Paul’s Charge to Timothy I Timothy 1:1-11 2 Paul’s Charge to Timothy I Timothy 1:1-11

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope, 2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. - I Timothy 1:1-2

With his opening “charge” Paul accomplishes two things from the outset of his letter: Establishes Timothy and his teachings as legitimate and from God Condemns the teachings and teachers of the Gnostic philosophy

PAUL’S CHARGE - I Timothy 1:3 As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, - I Timothy 1:3

nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. - I Timothy 1:4

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. - I Timothy 1:5

The “fruit” of proper teaching from true teachers will be: Pure heart Good conscience Sincere faith

For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, - I Timothy 1:6

wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. - I Timothy 1:7

Teachers of the Law = Christian Rabbis Judaizers (circumcision party) = Legalists

But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, - I Timothy 1:8

Trying to use the Law in Christian practice was a misuse of the Law.

realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, - I Timothy 1:9a

Correct uses of the Law: To reveal sin – Rom. 3:20; 7:7 To reveal punishment for sin – Rom. 6:23b To reveal God’s justice – Rom. 6:23

9b but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10a and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, - I Timothy 1:9b-10a

Christians are under the principle of grace Not the principle of Law

The type of people subject to the Law: Lawless Disobedient Ungodly Sinners Unholy Profane Murderers of parents Manslayers Immoral Sodomites Kidnappers Perjurers

10b and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. - I Timothy 1:10b-11

Paul’s Charge: Establishes Timothy and his teachings Condemns the teachers of the Gnostics

Lessons: Nothing changes

The gospel is our only response Lessons: Nothing changes The gospel is our only response