Slices
Prepare
Can you think of a time when you had a difference of opinion with another church member? How did you deal with it? How was the matter resolved?
(Or is it still ongoing?)
Bible passage
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2 To Timothy my true son in the faith:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Timothy charged to oppose false teachers
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work – which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practising homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers – and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
Explore
‘Timothy,’ says Paul, ‘I want you to command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer!’
Reading this, I flinch – this sounds like a recipe for an explosive and confrontational church meeting, with both sides getting heated and entrenched. But Paul explains why he is opposed to these false doctrines – ‘controversial speculations’ distract people away from advancing God’s kingdom (v 4). The desired outcome of Paul’s command is love between all the believers.
Paul could have been self-righteous. He had warned the Ephesian church years previously to be on their guard against some of their own number distorting the truth and leading people astray (Acts 20:29–31). Instead, he puts in place a costly solution – sending his trusted companion to help the Ephesians get things back on track.
I wonder what Timothy felt, being sent on this mission? I wonder how he lovingly tackled those who were leading others astray? I wonder how he gently but firmly set out guidelines for authentic Christian living?
Respond
Jesus commanded us to love each other (John 13:34). How well do you keep this command? What would the church look like if every believer made this their priority?
Deeper Bible study
Father, as we come to your Word, open our eyes to gaze afresh on the glorious gospel of Christ.
Having greeted his ‘son in the faith’ (v 2), Paul reveals the purpose of this letter: the guarding in Ephesus of sound doctrine (v 3). Initially, Paul’s focus of concern is false teachers.
How is the battle for truth going for you? I dare to say that truth as a valued commodity is at risk in our cultures, whether explicitly or subtly. Interestingly, Paul labels these teachers in Ephesus as ‘false’ not just because of lies they may speak, but also because of their devotion to meaningless talk, causing controversy and a drifting from the things that really matter: namely love flowing from ‘a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith’ (v 5). Indeed, one may argue that the Greek word translated as ‘false’ (v 3, NIV) could be more helpfully translated as ‘different’ (ESV). One detects a weariness in Paul’s tone as he speaks of ‘myths and endless genealogies’ (v 4) that pollute the truth. This is a particular challenge to teachers, in guarding against the subtleness of difference clouding the gospel message. I regretfully reflect on when I’ve focused on interesting ideas and theories in my teaching that, while not untrue, may distract from the glorious gospel of Christ.
Paul urges Timothy not only to defend against a departure from sound doctrine but also to guard this ‘gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God’ (v 11). Paul is clear to Timothy concerning the necessary good use of the Law: to reveal to sinners their desperate condition and to find grace in the glorious gospel of Christ.
May we rejoice that ‘we are no longer “under” the law, but that God has sent his Son to die for us and graciously put his Spirit within us in order that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us.’1
Take a moment to reflect on those things that may dominate your conversations and may divert attention from the gospel of Christ.
1 John Stott, The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus, IVP, 1996, p50
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Song of Songs 1,2; Psalms 97,98
Pray for Scripture Union
Give thanks too that the school in which Believe Club is based is so open to having this community in their midst, even though they are not faith-based. (This week's prayers relate to this article)
