Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
All Commentaries on 1 Timothy 1:5 Go To 1 Timothy 1
John Chrysostom
AD 407
Nothing is so injurious to mankind as to undervalue friendship ; and not to cultivate it with the greatest care; as nothing, on the other hand, is so beneficial, as to pursue it to the utmost of our power. This Christ has shown, where He says, If two of you shall agree on earth, as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father Matthew 18:19; and again, Because iniquity shall abound, love shall wax cold. Matthew 24:12 It is this that has been the occasion of all heresies. For men, because they loved not their brethren, have envied those who were in high repute, and from envying, they have become eager for power, and from a love of power have introduced heresies. On this account Paul having said, that you might charge some that they teach no other doctrine, now shows that the manner in which this may be effected is by charity. As therefore when he says, Christ is the end of the Law Romans 10:4, that is, its fulfillment, and this is connected with the former, so this commandment is implied in love. The end of medicine is health, but where there is health, there is no need to make much ado; so where there is love, there is no need of much commanding. But what sort of love does he speak of? That which is sincere, which is not merely in words but which flows from the disposition, from sentiment, and sympathy. From a pure heart, he says, either with respect to a right conversation, or sincere affection. For an impure life too produces divisions. For every one that does evil, hates the light. John 3:20 There is indeed a friendship even among the wicked. Robbers and murderers may love one another, but this is not from a good conscience, not from a pure but from an impure heart, not from faith unfeigned, but from that which is false and hypocritical. For faith points out the truth, and a sincere faith produces love, which he who truly believes in God cannot endure to lay aside.
