SCRIPTURE: 1 TIMOTHY 1
INTRODUCTION:
First and Second Timothy are called the pastoral letters written by Paul. These letters deal with the qualifications and duties of pastors. Timothy was born at Lystra and had a Greek father and a Jewish mother. His mother Eunice and grandmother Lois were Jewish believers who helped shape his life and promote his spiritual growth. He went with Paul on his second missionary journey and helped Paul in his work. When Paul wrote this letter, Timothy was working as the teacher and leader of the church at Ephesus. As a young minister, Timothy faced all sorts of pressures, conflicts, and challenges from the church and his surrounding culture. Paul wrote this personal letter to counsel and encourage Timothy in his work. He warned him of false teachings that are opposite to God’s commands and urged him to stand firm in his faith, to live above reproach and to minister faithfully.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope wrote this letter to Timothy, his true son in faith with this introduction: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
WARNINGS AGAINST FALSE TEACHERS OF THE LAW (vs. 3-11)
Paul urged Timothy to command certain men not to teach false doctrines, myths or endless genealogies because it promotes controversies rather than God’s work. The purpose of this command is Love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about.
The law is good if one uses it properly. Law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels., the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers – and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God.
THE LORD’S GRACE TO PAUL (vs. 12-20)
This is what Paul said:
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever, Amen”
Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
THOUGHTS:
Paul mentioned his past. He scoffed at the teachings of Jesus and hunted down and murdered God’s people. He called himself “the worst” of sinners. But when he met Christ and repented, God forgave Paul and used him mightily for His Kingdom. So, no matter how guilty or shameful your past was, God also can forgive and use you.
Paul summarized the Good News as follows: Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and no sinner is beyond his saving power. He came to offer us salvation that leads to eternal life.
When Paul said that he turned Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan, it means that Paul had removed them from the fellowship of the church. The ultimate purpose of this punishment was correction. Most churches today are reluctant to discipline Christians who deliberately sin. Deliberate disobedience should be responded quickly and sternly to prevent the entire congregation from being affected. But discipline must be done in a way that tries to bring the offender back to Christ and into the loving embrace of the Church. The definition of discipline includes: strengthening, purifying. training, correcting, perfecting. Church discipline should not include condemnation, withholding forgiveness or permanent exile.