1 Timothy 1 · Verse 6

1 Timothy 1:6

From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
1 Timothy 1:6, King James Version

1 Timothy 1:6 in other translations

BSBSome have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk.
WEBfrom which things some, having missed the mark, have turned away to vain talking,
ASVfrom which things some having swerved have turned aside unto vain talking;
YLTfrom which certain, having swerved, did turn aside to vain discourse,
DARBYwhich things some having missed, have turned aside to vain discourse,
BBEFrom which some have been turned away, giving themselves to foolish talking;
WebsterFrom which some having swerved, have turned aside to vain jangling;

What does 1 Timothy 1:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6. From which--namely, from a pure heart, good conscience, and faith unfeigned, the well-spring of love. having swerved--literally, "having missed the mark (the 'end') to be aimed at." It is translated, "erred," 1Ti 6:21; 2Ti 2:18. Instead of aiming at and attaining the graces above named, they "have turned aside (1Ti 5:15; 2Ti 4:4; He 12:13) unto vain jangling"; literally, "vain talk," about the law and genealogies of angels (1Ti 1:7; Tit 3:9; 1:10); 1Ti 6:20, "vain babblings and oppositions." It is the greatest vanity when divine things are not truthfully discussed (Ro 1:21) [Bengel].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 6. From which some having swerved. Marg., not aiming at. The word here used αστοχεω-- means properly, to miss the mark; to err; and then, to swerve from. Comp. 1Timm 6:21, 2Ti 2:18. It does not mean that they had ever had that from which they are said to have swerved--for it does not follow that a man who misses a mark had ever hit it--but merely that they failed of the things referred to, and had turned to vain talk. The word "which" (ων,) in the plural, refers not to the law, but to the things enumerated --a pure heart, a good conscience, and unfeigned faith.

Have turned aside unto vain jangling. Vain talk, empty declamation, discourses without sense. The word here used does not mean contention or strife, but that kind of discourse which is not founded in good sense. They were discourses on their pretended distinctions in the law; on their traditions and ceremonies; on their useless genealogies, and on the fabulous statements which they had appended to the law of Moses.

(1) "having swerved" "not aiming at"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 6 From which some having swerved - From which some, though they have pretended to aim at the τελος, scope, or mark, have missed that mark. This is the import of the original word αστοχησαντες. Turned aside unto vain jangling - The original term, ματαιολογιαν, signifies empty or vain talking; discourses that turn to no profit; a great many words and little sense; and that sense not worth the pains of hearing. Such, indeed, is all preaching where Jesus Christ is not held forth.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Timothy 1:5-11

Whatever tends to weaken love to God, or love to the brethren, tends to defeat the end of the commandment. The design of the gospel is answered, when sinners, through repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ, are brought to exercise Christian love. And as believers were righteous persons in God's appointed way, the law was not against them. But unless we are made righteous by faith in Christ, really…

Read the full comment on 1 Timothy 1:5-11 →

1 Timothy 1:6 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὧνhōnfrom whichG3739
τινεςtinessomeG5100
ἀστοχήσαντεςastochēsanteshaving missed the markG795
ἐξετράπησανexetrapēsanthey have turned asideG1624
εἰςeistoG1519
ματαιολογίανmataiologianmeaningless discourseG3150

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Timothy 1:6

  • Titus 1:10

    For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

  • 2 Timothy 2:23-24

    But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

  • Titus 3:9

    But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

  • 1 Timothy 6:20-21

    O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

  • 1 Timothy 5:15

    For some are already turned aside after Satan.

  • 2 Timothy 2:18

    Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

  • 2 Timothy 4:10

    For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

  • 1 Timothy 6:4-5

    He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
From which some having swerved. or, Which some not aiming at.
6:21; 2Ti 2:18; *Gr:
4:10
turned.
5:15; 6:4,5,20; 2Ti 2:23,24; Tit 1:10; 3:9

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Timothy 1:5

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

  • 1 Timothy 1:6

    From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

  • 1 Timothy 1:7

    Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

Read all of 1 Timothy 1

1 Timothy 1:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		De lo cual distrayéndose algunos, se apartaron á vanas pláticas;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		desquels quelques-uns s’étant écartés, se sont détournés à un vain babil,
German
Elberfelder 1871		wovon etliche abgeirrt sind und sich zu eitlem Geschwätz gewandt haben;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		A quibus quidam aberrantes, conversi sunt in vaniloquium,