So Paul has charged Timothy to remain in Ephesus to combat false teaching. As a pastor, it is my job to constantly by on guard, not just teaching Truth to the church, but fighting against the lies of the Enemy. Here in Ephesus, the problem is certain persons teaching different doctrine, men who were devoting themselves to myths and endless genealogies, men who were speculating on things instead of promoting stewardship of the Gospel in faith (1 Timothy 1:3-4).
In other words, certain people in the church had gotten distracted and started vain, useless discussions because they wanted to teach, but they had no real idea what they were talking about (1 Timothy 1:6-7).
Between these warnings, Paul reminds Timothy in verse 5 that our goal should be "love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
Verses 8-11 have been at the center of debate within the church since they were written down. Paul first asserts that the law is not bad, but good (speaking of the Old Testament law handed down by God to the Jewish nation). Because we as people so often get things exactly backwards, it's crucial we understand this. The law is good, and in its goodness it reveals the evil within us. The law clearly shows us - if we are honest with ourselves - that the problem of sin is not "out there," but "in here." Romans 3:9-20 quotes from Psalms 14:1-3 and 53:1-3 and is very clear: every single one of us, every person ever, is unrighteous before the Lord. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We are sinners by our own actions, and by the flesh we have inherited from Adam (Romans 5:12-21, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22). Then he proceeds through a list of universal sins, explaining that the law was laid down for the lawless and the disobedient - in other words, all of us.
What Paul teaches here raises many important questions for the believer to answer. Just how binding upon the Christian is the Old Testament? What should we follow, what should we ignore, how much time and energy should we put into it? Aren't we New Testament Christians? What is the relationship between law and grace? What lies from the world has my flesh responded to, and I believe? Am I submitted to the teaching of the Word or do I try to make the Word fit the life I have chosen for myself?
Over the next several posts we will examine the issues here, looking at the cultural lies we are told everyday, what the Truth is, and the place of the Old Testament in the life of a Christian.
Comments