IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
1 Timothy 1:3-6 NKJV
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk,
The purpose of this letter from Paul to Timothy was encouragement and instruction regarding things relating to God, personal ministry, and the church. Timothy was very close to Paul and considered to be Paul's son in the faith. In this letter, we can hear Paul's heart for his young friend and pastor.
Timothy is pastor of the huge church at Ephesus, and Paul starts with instructions about the church right from the start. Timothy is to command some of the teachers in the church not to teach any other doctrine. Doctrine was referring to what had been taught Timothy. Wrong teaching was a constant challenge for Paul. A big problem in the early church was people who were teaching things that were not true or not helpful. In this case, there was teaching that centered around fables and genealogies. Fables were fabrications that were not true. The genealogies were teachings and traditions about bloodlines from the past that were not accurate or helpful.
Paul said these false wrong headed teachings produced disputes. The word disputes is better translated as questions and speculations. If the teachings are accurate, they will build up the hearers in a godly way. This type of true biblical teaching is done in faith and leads to more faith.
Paul then shares with Timothy what godly teachings are all about. Godly, accurate teaching will produce love from a pure heart. There is no way to evade the topic of love. Far from being a weak, inconsistent feeling, the divine God- kind of love is a powerful force. God is love, and teaching that is from Him will never stray from love.
The conscience is that still small voice in us that lets us know when we are on or off the right track. Paul spoke about doing things with a good conscience. A good conscience implies that our inner life is congruent with our outward life. Whenever there is a conflict of conscience, it's because of not paying attention to the early warning signals of the heart.
And good teaching should lead to a sincere faith. Not just a show of faith but genuine faith that is from the heart. Faith is how we come into the kingdom of God, and faith is how we operate in that kingdom. And Paul is warning against insincere faith or pretend faith. Some people have moved away from this genuine faith in God and have turned aside to empty talk. Empty talk is not a blessing to those hearing it, and it does not produce love, a good conscience and sincere faith.
Timothy definitely had his work cut out for him. He was a young man with a big job. Thankfully, Timothy had God's help and a mentor with amazing insight. Paul was able to weigh in on the challenges facing the young pastor. And this letter is full of practical and spiritual wisdom that is still applicable today.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to walk in love from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. I do not want to waste time or stray from the right way.