Warning Against False Teachers of the Law. The Lord s Grace to Paul. Timothy 1:1-20

Transcription

1 1 Commentary by Ron Thomas. Questions by John C. Sewell. Warning Against False Teachers of the Law The Lord s Grace to Paul Timothy 1:1-20

2 2 Warning Against False Teachers of the Law The Lord s Grace to Paul Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-20, 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2. Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4. Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith; so do. 5. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6. From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7. Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9. Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10. For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11. According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

3 3 12. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry: 13. Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 18. This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare: 19. Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20. Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Introduction: I. The NIV includes the following facts in its introduction to 1 Timothy: A. First and Second Timothy and Titus are commonly called the pastoral letters and were written by Paul. 1. They are called pastoral letters because they deal with the qualifications and duties of pastors. B. Timothy was born at Lystra and had a Greek father and a Jewish mother (who taught him the Scriptures from childhood).

4 4 1. Timothy went with Paul on his second missionary journey and from then on helped Paul in his work. 2. Timothy was in Ephesus when Paul wrote this letter to him. C. Timothy was a young man and Paul encouraged him to: 1. beware of false teachers. 2. be a man of God. 3. do the work of God. a. Paul gave Timothy advice in how to do God s work well. II. All who minister the gospel would do well to read this book often and to prayerfully observe its instructions. Commentary: Salutation 1 Timothy 1:1, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; I. Paul was an apostle. A. Apostle means one sent, in this case, one sent by God the Father and the Son.

5 5 B. White took the use of this title to possibly indicate that Paul intended that this letter be read publicly, not just privately to Timothy. II. Paul became an apostle by the command of God our Savior. A. Command is an interesting word. B. Paul was commanded (or commissioned) by the Lord to be his messenger. 1. In Acts 26:29, Paul told the king, Therefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 2. Paul was commanded by God to do His bidding. 3. This was a command Paul could have disobeyed. a. Paul had better sense than to disobey God s commands. b. Because of Paul s good sense to obey God, we have the hope of eternal salvation. III. Hebrews 6:17-20, Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 1 Timothy 1:2, Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

6 6 I. Timothy was Paul s true child in the faith. A. Some of the Jews thought that since Timothy had a Jewish mother and a Gentile father, he was illegitimate in some special/religious way. 1. Acts 16:1-3, Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 2. Paul certainly did not think this! 3. When one is born again he is a child of God! II. Paul extended to Timothy: A. grace. B. mercy. 1. Titus 2:11-14, For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 1. Romans 5:6-8, For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a

7 7 C. peace. righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 1. Romans 5:1, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Warning Against False Teachers 1 Timothy 1:3, As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, I. The essence of this charge from Paul is that Timothy is not to allow anyone to come along and teach something different than he (Paul) had taught. A. 1 Corinthians 4:17, For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. B. Galatians 1:6-9, I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. II. Who these persons were is not definitely known.

8 8 A. Perhaps they were the persons mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20, Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. III. Paul was going to Macedonia and, as Reese thought, this was after Paul s first imprisonment. A. Paul told Timothy to remain at Ephesus. B. Timothy could have been traveling with Paul and Paul merely left Timothy there or... C. Timothy was already in Ephesus and Paul exhorted him to stay there. D. In either case, Timothy was at Ephesus and he had a definite purpose for being there. IV. Timothy was to charge certain persons not to teach a contrary (different) doctrine. A. The word charge means that Timothy had authority from God to insist that the truth be taught and impress his helpers with the fact that they had better listen and heed. B. Those charged, commanded by Timothy were teaching something different than what Paul taught. V. What error was being taught? A. Evidently, by context, there was a misapplication of law and Christian virtues.

9 Timothy 1:7-11, Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murders of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust Timothy 6:3, If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; B. Paul admonished the Ephesian elders to pay particular attention to the task of taking care of the church over which the Holy Spirit had made them overseers because there were many wolves lurking around ready to attack. (Acts 20:28) VI. What is meant by the word doctrine? A. This is an important question. B. Doctrine is teaching. C. Certain divisions (or, differences of opinion) exist among believers regarding various teachings of the New Testament (especially). D. Do these differences of opinion warrant a drawing of lines of fellowship? Or...

10 10 E. Are there some teachings that are less important than others, the more important being the bases of fellowship while the lesser important teachings do not warrant drawing of lines of fellowship? F. This question has brought about much discussion/division in the Lord s church. VII. In the view of this writer, two things are important; viz., A. What the Scriptures say on a topic is doctrine Peter 1:3, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 2. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 3. Titus 2:11-14, For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. B. One s attitude, opinion about what the Scriptures say is not doctrine.

11 11 1. When the Scriptures are silent on a topic, we must be gracious toward the opinion of others whose views differ from ours. 2. It is most unfortunate that some dispute and bring about divisions regarding matters of which the Scriptures are silent. 1 Timothy 1:4, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith; so do. I. Not only is there to be a stopping of doctrinal error, there is also to be a stopping of myths and genealogical questions which gender strife. A. Exactly what Paul had in view is not exactly known. B. It is the opinion many that Paul had in view something related to the Law of Moses. 1. These myths are expressly called Jewish in Titus 1:14, Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 2. A good argument can be made that [nomodidaskaloi] and [nomas] in 1 Timothy 1:7, 8 and Titus 3:9 refer to the Mosaic Law, not restricting the term Law to the Pentateuch. a. 1 Timothy 1:7, 8, Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

12 12 b. Titus 3:9, But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. C. Whatever is behind what Paul said to Timothy by way of background, one thing is certain, nothing good can come from these myths and genealogies. 1. Why? 2. Because it shifts one s mind from God. 3. Christians are to live by faith. a. Romans 10:17, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. b. 2 Corinthians 5:7, (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 1 Timothy1:5, Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: I. Paul s words have an ultimate end (aim), but before that ultimate end can be achieved, three things must be satisfied: viz., A. The charge must come from a pure heart. 1. As Reese said, this refers to the mind of the person; his thoughts, his moral affections. 2. Luke 10:27, And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and

13 13 with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself Timothy 2:22, Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart Peter 1:22, Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: B. The charge must come from a good conscience. 1. Conversion produced a good conscience. 2. While it is true that Paul lived in all good conscience it is also true that he merely convinced himself he was doing what was right. 3. In actuality, he had done what was wrong he was kicking against the goads. a. Acts 23:10, And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. 4. So, a good conscience comes from conversion. 5. A good conscience is a conscience that has rid itself of all the impurities of life.

14 14 6. It is a conscience that no longer lives for self, but for Christ; as a matter of fact it lives the life of Christ. a. Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. C. The charge must come from a sincere faith. 1. The kind of faith Paul speaks of is a faith that is centrally focused. 2. There are no doubleminded ways, but the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6) II. The aim of Paul s charge is love. A. Since love seeks the well being of another, it appears that Paul is trying to encourage Timothy to get others to understand that he is motivated by love. B. This could occur only if Timothy has a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:6, From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; I. This exhortation given by Paul is important for Timothy to understand and embrace because those who have swerved from these notions have wandered into a far distant land where there is nothing but emptiness (vain living). A. Who these certain persons were is not known.

15 15 B. No doubt, they are the same ones mentioned in verse 3. C. The word swerve suggests that an attempt is being made to hit a target with an object, but the effort is in vain because the object has deviated from the path intended to reach the target. D. The English word sin conveys this same idea. 1 Timothy 1:7, Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. I. The phrase teachers of the law, Rogers tells us (p. 488) is a phrase taken from Judaism. Mounce, Lenski and Reese concur with this. II. What were they teaching? III. It would appear that these certain ones were people devoting themselves to myths and endless genealogies since Paul just mentioned them. 1. Jude 10, But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Timothy 1:8, But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; I. Anything that comes from God is good (cf. Reese, p. 17)! II. Since the Law of Moses came from God, it was good and holy. III. Yet, it had a limited design.

16 16 IV. It was not designed to take sin away, but it was designed to point lost souls to Jesus (cf. Hebrews 10:1-10; Galatians 3:24-27). A. Hebrews 10:1-10, For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? Because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. B. Galatians 3:24-27, Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 1 Timothy 1:9, Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

17 17 I. Paul gives an additional reason (reasons) for the law. A. It was not for the righteous that the Law was given, but because of unrighteousness. B. Since no man is righteous in and of himself (Jeremiah 10:23), God gave man a law that points to righteousness (Galatians 3:24-27). 1. Jeremiah 10:23, O, Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 2. Galatians 3:24-27, Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. II. While Lenski notes a reference to the Law of Moses, it is not the Law of Moses only that ought to be considered. A. It is law in general, or any legal code that specifies improper conduct. B. What does the law do? C. The law (Law of Moses) identifies proper and improper conduct. D. To meet the standards of the law is merely to do what one is supposed to do.

18 18 E. To violate the law is to bring the wrath (judgment) of the law upon oneself. F. It is through the law (or Law of Moses) that we know we have missed mark John 3:4, Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. G. It might be difficult to determine if Paul had the Law of Moses in mind or not, but that difficulty is eliminated with the words ungodly (irreverent, irreligious; living life without God and doing one s own thing), sinners (violating God s law, sinful), unholy (this speaks of one s lack of inner purity, Rogers, p. 488), and profane (one who does not hesitate to trample on that which is holy (Hendriksen); he treats religion with contempt and scorn (Barnes). H. Each one of these words refers to a standard of righteousness set forth by God. 1 Timothy 1:10, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; I. Paul, continuing with his list (though not anything exhaustive), identifies those vices that show why the Law of Moses (law in general) is good. A. The sexually immoral comes from the Greek word (pornos) that gives us our English word fornication. 1. Unfortunately, fornication is not a word that is as easily understood as it once was.

19 19 2. Fornication is not exclusively illicit sexual intercourse between unmarried persons. 3. The word homosexuality is a hot button topic in our day. B. Enslavers. a. There are people everywhere trying to promote this wickedness as an alternative lifestyle that is perfectly natural because it is connected with love. b. If anyone knows anything about the Lord, that person knows that He does not regard homosexuality as having something/anything to do with love! c. Homosexuality is completely unnatural and the human race would become extinct in a matter of a short time if this were the means by which the race was to be propagated. Only a fool would deny this obvious truth. d. On judgment day, they will get their day in court with the Lord and then they can try to make their case. e. However, the Scripture can save them a lot of time and certainly save them from hell if they will merely read what God has already said and live by these gospel principles. 1. The margin of the ESV reads, Those who take captive in order to sell into slavery.

20 20 C. Liars. 1. A liar is one who willfully leads another astray; telling a falsehood; an untrue statement with intent to deceive. D. Perjurers. 1. There may not really be any significant difference between this word and liar. E. Whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine. 1. Contrary to sound doctrine. 2. The word sound means healthy. 3. The doctrine that comes from God is healthy doctrine. 4. It is healthy to the bones, if you will. 5. It is that teaching that strengthens the inner man. 6. In the Greek, the is an article before sound doctrine the sound doctrine. 7. It was a feature of the original language that the article could be either inserted or omitted when using proper names. 8. Sound doctrine is another name for the Gospel, and so the reference is very definite... 1 Timothy 1:11, According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

21 21 I. All that Paul taught/preached was in accordance with the will of God. A. Acts 26:16-19, But the rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. B. Paul said this sound doctrine was in accordance with the glorious gospel of God. C. Yet, if Paul referred to the Law of Moses just moments ago, how can that which pertained to that system then be in accordance with the gospel? 1. The word gospel means good news. II. Jesus came and preached the gospel of God. A. Matthew 4:17, From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. III. The gospel message in encapsulated in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. A. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the

22 22 scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: IV. The good news is that man is justified by faith. A. Galatians 3:8, And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. B. Romans 4:5-8, But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Gratitude for Mercy 1 Timothy 1:12, And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry: I. One of the failings of youth is the lack of wisdom in recognizing that one greater than self plays a significant role in that young person s life. A. Of course, not all young people fail to recognize things of this sort, but most do. B. Whatever failings youth has, as one gets older, those failings begin to thin and recognition is more forthcoming. C. Solomon stood on a platform and prayed to the God of heaven, asking Him to grant the requests of the petitioner that turns to Him for relief.

23 23 D. In the course of saying this he recognized that each individual has a plague of the heart Kings 8:38, 39, What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house: Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;) 2. Plagues of the heart are corrupt and damaging. II. Paul was fortunate in that the Lord s mercy was shown to him, and, consequently, he was able to say with genuine humility, I thank him who has given me strength. A. The word strength in the older translations is rendered enabled. B. Perhaps Paul had come to recognize the destitute condition he was in and so he was able to thank Christ Jesus our Lord for the strength given him with the newness of life Paul found in Jesus. 1. Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. C. The Lord looked upon Paul and saw a faithful servant; he was motivated to do what was right according to the standard by which he lived (the Law of Moses) and he did this with a good conscience (Acts 23:1).

24 24 1. After Paul s salvation, the Lord appointed him to take this same fervor and apply it in a different sort of way. 2. Rather than dragging men and women to prison, he gave them hope with a message of righteousness. 1 Timothy 1:13, 14, Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. I. Paul does not soften any words that speak to his former life. A. He was, formerly, a blasphemer. 1. A person who blasphemes is one who speaks slanderously against someone or something. 2. In what way was Paul a blasphemer? B. Paul was a persecutor. a. He spoke against Jesus. 1. Acts 8:3, As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and hailing men and women committed them to prison. C. Paul was also an insolent opponent. 1. The NASV uses wanton aggressor to try to capture the sense of Paul s meaning. 2. Acts 26:9-11, I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

25 25 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. II. Though Paul was all this, he said he received mercy because he had acted ignorantly in unbelief. A. What! Are you kidding me! 1. Paul did all that damage to families and the Lord saved him? 2. What kind of God would do such a despicable thing as to save a man who brought serious hurt to innocent people? 3. Romans 5:6-8, For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. B. Romans 5 can be understood easily enough; it is the phrase that Paul uses that perplexes many. 1. Paul received mercy because he acted ignorantly in unbelief?

26 26 2. Leviticus stated that the Lord attributed guilt to a perpetrator for his (her) sin even when that person was unaware of it! 3. When that person became aware of it a sacrifice was required. C. Reese brings to our attention the sins of presumption and the sins of ignorance. 1. Numbers 15:27-31, And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the Lord, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him. Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him. 2. Knight says that the sins mentioned by Paul (and committed by him) were neither high-handed sins nor things done defiantly against the Lord. 3. This is what you have with Paul. 4. Paul was not trying to excuse himself; he already said what he was formerly.

27 27 5. Paul is merely stating what the case was and he is mighty grateful for the Lord s mercy. 6. No matter the grievous nature or even the quantity of our sins, the Lord s mercy is abundant enough to cover them all. a. Romans 5:20, Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: b. Ephesians 2:4, 5, But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved:) 1 Timothy 1:15, This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. I. Paul is painfully aware of his own insufficiency: He knew from where he came and he knew to whom he would go. A. Consequently, what he is about to say, he says with emphasis; this is a faithful saying! 1. Some regard the expression, this is a faithful saying as a quotation formula. 2. The sense of it means,... it is a faithful presentation of God s message. II. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

28 28 A. Luke 19:9, 10, And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. B. John 3:17, 18, For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. III. Paul, being painfully aware of his need for Christ, spoke in the present tense when he said,... of whom I am chief. A. The question is, are we to understand that Paul is presently the foremost of sinners? B. What is it that he means? Reese said it well when he wrote, As Paul looks back on his life before becoming a Christian (and perhaps on his continuing struggles with temptations), he is painfully aware of the forgiveness he needs. 1 Timothy 1:16, Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. I. For this reason Paul received God s mercy. A. What reason was that? 1. The sense of it is that Paul recognized the authority of Jesus when confronted and he recognized his own insufficiency in comparison to the Lord Jesus.

29 29 B. Yet there is an additional reason why the Lord rendered mercy in Paul s life. 1. Jesus displayed His perfect patience. 1 Timothy 1:17, Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. I. Some have wondered if we should understand this to be a reference to God the Father or the Lord Jesus. A. The text does not make this clear. B. Perhaps we should think of it as being a reference to God in general without specifying specifics of deity. C. When our Lord Jesus ascended into the heavenly realm, He was no longer visible; of course, the Father has never made Himself visible except through the Son. D. Later, in this epistle, the Lord Jesus is called the King of kings, the only Potentate. 1 Timothy 1:18, This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare: I. Reese, following the words of Ellicott, said that it might be good to read verses 3-4 together, look at verse 5-17 parenthetically, with a resumption of thought in verse 18. A. If this is done, there is a natural flow of thought from Paul.

30 30 B. Timothy has been charged by Paul to allow no one to teach something contrary to what he already taught and that which Timothy is engaged in is warfare! C. Perhaps, Timothy was somewhat of a timid man and Paul needed to encourage him in areas in which he was weak. D. The prophecies about Timothy can be gleaned from not only this verse, but also 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6, 1. 1 Timothy 4:14, Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery Timothy 1:6, The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: 1 Timothy 1:19, Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: I. Be rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith. A. Paul told Timothy that he must wage the good warfare but do so faithfully and with a good conscience. B. He is not only to believe that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6), but he is also to be motivated by his love toward God. 1. Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 2. This is faithful living!

31 31 3. Romans 4:3, For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4. Romans 4:20, He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. II. The point of Paul s words regarding having a good conscience is merely to emphasize (or repeat) the thought of holding faith. A. Barnes says it this way, A good conscience is that which is well informed in regard to what is right, and where its dictates are honestly followed (E-Sword). B. Evidently, some refused to wage the good warfare and, consequently, rejected holding on to faith and having a good conscience. C. They made shipwreck of their faith; that is, their deliberate subjective response to God has their own ships against the rocks and the boat that was keeping them alive destroyed them (cf. the Twin Towers of 9/11). III. The NKJV has a slightly different reading that can actually give a different thrust of Paul. A. In the ESV (above) some have rejected holding on to faith and a good conscience and have shipwrecked their individual faith. B. The NKJV reads that some have rejected holding on to faith and a good conscience and have, thus, shipwrecked the faith; that is, the system.

32 32 C. Which is correct? Interpretations will vary. 1. Mounce says, Within the overall context of the PE it seems that Paul is saying that the opponents rejected their personal faith and as a result have brought the Christian faith into reproach Either way, to shipwreck one s faith is certainly to destroy one s hope. 3. The consequences of this action is to bring reproach upon the Lord because, whether one is known by few or many, those few or many will now understand that God plays no role in the one whose faith had been shipwrecked. 1 Timothy 1:20, Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. I. Paul encouraged Timothy to take this exhortation/warning he was giving him seriously because of the crash that ultimately will take place if he does not. A. Paul illustrated this with two men whose names will live in infamy: Hymenaeus and Alexander. B. Who were these men? 1. According to 2 Timothy 2:27, Hymenaeus is paired with Philetus as teaching that the resurrection is past. 2. Alexander is mentioned four times in the New Testament.

33 33 a. It appears that only two of these references have any connection with Ephesus (Acts 19:33 and, perhaps, 2 Timothy 4:14). b. Acts 19:33, And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. c. 2 Timothy 4:14, Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: d. Since Alexander is a common name, it is not possible to know who exactly this person was. e. The likelihood of this Alexander s being different than the one mentioned in either of the above two passages is good because of the excommunication (disfellowship) administer-ed against him. f. Alexander was delivered over to Satan that he could be taught not to blaspheme. g. This power possessed by Paul to deliver apostates to Satan was an awesome power that carried grave responsibility. C. These men were speaking against, presumably, the faith (perhaps asserting that the resurrection is past). 1. In the Corinthian letter he said the church needed to hand over the impenitent brother to Satan (1 Corinthians 5:5).

34 34 a. 1 Corinthians 5:5, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 2. The purpose of this was that the soul would be saved while the flesh (fleshly appetites) would be destroyed.

35 35 Questions 1 Timothy 1: Why are 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus known as pastoral epistles? 2. Who was Timothy? 3. What was the connection/relationship between Paul and Timothy? 4. Paul encouraged Timothy to of, be a of, and to do the of.

36 36 5. Paul was an apostle. How did he become an apostle? What does the word apostle mean? 6. Timothy was Paul s true child in the faith. Would it have been appropriate for Timothy to call Paul father Paul? Why or why not? 7. Paul extended to Timothy, and. 8. Timothy was to teach certain people not to teach any and not to occupy themselves with and that promote. 9. From where did Paul write 1 Timothy? Where was Timothy when this letter was written?

37 What does the word doctrine mean? 11. What things are and are not important enough to be the basis of fellowship? 12. What were the myths and genealogies Timothy was to oppose? 13. The aim of this instruction, teaching by Timothy is that comes from a, a, and. 14. Is our conscience our guide? Is a clear conscience proof of salvation? Explain.

38 What was the purpose, design of the Law of Moses? 16. For whom was the law given? For whom was it not given? 17. What is God s attitude toward these sins today? What is society s attitude toward these sins today? 18. All that / was in with the of. Are we to do differently?

39 Contrast Paul s previous life with his lifestyle at the time he wrote 1Timothy? 20. Did Paul try to excuse his former way of life? Do we seek to make excuse for our sins? 21. Why did Paul receive mercy? Why should God show us mercy? If we act ignorantly in unbelief, will God show us mercy? 22. What is the sin of presumption? Will God be merciful to presumptive sinners? Why or why not?

40 Was Paul, the chief, foremost sinner, worse than Nero or Hitler? If not, how can he be the chief of sinners? 24. Why did Jesus come into the world? How had some made shipwreck of their faith? 25. Who were Hymenaeus and Alexander? What had they done? What happened to them?