Note 8 at 1 Tim. 1:5: The Greek word that was translated "end" in this verse is TELOS. This word means "(to set out for a definite point or goal); prop. the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by impl.) the conclusion of an act or state (termination [lit., fig. or indef.], result...)"[Strong's]. Paul is saying that the goal, conclusion, or termination of his commandment was love.

This is exactly what Jesus was saying in Matthew 22:37-40 which says, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

There were thousands of commandments in the Old Testament law but they all could be summed up in loving God and loving our fellow man. A person who truly loved God would not worship an idol or blaspheme God's holy name. Anyone who truly loved his neighbor would not steal or kill, etc.. The "end" or goal of all the commandments was love. This is what Paul is saying.

Note 9 at 1 Tim. 1:5: The NIV translation of this verse implies that the commandment Paul is speaking of is the commandment he had given Timothy about not allowing any other doctrine to be taught (v. 3) and forbidding fables and genealogies (v. 4). The NIV says, "The goal of this command is love...".

In verses 7-11 Paul speaks of those who have turned aside from this commandment. His comments about these people center around them teaching the Old Testamnet law improperly. Therefore, we can be certain that one of the main doctrines Paul was admonishing Timothy to adhere to was that of the grace of the new covenant instead of the law of the Old Testament.

Note 10 at 1 Tim. 1:5: The end product of every Christian command should be love, from a pure heart, in a good conscience, and with genuine faith. Any commands from religious leaders which produce fruit contrary to this are in error.

Note 11 at 1 Tim. 1:5: Paul didn't just say that the end of the commandment is love. Love has to be from a pure heart with a good conscience and with a genuine faith. There are many things called love today and they aren't all from God. This is specifying the "agape", God kind of love.

Many people profess that they are walking in God's love but do they pass this test? First, do they have a pure heart? God's kind of love purifies our hearts (1 Pet. 1:22; 1 Jn. 3:3). That doesn't mean we are perfect. This purifying is a process. None of us have arrived but there should be some evidence that we have left. A person who is truly operating in God's kind of love will have pure attitudes and motives.

Secondly, anyone who is walking in God's kind of love will have a good conscience (see note 12 at this verse). A good conscience comes from two sources. First, we have to exercise ourselves to have a good conscience (Acts 24:16). That is, we should not violate our conscience but live a holy life as much as possible. However, none of us will live a perfectly sinless life and therefore, we have to always rely on the blood of the Lord Jesus to purge our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Thirdly, those who are walking in God's kind of love will have a genuine faith. Galatians 5:6 says, "...faith which worketh by love". A person who claims God's love but is fearful and unbelieving is just deceiving himself. Those who are safe and secure in the love of the Lord are not fearful people.

Note 12 at 1 Tim. 1:5: Our conscience is the part of our soul that either condemns us or gives us confidence (see note 9 at Rom. 2:15, p. 750). We should keep from defiling our conscience as much as possible (see note 12 at 1 Cor. 8:7, p. 900), but the only total cure for our conscience is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 9:14). This doesn't happen automatically. We have to exercise ourselves to have a good conscience (see note 4 at Acts 24:16, p. 716).

Our conscience is like a navigational control that we cannot ignore but we also cannot let it be our sole guide either. The apostle Paul before his conversion killed Christians with a clear conscience (see note 1 at Acts 23:1, p. 709). God's Word must have final authority. Other New Testament scriptures on the conscience are 1 Tim. 1:19; 3:9; Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 1:12; 2 Tim. 1:3; Tit. 1:15; Heb. 9:14; 10:22; 13:18; 1 Pet. 3:16, 21.