1 Timothy 1:8-11

Summary retelling of 1 Timothy 1:8-11

Paul reminds Timothy that the Law is good if used correctly.  However, Paul makes it clear that the Law is not intended for the just and the righteous but instead for sinner.  (Paul lists the following categories: lawless, disobedient, ungodly, unholy, profane, those who strike their fathers and mothers, murderers, ­sexually immoral, homosexuals, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine)  Paul concludes that the Law was given for sinners in order to work in accord with the gospel of grace that God has given for him to proclaim.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The Law is good if it is used correctly.  Martin Luther teaches about two uses of the Law (and some people argue that he actually gives us three).  The first use of the Law is the “mirror.”  We look into the Law and see the person that God wants us to be.  We see the person we could be if we just followed God’s ways.  In other words, we see the person into which God would like to transform us.  The second use of the Law is the “curb.”  Once we have begun the process of transformation the Law becomes our guide in proper behavior.  It curbs bad behavior.  When we are making a decision as to what is right and what is not, it guides us away from the bad.

Can you see why the Law is useful?  How much time have you spent studying the Law and learning what God thinks is right or wrong?  If you don’t study the Law, how well can any of us really know right from wrong?

Second Thought:

Paul gives a pretty long list of behaviors that are bad.  We know that they are bad because Paul tells us that the Law was given for people caught in these behavioral patterns.  Notice, however, while these behaviors are clearly contrary to God’s will, we don’t have any reason to shun people who are actively doing these behaviors.  God gives the Law so that people can see the behavior as wrong and change.  If we shun people, nobody will be encouraged to change.  We must not see the Law as a “barrier” and we must not see the Law as a means to keep “us” from “them.”  We must see the Law as an avenue to help “them” become “us.”

What do you think about the list of behaviors?  Are there behaviors on the list that society doesn’t think are bad?  How do you think you can use the Law to genuinely help people see their behavior as something needing to change?

Third Thought:

The Law is supposed to work together with grace.  That process should normally go a little something like this.  We know we cannot save ourselves.  We hear that God is willing to save us.  We desire to respond to God’s salvation, so we turn to the Law to learn how to live.  We actively look for things in our life upon which we need to work.  With God’s help through the Holy Spirit, the Law guides us in a godly life and points out the places where we sin.  As you can see, the Law and the Gospel should work very well together!

Why do you think some people want to forget about the Law?  What happens to us when we don’t pay attention to the Law?  How does understanding this passage make you desire to know God’s Law and use it to help you live?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Timothy 1:12-14