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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Timothy 1:8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_timothy/1-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/54_1Ti_01_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Timothy 1:8 - Warning against False Teaching" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately." /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_timothy/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_timothy/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_timothy/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />We know that the law is good when used correctly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_timothy/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_timothy/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_timothy/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now we know that the Law <i>is</i> good, if one uses it lawfully,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_timothy/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But we know that the law <i>is</i> good, if a man use it lawfully;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_timothy/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But we know that the law <i>is</i> good if one uses it lawfully,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_timothy/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_timothy/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_timothy/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_timothy/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_timothy/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now we know [without any doubt] that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully <i>and</i> appropriately,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_timothy/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_timothy/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_timothy/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_timothy/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />We know the Law is good, if it is used in the right way. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_timothy/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_timothy/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />We know that Moses' Teachings are good if they are used as they were intended to be used.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_timothy/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />We know that the Law is good if it is used as it should be used. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_timothy/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Of course, we know that the Law is good if a person uses it legitimately, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_timothy/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_timothy/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good if someone uses it legitimately,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_timothy/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_timothy/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good, if a man useth it lawfully;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_timothy/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Now we know that the Law is good, if a man uses it in the way it should be used,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_timothy/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good if a person uses it lawfully, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_timothy/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and we have known that the Law [is] good, if anyone may use it lawfully;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_timothy/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now we know that the Law <i>is</i> good, if one uses it lawfully,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_timothy/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and we have known that the law is good, if any one may use it lawfully;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_timothy/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And we know the law good, if any use it lawfully;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_timothy/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_timothy/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good, if one makes use of it properly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_timothy/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />We know that the law is good, provided that one uses it as law,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_timothy/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_timothy/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_timothy/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But we know that The Written Law is good if a man will be led by it, according to The Written Law,<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/1_timothy/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good, if any one use it lawfully;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/1_timothy/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good, if any one may use it lawfully;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/1_timothy/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good if a man use it according to its institution;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/1_timothy/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />I own that the law is good, if a man make a right use of it:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_timothy/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Now we know that the Law is good, if a man uses it in the way it should be used,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/1_timothy/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good, if one use it lawfully;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/1_timothy/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_timothy/1-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EkcLX59OJyU?start=64" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_timothy/1.htm">Warning against False Teaching</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">Now</a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: Oidamen (V-RIA-1P) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">we know</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomos (N-NMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">law</a> <a href="/greek/2570.htm" title="2570: kalos (Adj-NMS) -- Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.">is good,</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">one</a> <a href="/greek/5530.htm" title="5530: chrētai (V-PSM/P-3S) -- To use, make use of, deal with, take advantage of. ">uses</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">it</a> <a href="/greek/3545.htm" title="3545: nomimōs (Adv) -- Lawfully, rightfully. Adverb from a derivative of nomos; legitimately.">legitimately.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">9</span>We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-12.htm">Romans 7:12</a></span><br />So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a></span><br />So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31</a></span><br />Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Romans 7:7</a></span><br />What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-14.htm">Galatians 5:14</a></span><br />The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-18</a></span><br />Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-25.htm">James 1:25</a></span><br />But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3-4</a></span><br />For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, / so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">2 Corinthians 3:7-11</a></span><br />Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8-10</a></span><br />Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/8-10.htm">Hebrews 8:10</a></span><br />For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Galatians 3:19</a></span><br />Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-4.htm">Romans 10:4</a></span><br />For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-14.htm">Romans 7:14</a></span><br />We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Galatians 3:21</a></span><br />Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;</p><p class="hdg">the law.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-6.htm">Deuteronomy 4:6-8</a></b></br> Keep therefore and do <i>them</i>; for this <i>is</i> your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation <i>is</i> a wise and understanding people… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/9-13.htm">Nehemiah 9:13</a></b></br> Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/19-7.htm">Psalm 19:7-10</a></b></br> The law of the LORD <i>is</i> perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD <i>is</i> sure, making wise the simple… </p><p class="hdg">lawfully.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_timothy/2-5.htm">2 Timothy 2:5</a></b></br> And if a man also strive for masteries, <i>yet</i> is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-1.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-5.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-7.htm">Law</a> <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-12.htm">Properly</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-5.htm">Right</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-5.htm">Use</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm">Used</a> <a href="/romans/9-21.htm">Uses</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-44.htm">Useth</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_timothy/1-19.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-11.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-9.htm">Law</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-8.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-15.htm">Properly</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-3.htm">Right</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-10.htm">Use</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-13.htm">Used</a> <a href="/titus/3-14.htm">Uses</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-13.htm">Useth</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-18.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">1 Timothy 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_timothy/1-1.htm">Paul declares Timothy is faithful to the charge which was given him at his going to Macedonia.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_timothy/1-5.htm">The right use and end of the law.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_timothy/1-11.htm">Paul's calling to be an apostle;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_timothy/1-20.htm">and the disobedience or Hymenaeus and Alexander.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_timothy/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_timothy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_timothy/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now we know that the law is good</b><br>The affirmation that "the law is good" reflects a consistent biblical theme that God's law is inherently righteous and beneficial. In the Old Testament, the law was given to Israel as a guide for holy living and a means to maintain a covenant relationship with God (Exodus 20; <a href="/deuteronomy/5.htm">Deuteronomy 5</a>). The psalmist declares the goodness of the law in <a href="/psalms/19-7.htm">Psalm 19:7</a>, "The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul." The law serves as a moral compass, revealing God's standards and character. In the New Testament, Jesus affirms the law's goodness by fulfilling it (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>). The law is not only a set of rules but a reflection of God's holiness and justice.<p><b>if one uses it legitimately</b><br>The phrase "if one uses it legitimately" implies that there is a proper and improper use of the law. The legitimate use of the law is to reveal sin and lead individuals to Christ (<a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a>). It is not meant to be a means of salvation, as salvation is by grace through faith (<a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a>). The law's purpose is to convict of sin and demonstrate the need for a Savior. Paul warns against legalism, where the law is misused as a tool for self-righteousness or as a burden (<a href="/galatians/5.htm">Galatians 5:1-4</a>). The legitimate use respects the law's role in guiding ethical behavior and pointing to the need for redemption through Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a></b><br>- The apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and instruction for church leadership and doctrine.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/timothy.htm">Timothy</a></b><br>- A young pastor and protégé of Paul, stationed in Ephesus, tasked with addressing false teachings and establishing sound doctrine.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephesus.htm">Ephesus</a></b><br>- The city where Timothy was ministering, known for its diverse culture and the presence of false teachings that Paul addresses in his letters.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a></b><br>- Refers to the Mosaic Law, which includes moral, ceremonial, and civil laws given to Israel, and is central to the discussion in this passage.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/false_teachers.htm">False Teachers</a></b><br>- Individuals in Ephesus who were misusing the law, leading to confusion and deviation from the gospel message.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_goodness_of_the_law.htm">The Goodness of the Law</a></b><br>The law is inherently good, reflecting God's holy and righteous character. It serves as a moral compass and a standard for living.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/proper_use_of_the_law.htm">Proper Use of the Law</a></b><br>The law must be used legitimately, meaning it should guide ethical behavior and point to Christ, rather than being a tool for legalism or self-righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_law_and_the_gospel.htm">The Law and the Gospel</a></b><br>While the law reveals sin, it is the gospel that provides salvation. Believers should understand the law's role in leading us to the grace found in Jesus Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_misuse.htm">Guarding Against Misuse</a></b><br>Like Timothy, Christians today must be vigilant against false teachings that distort the law's purpose, ensuring that it aligns with the gospel message.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_under_grace.htm">Living Under Grace</a></b><br>While the law is good, believers live under grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the law's righteous requirements through love and obedience to Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_timothy_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Timothy 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_the_law_for_the_lawless.htm">In 1 Timothy 1:8–9, why is the law described as mainly for the lawless when other passages emphasize its value for all believers? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_you_safely_trample_snakes_scorpions.htm">What does 'subject to the governing authorities' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_tim_5_14_advise_widows_to_remarry.htm">Why does 1 Timothy 5:14 instruct younger widows to remarry, seemingly contradicting Paul's advice to remain single in other passages like 1 Corinthians 7:8?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/summarize_the_exodus_from_egypt..htm">What does the Bible say about gun confiscation?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_timothy/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">But we know.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">Now we know</span>: a strong expression of his knowledge, learned in the school of the Holy Ghost. He spoke with the conscious authority of an Apostle, confident of the truth of what he preached and taught.<p><span class= "bld">That the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.</span>--"The Law is good," St. Paul declared with apostolic authoritative knowledge, "should a man--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>a teacher of the Law--make use of it lawfully; if he should use it so as to make men conscious of their sins, conscious that of themselves they deserve no mercy, only punishment." To press this sorrowful knowledge was the Law's true work upon men. It was never intended to supply materials for casuistry and idle, profitless arguments. It was never meant as a system out of which man might draw material for self-deception. It was never meant as a system through which a man might imagine that by a compliance, more or less rigid, with its outer ritual he was satisfying all the higher requirements of justice and truth.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_timothy/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The Law is good</span> (see the similar statement in <a href="/romans/7-12.htm">Romans 7:12</a>). The <span class="accented">Jews</span> thought that St. Paul spoke against the Law (comp. <a href="/acts/6-13.htm">Acts 6:13, 14</a>), because he vindicated its true use (<a href="/romans/10-4.htm">Romans 10:4</a>; <a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a>; <a href="/galatians/4-4.htm">Galatians 4:4, 5</a>, etc.). But he everywhere speaks of the Law as good and holy. <span class="cmt_word">If a man</span> - <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, <span class="cmt_word">a teacher of the Law - use it lawfully</span>; knowing its proper use, as it follows in the next verse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_timothy/1-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Now</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we know</span><br /><span class="grk">Οἴδαμεν</span> <span class="translit">(Oidamen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know, remember, appreciate. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅτι</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Law</span><br /><span class="grk">νόμος</span> <span class="translit">(nomos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] good,</span><br /><span class="grk">καλὸς</span> <span class="translit">(kalos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2570.htm">Strong's 2570: </a> </span><span class="str2">Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐάν</span> <span class="translit">(ean)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="grk">τις</span> <span class="translit">(tis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> </span><span class="str2">Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">uses</span><br /><span class="grk">χρῆται</span> <span class="translit">(chrētai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Subjunctive Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5530.htm">Strong's 5530: </a> </span><span class="str2">To use, make use of, deal with, take advantage of. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">it</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῷ</span> <span class="translit">(autō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">legitimately.</span><br /><span class="grk">νομίμως</span> <span class="translit">(nomimōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3545.htm">Strong's 3545: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lawfully, rightfully. Adverb from a derivative of nomos; legitimately.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_timothy/1-8.htm">1 Timothy 1:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_timothy/1-8.htm">1 Timothy 1:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_timothy/1-8.htm">1 Timothy 1:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_timothy/1-8.htm">1 Timothy 1:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_timothy/1-8.htm">1 Timothy 1:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_timothy/1-8.htm">1 Timothy 1:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_timothy/1-8.htm">1 Timothy 1:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_timothy/1-8.htm">1 Timothy 1:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_timothy/1-8.htm">1 Timothy 1:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_timothy/1-8.htm">1 Timothy 1:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_timothy/1-8.htm">NT Letters: 1 Timothy 1:8 But we know that the law (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_timothy/1-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Timothy 1:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Timothy 1:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_timothy/1-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Timothy 1:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Timothy 1:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>