1 Timothy

Thursday, 9 November 2017

…for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 1 Timothy 1:10

Paul continues his lengthy list of who the law is intended for. His next target is “fornicators.” The word is pornos. Specifically, it means a male prostitute, however, it is more appropriately speaking of anyone engaging in sexual immorality.

Following this comes “sodomites.” The Greek word, arsenokoites, comes from two separate words which translate as “a male,” and “a bed.” Thus it refers to a man in bed with another. More specifically, it is the perversion which today we call “homosexuality.” Although termed “acceptable” in apostate churches of today, the word of God stands, and such who participate in this perversion are exactly who the law was written for. It is to show them God’s standard, and to reveal to them the punishment due for their abominable actions.

Paul’s next class are “kidnappers.” The Greek word is used only here. It signifies a slave, such as a man taken in war and sold into slavery. What is probably on Paul’s mind here is a person who steals free men and sells them into slavery, or one who steals the slaves of others and re-sells them. The Eighth Commandment refers to stealing. Among all theft, this would be one of the most repugnant types, if not the most repugnant of all.

Paul then goes to “liars.” Here the Ninth Commandment is referred to. In John 8:44, Jesus calls the devil a liar, and the father of all lies. Obviously then, a liar is one for whom the law is written. Should someone follow the path of lying, the penalty of the law is intended to instruct him of his just due for that misconduct.

Next, he notes “perjurers.” Again, it is a word only found here in Scripture, epiorkos. It is derived from two words indicating “against” and “oath.” Thus is is a person who swears falsely. This is also aligned with the Ninth Commandment.

Paul could continue on for a lengthy time with more specific types of people for whom the law is written. Entire chapters of Leviticus identify specific laws, and the penalties for violating those laws. Deuteronomy repeats many of these, and builds upon them. But to sum up his thoughts, he simply says, “and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.” The word translated as “doctrine” is used by Paul 19 times in his letters. He uses it 15 times in the 3 pastoral epistles, and it is found only 2 other times in the New Testament. It means “instruction,” or “teaching.”

The high use of the word in the pastorals shows us the importance of proper teaching in the church, and especially in regards to those in leadership positions. The other two times it is used apart from Paul, it is seen in Jesus’ words when speaking of those leaders in Israel who teach “as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). The teaching of God’s people is to be from the word of God; and it is to be taught carefully, in context, and according to the proper dispensation. In the case of the Gentile-led church age, the proper doctrine is to be from Paul’s epistles first and foremost.

Life application: It is those who are referenced in his lengthy list of offenders for whom the law is written. How can it be that pastors and teachers throughout the world, and throughout the history of the church age, have continuously picked out select portions of the law as binding upon those in the church? Some go so far as to mandate that the entire law of Moses is still in effect. But this is completely contrary to the sense of what Paul presents. Those in Christ are not at all for whom the law is written. Reintroducing the law is shown to be beyond ridiculous when taken in its proper context. Stand firm and fast on the grace of Jesus Christ alone. Stand firm in the liberty by which Christ has made us free. Do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage, which is the law.

Lord God, there is liberty in Christ which is so wonderfully marvelous. We have been freed from the yoke of bondage, which is the law, and brought into son-ship with You through His fulfillment of that law. We can see that the law is written for offenders, not for those who are declared “not guilty.” Help us to remember this lesson, and to live holy lives to You because of Christ and His magnificent work! Amen.

Wednesday, 8 November 2017

…knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 1 Timothy 1:9

Paul begins this verse by referring to everyone in a general sense. At least it should be that way. His words are to be taken as a universal axiom. However, not everyone is either intelligent enough to understand what should be otherwise universally accepted, or some people may be intentionally perverse in their attitude and conduct towards the law. Therefore, it is specifically the person mentioned in verse 8 who is more directly the one being referred to. And so, “knowing this” is speaking of one who uses the law lawfully. As Paul is writing to Timothy, it is then intended for Timothy to understand this and be included in what is being said. And finally, as this letter is intended for the instruction of all people due to its inclusion in the Bible, it is therefore meant for each and every reader of the Bible to understand. With this in mind, he next says, “that the law is not made for a righteous person.”

The Law of Moses precedes the coming of Christ. It is Christ who is wholly righteous, and it is those who believe in Him that are granted His perfect righteousness. Therefore, Paul is saying, clearly and unambiguously, that the Law of Moses is not made for those in Christ. This is simple, straightforward, and obvious on the surface. The believer in Christ stands justified before God because of Christ’s fulfillment of the law on our behalf. Where the law could justify none, Christ surpasses the law. In Him, we stand justified. The law, rather, highlighted man’s sin. It was intended to lead the person aware of their sin to their need for God’s grace and mercy. And these are found in Christ Jesus. As Paul says in Galatians, the law was “our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (3:24). He then immediately follows that up with, “But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (3:25). The law is not intended for those in Christ.

With this understanding, he next says who the law is intended for. It is not for the righteous, “but for the lawless.” The intent here is a person who simply does not recognize any law. Rather than not having a law, it is one who refuses to recognize the law as an authority. These are anarchists who refuse to acknowledge that they are bound to the laws put in place.

Next he says, “and insubordinate.” This is tied in with the lawless. It is those who may recognize a law, but they are disobedient to it. Bonnie and Clyde certainly recognized the law as an authority. In arming themselves in order to fight, they knew the law was valid, but they simply snubbed their noses at it.

Paul then says “for the ungodly.” The ungodly are those who refuse to give God the reverence and respect He is due. In them, there is no fear of God. Supposed “atheists,” like Richard Dawkins, fit this description. This is coupled with, “and for sinners.” Sinners are those who defy God’s law, violating it willfully and flagrantly.

Next he notes “the unholy.” The word describes someone who ignores their duty to God, disregarding it as unnecessary to their life. They will profane the name of the Lord without compunction, and simply give up right living for a life of sin and wickedness. The word used to describe such is only found here and in 2 Timothy 3:2. These degenerates are coupled with the “profane.” The profane speak of sacred things in a lewd manner. Their actions may carry the same intent. The singer Madonna is an example of one who is both profane in her speech and in her actions.

Paul’s next category is “murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers.” These are those who openly violate the Fifth Commandment. The word used signifies to hit or beat one’s parents; not specifically those who murder them. However, a beating can lead to death, and so the stronger sense is translated into English, even if incorrectly. The possibility of murder by such is not far off.

And finally, he completes the list of those for whom the law is intended with “manslayers.” This includes those who kill others either with malice, or with a passion for killing. In other words, it is inclusive of both the violent and the psycho-killer.

Paul will continue with his list of people for whom the law was made in the next verse. In all of them, it is intended for the most vile and disobedient offenders. For those who suppose they are made holy by the law, they claim they apply the law in that fashion. But that is completely contrary to whom Paul says the law is intended for. Instead of applying it to the holiest, it is meant to convict those least holy. For those who teach that Christians are still bound to the law, they are actually placing themselves into this list of people. Instead of drawing nearer to God through the law, they are placing themselves at further enmity with God through it. How stupid!

Life application: The Bible is absolutely clear concerning the Law of Moses. It was intended for keeping lawbreakers in check, and it was intended to highlight them and remove them from society. It was never intended as a means of attaining holiness before God. You Judaizers and Hebrew Roots movement followers have actually set yourself in opposition to God by ignoring the righteousness of Christ. If you are unwilling to live in the New Covenant, you will die by the Old. Best wishes in your endeavors, but better… come to Christ and be freed from this sad end.

Lord God, Your word explicitly tells us that the law was not meant for the righteous, but for the unrighteous. It is Christ who brings righteousness. So why on earth would we reject His completed work, go back, and place ourselves under a law which shows us how bad we are? Instead, let us rest in Christ and place ourselves in His care, showing how glorious You are! Thank You for our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for full, complete, and eternal reconciliation with You because of Him. Hallelujah and Amen!

Tuesday, 7 November 2017

But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 1 Timothy 1:8

Paul stated something similar to this in Romans 7:12. There he was making a point about how sin uses the commandment to deceive a person, bringing about death. In his concluding thought, he then said, “Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.” Here as in Romans, one reason he is certainly giving this statement is as a testimony that he is not an enemy of the law. In Acts 21:21, he was accused of exactly this. But he vigorously defends the law as being good. However, it is the proper use of the law which he defends time and time again.

He will state one particular purpose of the law in the next verse, but for now, a second reason he is introducing this thought is to defend against the improper uses of the law which he has already identified. It is not intended for inane arguments, it is not intended for pursuing “endless genealogies,” and it is not intended for stirring up disputes. God has revealed Himself through the giving of the law. None of such things is in accord with this self-revelation. He is God; these uses of the law are ungodly.

As noted, Paul will explain one avenue of why the law was given in the next verse. However, with the coming of Christ, and in the completion of His work under the law, the law is fulfilled and annulled. Above all else, the law was a stepping stone to lead us to the Person and work of Christ. Understanding this, Paul’s particular reason for the giving of the law in the next verse will make all the more sense.

Life application: Just because something is good does not mean it is still necessary. If someone wants to get to Paradise Island, he will need a way of getting there. A bridge for this purpose would be considered good. Once he has arrived at the destination, the bridge is no longer needed to get there. It has fulfilled its intended purpose. This is the error of those who cling to the Law of Moses after the coming of Christ. The law is no longer a working bridge. Christ crossed that bridge and then He offered us a new bridge. At the same time, the old has been dismantled. And yet, people continuously attempt to cross by a bridge which is no longer in service. Paradise Island is forever out of their reach because they have failed to properly use the new and better bridge.

Lord God, Your word is clear that You alone are God, and You have given just one path back to you in the giving of Your Son. When all was hopeless because of sin, You took care of the problem Yourself by sending Jesus. Thank You for this one marvelous path of reconciliation with You. The path may be narrow, but it is wide enough for everyone to pass if they will just take advantage of it. May they wisely do so while there is yet time. Amen.

Monday, 6 November 2017

…desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. 1Timothy1:7

Paul now chastises the group of people to whom he referred to in verses 3 & 4, and who he then referred to specifically again in verse 6. They are those who taught “another doctrine,” and who give heed to fables and endless genealogies. It is they who he now says are “desiring to be teachers of the law.” They have “strayed,” and “have turned aside to idle talk.” This now, unlike verse 5, is speaking of the law of Moses. It refers to a different word than that translated as “commandment” there.

The single Greek word translated as “teachers of the law” is used only three times. First in Luke 5:17 when speaking of the Pharisees. Next it is used in Acts 5:34 when speaking of Gamaliel, a Pharisee of the ruling council. And now Paul uses it to speak of those who would desire to be in such a position, but who are obviously contrasted to these other teachers of the law. This is evident from the words, “understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.”

These people were covetous of having the respect and authority of someone like a Pharisee, but in their zeal to obtain such favor, they overlooked what the law was pointing to, and thus its true purpose. The law was given to lead people to Christ, not to be an end in and of itself. Nor was it to be used as a spiritual map for discerning secrets which God has hidden in it. It is true that the law contains hidden pictures and patterns, but they are all intended to lead a person to Christ, not to magical insights and divinations.

Unfortunately, this is what they were doing. More unfortunately, this is still done to this day. Kabbalists use the Bible to obtain mystical insights, Christians use it in an attempt to determine genetic codes, prophetic codes, rapture dates, and the like. The list of such abuses is almost endless. But the Bible is not for predicting outcomes. Rather, it is there to reveal, after prophetic events occur, that God was in control of those events all along. Only afterward are such things discernible.

But it is a source of pride for people to claim they have special insights into the future, or into the mechanics of God’s providential workings in the stream of time, and so they pursue these unhealthy avenues of interpretation without truly understanding “what they say nor the things which they affirm.”

It is to be remembered that Paul is speaking specifically of people who have been saved by Christ in these verses, and yet they have gone off the deep end in their theology. Further, it certainly encompasses any misapplication of the law in their teaching. Therefore, it includes those who reinsert the law (or parts of it) as a mandatory part of Christian living. This includes feast days, Sabbath observances, dietary restrictions, etc. In such, these people truly do not know what they say. The law is annulled, obsolete, and set aside. Therefore, such people in the church are to be shunned, not emulated or adored.

In order to show their error, Paul makes another compound word in the Greek. First was nomodidaskalos, or “law teachers.” In contrast to this he says, diabebaioomai, or “they affirm.” What they wanted to be is not at all what they were, nor what they taught. Paul’s choice of words actually becomes a strong rebuke. He uses the same word once again in Titus 3:8 in a positive sense towards Titus, asking him “to affirm constantly” what is correct concerning belief in God.

Life application: Proper theology will always be Christ-centered. There is never a time that works-based theology will be sound, nor is there any place for using the Bible as a form of mystical insight or divination. Those who proclaim secret codes within the text which can be used for such things are to be rejected. Only when patterns and pictures reveal Christ, and God’s redemptive plans which are worked through Him, are they to be considered valid.

Lord God, what a suitable and remarkable word You have given us for understanding the love You have for the people of the world! Help us to always look for Christ, and the redemption found in Him, as we read the Bible. Equally so, help us to not to attempt to use the Bible as a tool of mystical insight or prophetic divination. May we never be so presumptuous as to believe that we can predict the future. Help us to simply cherish those things which are promised for our future with great hope and faith, and to be content with that knowledge as we wait for those things to arrive. Amen.

Sunday, 5 November 2017

…from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 1 Timothy 1:6

“From which” is speaking of the words of verse 4 which included “love from a pure heart,” “a good conscience,” and “sincere faith.” It is these “from which some” have strayed. The term, here translated as “having strayed,” is a word used three times, all by Paul, and only in 1 & 2 Timothy. It means specifically, “off target.” It is a deviating from God’s target (a line) by walking off of that line. It further “emphasizes the divine disapproval that goes with walking ‘off (God’s) line’” (HELPS Word Studies).

What we are being presented here are true Christians, some may even have been once sound teachers, but they have strayed off of the right path. This must be true because if they were not true Christians, then the elders would have no authority over them. But Paul has told Timothy that he is to correct their ways. The intent is to bring them back to the correct line, and to bring them back to a state of approval in accord with God’s will.

For now though, the reason for their departure is that they “have turned aside to idle talk.” Here Paul uses a noun found only here in Scripture, which is well-translated as “idle talk.” It is that which is vain and foolish, like a random babbler. It is the use of words which are unproductive and godless. He will use the adjective form of the word in Titus 1:10.

Paul will further define what this idle talk means in the coming verse. For now, just think of the countless websites and YouTube personalities who make up stuff right out of their own heads, and which have no bearing at all on what is found in Scripture. With these new means of communication, anyone can say anything no matter how unfounded it is. And with a generation of biblically illiterate people who are hungry to be told what to do, there is always a receptive audience ready to swallow their teachings up. This was a problem all the way back at the inception of the church, it is a problem which has continued unabated until modern times, and it is a problem which has literally exploded in scope with the advent of each new type of invention which has arisen.

Life application: Today, there is almost no end to the amount of contradictory information concerning biblical teachings one can choose to listen to. The only way to avoid being completely misled by any of these misguided souls is to actually pick up your Bible and read it – constantly. The more it is read, the less likely one will be duped by crazy ideas which are put forth for public consumption.

Lord God, technology has allowed Your word to reach throughout the world. From the printing press, to the internet, to YouTube, each step has made this precious gift more and more available. But along with this, those who mishandle its precepts have been able to obtain wide audiences. And this for one particular reason – the audiences are filled with people unwilling to pick up the word and to read it for themselves. No wonder the church is in such a state of chaos. The blind are simply leading the blind. Help us, Lord God, to place a high priority on reading Your word day in and day out so that we will be able to discern that which is right from that which is wrong. Amen.