Friday 11 September 2009
- Bible Book:
- 1 Timothy
"I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief." (v.12-13)
Background
This is a letter written from a senior Church leader to a juniorcolleague. It was not unknown in those times for works to be givena revered person's name, and written as though from them. Whilemany scholars have argued that this is such a case, it is quitepossible that it was written by Paul to Timothy.
Timothy was close to Paul (see Acts
It is difficult to know what this teaching was. We only have Paul'scritical words. He isn't specific about what they thought, but theymust have emphasised the importance of the Jewish Law (see verse8). For Paul, the Law was important, but had been replaced in thelives of Christians by "a pure heart, a good conscience, andsincere faith".
Paul sees the Law as something external. It keeps people in checkwho would otherwise do terrible things. He emphasises this by usinga list of extreme law-breakers as his example (verses 9-10).
In contrast, the Christian virtues are not from 'outside'. They arepresent because a person has been transformed inside. Once God haschanged someone inside, then the outer framework of the Law is nolonger needed. Paul demonstrates the possibility of moving from onecondition (under the Law) to the other (under 'divine training') byusing his own life story as an example (verses 12-16).
So Paul contrasts the 'speculation' of these other teachers with"divine training ... known by faith". The aim of the others, asthey read and explain the Scriptures, is their own self-advancementas "teachers of the law". The alternative is to read the Scriptures(including the Law which God gave to the Jewish people) with God inmind, not thinking of ourselves. When we read it that way, it aidsinternal change, as we discover what it is to love.
To Ponder
Who in your experience needs rules and laws more,and who needs them less?
Is Paul's contrast helpful in understanding yourown moral conduct?
To what extent is there a danger of complacencyif someone thinks they have been changed inside, and so no longerneed the Law? How can we guard against this?