Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, November 27th, 2024
the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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Read the Bible

International Standard Version

1 Timothy 1:8

Of course, we know that the law is good if a person uses it legitimately,Romans 7:12;">[xr]

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Law;   Scofield Reference Index - Law of Moses;   Life;   Thompson Chain Reference - Bible, the;   Law;   Word;   Word, God's;   The Topic Concordance - Disobedience;   Goodness;   Law;   Lying/lies;   Righteousness;   Sexual Activities;   Sin;   Ungodliness;   Violence;   Whoredom;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Law of God, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Law;   Timothy, First and Second, Theology of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Atonement;   Ministry, Gospel;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Timothy, the First Epistle to;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Law, Ten Commandments, Torah;   1 Timothy;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Law;   Timothy and Titus Epistles to;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Temperance;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for November 24;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
We know that the law is good if someone uses it right.
Revised Standard Version
Now we know that the law is good, if any one uses it lawfully,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
We knowe yt the lawe is good yf a man vse it lawfully
Hebrew Names Version
But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully,
New American Standard Bible
But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
New Century Version
But we know that the law is good if someone uses it lawfully.
Update Bible Version
But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully,
Webster's Bible Translation
But we know that the law [is] good, if a man useth it lawfully;
English Standard Version
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
World English Bible
But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully,
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
We know, the law is good, if a man use it lawfully,
Weymouth's New Testament
Now we know that the Law is good, if a man uses it in the way it should be used,
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And we witen that the lawe is good, if ony man vse it lawefulli;
English Revised Version
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully,
Berean Standard Bible
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.
Contemporary English Version
We know that the Law is good, if it is used in the right way.
Amplified Bible
Now we know [without any doubt] that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully and appropriately,
American Standard Version
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully,
Bible in Basic English
We are conscious that the law is good, if a man makes a right use of it,
Complete Jewish Bible
We know that the Torah is good, provided one uses it in the way the Torah itself intends.
Darby Translation
Now we know that the law [is] good if any one uses it lawfully,
Etheridge Translation
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man according to the law [fn] converse in it;
Murdock Translation
Now, we know, that the law is a good thing, if a man conduct himself in it, according to the law,
King James Version (1611)
But we know that the Law is good, if a man vse it lawfully.
New Living Translation
We know that the law is good when used correctly.
New Life Bible
We know the Law is good when it is used the way God meant it to be used.
New Revised Standard
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And we knowe, that the Law is good, if a man vse it lawfully,
George Lamsa Translation
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Now we know that, excellent, is the law, if one put it to a lawful use: -
Douay-Rheims Bible
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But we knowe that the lawe is good, yf a man vse it lawfully:
Good News Translation
We know that the Law is good if it is used as it should be used.
Christian Standard Bible®
But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately.
King James Version
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
Lexham English Bible
But we know that the law is good, if anyone makes use of it lawfully,
Literal Translation
And we know that the Law is good, if anyone uses it lawfully,
Young's Literal Translation
and we have known that the law [is] good, if any one may use it lawfully;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But we knowe that the lawe is good, yf a man vse it laufully,
Mace New Testament (1729)
I own that the law is good, if a man make a right use of it:
THE MESSAGE
It's true that moral guidance and counsel need to be given, but the way you say it and to whom you say it are as important as what you say. It's obvious, isn't it, that the law code isn't primarily for people who live responsibly, but for the irresponsible, who defy all authority, riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever! They are contemptuous of this great Message I've been put in charge of by this great God.
New English Translation
But we know that the law is good if someone uses it legitimately,
New King James Version
But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,
Simplified Cowboy Version
The code of Moses wasn't a bad thing when it was taken in context of showing people just how much we need God's help.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
Legacy Standard Bible
But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,

Contextual Overview

5 The goal of this instruction is love that flows from a pure heart, from a clear conscience, and from a sincere faith.Romans 13:8,10; Galatians 5:14; 2 Timothy 2:22;">[xr] 6 Some people have left these qualities behind and have turned to fruitless discussion.1 Timothy 6:4,20;">[xr] 7 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.1 Timothy 6:4;">[xr] 8 Of course, we know that the law is good if a person uses it legitimately,Romans 7:12;">[xr] 9 that is, if he understands that the law is not intended for righteousinnocent">[fn] people but for lawbreakers and rebels, for ungodly people and sinners, for those who are unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers, their mothers, or other people,Galatians 3:19; 5:23;">[xr] 10 for those involved in sexual immorality, for homosexuals, for kidnappers,slave traders">[fn] for liars, for false witnesses, and for whatever else goes against the healthy teaching1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1;">[xr] 11 that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.1 Corinthians 9:17; Galatians 2:7; Colossians 1:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Timothy 2:7; 6:15; 2 Timothy 1:11; Titus 1:3;">[xr]

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the law: Deuteronomy 4:6-8, Nehemiah 9:13, Psalms 19:7-10, Psalms 119:96-105, Psalms 119:127, Psalms 119:128, Romans 7:12, Romans 7:13, Romans 7:16, Romans 7:18, Romans 7:22, Romans 12:2, Galatians 3:21

lawfully: 2 Timothy 2:5

Reciprocal: Galatians 3:19 - It was added

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But we know that the law is good,.... The apostle says this to prevent an objection that might be made to him, that seeing he bore so hard on such who were fond of being teachers of the law, he was himself against the law, and the preaching and proper use of it; but this he would not have concluded, for he and his fellow labourers in the ministry, and all true believers know, from the Scriptures of truth, from the agreement of the law with the Gospel, and from their own experience, that the law is good, provided it be used in a lawful way, and to lawful purposes: and this is to be understood not of the ceremonial law, which was now disannulled, because of the weakness and unprofitableness of it, so that there was no lawful use of that; but of the moral law, which must needs be good, since the author of it is God, who is only good; and nothing but good can come from him: the law, strictly moral, is a copy of his nature, transcribed out of himself, as well as with his own hands; and is a declaration of his will, and is stamped with his authority, and therefore must be good: the matter of it is good, it contains good, yea, great and excellent things; the matter of it is honestly and morally good, as to love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly with God: and it is pleasantly good to a regenerate man, who loves it, and delights in it after the inner man, and serves it with his spirit; though the carnal mind cannot be subject to it, but rejects it, and rebels against it: and it is also profitably good; for though obedience to it is not profitable to God, yet it is to men; and though eternal life is not obtained hereby, nor any reward given for keeping it, yet in keeping it there is a reward; and that peace is enjoyed, which the transgressors of it are strangers to: it is good in the uses of it, both to sinners and to saints. To sinners it is useful for the knowledge of sin, to convince of it, and bring them to a sense of it, and concern for it, which is effectually done, when the Spirit of God sets in with it, or brings this commandment home to the heart; and if it has not this use, it is sometimes a means of restraining men from sin, which is the use of civil laws among men; and if it has not this, it is of use however to accuse men rightly of sin, and to pronounce justly guilty before God for it, to curse them as they deserve it, and to sentence to condemnation and death: and to believers it is of use, though they are not under it as in the hands of Moses, and as a covenant of works, and are freed from its curse and condemnation, and under no obligation to seek for life and righteousness by it; to them it is of use, to point out to them what is the will of God, and what should be done, and not done; and it is a rule of walk and conversation to them, as in the hands of Christ; and is as a glass to them to behold their own deformity, the impurity of their nature, the plague of their own hearts, and the imperfection of their obedience; by which they see the insufficiency of their own righteousness, how far they are from perfection, and what carnal creatures they are, when compared with this law: and as this serves to put them out of conceit with themselves, so it tends to make Christ and his righteousness more lovely and valuable in their esteem; who has wrought out a righteousness as broad and as long as the law is, and by which it is magnified and made honourable, and has delivered them from its curse and condemnation. And this law is good as it is holy, in its author, nature, and use; and as it is just, requiring just things, and doing that which is just, by acquitting those who are interested in Christ's righteousness, and in condemning those that have no righteousness; and as it is a spiritual and perfect law, which reaches the spirit and soul of man, and is concerned with inward thoughts and motions, as well as outward actions; and especially the end of it, the fulfilling end of it is good, which is Jesus Christ, who was made under it, came to fulfil it, and has answered all the demands of it: so that it must be good, and which cannot be denied,

if a man use it lawfully; for if it is used in order to obtain life, righteousness, and salvation by the works of it, or by obedience to it, it is used unlawfully: for the law does not give life, nor can righteousness come by it; nor are, or can men be saved by the works of it; to use the law for such purposes, is to abuse it, as the false teachers did, and make that which is good in itself, and in its proper use, to do what is evil; namely, to obscure and frustrate the grace of God, and make null and void the sufferings and death of Christ. A lawful use of the law is to obey it, as in the hands of Christ, the King of saints, and lawgiver in his church, from a principle of love to him, in the exercise of faith on him, without any mercenary selfish views, without trusting to, or depending on, what is done in obedience to it, but with a view to the glory of God, to testify our subjection to Christ, and our gratitude to him for favours received from him.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But we know that the law is good - We admit this; it is that which we all concede. This declaration is evidently made by the apostle to guard against the supposition that he was an enemy of the law. Doubtless this charge would be brought against him, or against anyone who maintained the sentiments which he had just expressed. By speaking thus of what those teachers regarded as so important in the law, it would be natural for them to declare that he was an enemy of the law itself, and would be glad to see all its claims abrogated. Paul says that he designs no such thing. He admitted that the law was good. He was never disposed for one moment to call it in question. He only asked that it should be rightly understood and properly explained. Paul was never disposed to call in question the excellency and the utility of the law, however it might bear on him or on others; compare Romans 7:12 note, and Acts 21:21-26 notes.

If a man use it lawfully - In a proper manner; for the purposes for which it was designed. It is intended to occupy a most important place, but it should not be perverted. Paul asked only that it should be used aright, and in order to this, he proceeds to state what is its true design.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 8. But we know that the law is good — The law as given by God, is both good in itself and has a good tendency. This is similar to what the apostle had asserted, Romans 7:12-16: The law is holy; and the commandment is holy, just, and good; where see the note.

If a man use it lawfully — That is, interpret it according to its own spirit and design, and use it for the purpose for which God has given it; for the ceremonial law was a schoolmaster to lead us unto Christ, and Christ is the end of that law for justification to every one that believes. Now those who did not use the law in reference to these ends, did not use it lawfully-they did not construe it according to its original design and meaning.


 
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