1 Timothy 1 - Doctrine Matters!
1 Timothy 1 - NIV
Welcome to Paul's first letter to his protege Timothy. Click on this link to understand the context of Paul's letter to Timothy. It is written by Chuck Swindoll, beloved pastor and teacher. I would highly recommend you read Pastor Swindoll's synopsis as it gives valuable insight into the nature of Paul's pastoral letters to Timothy, and then Titus.
Here is a brief summary,
The book of 1 Timothy is a New Testament letter traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul, offering instructions and counsel to his younger colleague Timothy regarding leadership and conduct within the church in Ephesus. It addresses issues like false teachings, the roles of church leaders, and the importance of a life of faith and integrity. Google AI
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul indicates the unique nature of this letter, as he calls Timothy his "true son in the faith". Paul often used familial terms in his calling to spread the gospel. It reminds us that we are all part of the body of Christ, which is his family. I.e. You are my brother or sister in Christ. This transcends denominational stances on the tribulation, and whether you believe the bible is "inerrant" or "infallible". We are one in Christ, and we should treat each other accordingly. Galatians 3:28
There has been much damage in the body of Christ and our witness to the world when we engage in needless fights, controversies about matters not specifically addressed in the bible. Though we will never be perfect in this life, we can always strive for the unity in the body of Christ and treat each other as members of the family of God!
Who do you need to remember is your brother or sister in Christ? Maybe you need to reach out to them accordingly?
Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
Paul wants Timothy to stay in Ephesus, as he is pastoring the church there. Ephesus is one of the most influential and strategically located churches in Paul's time. Timothy's role as the pastor there was very important, especially with what was going on there. There were "self proclaimed teachers" who were introducing false doctrines into the church.
A false doctrine is anything that contradicts the clear teaching of God's Word, especially in relationship to the person and work of Jesus. In this case the teachers were promoting teaching related to myths and genealogies. Ironically the same thing goes on today.
Paul left the Ephesian Christians with a particular set of teachings (which he had received from Jesus and the Old Testament). He was concerned that Timothy did everything he could to make sure the Ephesians continue in that doctrine. This was the first reason why it was important that Timothy remain in Ephesus. - Guzik
Paul did this because doctrine is important to God and should be important to His people. Today, what one believes – that is, their doctrine – is remarkably unimportant to most people. This spirit of the modern age has also heavily influenced modern Christians. We live in a day where Pilate’s question What is truth? (John 18:38) is answered, “Whatever it means to you.” Yet truth is important to God and should be to His people. - Guzik
It wasn’t that there was an elaborate anti-Jesus theology rising in Ephesus. It was more that they tended to get carried away by emphasizing the wrong things. Paul wanted to prevent the corruption that came when people gave authority to fables and endless genealogies instead of true doctrine. Silly distractions were also dangerous, because they took the place of godly edification which is in faith. - Guzik
Bottom line is "doctrine matters". The two core doctrines of the Christian faith are the Trinity and "dual nature of Christ".
Trinity - We believe in one God who has been revealed as Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. Another way of thinking about this is God is "Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer".
Dual Nature of Christ -The dual nature of Christ is so important because it states that Jesus is 100% human, and 100% divine. Of course, Jesus is the only person in history with this distinction. If Jesus was not 100% human, he could not of have died. If he were not 100% divine, he would be a sinner like you and me. He would have had to die for his own sin as well as ours. He would not have been a sinless sacrifice for us on the cross. Obviously problematic.
Would you be able to detect if one of your pastors or teachers in your church was moving away from sound doctrine? How would you know?
If someone were to ask you what sound Christian doctrine looks like, how would you answer them? You can start with the two doctrines of the Trinity and the dual nature of Christ, but there are plenty of classes you can take to become grounded in your faith and theology of the Triune God.
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 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, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
Another important part of sound doctrine is the correct use of "the Law" in theology and doctrine. There are two equal, opposite, and mutually incorrect ways of looking at the Law.
1. Using the Law as legalism. Legalism is dangerous because it goes back to thinking we can be saved by keeping the Law. If we could be saved by keeping the Law, we would not need the grace Jesus gave us on the cross.
Legalism had infiltrated the church in many ways. The main purpose of Paul's letter to the Galatians was because of legalism that had seeped into the Galatian church. It was often the Jewish Christians who were most susceptible to this because of the role of the Mosaic Law in their history. But we are susceptible to it today as well.
Legalism can manifest it self in many different ways, but it usually has to do with taking some aspect of the Christian life and making it "rule-based: rather than "grace based".
Legalism can also lead to pride, as Paul accused the Corinthians "Getting puffed up by prideful use of the Law!" Legalism happens when it becomes all about us. I.e. How spiritual we are? What we eat, drink or wear? How or where we worship?
Paul says in Galatians 5:1, So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law." (NLT Version)
2, Anti-Nominalism, also known as "against the Law". This false teaching says that since we cannot by saved by the Law, we have no reason to try and obey it. This led indulgence in the flesh and led to the term "cheap grace". I.e. Since we are forgiven we can do whatever we want.
Martin Luther, during the Reformation period of church history, defined the three fold use of the Law. It is regarded as the best teaching on this subject.
1. The primary purpose of the Law is to lead us to Christ. I.e. Convict us that we fall short of God's standards and need a Savior.
2. The law is holy and good. The Law introduced to Israelites through Moses is inerrant and infallible. It is useful for curbing the sinful nature and keeping order in society. I.e. The Ten Commandments.
3. The Law is a guide for holy living for a born again Christian.
Note when Paul lists the type of sins that typify lawbreakers he mentions "homosexuality", as one of them. The actual Greek word "arsenokoitai" used here has prompted debate on what type of behavior Paul is referring to here in his culture. I.e. Is it perversion like sodomy/rape. Or, even a heterosexual seeking perversion.
On the other side, those who promote a positive view of homosexuality, or no prohibition at all, look at this word differently. They say Paul is referring only perverted sexual behavior, which is much different than the notion today of a "same sex committed relationships". They would say these passages are prescriptive for Paul's context in the 1st century but not proscriptive for today.
Other passages like Romans 1 give a much clear condemnation of homosexual behavior.
Paul says when describing the aspects of the sinful nature,
"For this reason God gave them [Gentiles] up to degrading passions. Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error." Romans 1;16-17.
Though it is an Old Testament passage and needs to be interpreted accordingly the book of Leviticus (book of the Law) says,
‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads." Leviticus 20:13
Obviously no one would agree with the consequences that are mentioned in this passage, but it does show a pretty clear condemnation of homosexual behavior.
And this brings up an important distinction. Also, God condemns all sin including homosexual behavior, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I.e. Condemn the sin not the sinner.
We are all sinners equally. One person's sin is worse than another. Paul, and more importantly Jesus, never rank sin. Many Christians who are very judgmental of homosexuals should look at Jesus' interaction with the woman caught in adultery in John 8. I.e. Whoever is without sin should throw the first stone.
Though we are to judge no person, we are to judge behavior and a standard of right and wrong from the bible's perspective as Christians.
At end of the day, I think you have to go through quite a bit of mental gymnastics and twisting of words to say the bible does not prohibit homosexual behavior.
Having ministered to many men who have adopted a gay lifestyle for various reasons I believe believers need to be careful about they come across with this issue.
On one hand society and some in the church are saying, "It is ok to do, after all who are you to judge me". The bible doesn't single homosexuality, because we are all sinners anyways. The bible is patriarchal, and does not know of the type of "same-sex committed relationships that exist today".
However, the church can be very judgmental and legalistic and treat those who identify as LGBTQ as a special class of sinners. Christians can be hypocritical denouncing homosexual sin while being okay with being a gossiper, heterosexual adulterer, or angry and unforgiving person. After all remember Jesus says on the Sermon on the Mount, "Whoever lusts after another commits adultery in their heart." In that case most of our adulterers on a fairly regular basis.
The only way any of us can live a life worthy of our calling in Christ, is by the power of the Holy Spirit. So there is no reason for any of us to boast about being a morally superior Christian. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can live a life which is pleasing to God.
The Lord’s Grace to Paul
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Paul points his own disqualification under the Law and calls himself "the worst of sinners". Paul even supervised the killing of Christians citing the Law as his justification. If it was not for the grace of God and the gift of faith given to him, he would still stand condemned by the Law.
Paul summarizes his teaching by saying this is the essence of sound doctrine which Timothy needed to hold on to,
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
Martin Luther relied heavily on passages like this, and also in Galatians and Romans to develop his threefold purpose and use of the Law.
Many of the most controversial issues we face in our day and age including our response to the LGBTQ movement will be addressed in the Spirit of BOTH grace and truth.
As we navigate the troubled waters of morality in our culture we need to hold to the model of our Lord Jesus who said to the woman caught in adultery,
10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Jesus was full of BOTH grace and truth and so should we be.
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