One Truth

INTRO:

As we go through 1 Timothy, we’ll see that Paul warns against false teaching.

He gives instructions about sincere worship, godly leadership, sound doctrine.

Lastly, he instructs on the treatment of different groups within the church at Ephesus.

Paul wrote 1 Timothy shortly after his release from his first Roman imprisonment (c. A.D. 62–64)

vv. 1-2

Paul opens this letter in his typical fashion, by identifying himself and the recipient.

This is one of Paul’s pastoral epistles. He is not speaking to a church, he is speaking to their pastor.

Paul’s purpose is not to overstep Timothy’s authority, but rather to Guide Timothy through these issues that the church was having.

Everybody needs advice and council from time to time, even pastors.

Nothing in this letter is a rebuke of Timothy, Paul calls him a “true son of faith”.

Sometimes things can go awry, even under a good pastor.

As is typical, Paul prays for grace, mercy, and peace. There is really nothing else you could ask for.

v. 3

Now the formalities are over, and he gets straight to the point at hand.

It seems that some things never change. There were many competing faiths and beliefs back then, and the same is true now.

Because of that, Paul is urging them to be sure they teach only the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

We might think thats a no-brainer, but it’s very easy to allow other teachings slip in.

We must always be on guard. Just because something sounds good, or makes you feel good, doesn’t mean it’s correct.

Test the Spirits

1 John 4:1

1 John 4:1 NKJV

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

v. 4

Ephesus was the heartland of the different religions of that day.

They temple to Hadrian, the temple to Trajan, and the great temple of Diana. All of that was centered in Ephesus.

These were all based on the mythology of the Greeks, and the Ephesian believers were to shun them.

Fables simply has to do with false teachings, lies rather than the truth of the Gospel.

They are simply myths, and there are plenty to choose from.

These fables go hand in hand with the endless genealogies.

“Endless genealogies.”

This most likely refers to Jewish teachings. The Rabbis of that time were known for their fanciful interpretations of the Old Testament.

They would make allegorical interpretations of O.T. Genealogies

Allegorizing these lists not only perverts the Word of God, it also nullifies the literal line of Jesus , which is of foundational importance to who He is.

If the genealogies are fictitious, then Jesus would not be the literal prophesied seed of David. It would contradict who He claims to be.

These things completely destroy the Gospel.

The misuse of these genealogies could just go on and on without end.

Stay away from religious speculation and pointless theological arguments.

They may seem harmless at first, but they have a way of sidetracking us from the central message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The overriding point is this: False teachings, both then and now, will ultimately end in disputes and divisions.

Therefore, we should remember that the goal should be “Godly edification” which can only be accomplished through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

vv. 5-6

Now we move on to the reason Paul is giving this command: “love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,”.

False teachings cannot produce these things.

Pure hearts, good consciences, and sincere faith can never be produced by a lie.

Unfortunately, some had strayed, and it is the same sad story today.

Paul said that they had turned to idle talk.

The false teachers at Ephesus constructed wildly speculative theories and then argued about the minor details of their completely imaginary ideas. 

These things are not grounded in the truth, and if you aren’t speaking the truth, your words are idle…they are meaningless.

Much of modern, self-centered preaching and writing has tended to downgrade biblical “doctrine” in favor of an emphasis on “love” and “fulfillment,” the “pursuit of happiness,” “sharing and caring,” and other such sentiments.

Some popular religious leaders focus on “confident living,” “self-improvement,” “personal success,” and the like.

This places the emphasis on self rather than Christ.

This is the secret of the false teacher’s success. It appeals to our most basic desires.

“Doctrine” is simply “teaching,” and true teaching must come from God’s infallible Word, no matter what anyone else wants.

We must preach only the unfiltered Word of God.

1 Corinthians 1:22-23

1 Corinthians 1:22–23 NKJV

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

Galatians 1:8

Galatians 1:8 NKJV

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

vv. 8-10

The Law is the Word of God, which is inherently good. However, just like anything else, people can twist it and use it for evil.

Therefore, it must be used lawfully. That is, it must be interpreted properly.

That means we need to understand the context and meaning, and not try to make it line up with your beliefs.

We must rightly interpret scripture.

2Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The Law is not made for a righteous person:

First of all, there are none righteous, people only think they are, and they are delusional.

No one is righteous

Romans 3:10

Romans 3:10 NKJV

As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;

Instead, the law is for the ungodly sinners. It is meant to lead them to Jesus Christ.

The Law tells us that we are not good enough on our own, and that we need help.

Romans 7:7

Romans 7:7 NKJV

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

Galatians 3:24

Galatians 3:24 NKJV

Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

That help comes from Christ.

John 14:6

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

v. 11

Paul reinforces this part of his letter by affirming that what he has written is in accordance with the Word of God.

While many claim to be prophets, they teach things that don’t align with God’s Word.

As Christians, the Gospel has been entrusted to us. It is important that when we speak, we don’t let our own biases and desires get in the way of the Word of God.

Beware of people who would speak to your desires, rather than the Word of God.

Colossians 2:8

Colossians 2:8 NKJV

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Trust only in Christ.

Acts 4:12

Acts 4:12 NKJV

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”