1 Timothy 1:6-11

Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

The Need for the Spirit

For Paul, a love that springs forth from a pure heart, good conscience, and genuine faith is a prerequisite for the right handling of God’s Word. When those who handle God’s Word depart from these gospel realities, they have inevitably been led astray. A biblical and redemptive use of scripture, then, would appear to be predicated upon, though not guaranteed by, a pastor being a genuine Christian. For the Word of God to be correctly understood and applied, one must first be filled and guided by the Spirit of God, who leads them in all truth (Jn. 16:14, 1 Jn. 2:18-25).

The Problem in Ephesus

In the case of the church in Ephesus, the false teachers were not practicing a love that arose from a purity of heart, goodness of conscience, or genuineness of faith. Instead, these teachers, who were motivated by self, unable to discern truth, and living contrary to Christian doctrine, sought to appropriate God’s word (specifically, His law) for godless purposes. Instead of trying to know Christ through the scriptures (Jn. 5:39) and grow in conformity to Him, these false teachers “turned away into the foolish discussion,” which appears to have been related to how one used the law of God. Paul affirms the goodness of the law when it is used correctly. The implication is that the false teachers’ misuse of the law should not lead Timothy to abandon the biblical and redemptive use of the law in Ephesus. Paul, then, follows his affirmation of the law with an example of how the law should be used concerning particular groups of people. The list is reasonably inclusive, condemning the vast majority of humanity before their embrace of the gospel of Christ.

The Purpose of the Law

Given Paul’s insistence upon the law as a means to drive people to Christ (Gal. 3:23-29), it is reasonable to assume that the false teachers must have been attempting to appropriate the law of God in isolation from its transformation in Christ. Whereas before the coming of faith, the law of God served as a guardian, now that Christ has come, all who have trusted in Him are no longer under the guardianship of the law. We must not be so foolish as to think that we have begun this race of faith in the Spirit but must now finish it in the flesh (Gal. 3:3). And yet, even when we are faithless, Christ remains faithful on our behalf and does not deny us as His people (2 Tim. 3:16).

Imperatives and Indicatives

Pastor, as you preach and teach God’s Word, be ever so careful that you do not undermine the redemptive purposes of the Word of God by encouraging moral conformity apart from spiritual transformation. When we teach the imperatives of Scripture in isolation from the indicatives of Scripture, we are guilty of making men and women twice the children of hell. Pastor, you have a responsibility to encourage people to look to Jesus and pursue holiness in the power of the Spirit. Do not subvert the Spirit’s work by encouraging fleshly obedience. Pastor, use God’s Word redemptively, pointing people both to the demands and deliverance of Christ.

CBH

For more resources on this blog regarding the proper use of Scripture, see “Be a Servant of the Book” or “Pastoring while Pursuing a Ph.D.”

For resources on other websites, be sure to check out “Seven Habits of the Healthy Church“