Gripping The Gospel

“The Pastoral Epistles” is a term used to designate Paul’s two letters to Timothy and one letter to Titus. Two things distinguish these three epistles from Paul’s other letters: (1) They are among the last things Paul wrote, reflecting the sort of concerns which burdened the apostle near the end of his ministry. (2) They are ostensibly addressed not to a congregation but to two young men who were functioning in pastoral roles.

What is a Pastoral Epistle? It is a letter written about how to guide/lead a congregation.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary The Pastoral Epistles

They are highly personal, practical, and unsystematic in nature; and they deal with matters of church order which Paul had not hitherto addressed except in passing. The evolving need for structure in the churches, combined with Paul’s awareness that his own steadying influence would soon be passing from the scene, prompted him to treat certain ecclesiastical and pastoral subjects which have profited the church immensely ever since.

Timothy was the son of a Greek father and Jewish mother (Acts 16:1). No mention is made of his father being a Christian, but his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois were both known for their sincere faith (2 Tim. 1:5).

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1. Timothy

Timothy’s promise for the ministry was recognized early (1 Tim. 1:18; 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:5). Thus Paul took him on as a companion and he became one of the apostle’s most trustworthy fellow-laborers (cf. Rom. 16:21; 1 Cor. 16:10; Phil. 2:19–22; 1 Thes. 3:2).

A Warning Against False Teaching V3-4

1 Timothy 1:3 NRSV

I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine,

"I urge you"- The Greek verb there means to give instruction to or to command.

"Instruct"-

"Different Doctrine"- This word means to "teach that which is different from what should be taught."

1 Timothy 1:4 NRSV

and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith.

To occupy- hold firmly to

Myths- untrue stories, fables, like Hercules and Goatman

Genealogies- Family History

Speculations- to review something idly or casually and often inconclusively

This is like barbershop talk. Everybody has something to say but nobody has a solution. False teaching end with nothing! VAIN

· οἰκονομίαν- a plan which involves a set of arrangements (referring in the NT to God’s plan for bringing salvation to mankind within the course of history)—‘purpose, scheme, plan, arrangement.’[1]

This plan is in regards to God’s plan or arrangement for the spreading of the Gospel of the world.

You can only KNOW the Gospel by having blind trust! (FAITH)

What the Gospel Does and Does Not Do V5-7

The end result of this Teaching/The Gospel is...

1 Timothy 1:5 NRSV

But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

LOVE- agape- A strong, non-sexual affection and regard for a person and their good as understood by God’s moral character; especially characterized by a willing forfeiture of rights or privileges in another person’s behalf.

Pure (ritually clean) Heart- made new through Christ. Able to approach God.

Good Conscience- Knowledge about something, to distinguish right from wrong.

Faith WITHOUT hypocrisy- Fake faith. Fake blind trust.

1 Timothy 1:6 NRSV

Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk,

God intended for the Gospel to have meaning!

The Gospel will produce Love, Pure Hearts, Good Consciences, and Genuine Faith

1 Timothy 1:7 NRSV

desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.

These men who departed desired to teach the law, but did not understand what they were saying or the things they affirm!

One who seeks to proclaim the Gospel will seek to produce it's intended results.

Do you hunger for the Gospel or tickling of ears?

The Usefulness of The Law V8-10

1 Timothy 1:8 NRSV

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.

Here Paul tells Timothy that the law is good IF USED PROPERLY

The New Revised Standard Version The Purpose of the Law

23 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.

We needed the law to keep the sins of man ever present among us. But through Christ we were able to have them erased!

What good is the Gospel that saves from sin if one does not recognize that they are in sin?

1 Timothy 1:9–10 NRSV

This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching

Just/Innocent- Being in accordance with what God requires.

The law was not made for these people

Lawless- those living without law

Rebellious-pertaining to being rebelliously disobedient—‘disobedient,[1].

Ungodly- Living without regard for religious belief

Sinful- to behavior or activity that does not measure up to standard moral or cultic expectations (being considered an outsider because of failure to conform to certain standards is a freq. semantic component. [2]

Unholy- Not consecrated to God

Profane- pert. to being worldly as opp. to having an interest in transcendent matters, totally worldly[3]

Mother & father killers? Smiters

Murderers of fathers—murderers of mothers (πατρολῴαις—μητρολῴαις). Both words Pasto. and oLXX. Both in Class. More literally, smiters of fathers and mothers, though used in Class. of parricides and matricides. Derived from ἀλοᾶν to smite or thresh. The simple verb, 1 Cor. 9:9, 10.

Murderers

Sexually immoral- fornication

Sodomites- male partner in homosexual relationship

Slave dealer/kidnappers

Liars-

Perjurers- promise breakers

These give the most extreme examples of the 10 commandments

Exo 20:1-20

Deut 5:6-21

First 5 deals with relationship to God

Last 5 deals with relationship to man

I am the LORD thy GodNo other gods before meNo graven images or likenessesNot take the LORD's name in vainRemember the sabbath dayHonour thy father and thy motherThou shalt not killThou shalt not commit adulteryThou shalt not stealThou shalt not bear false witnessThou shalt not covet

The Superiority of the Gospel V11

The law is for whatever does not conform to the Gospel.

So if you have a group of people who have submitted to the Gospel what is the purpose?

And if you have a Gospel/Good NEWS that will not only point out sins but erase them then what is the point?

Preach Christ! Preach the Gospel!

Something that is so revolutionary that a former murderer is allowed to handle it!

Related Media

Related Sermons