Once upon a time I foolishly complained to God that He demands that I love everyone as Christ loves them and that it’s impossible since I’m not Christ. He pointed me to 1 Timothy 1:5, the precise blueprint for how Christ’s love is obtained in our life. It’s worth noting that throughout Paul’s discourse to Timothy that there is really no mention of emotions or feelings; the focus is on the Truth and what one does with it.
Q: If you’ve already read through 1 Timothy, what is the word that jumps out in v.1 that is a recurring theme throughout?
A: “Commandment”. Among other variations, Paul uses “command”, “commandment”, “instruct”, “instruction”, and “conduct” 10 times throughout his letter to Timothy.
Application: Paul’s encouragement of others is ALWAYS provided within the context of God’s truth. On what is our interaction with fellow believers based? Is it provided within the framework of biblical truth or does it rely on pure emotion?
Q: What does Paul define as bad teaching, as a waste of time?
Q: To what does he contrast these things in v.4?
Application: Have you ever become involved in a discussion about myths, theories, philosophy—whether about the Bible, God or End Times? How fruitful was it? Why do you suppose so many of those discussions lead nowhere? [Hint: They’re lacking the truth. What good is a compass if it points in whatever direction it desires?]
Q: What is Paul’s inference in the difference between “bad” teaching (aka “instruction”) versus “good”?
A: “Bad” teaching focuses on speculation and never results in concrete changes in our life; “good” instruction provides the tangible results of love.
Q: How is biblical love made manifest in our life?
Q: So can we measure one’s love? Is it according to pure emotion?
A: It’s according to the purity of one’s heart (rejecting all sinful behavior), sensitivity of one’s conscience (obedience to the right choices), and sincerity of one’s faithfulness (whole devotion to Christ alone and no other). Application: How do you measure up personally? Do you see your love as being rooted in your heart, conscience and quality of walk? On what do you need the most work?
Application: How would you “love” others if your love was rooted in rejecting all sin, always choosing God’s way, and wholly devoted to God? Would you simply “love” someone regardless of THEIR heart, conscience and faith? How is biblical love therefore different from the world’s definition of love?
Q: What happens to those who do not pursue God’s teaching “...from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith”?
A: They constantly “turn aside to fruitless discussion.” In other words, they engage in conversations that lead AWAY from addressing the issues of their heart, conscience, and faith and therefore fail to achieve biblical love.
Application: When we avoid talking about the quality of our heart, conscience, and faith, we are essentially going nowhere spiritually. What can you do for yourself personally to change this? How would you change your interaction with others?
Q: IF one possessed the traits of v.5, why would the Law be a secondary consideration?
A: Because a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith are all NATURALLY obedient to God’s Law. One isn’t checking spiritual boundaries of right and wrong when one is living obediently from the heart, mind and soul.
Q: How does Paul’s mini-dissertation in v.12-14 relate to his teaching points thus far? Is he changing the subject?
A: This is a personal application of Christ’s teaching in his own life. Paul is pointing out that change came about in his own life not by what he did but by what Christ did.
Q: How might the teaching of v.5 be applied to v.16?
A: If Paul has allowed a changed heart, conscience, and faith through Christ, Paul becomes a visible, tangible proof to others of Christ.
Application: Share an experience when someone saw “something different” in you, evidence that led them to a knowledge of Christ over and above just a knowledge of you as an individual.
Q: Were prophetic utterances all the guarantee Timothy needed to ensure a quality, spiritual life?
A: No. The attainment of spiritual goals is specified by Paul as having to
In other words, Timothy needed to continue in obedience and faithfulness.
Q: What is the implication in contrasting Timothy with Hymanaeus and Alexander?
A: All of them were at one time faithful and productive Christians, perhaps all were even church leaders. However, Timothy’s faithfulness did not waiver as opposed to that of the others. It’s the contrast of following through with obedience to spiritual knowledge as opposed to thinking that “knowing” is simply enough.
Q: How is Paul’s definition of biblical love put into action in the case of Hymenaeus and Alexander? How could someone that truly “loves” someone hand them over to Satan?
A: They have chosen to allow sin in their life, or to not follow what they know to be God’s direction, or to no longer live completely devoted to God alone, or any combination of these things. Biblical love does not allow others to be deceived from the truth about their choices.
Application: Is there someone with whom you’ve avoided discussing the spiritual contradiction of their life, someone whose behavior continues to lead them into sin? Are you afraid of damaging your relationship with them by bringing it up? Do you see the greater responsibility you have in regard to helping to repair their relationship with God, even at the expense of your own?