2 Paul's Charge Concerning Sound Doctrine
Paul’s Charge Concerning Sound Doctrine Letters to Timothy #2 –1 Timothy 1:1-20: Paul’s Charge Concerning Sound Doctrine
Paul’s salutation (1 Timothy 1:1-2)
“...an apostle of Christ Jesus”
This helped identify him (Peter did the same)
But Paul’s apostleship was disputed by his enemies (2 Cor.)
“...by command of God”
In all his letters except Philippians, 1st & 2nd Thessalonians, and Philemon, he makes a similar statement of authority
Paul was an apostle “born out of due season” (1 Corinthians 15:8), not meeting the description given in Acts 1:21-22
The source of authority matters!
Paul is about to give Timothy instructions on the work, teaching, worship, and organization of the church
No one has the right to do that on his own authority!
“Grace, mercy, and peace”
All Paul’s salutations wish the reader “grace and peace”
Grace and mercy always come first—true peace comes only after God’s grace is accepted and His mercy applied
Paul’s charge about “different doctrine” (1 Peter 1:3-5)
The nature of sound doctrine
Sound doctrine is consistent and unified (Ephesians 4:4-6)
Sound doctrine is not constantly evolving (Jude 1:3)
Sound doctrine is not one choice among many (Galatians 1:5-8)
The result of sound doctrine is a life of love (1 Peter 1:5)
From a pure heart (purified by sound doctrine)
From a good conscience (guided by sound doctrine)
From a sincere faith (founded on sound doctrine)
The nature of “different doctrine”
It ends only in speculation, not in godly obedience (1 Timothy 1:4)
It leads to division (1 Timothy 6:4) and sinful lives (2 Timothy 2:16)
The proper reaction to “different doctrine”
Timothy is to stop it from being taught in the church
Elders are to guard against its entry into a church (Titus 1:9)
This must be done kindly and patiently (2 Timothy 2:24-25)
The false teachers described (1 Timothy 1:6-7)
Having “swerved” from sound doctrine, they...
No longer had pure hearts (at least partially selfish motives)
No longer had good consciences (i.e. accurately guided)
No longer had sincere faith (founded on Christ’s teachings)
Fixated on vain discussions
“Myths and endless genealogies”: probably Jewish fables, around which they built fanciful doctrines (Titus 1:14)
They spoke arrogantly on matters they did not understand
They taught from a desire to be known as great intellectuals
Cut from the same cloth as those described in Jude, 2 Peter
Proper use of the Old Testament (1 Timothy 1:8-11)
It clarifies and condemns sin (cf. Romans 7:7-13)
It also provides instructive examples (Romans 15:4)
It can and should be used—correctly! (1 Timothy 1:8)
O.T. law and N.T. gospel contrasted (1 Timothy 1:12-17)
Paul associates himself with sinners listed in 1 Timothy 1:9-10
He considered himself no better; in fact, worse (1 Timothy 1:15)
His sins were those of the heart and mind, not the flesh; it is possible to live an outwardly upright life, yet be lost
His testimony is an encouragement to those today wishing to leave their sinful ways and be forgiven (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Paul acted from ignorance, but it was no excuse (1 Timothy 1:13)
Unlike the O.T., Christ brought grace and new life
Animal sacrifices could not take away human sin (Hebrews 10:4)
But Christ’s grace “overflows” (KJV “exceeding abundant”); Greek is huperpleonazo, “hyper-abound” (1 Timothy 1:14)
Grace shows the merit of Christ, not of man
Paul could have emphasized his own character and integrity
Paul instead presents his story as a prime example of how much Christ can forgive (1 Timothy 1:16)
Grace brings not temporary pardon, but eternal life
Because we partake of the nature of an eternal God (1 Timothy 5:17)
This is why “sound doctrine” on this matter was important!
Paul’s charge to “fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 1:18-20)
Paul often spoke in these terms about his work
“Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12)
“I have fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7)
It presupposes opposition to sound doctrine
It presupposes that effort and determination are required
Timothy was prophetically destined to carry out this fight (cf. 1 Timothy 4:14)
“Holding faith and a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:19 a)
Faith and a good conscience are active, not passive
Conscience may be misinformed (cf. Acts 23:1)...
...but it should never be ignored!
1 Timothy 4:2 speaks of those whose consciences are “seared”
The awful result of rejecting the faith (1 Timothy 1:19-20)
Paul names two who had “made shipwreck of their faith”
Paul pronounced them no longer part of Christ’s body...
...but holds out hope “that they may learn...” (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:5)
In the meantime, their false teaching and disruptive influence would no longer harm the rest of the body