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1 Timothy 1:7
ESV desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
NIV They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
NASB wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
CSB They want to be teachers of the law, although they don't understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.
NLT They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
KJV Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

What does 1 Timothy 1:7 mean?

This verse continues a thought which began in verse 6 and refers to those who want to be honored as teachers or experts. Apparently, some in Ephesus wanted to be respected rabbis. These were likely Jews or possibly Gentile converts to Judaism who sought to study the Torah and live by it. They may have even dressed as rabbis or sought privileged positions in the local synagogues or in Christian house church gatherings, though it is uncertain in this context.

These false teachers had two problems. First, they lacked true knowledge. They had controversy, enthusiasm, and speculation, but none of the required understanding expected of a teacher. Second, they were not only misinformed, but arrogant and prone to speaking when they should have listened. This is a sign not only of inaccurate understanding, but also of pride.

Paul will soon share his own testimony, highlighting that this pride and lack of understanding was not limited to certain false teachers. It marked his entire life prior to coming to faith in Jesus (1 Timothy 1:12–17).
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