THE GOAL OF THIS COMMAND IS LOVE

Passage: 1 Timothy 1:1-11

Key verse: 5

NIV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God(A) our Savior(B) and of Christ Jesus our hope,(C)

2 To Timothy(D) my true son(E) in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.(F)

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,(G) stay there in Ephesus(H) so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines(I) any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths(J) and endless genealogies.(K) Such things promote controversial speculations(L) rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart(M) and a good conscience(N) and a sincere faith.(O) 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers(P) of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.(Q)

8 We know that the law is good(R) if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous(S) but for lawbreakers and rebels,(T) the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine(U) 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.(V)

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Greeting

1 Paul, (A)an apostle of Christ Jesus (B)by command of (C)God our Savior and of Christ Jesus (D)our hope,

2 To Timothy, (E)my true child in the faith:

(F)Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Warning Against False Teachers

3 (G)As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not (H)to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor (I)to devote themselves to myths and endless (J)genealogies, which promote (K)speculations rather than the stewardship[a] from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love (L)that issues from a pure heart and (M)a good conscience and (N)a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by (O)swerving from these, have wandered away into (P)vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, (Q)without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

8 Now we know that (R)the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the (S)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, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers,[b] liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to (T)sound[c] doctrine, 11 in accordance with (U)the gospel of the glory of (V)the blessed God (W)with which I have been entrusted.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 1:4 Or good order
  2. 1 Timothy 1:10 That is, those who take someone captive in order to sell him into slavery
  3. 1 Timothy 1:10 Or healthy
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
INTRODUCTION TO 1 TIMOTHY 1 Timothy is one of three Pastoral Epistles written by the Apostle Paul, likely after his release from the imprisonment mentioned at the end of Acts. This would be around A. D. 64. Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, a young disciple from Galatia. His mother and grandmother were devout Jewish Christians, but his father was Greek (Ac 16:1). Timothy followed Paul, growing as a shepherd for others (Php 2:2 ), serving with Paul like a son with his father (Php 2:22), carrying on the work of the Lord as Paul did (1Co 16:1 ). Paul told Timothy to stay in Ephesus and put a stop to false doctrines (1:4) by teaching and living out the truth of the gospel as a good minister of Christ Jesus (4:6). More than the issues, Timothy needs to grow and raise leaders who will be good ministers of God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth (3:15). To do so, Paul gives clear qualifications for overseers and deacons, and teaches Timothy how to live as a good minister of Christ Jesus in his faith and practice. Notably, he encourages holding to the deep truths of the faith, to set an example, to not show favoritism, and pursue godliness. As we study this, let's learn from Paul how to be good ministers of Christ Jesus, serving in his household. THE GOAL OF THIS COMMAND IS LOVE 1. Stop the teaching of false doctrines (1-7) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior, wrote this letter to Timothy, his true son in the faith. Timothy was told to stay in Ephesus to command those teaching false doctrines to stop. Their influence was producing controversies instead of advancing God's work. They wanted to teach the law, but didn't know what they were talking about. Paul made clear that the purpose of this command is to promote love. Such a loving community is possible when individuals are growing in a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. 2. Purpose of the law (8-11) Those who have faith in the gospel know the law is good. The law has two purposes: In verses 9-1 a the law condemns destructive behavior and lifestyles, leading individuals to know they are sinners. At the same time, the law points to the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the law. Grant me a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith.

One Word: Love