1 Timothy 1:7

7 and will to be teachers of the law, and understand not what things they speak [+willing to be teachers of the law, not understanding, neither what things they speak], neither of what things they affirm.

1 Timothy 1:7 Meaning and Commentary

1 Timothy 1:7

Desiring to be teachers of the law
They were very fond of being called Rabbi, Rabbi, and styled doctors of the law, and of being thought to have skill in interpreting the law, and good talents in expounding it, and preaching upon it; which was now most in vogue, and gained the greatest applause, when the preaching of the Gospel was treated with contempt, not only by the unbelieving Jews, but by judaizing Christians, and carnal professors.

Understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm:
they did not understand the law, the nature and end, the purity and spirituality, and perfection of it, which they were so fond of teaching, and went into many foolish and unlearned questions about it; see ( 2 Timothy 2:23 ) ( Titus 3:9 ) , and which they as foolishly answered: these are the ignorant and unlearned men, who, notwithstanding their vain show of learning, and pretence to skill in interpreting the law, wrested the Scriptures to their own destruction, and that of others; they were ignorant of the things they talked of, and knew not by what arguments to confirm them, and yet were very bold and confident in their assertions: and generally speaking so it is, that those who can prove least assert most, and that with the greatest assurance.

1 Timothy 1:7 In-Context

5 For the end of the commandment is charity of clean heart, and good conscience, and of faith not feigned.

6 From which things some men have erred, and be turned into vain speech; [From which things some erring, be turned together into vain speech;]

7 and will to be teachers of the law, and understand not what things they speak [+willing to be teachers of the law, not understanding, neither what things they speak], neither of what things they affirm.

8 And we know that the law is good, if any man use it lawfully;

9 and witting this thing, that the law is not set to a just man, but to unjust men and not subject, to wicked men and to sinners, to cursed men and defouled, to slayers of father, and slayers of mother, to manslayers [witting this thing, that the law is not put to a just man, but to an unjust and not subject, to unpious men and sinners, to cursed men and defouled, to slayers of fathers, and slayers of mothers, to menslayers]