child
Many translations have translated this as “son,” but the Greek word is not υἱός (huios; “son”) but τέκνον (teknon), which more generally refers to a child. This translation preserves the proper distinction between the words. Paul specifically uses τέκνον (teknon) here (and earlier in verse 2), a word which refers generally to offspring without reference to gender or status, to emphasize his own spiritual fatherhood to Timothy as the one who brought him up and trained him in the true faith.

command
Refer to the discussion on verse 3 above.

may fight
This is translated as “may fight” rather than just “fight” to properly bring out the sense of the subjunctive mood of the verb here (στρατεύῃ; strateuē). Here, it signifies the intended result of the prophesies concerning Timothy. Paul desires that these would have their proper result in Timothy’s faithful fighting.