How To Treat a False Teacher

1 Timothy 1:3–11 AV

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

Introduction:

In the definitive words of , Jesus informs us that Satan is a liar.

Wherever God sows truth, His arch-enemy endeavors to sow falsehood and error.

It is not surprise then that one of his most persistent attacks on the Church has been through false doctrine.

False teachers and their demonic doctrine have been at the core of the battle the Church has had to fight throughout her history.

Our Lord reminds us often of the danger of false teachers.

Matthew 7:15 NASB95

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 24:11 NASB95

“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

The NT writers echo’s our Lord’s warning.

2 Corinthians 11:13 NASB95

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

2 Peter 2:1 NASB95

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

1 John 4:1 NASB95

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

False teachers are dangerous because, like their master, their appearance is deceiving.

Paul said:

2 Corinthians 11:14 NASB95

No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:14–15 NASB95

No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

1 Timothy: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 2: How to Treat False Prophets

The subtlety, and danger, of false teachers lies in their clever twisting of Scripture for their own ends. They are hucksters, guilty of “peddling,” and “adulterating” the Word of God (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2). Their teaching, which appears to be biblical and spiritual, is far more dangerous than an open attack on the truths of Scripture. False teachers first confuse, then captivate, and finally damn unwary souls to hell.

1 Timothy: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Chapter 2: How to Treat False Prophets

Despite its rich history, the church at Ephesus was not spared from the onslaught of false teachers, just as Paul had predicted (Acts 20:29–30). Paul penned this letter to Timothy to tell him to make every effort to halt the influence of the false teachers and set things right in the church. The opening charge in 1:3–11 sets the scene for the rest of the epistle.

Paul divulges three ways that we are treat false teachers: We are to Confront Them Determinedly, We are to Confront Them Doctrinally and we are to Confront Them Devotedly.

Notice:

I. We are to Confront them Determinately (vs. 3a)

1 Timothy 1:3 AV

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

Now, there is something in the first part of that verse that I want to bring to your attention.

The Apostle begins the body of the letter to Timothy with an urge or plea.

He uses the Greek word “παρακαλέω” to urge or beg Timothy to remain at the Church in Ephesus when he went to Macedonia.

Now, obviously Paul is no longer in Ephesus but has already departed for Macedonia, or he would not have urged Timothy in a letter but would have done it in person.

And Pauls usage of the παρακαλέω in the Aorist, Indicative generally refers to something in past time.

The Apostle is writing to Timothy reminding him of what he had begged him to do before he departed for Macedonia.

It seems quite clear that Paul needed to exhort his “true child in the faith” so that he would remain where he begged him to stay.

But this urging from Paul to Timothy was not a command to do something, but it was a call for help.

Because the word παρακαλέω also can mean “to call for help”.

Paul is urging Timothy and reminding Timothy of what he begged him before he left for Macedonia because Paul knew Timothy and needed Timothy’s help.

He needed Timothy’s help to deal with the false teachers that were in the Church at Ephesus.

Now, the reason why Paul probably needed to do this was because Timothy had two major, I will say, mental flaws going against him.

First, Timothy was not invulnerable to timidity.

Timothy was unsure of himself and; therefore, that could have led to him not being as determined as he needed to be in confronting these false teachers.

This is probably why Paul said this to him:

2 Timothy 1:7 NASB95

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

Paul is making it clear to Timothy that the fear that he feels towards dealing with things that are wrong, is not from God.

God has not given us the spirit to be scared to the point of inaction when it comes to dealing with and making the wrong, right.

Ephesus had some deep, deep trouble and she needed a determined confrontation to make it right.

But Timothy was scared and; perhaps, Paul had gotten word of Timothy’s fear and inevitable evacuation from Ephesus, so he writes him and reminds of what he had asked him to do before he left for Macedonia and reminded Timothy that he needed his help in this.

Second, Timothy was intimidated because there were those who looked down on him because of his youth.

As already noted to you, when Timothy came to Ephesus he was probably in his late teens to very early twenties.

That is young now, but in the first century life expectancy was much higher, Timothy’s age would have been regarded as childish.

Which is no doubt why Paul writes to this young man:

1 Timothy 4:12 NASB95

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Timothy may have felt inadequate to handle the arguments, questions and maturity of the false teachers.

Paul says, “no, no, no do not let people look down on you because of your age, but you show the power and reality of your belief by how you conduct yourself.

Listen, there is no refuting the testimony of a pure life; no matter how young you are.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon began to pastor when he was 20 years of age.

John Calvin wrote “The Institutes of the Christian Religion” when he was 21 years of age.

David Brainerd entered the minstry around the age of 24.

The point is that allowing his fears and insecurity to dictate his determined confrontation of these false teachers, was not a reason.

Now, of course, Timothy did not know the three men that I just spoke of, I just use them as examples; but they, like Timothy, should not allow their age to determine their effectiveness for Christ.

The idea here is that do not allow your age, your intellect or your status to undermine what should clearly be done to right the wrong.

Paul urges Timothy not to give up, not to stop fighting, Confront them Determinately.

II. We are to Confront them Doctrinally (vs. 3b-4; 6-11)

1 Timothy 1:3–4 AV

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

False teachers are not to be taken lightly; as if they will just one day go away.

The false will never go away because unregenerate man loves teaching that elevates the creature over the creator.

Peter, also writing concerning false teachers says this:

2 Peter 2:2 NASB95

Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;

Because of false teachers and their plethora of disciples, truth becomes difficult to find.

Paul tells Timothy, in our text, to “instruct”.

It is the Greek “παραγγέλλω” and it does not mean to teach, it means “to command”.

Timothy is to command that these “certain people” stop teaching strange doctrine.

Paul usage of the word “certain” probably indicates that these false teachers were in few in number but they had a wide influence.

Not only in Ephesus but also the regions around.

They were not outsiders, as in Corinth and Galatia, but most likely they were elders in the Ephesian Church.

So, this young , relatively new, Pastor of between 19-20 are to command that certain elders of the Church are to stop teaching strange doctrine.

Just as a side note; there are four reasons why these certain people were elders of the Church in Ephesus;

First, they presumed to be teachers (1:7), a role reserved for elders (3:2; 5:17).

Second, Paul, not the Church, excommunicated Hymenaeus and Alexander (1:20); implying that they were in positions of power and the congregation wouldn’t deal with them.

Third, the qualifications of an elder are given in great detail in chapter 3; implying that unqualified men were serving in that office and Timothy needed to see them replaced.

Finally, Paul stresses, (5:19-22), that sinning elders are to be publicly disciplined.

Timothy was to command these erring elders not to teach strange doctrines.

The phrase “to teach no other Doctrine” is the Greek word “ἑτεροδιδασκαλέω” it is a compound word “ἕτερος” which different and “διδασκαλία” which means to teach.

ἕτερος

Timothy is to command that these elders are not to teach a different doctrine.

διδασκαλία;

We have seen this before:

Galatians 1:7–8 NASB95

which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

Galatians 1:8–9 NASB95

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

They were to be commanded not to teach a different Doctrine then what was taught by the Apostles, because the Apostles’ teaching was the standard by which all other teaching was judged.

After describing these false teachers, Paul describes their error.

1 Timothy 1:4 AV

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Their error consisted of myths and endless genealogies.

The Apostle is speaking here about man-made supplements to the law of God, mere myths and fables, old wives’ tales, that were definitely Jewish in character.

When these things were measured by the standard of truth, what these errorists taught deserved the name myths whose material were largely fictitious.

Baker New Testament Commentary: The Pastoral Epistles 1:3–11

We feel at once that here we have been introduced into the realm of typically Jewish lore. It is a known fact that from early times the rabbis would “spin their yarns”—and endless yarns they were!—on the basis of what they considered some “hint” supplied by the Old Testament. They would take a name from a list of pedigrees (for example, From Genesis, I Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah), and expand it into a nice story. Such interminable embroideries on the inspired record were part of the regular bill of fare in the synagogue, and were subsequently deposited in written form in that portion of The Talmud which is known as Haggadah.

Baker New Testament Commentary: The Pastoral Epistles 1:3–11

The Book of Jubilees (also called The Little Genesis) offers another striking example of what Paul had in mind. It is a kind of haggadic commentary on the canonical Genesis; that is, it is an exposition interspersed with an abundant supply of illustrative anecdotes. The book was probably written toward the close of the second or at the beginning of the first century B.C. It covers the entire era from the creation until the entrance into Canaan. This long stretch is divided into fifty jubilee-periods of forty-nine (7 × 7) years each. In fact, the entire chronology is based on the number 7, and heavenly authority is claimed for this arrangement. Thus not only does the week have 7 days, the month 4 × 7 days, but even the year has 52 × 7 = 364 days, the year-week has 7 years, and the jubilee has 7 × 7 = 49 years. The separate events regarding the patriarchs, etc., are pin-pointed in accordance with this scheme. The sacred narrative of our canonical book of Genesis is embellished, at times almost beyond recognition. Thus, we now learn that the sabbath was observed already by the arch-angels, that the angels also practised circumcision, that Jacob never tricked anybody, etc.

In every age, there are people who love to indulge in such a mixture of truth and error.

They even treat these adulterations as being an all-important things.

They carry on lengthy debates about dates and definitions, they discover fine distinctions and engage in hairsplitting disputes.

They pile myth upon myth, fable upon fable, and the end is never in sight.

The law of God is made void by human tradition and picture drawn in the sacred original is grossly distorted.

In our day the same error occurs, and in many different forms.

Instead of studying the infallible Word, some resort to all kinds of millennial fancies, to prefer to see an a screen and unscriptural embellishment of the story of Jospeh, which emphasize that famous incident in connection with Potiphar’s wife.

Or an equally unscriptural supplement to the story of Samson, with exaggerated stress, naturally, on Delilah.

Baker New Testament Commentary: The Pastoral Epistles 1:3–11

Now there is, indeed, a legitimate place for the exercise of the gift of the imagination. There is room for dramatization, yes even for fables and fairy-tales. Grown-ups as well as children can enjoy Hans Andersen’s “Fir Tree” and can take its lesson to heart. But one who begins to mix sacred history with fiction and this for the purpose of theatrical effect, gross enjoyment, intoxicating thrill, or the satisfaction of vain curiosity, tampers with the very essence and purpose of the inspired record. God’s law was not given in order that those who arrogate to themselves the name “law-teachers” might “shine” in the eyes of the public, or in order that the public itself might be “entertained” with endless myths and fictitious genealogical histories which foster disputes rather than faith-centered stewardship required by God (literally, “the stewardship of God, the one in faith”).

John Calvin said:

Baker New Testament Commentary: The Pastoral Epistles 1:3–11

It has been correctly observed that a person’s teaching should be judged by its fruits. Whatever fails to promote stewardship should be rejected, even though it have no other fault. And everything which arouses nothing but disputes deserves double condemnation.26

The true objective of every true leader, the aim and the goal all everything that he does, should be, the end of verse 4, godly training.

The word that the AV has “edifying” is the Greek word “οἰκονομία” and is best translated “training”.

People in our day have taken the words of James, in , and put a spin on them and created in their own minds a works salvation.

Preachers in our day have taken the Doctrine of God’s grace and put a spin in their own mind through fables and cute “heart-felt” stories, and have made a wimp out of Deity, impotence out of Sovereignty and Omnipotence out of humanity; and called it Theology.

We are to confront them Doctrinally.

1 Timothy 1:6–7 AV

From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

False teachers give themselves to fruitless discussions; philosophy of men.

Paul says that they desire to be teachers, but they are like all unconverted people, who by the absence of the Holy Spirit and His discernment and anointing, cannot know the things of God because they are spiritually appraised.

1 Corinthians 2:14 NASB95

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

Worse still, they were making confident assertions, as it what they said was absolute truth.

It is bad enough to ignorant, but they were dogmatic about their ignorance.

Just like in that day, the Church today faces, proud, ignorant, dogmatic purveyors of false teaching.

1 Timothy 1:

1 Timothy 1:8 AV

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

Lest anyone get the wrong idea, Paul hastens to add that we know that the law is good.

While Paul condemns those desiring to be teachers of the law, he does not condemn the law itself.

Psalm 19:7 NASB95

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalm 19:7

Romans 7:12 NASB95

So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

1 Timothy 1:9 AV

Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

1 Timothy: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Effect of False Teachers

The Law is good when it is applied lawfully. There is a proper understanding and use of the law, but the false teachers were misusing it. Deluded by their pride into thinking they could please God through their own efforts, they used the law as a means of salvation. That is a role the law could never fill (cf. Rom. 3:20, 28; Gal. 2:16; 3:11). Law in general, and the Mosaic Law in particular, is not made for a righteous man. Those who think they are righteous will never be saved (cf. Luke 5:32), since they fail to understand the true use of the law. The law was made for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane. The purpose of the law is to show willing sinners their sin (cf. Rom. 3:19), and need of a savior (Gal. 3:24). The law is morally right and good, but the law alone is not good news. The law forces man to recognize the bad news that all are guilty of violating God’s standards. It thus condemns everyone and sentences them to hell (Rom. 3:19–20).

We are commanded to confront them Determinately.

We are to confront them Doctrinally; not with old wives’ fables or our own philosophy but with the Doctrine of Scripture.

Not as we interpret it, but as the Word interprets itself.

Not bringing our own thoughts, preconceived notions; but as the Word teaches.

Timothy, as we, are to confront their error with the truth of Doctrine, not his own wisdom.

We are Confront them Determinately, We are to Confront the Doctrinally.

III. We are to Confront Them Devotedly (vs. 5)

1 Timothy 1:5 AV

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

The goal of every believer is to obey the commandment of love.

Love is the greatest quality that a believer can possess.

1 Corinthians 13:13 NASB95

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Love is the mark of a Christian.

Believers are to display love towards God.

Matthew 22:37 NASB95

And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

Matt

Believers are to love one another.

John 13:35 NASB95

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 John 4:7–8 NASB95

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

And we are to have love for our enemies and those who mistreat us; and certainly false teachers would be included in this category.

Matthew 5:44 NASB95

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:35 NASB95

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

The word “love” in our text is the word “ἀγάπη” and that is the love of the will, the love of choice.

It involves self-denial to the benefit of others.

This is the kind of love that is, sometimes, difficult to show to those who we really love, and seemingly impossible to show towards those who attempt to ship wreck the faith of many my their false teaching.

But Jesus said:

Matthew 5:46 NASB95

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

Matt 4:46

No matter what the situation, Christians should always display the attribute of love.

And as I said, it is difficult, at times, to display to those who love us in return, it is most difficult to display it to those who malign the truth lead people into the ditch with their godless Doctrine of Demons.

Yet Jesus said, “Even the sinners love those who love them”; therefore, we should display love and compassion even to those that misrepresent the truth.

Listen very carefully, show love while you speak the truth.

Hiding the truth from those who need to hear in order to “save their feelings” is not loving.

Watching a person self-destruct in the error of false teaching while you have the truth and not attempting to give them that truth is the most unloving thing to do.

Ephesians 4:15 NASB95

but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,

1 Peter 3:15 NASB95

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

We are to confront false teachers Determinedly.

We are to confront them Doctrinally.

But we are to always confront the Devotedly, we are to always confront them with love.

And as I said, love does not hide the truth, love proclaims the truth and does not give into error.

When Joel Osteen is asked about certain sins in the Bible and

Love flows from three sources.

First, love flows from a pure heart.

The concept of a pure heart is a rich theme in the OT.

Psalm

Psalm 24:3–4 NASB95

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully.

After his sin with Bathsheba, David cried out to God:

Psalm 51:10 NASB95

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 73:1 NASB95

Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart!

Psalm

A heart that is washed by regeneration (), and obedient heart (), is a pure heart.

Second, love flows out of a good conscience.

“Good” is the Greek word “ἀγαθός” and it pertains to meeting a high standard of worth and merit.

1 Timothy: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Goal of False Teachers

The conscience is the God-created self-judging faculty of man. It either affirms or accuses a person (Rom. 2:14–15). The mind knows the standard of right and wrong, and when that standard is violated, the conscience reacts to accuse, producing guilt, shame, doubt, fear, remorse, or despair (cf. Titus 1:15). Those with a pure heart (mind) will not be condemned by their conscience. To maintain a blameless conscience, one free of offense against either God or man, was Paul’s goal (Acts 24:16). Peace, confidence, joy, hope, courage, and contentment are the results of a conscience that is nonaccusing, and love will flow.

Finally, love comes from a sincere faith, one without any pretense.

The hypocritical faith of the false teachers will not produce it.

1 Timothy: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Goal of False Teachers

False teachers have dirty hearts, uncleansed by the gospel. They have guilty condemning consciences triggered by their impure hearts. Finally, they have hypocritical, false faith. That kind of life will never produce love for God.

Therefore, it is not surprise that Paul adds:

1 Timothy 1:6 AV

From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

The goal of false teachers is not create an environment of love, but to fulfill their egos and to fill their pockets.

Therefore their teaching is nothing but fruitless discussion and it certainly does not produce love, which is the fruit of the Spirit ().

So, how is the Church to treat false teachers?

Confront them.

Confront them Determinedly.

Confront them Doctrinally.

Confront them Devotedly.