Fry Road CHURCH of CHRIST

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The Problem of False Teachers


1 Timothy 1:3-11


There are real and present threats to Christians individually and local churches collectively. The church at Ephesus was no exception. They were comprised of former Jews and pagans. As was typical of this era, Jewish Christians often struggled to cease enforcing the Law of Moses. They became vocal in their demands for everyone, especially pagan converts, to adhere to the Old Law. Therefore, they could not be ignored by Timothy.


Christians were not to tolerate the promotion of false teaching publically or privately. Paul identifies three false teachings being promoted in Ephesus.


1) Combining the Law of Moses with the Gospel of Christ. The Law of Moses served God’s purposes and was taken out of force at the Cross of Jesus. Combining the Law of Moses and the Gospel of Christ formed a different/false doctrine. This doctrine did not come from God or the apostles. This doctrine was invented by Christians of a Jewish background.


2) Myths, legends, or fables. Rabbinic commentary that was passed down generationally. These were the “traditions of the fathers” that Jesus condemned (Mark 7:1-13). Eventually, they were recorded in the “Mishna” (meaning “repetition”) and “Germa” (meaning “discussions”). Combined, these two books became the Talmud.


3) Genealogies. Allegoric interpretations were given to Jewish history. Philo of Alexandria (20 B.C. – 50 A.D.) was a Jewish philosopher who popularized allegoric interpretations of Jewish history. This method of interpretation created legend, not factual history. This also reflected the Greek’s influence of mythology on Judaism.


Paul warns Timothy about what had been the result of such false teaching in the past: some had departed the faith. For these teachers, the Gospel was not their focus. Love was not their motive. Paul draws a stark contrast between the aim of his charge and theirs. Paul aimed by love to bring glory to God; whereas, the false teachers aimed to bring glory to themselves.


QUESTIONS


1. What was the purpose of the Law of Moses?



2. How did false teachers prove they did not understand the purpose of the Law of Moses?

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