Warnings against False Teachings
Introduction
This is the beginning of a study of 1 Timothy.
Paul instructs Timothy to confront false teachers and protect sound doctrine.
1 Timothy 1:1-11 NLT
Greetings from Paul
1:1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope.
2 I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Warnings against False Teachings
3 When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. 4 Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.
5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. 7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
8 We know that the law is good when used correctly. 9 For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. 10 The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching 11 that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.
Examine the Scriptures:
Warnings against False Teachings
1 Timothy 1:1-11 NLT
Greetings from Paul
1:1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope.
From Paul
Paul begins by asserting his authority. He is not self-appointed—his apostleship comes “by the command of God.”
Paul’s message is grounded in God given authority.
Paul is an apostle, commissioned by Christ
Paul is writing as an authorized messenger of Jesus Christ.
Paul reminds us that our hope is in the person of Jesus Christ.
- Paul begins by asserting his authority. He is not self-appointed—his apostleship comes “by the command of God.”
2 I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.
This letter is written to Timothy.
- 1 Timothy was a letter from Paul to Timothy (and to us).
Clearly, Paul thought very highly of Timothy.
Paul calls Timothy “my true son in the faith”.
Paul is known as Timothy’s spiritual father.
2 Timothy 1:2 NLT
2 I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.
1 Corinthians 4:17 NLT
17 That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord.
Timothy is unique.
Philippians 2:20 NLT
20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare.
Timothy’s faith was genuine.
2 Timothy 1:5 NLT
5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.
- Paul thought very highly of Timothy.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Warnings against False Teachings
3 When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth.
This incident is not recorded in the book of Acts. Commentators believe it took place after Acts 28, between Paul’s first and second imprisonment.
Most likely, 1 Timothy was written around A.D. 62–66 (after Paul’s first Roman imprisonment).
The Ephesian church was well established by this time.
False teachers had come into the church in Ephesus.
False teachers were a reality in the early Christian church (and still are today).
Acts 20:29-30 NLT
29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.
- False teachers are always a possibility in the Christian church.
After Paul established the church in Ephesus, Paul’s younger coworker stayed there to strengthen the church against false teaching. It’s not clear what this false teaching was.
- Paul instructed Timothy to confront false teachers and promote sound doctrine.
4 Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.
- Don’t waste your time discussing fables, myths, and spiritual pedigrees.
Know that you are not saved by your genealogy.
It’s certainly o.k. to talk about genealogies or pedigrees. It’s far more important to understand a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Avoid talking about hypothetical situations.
Avoid spending time with discussions empty of spiritual value that lead only to further speculation, questions, and arguments.
For us this means “stick to the teachings of the Bible”.
What does the Bible say?
- Sound teaching produces faith, spiritual growth, and transformed lives; false teaching produces confusion, distraction, and division in the church.
5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.
Concentrate on sharing life changing Biblical principles.
- As teachers, you want your students (and yourself) to be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a genuine faith.
Psalm 51:10 NLT
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions.
- Don’t waste your time on meaningless discussions.
2 Timothy 2:16 NLT
16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.
Titus 3:9 NLT
9 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.
Repeat: Avoid talking about hypothetical situations.
This distracts from teaching about faith.
7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
It’s possible to sound authoritative and still be wrong.
8 We know that the law is good when used correctly.
- The law is good when used correctly.
Romans 7:7-12 NLT
God’s Law Reveals Our Sin
7 Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. … 12 But still, the law itself is holy, and its commands are holy and right and good.
See Psalm 119
Psalm 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
The law is good when used correctly—to expose sin and support the message of the gospel.
The false teacher have misused the law.
9 For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders.
10 The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching
The Law is designed to show people their sinfulness. The Law is not for one who has already recognized his sin and turned to Christ. The Law is intended for those who remain unconvinced of their sin.
Believers do not need the law to restrain them.
- Believers need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 7:6 NLT
6 But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.
Wholesome teaching is that which flows out of the Gospel.
11 that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT
4 For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. The gospel that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
- Our focus needs to be on the gospel that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ.
