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Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Wiersbe - If Jesus could save Saul of Tarsus, the chief of sinners, then He can save anybody...The grace of God turned the persecutor into a preacher, and the murderer into a minister and a missionary! (The Wiersbe Bible Commentary:) C. S. Lewis describes his experience: "You must picture me alone in that room in Magdalen, night after night, feeling, whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In the trinity term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England. I did not then see what is now the most shining and obvious thing; the Divine humility which will accept a convert even on such terms. The prodigal Son at least walked home on his own feet. But who can duly adore the Love which will open the high gates to a prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance of escape? The words compelle intrare, compel them to come in, have been so abused by wicked men that we shudder at them; but, properly understood, they plumb the depth of the Divine mercy. The hardness of God is kinder than the softness of men, and His compulsion is our liberation." The memory of (Paul's) sin was the surest way to keep his gratitude aflame. To remember what we have been forgiven is the surest way to keep awake our love to Jesus Christ -- William Barclay ILLUSTRATION - A man was asked "How did you get saved?" His answer was, "God did His part, and I did my part." "What was God's part, and what was your part?" He said, "God's part was the saving, and my part was the sinning. - I ran from Him as fast as my sinful heart and rebellious legs could take me. He took out after me till He ran me down." ILLUSTRATION OF THE "DRIFT" OF THE MODERN GOSPEL - Even our hymn book has changed the words of Isaac Watts’ great hymn, “Alas, and did my Savior bleed? And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?” One version has it, “for sinners such as I?” (#274, Hymns for the Family of God [Paragon Associates, Inc., 1976). But the other version has softened it to, “for someone such as I?” (# 95, same book). A woman who was in full-time Christian work said in a class I was leading, “I’m not going to call myself a worm!” I gently asked her if she realized that Isaac Watts took that description directly from Psalm 22, which is a prophetic look at Christ bearing our sins on the cross. I said, “If Jesus called Himself a worm when He bore our sins, who are we to say that we’re better than that?” (Steven Cole) (See Psalm 22:6 - I Am a Worm ) ILLUSTRATION - There is embedded in the heart of the present passage one of the great gospel texts of the apostolic church and of the Reformation (What was the Protestant Reformation? | GotQuestions.org). The words of that text are familiar to many: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1:15). This single sentence has been used to encourage countless souls on their way to Christ. It stands as a frontispiece to the English Reformation because of its effect upon Thomas Bilney, the early Reformation martyr. Thomas Bilney, known as “little Bilney” due to his diminutive stature, was born in 1495. Because he had a scholarly bent, he studied law at Cambridge, becoming a fellow of Trinity Hall in 1520. But neither study nor ordination brought him peace. Then he began to read the Latin translation of Erasmus’s Greek New Testament, and as Bilney described it: I chanced upon this sentence of St. Paul (O most sweet and comfortable sentence to my soul!) in 1 Timothy 1. “It is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be embraced, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am the chief and principal.” This one sentence, through God’s instruction and inward working … did so exhilarate my heart, being before wounded with the guilt of my sins, and being almost in despair, that even immediately I seemed unto myself inwardly to feel a marvellous comfort and quietness, insomuch that “my bruised bones leaped for joy” (Psalm 51+). After this, the Scripture began to be more pleasant unto me than the honey or the honey-comb (Ps 19:10+).… Bilney immediately became a central figure in a group of theologians who met at the famous White Horse Inn, which stood on what is now the corner of King’s Parade and Rose Crescent in Cambridge. And there this group prepared for the Reformation in England. Bilney was arrested in 1527 and was forced to recant. But little Bilney couldn’t contain himself and set off preaching again in 1531. He was again arrested, then tried and burned at the stake. His most famous convert, Hugh Latimer, who became the most prominent preacher of the English Reformation, was inspired by Bilney’s courage and reverently referred to him in his sermons as “St. Bilney.” Latimer, too, died at the stake, in Oxford in 1555. (See 1–2 Timothy and Titus)(What should we learn from Christian martyrs? | GotQuestions.org) ILLUSTRATION OF JOHN NEWTON - John Newton was one of the great preachers and the supreme hymn-writers of the Church; but he had sunk to the lowest depths to which a man can sink, in the days when he sailed the seas in a slave-trader’s ship. So when he became a converted man and a preacher of the gospel, he wrote a text in great letters, and fastened it above the mantlepiece of his study where he could not fail to see it: “Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” He also composed his own epitaph: “John Newton, Clerk, once an Infidel and Libertine, a Servant of Slaves in Africa, was by the Mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Preserved, Restored, Pardoned, and Appointed to Preach the Faith he had so long laboured to destroy.” John Newton never forgot that he was a forgiven sinner; neither did Paul. Neither must we. It does a man good to remember his sins; it saves him from spiritual pride. (Barclay) Steven
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Wiersbe - Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success."That advertisement appeared in a London newspaper and thousands of men responded! It was signed by the noted Arctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, and that was what made the difference. If Jesus Christ had advertised for workers, the announcement might have read something like this: "Men and women wanted for difficult task of helping to build My church. You will often be misunderstood, even by those working with you. You will face constant attack from an invisible enemy. You may not see the results of your labor, and your full reward will not come till after all your work is completed. It may cost you your home, your ambitions, even your life." In spite of the demands that He makes, Jesus Christ receives the "applications" of many who gladly give their all for Him. He is certainly the greatest Master for whom anyone could work, and the task of building His church is certainly the greatest challenge to which a believer could give his life. Timothy was one young man who responded to Christ's call to help build His church. He was one of the Apostle Paul's special assistants. Along with Titus, Timothy tackled some of the tough assignments in the churches that Paul had founded. Timothy was brought up in a religious home (2 Tim. 1:5) and had been led to faith in Christ by Paul himself. This explains why Paul called Timothy "my own [genuine] son in the faith" (1Tim. 1:2). (See The Wiersbe Bible Commentary) Related Resources: Who was Timothy in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What can we learn from what the Bible says about Paul and Timothy? | GotQuestions.org What is the definition of grace? | GotQuestions.org What is the definition of mercy? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about peace? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about faith? | GotQuestions.org What is a leap of faith? | GotQuestions.org How can you believe in salvation by faith alone when the only occurrence of “faith alone” in the Bible (James 2:24) says that salvation is not by faith alone? | GotQuestions.org What is the biblical understanding of faith vs. works? | GotQuestions.org Why is faith without works dead? | GotQuestions.org What is faith in God? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)? | GotQuestions.org Why do so many people struggle with a lack of faith? | GotQuestions.org How can I overcome the fact that I am struggling with faith? | GotQuestions.org True (1103) gnesios from ginomai = to become, come into being) means legitimately born, and thus legitimate not spurious. It was used literally, of children legitimate, ‘born in lawful wedlock’, lawful; figuratively, of spiritual relationship true, genuine (1Ti 1.2). In 2Co 8:8 the idea is as a commendable quality of integrity and thus genuine, sincere. BDAG - 1. one who is considered a valid member of a family, legitimate, true. In the Hellenic world ancestral connections were highly prized; hence this term referred orig. to having connection with the ge,noj by birth: ‘belonging to the race.’ Hence lit. of children born in wedlock, legitimate; 2. pert. to possession of apparent or reputed good character or quality, genuine of things (of ‘genuine’ writings:Used 4x in NT - sincerity(1), true(3). 2 Co. 8:8; Phil. 4:3 = "true companion"; 1 Ti 1:2 = " my true child in the faith"; Titus 1:4 = "Titus, my true child in a common faith" Not found in the Septuagint. Child (5043) teknon from tikto = bring forth, bear children, be born) is strictly a child produced, male or female, son or daughter. Teknon naturally includes learning from mentors – which is very positive as it exalts depending on the Lord Himself. (See 1 Ti 1:18; 2 Ti 1:2; Philemon 10). The greater our dependence on the Lord, the greater we develop in knowing Him. Jesus Himself set the model for us when saying, "I do nothing unless I see My Father doing it first" (Jn 5:19). Teknon is thus a child as viewed in relation to his or her parents or family. In the plural, teknon is used generically of descendants, posterity or children. Teknon is "a child living in willing dependence" which illustrates how believers must live in utter dependence upon the Lord moment-by-moment. They draw guidance (care, nurture) from their heavenly Father as Christ speaks His rhēma-word within to impart faith (cf. Ro 8:16,17 with Ro 10:17, Gk text). Ironically we only grow up, by growing in dependence on our heavenly Father! Doing this always brings eternal transformation ("spiritual formation" in Christ) – i.e. more conformity to Him as we are transformed from "glory to glory" (2 Cor 3:18). Teknon emphasizes the childlike (not childish) attitude of heart that willingly (gladly) submits to the Father. Note that another Living in faith transforms the believer from child to Bride (cf. Eph 5:27)! We successfully make this "journey" by discerning what pleases the Lord by hearing His voice and doing what we hear. The goal of life is growing from child to the glorified bride of Christ (cf. Rev 19:7-9)! While the Lord is Creator of all people, He is only the Father of His born-again children. Salvation means a believer is spiritually begotten of God (re-born, adopted by the Lord). This brings the new status of being in Christ, i.e. belonging to the Lord as His true child (téknon). Faith (4102) pistis is synonymous with trust or belief and is the conviction of the truth of anything, but in Scripture usually speaks of belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it. Pistis "denotes confidence in the reliability of a person or thing and can describe one’s trust in a person’s word, a compact or treaty, or a deity (or deities). The term implies both knowledge and action. One may receive knowledge of a certain truth and may even offer verbal agreement, but “trust” or “confidence” is not said to be present until one’s behavior reflects that truth." (Swindoll) It has well been said that faith is not believing in spite of evidence—that’s superstition—but obeying in spite of circumstances and consequences. Wayne Grudem defines faith that saves one's soul as "trust in Jesus Christ as a living person for forgiveness of sins and for eternal life with God. This definition emphasizes that saving faith is not just a belief in facts but personal trust in Jesus to save me... The definition emphasizes personal trust in Christ, not just belief in facts about Christ. Because saving faith in Scripture involves this personal trust, the word "trust" is a better word to use in contemporary culture than the word "faith" or "belief." The reason is that we can "believe" something to be true with no personal commitment or dependence involved in it. (Systematic Theology "Conversion") Pistis in Pastoral Epistles (19x in First Timothy) - 1 Tim. 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:4; 1 Tim. 1:5; 1 Tim. 1:14; 1 Tim. 1:19; 1 Tim. 2:7; 1 Tim. 2:15; 1 Tim. 3:9; 1 Tim. 3:13; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Tim. 4:6; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Tim. 5:8; 1 Tim. 5:12; 1 Tim. 6:10; 1 Tim. 6:11; 1 Tim. 6:12; 1 Tim. 6:21; 2 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2 Tim. 2:18; 2 Tim. 2:22; 2 Tim. 3:8; 2 Tim. 3:10; 2 Tim. 3:15; 2 Tim. 4:7; Titus 1:1; Titus 1:4; Titus 1:13; Titus 2:2; Titus 2:10; Titus 3:15; Grace (favor) (5485) charis from from chairo = to rejoice. English = charity. Beggars need "charity" even as sinners need grace, for we are all spiritual paupers outside of Christ, but "God gives where he finds empty hands"-Augustine [cp Mt 5:3-note]) is a word which defies a simple definition but at its core conveys the sense of favor while the specific nuances of charis depend on the context in which it is used. Someone has written that the word grace is probably the greatest word in the Scriptures, even greater even than “love,” because grace is love in action, and therefore includes it. It is hardly too much to say that God has in no word uttered Himself and all that was in His heart more distinctly than in this word grace (charis)! See William Barclay's lengthy discussion of grace in his 1 Timothy 1 Commentary. Adrian Rogers says the best definition of grace that he has ever heard is that God's grace is "both the desire and the ability to do the will of God." It is striking that almost the same words occur in Php 2:13NLT+ "For (term of explanation - explains how it is possible to Work out our salvation - Php 2:12+) God is working in you, giving you the DESIRE and the POWER to do what pleases Him." When you have a godly desire, that desire is from God, because no good thing can come out of our old vile heart! And only God the Spirit in us can give the supernatural power necessary to accomplish that godly desire! So we could paraphrase Php 2:13, in simple words, by saying that God's Spirit is continually giving us the grace (desire and power) to do what pleases Him! This practical definition of grace ought to free many of us who are "trying to clean ourselves up!" It can't be done! We need His grace to give us the desire to "clean up" and the power to "clean up!" Are you resisting His grace? You can either receive it or resist it! The first way leaves us filled, while the second way leaves us empty, dry, and spiritually barren. O beloved, tell God you desperately need and want Him to pour out His grace on the situation you find yourself entwined. Do you have a root of bitterness? Then confess it (even that act is a reflection of His grace) and cry out for His grace to give you the desire and the ability to eradicate that deadly root and its caustic fruit. And keep crying out until He removes the root, for it is in His will that no child of His should ever have a root of bitterness! And when He removes it, celebrate with a praise and worship service! Mercy (1656) eleos is the outward manifestation of pity and assumes need on the part of those who are recipients of the mercy and sufficient resources to meet the need on the part of those who show it. The idea of mercy is to show kindness or concern for someone in serious need or to give help to the wretched, to relieve the miserable. Here the essential thought is that mercy gives attention to those in misery.
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Wiersbe says Paul was conveying this idea: "Timothy, you are not only a pastor of the church in a difficult city. You are also a Christian soldier under orders from the King. Now pass these orders along to the soldiers in your church!"...God had committed the truth of the Word to Paul (1Ti 1:11), and Paul had committed it to Timothy (1Ti 6:20). It was Timothy’s responsibility to guard the faith (2Ti 1:14) and to pass it along to faithful people (2Ti 2:2). (See The Wiersbe Bible Commentary) THOUGHT- Timothy was to remain, to "stay put!" Are you content to serve, where God might put you? Are you content to serve, even though the post you are assigned might involve difficulties? Are you willing to suffer hardship for your Lord and His life giving Gospel (cf 2Ti 2:3-4+)? Expositors: “The motive of this letter is to provide Timothy with a written memorandum of previous verbal instructions, especially with a view to novel speculations about the laws which sap the vitality of the gospel, the root of which is sincerity and love.” The task of Timothy was to check and suppress the strange teaching being propagated in the territory. -- Hiebert So that (hina - purpose clause) you may instruct (paraggello) certain men not to teach strange doctrines (heterodidaskaleo) - Paul's purpose for his choice disciple remaining behind at Ephesus was that he might instruct other teachers. Instruct is a bit "soft" for this verb conveys the sense of giving a directive from an authoritative source. Instruct (paraggello) was a strong word, often of military orders and depicts Paul as commanding general charging Timothy to "pass on the order." It is a military term meaning to give strict orders and emphasizes that the commanding was to be done authoritatively and with a strong stand against the false teaching. The implication is that false teaching was going on and must be "stopped dead in its tracks," so to speak! Part of Timothy's job of assuring pure teaching, was to eradicate the false teaching. "Aristotle uses it of a physician: to prescribe." (Vincent) Prescribe is an interesting meaning because strange doctrines ("teach another of a different kind" - contrary to sound doctrine) could potentially produce "sick (spiritually) saints" for which the best preventative is "sound (hugiaino ~ hygienic) doctrine." Teach strange doctrines is in the present tense with a negative suggesting the aberrant doctrines are already being spread and must be stopped forthwith! Think of false teaching as like leaven, because a little can leaven the entire loaf (1Co 5:6-7+)! Paul does not give any specific names (certain men cf his favorite term "some" in 1Ti 1:6, 19; 4:1; 5:15, 24; 6:3, 10, 21). THOUGHT - Note that what you believe does influence how you behave! Be sure you are "eating" healthy spiritual food, the pure milk of God's Word if you desire to be spiritually healthy and vigorous. Doctrine not based on Scripture will always result in an unholy life. Instead of godliness, false teachers will be marked by sin. Would you recognize heresy if you saw it? Do you think you would be able to recognize false biblical teaching? It is notable that Paul had issued a warning (in a sense, a prophetic warning) some 5 years earlier declaring that "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise (AN "INSIDE JOB" IS EVEN MORE DANGEROUS AND DECEPTIVE - YOU THINK YOU KNOW THESE TEACHERS), speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears." (Acts 20:29-31+) Chafer - Bible doctrines are the bones of revelation, and the attentive Bible student must be impressed with the NT emphasis on sound doctrine. John
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Wiersbe - Conscience is the inner judge that accuses us when we have done wrong and approves us when we have done right. It is possible to sin against the conscience so that it becomes "defiled." Repeated sinning hardens the conscience so that it becomes "seared" like scar tissue (SEE seared conscience). (See The Wiersbe Bible Commentary)
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Wiersbe has an interesting comment regarding on fruitless discussion - It is unfortunate today that we not only have "vain jangling" ("meaningless talk," niv) in teaching and preaching, but also in music. Far too many songs not only teach no doctrine, but many even teach false doctrines. A singer has no more right to sing a lie than a teacher has to teach a lie. (See The Wiersbe Bible Commentary) Straying (795) astocheo from ástochos = one who misses his aim <> in turn from stóchos = aim, target <> which is from a = negative particle + stoichos (an aim) or stochos - mark) means to miss the mark, deviate from truth: swerve. To err, deviate in a figurative and spiritual sense. Literally Paul is saying these men "concerning the truth, missed the mark or deviated from the truth." Astocheo does not mean to miss achieving the aim that one has set, but not to set the proper aim at which one ought to aim. The word suggests taking no pains to aim at the right path. It is not focusing on the right goal instead of not achieving one’s set aim. Naturally if one specializes in the proclamation of something that is not essential and central, he will inevitably neglect that which is central and important. Used 3x only in the Pastoral epistles - 1 Tim. 1:6; 1Ti 6:21; 2Ti 2:18 Turn aside (1624) ektrepo from ek = out + trope = a turning) means literally to turn out (of the course) and so to turn aside (so as to avoid being involved). To turn away from, to swerve, to shun, to avoid meeting or associating with one. To turn a person off the road. It can literally mean to twist out (Hebrews 12:13+). In secular Greek medical literature ektrepo described a dislocated joint, one that is sprained or wrenched! This meaning gives one a picture of the hearts of all who chose to reject God’s Truth for they will end up spiritually "dislocated", knocked out of joint spiritually, a far worse state than a physical dislocation! The KJV is accurate in picking up the passive sense in 2Ti 4:3 -- "shall be turned unto fables" (KJV) In essence men will turn away from sound doctrine to satanic doctrine! When a man rejects God’s truth, it isn’t that he believes in nothing. In fact then he will believe in anything! Woe! The human mind naturally craves for something (spiritual) to feed upon and, in abandoning the truth, is ready to receive any and every false notion that may be advanced. Ektrepo - 5x - 1Ti 1:6; 1Ti 5:15; 1Ti 6:20; 2Ti 4:4; Heb. 12:13 Fruitless discussion (3150)(mataiologia from mataios = vain, useless + lego = to say) empty arguments; empty prattle, vain speaking, foolish talk, many words with little sense, and that sense not worth hearing, vain or useless talk, idle chatter. (only here = Hapax legomenon) The related adjective mataiologos is used in Titus 1:10, describing those "of the circumcision," idle talkers, foolish prattlers who speak only worthless nonsense, babblers with nothing to say. 1 Timothy 1:7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. BGT 1 Timothy 1:7 θέλοντες εἶναι νομοδιδάσκαλοι, μὴ νοοῦντες μήτε ἃ λέγουσιν μήτε περὶ τίνων διαβεβαιοῦνται. Amplified They are ambitious to be doctors of the Law (teachers of the Mosaic ritual), but they have no understanding either of the words and terms they use or of the subjects about which they make [such] dogmatic assertions. Barclay in their claim to become teachers of the law, although they do not know what they are talking about, nor do they realize the real meaning of the things about which they dogmatize. BBE 1 Timothy 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law, though they have no knowledge of what they say or of the statements which they make so certainly. CSB 1 Timothy 1:7 They want to be teachers of the law, although they don't understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on. ERV 1 Timothy 1:7 desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm. ESV 1 Timothy 1:7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. Grundy wanting to be teachers of the Law though not understanding either the things that they’re saying or [the things] about which they’re speaking confidently. GWN 1 Timothy 1:7 They want to be experts in Moses' Teachings. However, they don't understand what they're talking about or the things about which they speak so confidently. KJV 1 Timothy 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. NKJ 1 Timothy 1:7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. MIT 1 Timothy 1:7 hankering to be teachers of legalism, neither understanding what they enunciate, nor those subjects about which they pontificate. NAB 1 Timothy 1:7 wanting to be teachers of the law, but without understanding either what they are saying or what they assert with such assurance. NET 1 Timothy 1:7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently. NIV 1 Timothy 1:7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. NJB 1 Timothy 1:7 trying to be teachers of the Law; but they understand neither the words they use nor the matters about which they make such strong assertions. NLT 1 Timothy 1:7 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. NLT (non-revised) 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 seem so confident. NRS 1 Timothy 1:7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions. Phillips They want a reputation as teachers of the Law, yet they fail to realise the meaning of their own words, still less of the subject they are so dogmatic about. REB They set out to be teachers of the law, although they do not understand either the words they use or the subjects about which they are so dogmatic. Wuest desiring to be law teachers, though they neither understand the things they are saying nor what kind of things they are concerning which they speak so confidently. (Eerdmans Publishing - used by permission) YLT 1 Timothy 1:7 willing to be teachers of law, not understanding either the things they say, nor concerning what they asseverate, wanting to be teachers of the Law: Ac 15:1 Ro 2:19-21 Ga 3:2,5 4:21 5:3,4 Tit 1:10,11 even though they do not understand either what they are saying: 1Ti 6:4 Isa 29:13,14 Jer 8:8,9 Mt 15:14 Mt 21:27 Mt 23:16-24 Joh 3:9,10 Jn 9:40,41 Ro 1:22 2Ti 3:7 2Pe 2:12 1 Timothy 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Jeremiah 8:8; 9 “How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the LORD is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes Has made it into a lie. 9 “The wise men are put to shame, They are dismayed and caught; Behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, And what kind of wisdom do they have? 1 Timothy 6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, Matthew 15:14 “Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Matthew 23:5-7 “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6 “They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. Matthew 23:16, 24 “Woe to you, blind guides, (James 3:1) who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’....24 “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! Romans 2:19-21 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, 21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? James 3:1+ Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 Timothy 3:7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Peter 2:12 But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, UNSCRUPULOUS SHYSTERS They were "Derelict dogmatizers" and "Egocentric Errorists!"
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Wiersbe has a slightly different interpretation than Lenski writing that "These false teachers did not understand the content or the purpose of God’s Law. They were leading believers out of the liberty of grace (Gal. 5:1ff) into the bondage of legalism, a tragedy that still occurs today. The flesh (our old nature) loves religious legalism because rules and regulations enable a person to appear holy without really having to change his heart." (See The Wiersbe Bible Commentary) Johnny Sanders- I have been in the ministry for over forty years and during that time I have discovered that with some people not knowing what some people were talking about has never stopped people from talking. (1 Timothy - A Charge To Keep) Hiebert - That they wanted to be “teachers of the law” plainly shows that the false teaching had its roots in Judaism, but it does not thereby follow that these were the Judaizers whom Paul combatted in Galatians. Their desire to be exponents of the law was good but they failed because they lacked the necessary qualifications....They were insincere and misguided and did not speak from inner conviction but made up for its lack by the strenuousness with which they set forth their assertions. They failed clearly to apprehend the real significance of the law in its relations to the Gospel, nor did they truly understand the implications of the subjects concerning which they dogmatized. (See First Timothy- Everyman's Bible Commentary)
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Wiersbe observes that "Paul listed fourteen kinds of people who were condemned by the Law (1Ti 1:9-10). This is one of several such lists in the New Testament (see Mark 7:20-23; Rom. 1:18-32; Gal. 5:19-21). The lawful use of the old Law is to expose, restrain, and convict the lawless. (See The Wiersbe Bible Commentary) After the 14 Paul includes an all inclusive statement "and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching," (1Ti 1:10) For those who are lawless (anomos) and rebellious (anupotaktos), for the ungodly (asebes) and sinners (hamartolos), for the unholy (anosios) and profane (bebelos), for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers (literally "manslayers") - This is a horrible vice list, but sadly Paul is not finished! Lawless does not mean they were ignorant of the law, but that they were errant from the law, living without regard for the law, living for self, not Savior, rejecting the law! And since lawless people have no desire to adhere to the law, the natural (rotten) fruit is that they are rebellious. Rebellious means they were unwilling to subordinate themselves or submit to rule and authority (especially of God), and so are refractory to control. The ungodly are those who do not revere and honor God and so live as if He did not exist! This person does not want anyone telling him what to do, even Almighty God! They adopt standards and philosophies that are in opposition to God. America used to be one nation under God, but one political party recently even refused to acknowledge God! (Woe!) Sinners are those who are constantly, willfully missing the mark (like an archer misses the bull's eye) of God's standard for holy living (Ro 3:23+). Unholy describes those who consider nothing sacred and have no devotion to or for God. They are apathetic and indifferent to that which is right (and righteous) which leads them to behave in a profane way. They oppose all that God stands for and does! Profane describes those who figuratively "trample" on and show contempt for what is holy, and by default are worldly (cf "trample under foot the Son of God" - Heb 10:29+). Johnny Sanders- David, in confessing his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, used three words: sin, transgression, and iniquity. Sin means to miss the mark, as an archer misses the bull’s eye (we all do that). Transgression means to cross the line with your eyes wide open. Iniquity denotes crooked, or warped. You keep on sinning and committing transgressions and your life is going to end up warped by that sin. The OT distinguishes between sins committed without premeditation and planning and sins committed with your eyes wide open (presumptuous sins). ILLUSTRATION. When my younger brother, Mike, returned from military duty in West Germany a number of years ago he told me about standing guard duty on the border between Czechoslovakia and West Germany. He was standing guard at the Iron Curtain - at times he stood on the Iron Curtain. Once, he stepped over the line (with his eyes wide open). He transgressed. If he had been captured there would have been a price to pay. However, it was common for those on either side to step over the line for a moment and then return to their own side. Sinners often do not consider the consequences of their action. At times, however, they are keenly aware of the nature of the sin, and possibly the consequences, but they go on and do it any way. People who continue to do that will eventually end up deep in iniquity. There is no relief from it, and no escape. There is only forgiveness. (1 Timothy - A Charge To Keep) Pether uses several of the same Greek words as Paul... 1Pe 4:18+ AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS (dikaios) IS SAVED (sozo), WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS (asebes) MAN AND THE SINNER (hamartolos)? Donald Guthrie points out that "There is significance in the order: first offences against God, then crimes against fellow-men as listed in the ten commandments." (See The Pastoral Epistles: An Introduction and Commentary)
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Wiersbe - What did Paul’s “ignorance” have to do with his salvation? Is ignorance an excuse before God? Of course not! The fact of his ignorance is related to a special Jewish law (Lev. 5:15–19+; Num. 15:22–31+). If a person sinned knowingly “with a high hand” in Israel, he was cut off from the people. But if he sinned in ignorance, he was permitted to bring the proper sacrifices to atone for his sins. Jesus recognized this principle when He prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Their ignorance did not save them, nor did Christ’s prayer save them; but the combination of the two postponed God’s judgment, giving them an opportunity to be saved. (The Wiersbe Bible Commentary:) John
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Wiersbe - God in His mercy did not give Paul what he did deserve; instead God in His grace gave Paul what he did not deserve. Grace and mercy are God’s love in action, God’s love paying a price to save lost sinners. It is not God’s love alone that saves us, for God loves the whole world (John 3:16). It is by grace that we are saved (Eph. 2:8–9) because God is rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4) and grace (Eph. 2:7). (See Wiersbe Bible Commentary) I know not why God's wondrous grace To me He hath made known, Nor why unworthy, Christ in love, Redeemed me for His own. John
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Wiersbe - It was not easy to serve God in pagan Ephesus, but Timothy was a man under orders, and he had to obey. The soldier's task is to "please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2Ti 2:4+), and not to please himself. Furthermore, Timothy was there by divine appointment: God has chosen him and sent him. It was this fact that could give him assurance in difficult days. If you are God's servant, called by the Spirit, obeying His will, then you can "stay with it" and finish the work. These assurances enabled Timothy to war the good warfare. (See Be Faithful 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon) one of the commonest dangers in life that we proceed in a series of spasms. We have a period of real effort and of real campaign, and then a period when we let things slide -- William Barclay Albert Barnes on fight the good fight - The meaning here is, that he should contend with earnestness as a Christian and a minister in that holy service in which he was engaged, and endeavour to secure the victory. He "wars a good warfare" who is engaged in a righteous cause; who is faithful to his commander and to his post; who is unslumbering in observing the motions of the enemy, and fearless in courage in meeting them; who never forsakes his standard, and who continues thus faithful till the period of his enlistment has expired, or till death. Such a soldier the Christian minister should be. (1 Timothy 1 Commentary) Soldiers of Christ, arise, And put your armor on, Strong in the strength which God supplies Thru His eternal Son; Strong in the Lord of Hosts, And in His mighty pow'r Who in the strength of Jesus trusts Is more than conqueror. Stand then in his great might, with all his strength endued; but take, to arm you for the fight, the panoply of God. Leave no unguarded place, no weakness of the soul; take ev'ry virtue, ev'ry grace, and fortify the whole. To keep your armor bright, attend with constant care; still walking in your Captain's sight, and watching unto prayer. From strength to strength go on; wrestle and fight and pray; tread all the pow'rs of darkness down, and win the well-fought day. -- Charles Wesley William
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Wiersbe - A good conscience is important to a good warfare and a good ministry. The magazine editor H.L. Mencken defined conscience as "the inner voice which warns us that somebody may be looking." But a man with a good conscience will do the will of God in spite of who is watching or what people may say. Like Martin Luther, he will say, "Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God!" (See Be Faithful (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon) Conscience is a God-given device in every human mind that reacts to that person’s behavior. -- John MacArthur MacArthur has some practical thoughts on the value of conscience - A good conscience is the result of a pure life. Like Paul (cf.. Acts 24:16), Timothy was to maintain a blameless conscience. Conscience is a God-given device in every human mind that reacts to that person’s behavior. It either accuses or excuses (Ro 2:14–15). It produces feelings of well-being, peace, contentment, and calm when behavior is good. When behavior is evil, it activates guilt, shame, remorse, fear, doubt, insecurity, and despair. Its purpose is to warn the person of the fact that he is sinning. What a blessing to have such a warning device. It is to the soul what pain is to the body. Pain warns that something threatens the body’s well-being. Guilt warns that something threatens the well-being of the soul. Paul was always anxious to have a clean, clear, pure, good conscience (cf. 2Co 1:12) and desired the same for Timothy. He calls for holiness in this charge to Timothy. (See 1 Timothy MacArthur New Testament Commentary) “When morals slip, doctrine ebbs, and the fight is soon lost." -- Kent Hughes MacArthur on whether these men whose faith was shipwrecked were believers or non-believers (something many commentators don't specifically address for some reason) - A good conscience serves as the rudder that steers the believer through the rocks and reefs of sin and error. The false teachers ignored their consciences and the truth, and as a result, suffered shipwreck of the Christian faith (the true doctrine of the gospel), which implies severe spiritual catastrophe. This does not imply loss of salvation of a true believer (see Ro 8:31-39), but likely indicates the tragic loss that comes to the apostate (ED: NOT A TRUE BELIEVER - SEE BELOW). They had been in the church, heard the gospel and rejected it in favor of the false doctrine defined in vv. 3-7. Apostasy is a turning away from the gospel, having once known it. (SeeThe MacArthur Study Bible) ESV Study Bible adds a similar comment - The false teachers, rejecting their consciences, plowed ahead in their sin. shipwreck of their faith. This most likely refers to the false teachers who claimed to be believers but had fallen away from the faith they initially professed, thereby showing they were never truly converted (cf. 1 John 2:19+). (ESV Study Bible) Related Resources: What is apostasy and how can I recognize it? | GotQuestions.org - EXCERPT - A 2010 study by Daniel Dennett and Linda LaScola called “Preachers Who are not Believers” Dennett and LaScola’s work chronicles five different preachers who over time were presented with and accepted heretical teachings about Christianity and now have completely fallen away from the faith. These pastors are either pantheists or clandestine atheists. One of the most disturbing truths highlighted in the study is that these preachers maintain their position as pastors of Christian churches with their congregations being unaware of their leader’s true spiritual state. What should be our response when a Christian leader renounces the faith and falls away? | GotQuestions.org Guy King says: Two things will help "son Timothy " in this spiritual soldiering--a taking firm hold of "faith", an unshakable trust in his Commanding Officer; and of "a good conscience", a seeing that he has no consciousness of having played fast and loose with King's Regulations. Paul changes his illustration from the ARMY to the NAVY! The Christian teacher must be good soldier and good sailor! Which some (certain men) have rejected (apotheo/apotheomai) and suffered shipwreck (nauageo) in regard to their faith (pistis) - Which refers to faith and good conscience indicating that these men (some or certain men) in effect "pushed away from" (have rejected) their heart, and which opened wide the door to the "triple S" effect - Sin and Satan (1Ti 1:20) and Shipwreck! Their faith has the definite article and so most likely refers to the objective aspect of faith, that is, the sound doctrines to be believed or in this case which they rejected. Have rejected is in the middle voice which
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Wiersbe - Professed Christians who "make shipwreck" of their faith do so by sinning against their consciences. Bad doctrine usually starts with bad conduct, and usually with secret sin. (See Be Faithful - 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon)
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Wiersbe adds that "Paul viewed the world as Satan’s domain. To be in the church, under the authority of the elders, provides a person with a certain amount of protection from the devil and his attacks through the world. What Paul probably means is that these two men were delivered over to Satan’s domain, the world, by being excommunicated from the protective covering of the church and from the fellowship of its members Steven Cole on handed over to Satan - What Paul probably means is that these two men were delivered over to Satan’s domain, the world, by being excommunicated from the protective covering of the church and from the fellowship of its members. Beyond this, there may be the further idea that those in the church were to pray for some bodily ailment to come upon these men to humble them, so that they might repent and be restored to fellowship. The Lord sometimes must strike a person with some severe physical problem to cause the person to turn to Him. The goal of any discipline is to restore, not to punish. Paul’s desire was not to get rid of these men, but to see them “taught not to blaspheme.” Sometimes ministering to people involves the unpleasant task of confrontation. On rare occasions, it may have to go before the church and result in formal excommunication, with the prayer and aim of restoration. That is never pleasant, especially for leaders with timid personalities, like Timothy. But it must be done if people are going to grow in Christ and if the body of Christ is going to reflect His holiness and love. (Faithful Christian Service) So that (hina) they will be taught (paideuo) not to blaspheme (blasphemeo) - So that introduces the purpose of the handing over. This statement indicates that the purpose of handing over to Satan was not just for punishment but was also to have a remedial effect (not to blaspheme). Taught is the verb paideuo which describes disciplining or chastising, as when one disciplines a disobedient child. This would indicate that the hope was that these men would be led to repentance, come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil having been held captive by him to do his will (cf 2Ti 2:25-26+). Blaspheme is in the present tense implying that both men were continually slandering the Name of God presumably by propagating myths and endless genealogies (1Ti 1:4+) that contradicted the truth about God. Saul/Paul was a blasphemer (1Ti 1:13) who was taught not to blaspheme when he met Jesus on the Damascus Road. These men would be taught not by being "turned over" to Jesus like Saul/Paul but to the archrival of Jesus, Satan! The goal was still the same.
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Wiersbe adds that "Biblical hope means confidence in the future. It's a confidence born of faith....When Jesus Christ is your Savior and your Lord, the future is your friend. You don't have to worry. Why is this hope so important? When we lose hope, we lose joy in the present because we have no confidence for the future....(Hope) is a confidence that God is in control, and we have nothing to fear. What is the basis for our hope? It is the character of God. We've been born again unto a living hope (I Pet. 1:3+). It's not a dead hope that rots and falls apart but a living hope whose roots go deeper and whose fruits grow more wonderful. You can have joy, confidence, encouragement and excitement today if you will remember that you have a living hope. Your hope for the future is founded in the promises of God's Word. Do you have confidence in the future? Make a mental list of His provision on your behalf during the past year--answered prayers, met needs and other blessings. God's faithfulness in keeping His promises in the past gives you confident hope for the future. (See Prayer, Praise & Promises: A Daily Walk Through the Psalms) BIBLICAL HOPE PROVIDES POWER TO LIVE SUPERNATURALLY John
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Wiersbe adds that Biblical hope means confidence in the future. It's a confidence born of faith....When Jesus Christ is your Savior and your Lord, the future is your friend. You don't have to worry. Why is this hope so important? When we lose hope, we lose joy in the present because we have no confidence for the future....(Hope) is a confidence that God is in control, and we have nothing to fear. What is the basis for our hope? It is the character of God. We've been born again unto a living hope (I Pet. 1:3-note). It's not a dead hope that rots and falls apart but a living hope whose roots go deeper and whose fruits grow more wonderful. You can have joy, confidence, encouragement and excitement today if you will remember that you have a living hope. Your hope for the future is founded in the promises of God's Word. Do you have confidence in the future? Make a mental list of His provision on your behalf during the past year--answered prayers, met needs and other blessings. God's faithfulness in keeping His promises in the past gives you confident hope for the future. (Prayer, Praises and Promises - comments on Ps 39:7) BIBLICAL HOPE PROVIDES POWER TO LIVE SUPERNATURALLY John