QT 10 May 16, 1 Tim 1:3-5, It is easy to stray as a Teacher unless one is careful in seeking God

1 Timothy 1:3-5 (ESV)

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia,

remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain

persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to

devote themselves to myths and endless

genealogies, which promote speculations rather

than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The

aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure

heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

NOTE: First of all, this was very important to Paul as for him to remind Timothy of its importance, i.e., staying in Ephesus. Was Timothy considering moving on? Was the pressure of the congregation too great? Was he having second thoughts about his value to Ephesus?

The problem Paul identifies, was teaching that went far astray of the text. It brought in myths and dug deep into genealogies, promoting speculation. It is hard to say what is true when the sources are in dispute. The real goal, the stewardship from God that is by faith, seems like an awkward sentence. Is it 'stewardship,' such as giving, or the protecting of biblical truth as it was meant to be taught, clearly and correctly? The latter seems more likely. Finally, as Timothy instructs these teachers (Paul does not call them false), he is to do so in a loving manner. What I have seen over the years, is that bad theology and bad attitudes and bad behavior are often tied together to the extent that it is hard to imagine the person is a Christian despite the great reservoir of knowledge the person 'seems' to possess. Good theology is accompanied by Christ-like love and behavior. Timothy needs to correct others, but to do it in genuine Christian love (characterized by a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith). The importance is not in being right but in improving the individual and his teaching by loving correction.