The law that God gave to the Israelites was “good.” However, the benefit of the law is contingent on its proper application. There were teachers in Ephesus who were not applying the law properly. In the same way, we can try so hard to not be legalistic or dogmatic or narrow-minded that we become lax in our theology and lean toward an “anything goes” theology. Neither extreme is good. The purpose of the law is to help guide us and guard us as we grow. The law does not propel us, like the wind propels a sailboat. The law does not steer us, like teaching turns the rudder. The law acts as a compass that guides us in the right direction.
The Purpose of the Law
1 Timothy 1:8-11
January 21, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 1:8–11
More from
1 Timothy
Slaves and Masters
May 5, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 6:1–2
Slavery was a divisive relationship and a polarizing issue. Paul is speaking to slaves who associate the yoke of slavery with pain. Most Christians were in the lower class, which means that many early followers of Jesus were slaves themselves. The chief concern for Paul was the glory of God and the salvation of people, not freedom of the slaves or an increase in privilege for the owners. This doesn’t mean that Paul doesn’t want slaves to be free. He encourages slaves to be free if given the opportunity. This doesn’t mean that Paul is endorsing slavery. Paul “aimed to destroy slavery without waging a war to do so!” The relationship between slaves and masters should be symbiotic because all followers of Jesus are witnesses to the world of the saving, transforming power of the gospel of Jesus.
Be Generous with Honor and Grace
April 28, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 5:17–25
Those who lead, serve, and teach well should receive double honor. There are two levels of honor. (1) Honor in the sense that one who leads well is respected and appreciated, and (2) Honor in the sense that one who leads well is provided for financially. At the same time, leaders must be given grace. Grace is unnecessary favor poured out on the undeserving. Leaders will fail. Leaders will fall. As followers of Jesus, we should be generous with honor when they deserve it and we should be generous with grace when they don’t.