Certain persons
Are You in the Loop? Check it out!
1 Timothy 1:1-11
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. 8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the 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, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
Questions
Paul greets Timothy as “my true child in the faith” in verse two. What do you think he means? How could you have a true child in the faith? After your answers, reference 1 Corinthians 4:17.
How does Paul describe “certain persons” or false teachers that may influence the church in the city of Ephesus? In what ways do we see similarities like this today?
Why do you think Paul charges Timothy to confront these people with love, purity, a good conscience and sincere faith? Do you think this charge is exclusively for pastors?
How is the law of God (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) useful? In what areas should we distinguish sound doctrine from false teaching?
Digging deeper
Read James 5:16. Why do you think it is hard to confess sin to one another? Pair off in twos or threes. Confess your sin to one another. Spend time in prayer.
Spend time in prayer
Pray with us at this link each morning at 7am as we take the 7 days of Holy Week to pray for 700 people to attend New Heights this Easter.