Articles
Sound Doctrine
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm” (1 Timothy 1:3-7).
Preaching is challenging. Just ask Paul and Timothy! It is difficult to understand their trials and tribulations. We don’t face physical persecutions; we rarely face any kind of stigma at all, even when we find enough gumption to try to stand up for the Lord. But persecution or not, we must try. With the same message, our responsibility is to take up the banner of truth, go boldly and plainly, and teach all who will listen. Do we have that kind of faith?
Paul’s apostolic authority is not an issue in 1st Timothy. The people in Ephesus, especially after Paul’s extended stay and work, would have known he was a true apostle; Christ made him so (Acts 9:15). If anyone questioned Paul’s credentials, he could exert his apostolic authority. More, though, Paul is reminding Timothy about the serious business of preaching. Timothy was Paul’s true son in the faith; Paul had great confidence in this younger man (Phil. 2:20). After joining Paul (Acts 16), Timothy’s life changed. He lived in a world of preaching, travel, danger, and reward. What a rude awakening it must have been, when Timothy saw Paul and Silas being beaten “half to death.” But he also saw a seller of purple and a jailor obey the gospel!
Traveling to Thessalonica, Berea, Athens would be tiring and rewarding. Acts 19 is Luke’s account of Paul and Timothy in the city of Ephesus; this is a tie to 1st Timothy. After two years, Paul left Timothy in Ephesus. Acts 19:10 says: “And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” Their successful work, though, was mingled with opposition from pagans in Ephesus. After reading 1st Timothy, it is clear that lots of work remained for Timothy, as he taught God’s people how to behave (1 Tim. 3:15). False teachers, defections from the faith, persecutions, and perhaps timidity on Timothy’s part, show that Paul’s charge to Timothy was serious.
What would sustain Timothy in his work? Paul said: Timothy, you need to have love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. How can people who turn from sound doctrine know something about genuine love? How can myths and genealogies produce a good, clear conscience? Where does true faith come from? From false teachers and false teaching? No! The sacred trust of the gospel, given to Paul and to Timothy, was to be guarded, preached, and practiced. Are you ready to go to Ephesus and work with Timothy?
