1 Timothy · Chapter 1
1 Timothy 1:7 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm."
KJV · King James Version
"Desiring2309 to be1511 teachers of the law3547;3361 understanding3539 neither3383 what3739 they say3004, nor3383 whereof4012 5101 they affirm1226."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses understanding, whereof, while the WEB renders these as though, understand, about, strongly. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
1 Timothy 1:7 in 1 Timothy 1
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is 1 Timothy 1:7 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of 1 Timothy 1. Read the full chapter →
- v.5 but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith;
- v.6 from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking;
- v.7 desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.
- v.8 But we know that the law is good, if a person uses it lawfully,
- v.9 as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
Book background
About the Book of 1 Timothy
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Pauline epistle
- Author
- Paul
- Date written
- c. 62–64 AD
- Audience
- Timothy, Paul's young protégé pastoring at Ephesus
- Chapters
- 6
1 Timothy is a pastoral handbook — instructions on confronting false teaching, qualifications for elders and deacons, the conduct of public worship, the care of widows, and personal holiness for a young pastor. Its declaration that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (6:6) defines Paul's spiritual economy.
Setting: A pastoral letter on leading a healthy church.
Key themes: leadership · sound doctrine · worship · church order · godliness
Memorisation aid
How to memorise 1 Timothy 1:7
1 Timothy 1:7 contains 20 words in 3 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
desiring to be teachers of the law
DTBTOT
- 2
though they understand neither what they say
TTUNWT
- 3
nor about what they strongly affirm.
NAWTSA
Frequently asked
FAQ about 1 Timothy 1:7
What does 1 Timothy 1:7 say?
1 Timothy 1:7 reads: "desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm." — from the New Testament, 1 Timothy (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is 1 Timothy 1:7 in?
1 Timothy 1:7 is in the book of 1 Timothy, traditionally attributed to Paul and written around c. 62–64 AD. 1 Timothy is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to Timothy, Paul's young protégé pastoring at Ephesus. Best known for qualifications for church leaders and "godliness with contentment is great gain".
What is the difference between 1 Timothy 1:7 in WEB and KJV?
1 Timothy 1:7 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Desiring2309 to be1511 teachers of the law3547;3361 understanding3539 neither3383 what3739 they say3004, nor3383 whereof4012 5101 they affirm1226.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is 1 Timothy 1:7?
1 Timothy 1:7 is 20 words in the WEB translation (118 characters), broken into 3 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 6 seconds.
How can I memorise 1 Timothy 1:7?
To memorise 1 Timothy 1:7, split it into its 3 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does 1 Timothy 1:7 matter in 1 Timothy?
1 Timothy is a pastoral handbook — instructions on confronting false teaching, qualifications for elders and deacons, the conduct of public worship, the care of widows, and personal holiness for a young pastor. Its declaration that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (6:6) defines Paul's spiritual economy. 1 Timothy 1:7 sits within this larger story — 1 Timothy as a whole emphasises leadership, sound doctrine, worship.
How can I apply 1 Timothy 1:7 today?
Many readers use 1 Timothy 1:7 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download 1 Timothy 1:7 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a latter end.”
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Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not pr…”
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Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
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Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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More featured verses in 1 Timothy
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1 Timothy 4:12
“Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.”
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1 Timothy 2:1
“I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men:”
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1 Timothy 6:6
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
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1 Timothy 6:12
“Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.”
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