The Truth of the Gospel
1 Timothy 1:3-7, 12-20
You have heard the phrase, “Keep the main thing the main thing.” In 1 Timothy 1, Paul was addressing the practice of the church at Ephesus of arguing about minor details of the Bible. In doing so, they were neglecting the main point of Scripture, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the salvation available through Him. Paul told Timothy to stay in Ephesus to prevent the spread of false teaching.
In the church at Ephesus, false teachers were at the heart of these discussions. How can we know we will recognize false teaching today? Learn what the Bible teaches. Know it so well that you will recognize when something does not completely line up with Scripture. Sometimes false teachings are passed along because they are so close to truth that they appear to be truth. Close is not good enough! A builder uses a plumb line or level during every step of building, because if one segment of a structure is not level, it affects the whole structure. We must know and recognize truth.
Although found nowhere else in the New Testament, in 1 Timothy 1:15, we find the first of five “trustworthy” sayings in the pastoral letters. In this saying, Paul summarized the gospel and testified of his own transformation.
Paul remembered what he was like before he met Christ, and because of that, he offered praise and honor to Him for His work in Paul’s life. For those of us who have a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, we should offer that same praise to the only one who is worthy. He has changed us! He has saved us no matter how sinful we were! He has forgiven us!
For those who do not have that relationship, there is nothing stopping you from claiming that relationship now. Scripture clearly states that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Understanding that truth, that trustworthy saying, helps us to not be misled by the world and its claims. There is no other way to salvation, apart from Jesus Christ.
Paul ended this chapter by again encouraging Timothy to stand strong against false doctrine and to hold fast to the faith. Church members today need that same encouragement. Study the Bible. Know what is right. Do not be swayed by doctrine that does not hold steadfastly to what is taught in Scripture.
Furthermore, those who do not do so, who hold to untrue doctrines, need to be disciplined by the church. It is a difficult thing to do, and should be done redemptively and with compassion, but the membership of the church should be protected from false teachings.
Register– Lessons in the BSL series for the winter quarter are being written by Laurie Register, executive director-treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union, SCBC.