Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

1 TIMOTHY 1:5KJV
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1 Timothy 1:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Timothy 1:5 mean?

1 Timothy 1:5 says that the main goal of the command or instruction Paul is giving is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Paul is explaining that the purpose behind his teaching is not just to follow rules, but to produce genuine love in people’s lives.

Paul is writing to Timothy, a younger leader in the church at Ephesus, to guide him in dealing with problems and false teachings. In this verse, Paul makes it clear that the heart of Christian teaching is not empty rule-keeping but a transformed life marked by real love, honesty, and faith that is not fake or put on.

The Greek behind 1 Timothy 1:5

  • The word for "end" is τέλος (telos), which often means the goal or purpose, not just the conclusion. Paul is saying the aim or intended result of his instruction is love.
  • "Charity" is ἀγάπη (agapē), a word for selfless, sacrificial love. This is not just affection, but a deep, active care for others.
  • "Unfeigned" is ἀνυπόκριτος (anupokritos), meaning without hypocrisy or pretense. Paul is highlighting that the faith he wants is genuine, not just for show.

Why 1 Timothy 1:5 matters

  • This verse helps clear up the idea that Christianity is mainly about following rules; Paul says the real goal is a changed heart that loves sincerely.
  • Paul’s focus on a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith shows that Christian living is meant to be honest and whole, not just outwardly correct.
  • In the wider passage, Paul is warning against teachers who get caught up in arguments and miss the point; this verse centers the conversation on what really matters.

Where else these words appear

“commandment” Greek G3852 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
  • Acts 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

“unfeigned” Greek G505 · used in 6 verses

  • Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
  • James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

“pure” Greek G2513 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
  • Acts 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
  • James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

“conscience” Greek G4893 · used in 30 verses

  • John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
  • 2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;