1 Timothy 1: What Difference Does It Make?
CHRIST CONSCIOUSNESS—MYSTICAL Teaching in the Bible," advertises a poster. "The mystical core of Christ's teaching has been obscured by centuries of dogma," it announces, inviting Christians to come to lectures by a young lady who follows a Hindu sect. And at the other extreme, some Christian leaders, dismayed by a low level of commitment, seek to create high-intensity groups with special teachings on top of the gospel and extra rules that regulate the social lives of their members. These modern examples are the kinds of thing that were rampant in the church at Ephesus; Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus to deal with them.
Warming Up to God
How do you distinguish between true and false spirituality?
Read 1 Timothy 1. »
Discovering the Word
- How does Paul describe Timothy's job (vv. 3-5)?
- Finding hidden meanings in the Old Testament was big business in first-century religion. False teachers here tried to mix these "secret teachings" with the gospel. What results were the false teachers getting for their efforts (vv. 4-6)?
- From what Paul says about the proper use of the law, how does it seem that the false teachers use it (vv. 8-11)?
- In what ways was Paul himself like the false teachers before his conversion (vv. 12-17)?
- Note the places where the word conscience comes up (vv. 5, 19). When we speculate and theorize instead of dealing with our own issues of sin, what happens to conscience?
Applying the Word
- How can the kind of faith Paul shows in verse 15 help you face your own issues of conscience?
- As in Paul's day, Christians can wander into groups that make unusual claims and demands. They may have impressive features, but engage in certain practices and pressures which make members feel uneasy. A lot of energy goes into keeping faith and conscience apart in these groups. Are you involved with some "spiritual" activities which bother your own conscience? (Be as honest as possible.)
Responding in Prayer
Close in prayer by putting your own name in place of the general word sinners in verse 15. Now read verses 16-17 as your own prayer of thanks to God.
For Further Study
1 Timothy & Titus: Fighting the Good Fight by John Stott