4  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith;
5  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6  From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling:

1 Tim 1-:4-6

1. According to verse 4, do fables intercept faith?
2. In verse 5 what is referred to as “the commandment”?
3. According to verse 5 what is the purpose of Paul’s counsels in verses 3 and 4?
4. What is implied about proper doctrine and true faith in these verses?  Does the same implication apply to improper doctrine and an impure heart?
5. What does “which” refer to in verse 6?

1 Tim 1:7, 8

7  Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

1. What is the law of verse 7 in the context of verses 7-11?  Is the law of verses 9 and 10 the same as the subject of verse 11?
2. In 1 Timothy chapter one what is the cause of the inability of the would-be law-teachers of verse 7?
3. State in your own words the message of verse 8.  What does verse 8 follow verse 7?

1 Tim 1:9-11

9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for the sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10  For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other things that is contrary to sound doctrine;
11  According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

1. State in your own words what Scripture means when it states that “for a just man law is not laid down.”
2. What is the function of the law in verses 9b-10?
3. Define in the context of 1 Timothy chapter one the “healthful teaching” of v. 10.
4. Which gospel reflects the “healthful teachings” of v 10, in 1 Timothy chapter 1?

Assignment Answers

1 Tim. 1:3

1. The work Paul left for Timothy to do was the work of protecting the Gospel from those who would change it to reflect their own likes and dislikes.  Regarding the problems Paul encountered in Galatia Ellen White writes thatThe men who had attempted to lead them from their belief in the gospel were hypocrites, unholy in heart and corrupt in life. . . . they had no desire for a gospel that called for obedience to the word, . . . They felt that a religion based on such a doctrine, required too great a sacrifice:  (AA386f.).

1 Tim 1:4-6

1. The greek word translated fables is muthois. The dictionary meaning (Arndt & Gingrich) is tale, story, legend, myth, or, fable.  In Titus 1:14 Paul is more specific, warning of Jewish fables, while in 1 Tim 4:7 he warns about profane and “old-womanish” tales.Muthois,  Paul says, do not build up the godly in faith, and therefore should be avoided; fables here intercept faith.
2. The word commandment is paraggelias and refers to the instruction Paul has just given to Timothy in verse 4.Note:  The dictionary meaning of paraggelia is order, command, precept, or advice.  The word for commandment when God’s law is meant is entolā.
3. The question could be raised, after reading verses 3 and 4, if Paul was not only protecting his own interests; in answer to this possible interpretation Paul writes the reason for his instruction in verse 6 – that those believing the gospel preached by him might have love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and real faith:By setting forth so clearly the reasons for his instruction Paul gave his readers a chance to test his motives; if they followed his advice and found they had love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and real faith, they would know he was the apostle he claimed to be in chapter 1 verse 1.
4. Proper faith and pure doctrine are judged by the lives lived by the people who are guided in their decision making by those doctrines.Both true and false doctrine are revealed by the results they produce.
5. Negatively, the “which” of verse 6 refers to the instruction of verse 4, while the pure heart, good conscience, and faith unfeigned, of verse 5, are the direct objects “which” refers to

1 Tim 1:7, 8

1. The law in verse 7 is that which the “certain persons” of verse 5 wished to change, and which the “some” have swerved from in verse 6; the instruction given by Paul to the churches.  This instruction divides into two parts – the teaching of the Old Testament, and those doctrines and insights which Paul taught as a result of the special commission and insights he received from God to make clear the significance of Jesus as the Christ, the results and responsibilities occurring from His role in the Great Controversy.Notice, the following from Mrs. White:

Mysteries which had been hidden for ages were revealed to him [Paul], and as much as he could bear of the workings of God, and of His dealings with human minds, was made known.  The Lord told Paul that he must teach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. . . .  (6SDABC 1107).

Through Paul God has given many wonderful lessons for our instruction.  In his visions Paul saw many things not lawful for a man to utter.  But many other things which he saw in the heavenly courts were woven into his teachings.  The truth flashed from his lips as a sharp, two-edged sword.  The impressions made upon his mind by the Holy Spirit were strong and vivid, and they were presented to the people in a way that no one else could present them.  Paul spoke in the demonstration of the Sprit and with power…. (Ellen White, Comments, 6SDABC 1106f).

1. They disregarded the counsels of verses 3 and 4.
2. Because verse 7 teaches law is not understood by rejecters of pure doctrine (vv. 4-7), verse 8 sets forth that the goodness of the law comes from the fact obedience (following pure doctrine) brings insight which
   1. Keeps us from the evils listed in verses 9 and 10, and
   2. Gives us the ability to share our faith with understanding.
      These Points are the implied message caused by verse 9 following verse 7.

1 Tim 1: 9-11

1. The law of God is a hedge around us that, obeyed, keeps us from turning away from God.  The law is for those who do things contrary to “the healthful teaching” (verse 10).Note the following from the Sprit of Prophecy.The law is an expression of God’s idea.  When we receive it in Christ, it becomes our idea.  It lifts us above the power of natural desires and tendencies, above temptations that lead to sin…. (6SDABC 1110).
2. The law of ten commandments is not to be looked upon as much from the prohibitory side as from the mercy side.  Its prohibitions are the sure guarantee of happiness in obedience.  As received in Christ, it works in us the purity of character that will bring joy to us through eternal ages.  To the obedient it is a wall of protection.  We behold in it the goodness of God, who by revealing to men the immutable principles of righteousness seeks to shield them from the evils that result from transgression”  (6SDABC).
3. The function of the law in verses 9b-10 is (1) to define how one must live to be able to understand the law of verse 7; (2) to reveal what constitutes opposition (contrariness) to healthful teaching.
4. Paul’s instruction (verse 11).
5. The gospel of the glory of the blessed God, with which Paul was entrusted (verse 11), by Jesus (verse 12).

1 Timothy & Titus: intro | lesson 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13