1 Timothy 1:5 – Three Minute Bible

January 24, 2026January 26, 2026

1 Timothy 1:5d – The Headwaters of Love

Picture of three separate water streams forming one stream (Grok)

[The goal of this command is love, which comes from]… a sincere faith.

Summary: Wrapping up our discussion of Paul’s three reasons for his “command,” we come to the question of faith. What is it and why is it important?

Writing to Timothy about the need to “command” misguided believers in Jesus not to do certain things,* he says the goal is love (agapē). He then explains that there are three sources, three artesian springs if you will, where the headwaters of love spring from. The three sources are:

January 23, 2026January 25, 2026

1 Timothy 1:5c – Conscious of Conscience

Picture of a heart with a compass mounted in it (Grok)

… and a good conscience…

Summary: Paul’s words are intended to guide us to a better understanding of godly love (agapē). The second key to success that he provides deals with having a good conscience.

Where are we again? (It is easy to get lost in these word studies…)

Paul’s whole sentence reads, “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience …”

January 22, 2026January 23, 2026

1 Timothy 1:5b – Love’s Pure Heart

The picture shows a glass heart with the word "Love" suspended in the glass (Grok)

[The goal of this command is love]… which comes from a pure heart …

Summary: Understanding how love comes from a pure heart requires that we understand what the Bible means by the word “love.”

In 1984, Tina Turner had a hit song called “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”* The chorus went like this:

January 21, 2026January 22, 2026

1 Timothy 1:5a – Commanded to Love

Picture of old signpost with multiple signs pointing different ways to God. (Grok)

The goal of this command is love, (which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.)

Summary: When Paul tells us that the goal of the command he has given to Timothy is love, he forces us to think deeply about what love is and who we are supposed to love.

Before we dive into a closer look at what Paul says in this verse, let’s step back for a moment to gain some perspective.