Chapter
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Verse
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1 Timothy 1:9
ESV understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,
NIV We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,
NASB realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and worldly, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,
CSB We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers,
NLT For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders.
KJV Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

What does 1 Timothy 1:9 mean?

In the prior verse, Paul mentioned those who use the Law incorrectly. He used a turn of phrase that these people use the Law "unlawfully." In other words, they miss the real purpose of the Law. This verse continues to clarify what Paul means. The Law, in truth, is meant to show man his sinfulness. Those who don't think they are sinners should check themselves against the Law. Those who know they are sinners need Christ, not legalism.

Paul's reference to the Law here may refer specifically to when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20). In fact, Paul's list of sins given here and in verse 10 mirror the pattern of the Ten Commandments. These are similar to lists Paul gave in other passages (1 Timothy 6:4–5; Romans 1:29–31; 1 Corinthians 5:10–11). All three descriptive pairs of people given in the first part of 1 Timothy 1:9 refer to the same group of people: those who disobey God's ways and live unholy lives. They correspond directly to the first three commandments.

The remainder of verses 9 and 10 include specific actions which break the Law. Attacking one's parents breaks the fifth of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:12. Murder violates the sixth commandment (Exodus 20:13).
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