Teachers Of The Law (1:1-11)

Neal Pollard

1-2 Timothy and Titus are collectively known as the “Pastoral Epistles,” primarily because for the last few centuries they have been designated as ecclesiastical (i.e., church and preacher) guidelines for “pastors” (by which they mean preachers). Though we can see that there are actually instructions for the men who serve as pastors (shepherds, elders, overseers)(3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11), the bulk of these letters are helpful in preparing men to “fulfill their ministry” (2 Tim. 4:5). 

The first of these letters, 1 Timothy, is authored, like the other two epistles, by Paul, who appeals to the authority both of his apostleship and the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope (1). His is a heavenly message, written to one he considers his spiritual offspring (2). Notice the heavy emphasis on Deity in the first paragraph of the letter. He references God by name four times, noting His salvation (1), creation (2), delegation (4), and disposition (11). Notice that Paul references “Christ” three times in His first sentence (1), as Man, hope, and Lord! 

With the power of divine authority behind his message, he sets out on a purpose he will fully disclose in 1 Timothy 3:15. It is one of the Bible books with an explicit purpose statement (see John 20:30-31; 1 John 1:4). The purpose of this first letter to Timothy is to give his “true child in the faith” infallible instructions for how one should conduct himself or herself as a member of God’s household, the church. That begins with instruction about who should teach, why one should teach, and what should be taught.

WHAT SHOULD BE TAUGHT (3-4)

In verse 3 and verse 10, Paul references “doctrine.” This word means to provide instruction, both formally and informally. It can refer either to the act of teaching or what is taught. Notice the contrast between “sound doctrine” (10) and “strange doctrine” (3). Strange doctrines are described as devoted to myths, genealogies and speculations. These matters appeal to fleshly pedigrees and suggest academic power. As Knute Larson notes, “There were teachers who used the Old Testament as a ‘happy hunting ground’—to use John R. W. Stott’s description—for invented allegories and frivolous spiritualizing. Every truth was turned to symbol, every event became a metaphor so that soon they had “proof texts” for their own ideas, biases, and desires” (Holman, Vol. 9, 145-146). They claim superiority.

By contrast, Paul suggests their message was directly from God and the faithful teacher would manage the responsibility of sharing that most seriously. They would not “wander away” from it for any reason (6). Their message would be the “gospel” (11) rather than the Old Law (7-9). It should be “by faith” (4). 

WHY ONE SHOULD TEACH (5)

Along with the content of the message, Paul addresses the intent. There should be three propelling forces behind sharing sound doctrine–a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith (5). When these are present and one seeks to cultivate them, we will effectively communicate the truth even if it is not always cordially received. For the teacher, the aim and effort is to remove unseemly ulterior motives (money, acceptance, manipulation), sinful motives (allowing themselves to be unfazed by the source and power of their message), and pretentious motives (hypocrisy, insincerity). Any time one shares God’s word, he or she should ask the “why” question. This can help eliminate sharing it with favoritism, flattery, or falseness. 

WHO SHOULD TEACH (6-11)

Essentially, Paul says much here about who should not teach. He has a particular group in mind, these already-identified “teachers of the law” who have swerved from proper motives into vain discussions (6). They were ignorantly and unlawfully using the Old Law out of unrighteous desires (7), ignorance (7), and arrogance (7)–really, the opposite of what Paul said drives the faithful teacher (5). They misused God’s Word for self-serving purposes, hurting themselves as well as their hearers. God’s statutes are essential, warning about the various immoralities catalogued in verses 9-10 and summarized as behavior opposed to “sound doctrine.” Who should teach? Those who understand the things Paul explains to Timothy here. Those who are devoted to sharing the right message for the right reason, who “handle aright” God’s Word (2 Tim. 2:15). Does the message I share deflect the glory to God and reflect the good news of grace (11)?