Friday, July 31, 2015

1 Timothy 1:4-8

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
I had to read this section a few times and read the footnotes to understand the vocabulary and the context of these verses. I find them quite interesting. Here is how I broke it up in my mind:
4: don't listen to or pass around stories that offer or present questions, evil surmisings (1 Timothy 6:4)  and doubts rather than build faith in Jesus Christ. If it does not build faith or is not uplifting, ignore it. 
5: Our end goal is to have a pure heart and conscience supported by faith. 
6: There were people who were dissenting from the church and using " vain, idle, fruitless discussion" (see footnote). This reminded me of what I see on social media: people not satisfied about something they don't understand in the church (or out of the church) and gossiping or spreading ideas that are not founded on revealed doctrine.
7: This verse also reminded me of social media. Sunday school also came to mind. I feel a lot of the time, teachers and good willing people try to push their opinion of doctrine rather than stick to what it says in the scriptures and trusting what modern day prophets have revealed. There is a sense in everybody of needing to be "right" and it is very much like the natural man to push aside truth and twist it into a form that promotes popularity or simply attention. 
8: In SJ translation: God's laws are the way to go. We can trust Him. IF we obey the law with a sincere heart (use it lawfully) without the intent to get gain but rather to be close to God and glorify Him, the "law is good."

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