False Teachers

1 Timothy 1 (Introduction)

English Standard Version Introduction

First Timothy is one of three pastoral letters (including 2 Timothy and Titus) that the aging apostle Paul sent to those who would continue his work. Timothy was, in every way, Paul’s spiritual son. Young but gifted, Timothy had been assigned to lead the church at Ephesus—a church needing order in worship as well as doctrinal correction, plagued as it was by false teachers. Paul’s letter, likely written about A.D. 62–66, counseled the young man on matters of church leadership—from proper worship, to qualifications for overseers (elders) and deacons, to advice on confronting false teaching and how to treat various individuals within a congregation. Paul charged Timothy to live a life beyond reproach, giving believers a standard to emulate.

Time period: It seems that 1 Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy sometime after his release from Roman imprisonment as described at the end of the Book of Acts and was written from Macedonia (1 Timothy 1:3).

Apparently, after his release Paul returned to the city of Ephesus. There he discovered that during his absence Ephesus had become a storm center of false teaching. This was a sad fulfillment of the prediction he made to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:29-30.

Purpose: This letter was written to shepherds of churches outlining their pastoral duties and to encourage Timothy to stay and deal with difficult duties.

1. (V1-2) Greeting

a. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ: Paul, emphasized his credentials (apostle) and his authority (by the commandment of God). He did this both as a personal encouragement to Timothy and so the letter could be used as a letter of reference before the Ephesian Christians.

2. (V3) Charge them not to teach any other doctrine

Remain in Ephesus / Timothy wanted to leave

In the ancient Greek, charge is a military word. It means “To give strict orders from a commanding officer

Today, what one believes – that is, their doctrine – is remarkably unimportant to most people.

Doctrine: The O.T scriptures and the teachings of Jesus

This spirit of the modern age has also heavily influenced modern Christians. We live in a day where Pilate’s question What is truth? (John 18:38) is answered, “Whatever it means to you.” Yet truth is important to God and should be to His people.

Application: Churches today deal with false teachers or people who come into the church with agenda of spreading lies.

At every church I have taught, at one point or another I have had to confront people who were either misinformed or deliberately trying to spread lies

Today, people have a platform to spread lies through YouTube, Twitter, and other social media websites

2.1 (V4) Be devoted to truth so you are not distracted by things that don’t matter

Don’t be devoted to things that cause distractions or lead you away from God

1 Timothy 4:14–15 “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.”

3. (V5) Charged to love, with a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith

a) One of the issues Paul may have been addressing was legalism. People were dogmatic about the law

Illustration: Sometimes in Christianity people can become legalistic. They believe because they keep God’s rules they are righteous and better than others

When this happens, people are no longer loving

One thing we must remember, is that our righteousness comes from the work of the cross, not by good works.

Isaiah 64:6 “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.

The aim of this youth group is to teach sound doctrine and to love you with a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith