Journey Through 1&2 Timothy and TitusSample

Intro

Nicole introduces this lesson on how Paul characterizes good teaching.

False Teaching: In the Text

Paul was concerned about false teaching, false teachers, and the speculative ideas that were occupying the attention of believers.

Paul, Timothy & False Teachings

See below to see the contrast between Paul’s instructions for Timothy versus the behavior of false teachers.

Timothy: Correctly handles the word of truth (15)

False teachers: Godless chatter (16)

Timothy: Flees youthful desires (22)

False teachers: Teaching spreads infection like gangrene (17)

Timothy: Not quarrelsome (24)

False teachers: Belief that resurrection has already happened (18)

Timothy: Able to teach (24)

False teachers: Destroying the faith of others (18)

Timothy: Kind to everyone (24)

False teachers: Foolish and stupid arguments (23)

Table adapted from: David A. Ackerman, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, 2016, p. 326.

False Teachers & False Teaching

Key Themes in the Pastoral Epistles

Read the passages below, one from each of the Pastoral letters:

These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. 1 Timothy 6:3 (NIV)

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3 (NIV)

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. Titus 1:9 (NIV)

Summarize the common themes from your reading of these passages (1 Tim 6:3; 2 Tim 4:3; Titus 1:9)

Each passage refers to “sound” teaching or doctrine, and this word “sound” appears more in these three Pastoral letters than in the rest of the New Testament combined. The Greek behind this word has its root in the language of hygiene and, most literally, refers to good health or wellness. Paul wants healthy churches and knows that healthy teaching is crucial to the wellness of believers.

Again, read the passages below from each of the Pastoral letters:

(False teachers) are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between people of corrupt mind. 1 Timothy 6:4-5 (NIV)

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 2 Timothy 2:23 (NIV)

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Titus 3:9 (NIV)

Each passage encourages people to avoid “quarrels” and disputes over nonessentials. This is the false counterpart to the sound teaching Paul encourages in other passages. These disputes are “stupid,” “unprofitable,” and “useless.” Above all, they are “unhealthy”—the opposite of the “health” and “wellness” Paul promotes in sound teaching and doctrine.