1 Timothy Part 2

I Timothy 1:3-7

Paul had urged Timothy to stay on at Ephesus and confront certain false teachers which were active in the congregation. These teachers taught not only different doctrine, but also speculation about the Old Testament Law. Paul does not tell us exactly what they were teaching, he doesn't have to. The point is that there was error in their teaching and Timothy had to teach what was right and stop them from teaching otherwise. Instead of using the Law lawfully (next post) they were focusing on interpreting it in a mystical way to fit their wants. They had abandoned their stewardship which was to make disciples and instead they were seeking their own glory. In fact, Paul had warned the church at Ephesus earlier that their pastors would even start teaching error. We see this in Acts 20:30. Paul also gives extensive teaching as to the qualifications to be a leader. Evidently, there were those in leadership who were not qualified.

The end of the gospel should be different than what these teachers were leading the congregation to. The gospel should lead to love. This love comes from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith. The false teachers had veered away from these. They had gone into worthless discussions instead. They would pine away at things that didn't matter. They wanted to be like the Jewish Rabbis which had honor and were respected for their teaching. They wanted to be recognized as teachers of the Law, yet they had no idea what they were talking about. They were dogmatic without being knowledgeable, a bad combination.

What does this have to do with us. We also can be attracted to novel teaching. We want to know things that are maybe hidden to other people. We see this all over the religious realm. Preachers and teachers will go beyond the Bible in their speculation in order to have something "new." Be careful. Evaluate everything based upon the Bible. The Church's mission is to make disciples. We should not get bogged down in things which do not bring us to that end. The things may be good, but making disciples must take precedence.