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1Ti 1:5. Τὸ τέλος, the end) to which all things tend. The article denotes the subject. Whoever rightly looks to the end, cannot suffer his energies to be diffused on other things. Paul does not, even to Timothy, write about profound mysteries in particular, in order that he may the rather rebuke the Gentiles; the governor of a church ought to look to the things which are necessary, not to such as are sublime (too high-flown), in discharging the duties of his office.-τῆς παραγγελίας, of the commandment) which you ought to urge upon men at Ephesus, 1Ti 1:3; 1Ti 1:18.-ἀγάπη, love) The foundation is faith, 1Ti 1:4 : the end is love, 1Ti 1:14; Tit 3:15. Contentions are unfavourable to this love.-καθαρᾶς, pure) 2Ti 2:22; Tit 1:15.-συνειδήσεως ἀγαθῆς, a good conscience) ch. 1Ti 3:9; 2Ti 1:3; 1Jn 3:19, note.[3] Here, with Paul, conscience is in the understanding; the heart is the seat of love. The former would be in the idea, the latter in the desire; comp. Mat 22:37, note.[4]-πίστεως, of faith) Faith towards God becomes stronger when the heart is purified in respect of our neighbour, and when the conscience is cleansed (rectified) in respect of one’s self; wherefore faith is put in the third place. Pure faith and a good conscience are also treated of conjointly, in 1Ti 1:19, and ch. 1Ti 4:1-2.
[3] Peter and Paul alone use the term συνείδησις, conscience. John uses καρδία instead.-ED.
[4] Joh. Jam. Sirbius says, “there are three foundations of all that is found in man, Idea, Desire, Motion.”