The Glorious Gospel

1 Timothy 1:11“ from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God“

In the opening chapter of Paul’s first letter to Timothy, his “my true son in the faith” 1 Timothy 1:2, Paul gives various instructions concerning the proper teaching of doctrine, “which wasentrusted to me by our blessed God,” and which now Paul was passing on to his followers. He took great care to charge Timothy (2 Timothy 1:13) to “Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me-a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus.“, and elsewhere. Before launching into a testimony and defense of God’s grace in salvation

Timothy 1:12-17 "I thankChrist Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"-and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

Paul gives stern warning against false doctrines and false teachers

1 Timothy 1:3-11 "When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. Don't let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don't help people live a life of faith in God.

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions.They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don't know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.

These teachers, 1 Timothy 1:3-7“They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions.They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don't know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently“

He even lists various sinful characteristics and actions of these false teachers

1 Timothy 1:8-10 We know that the law is good when used correctly.For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders.The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God."

Covering basically the same ground as the Ten Commandments.

The things in this list, Paul claims, are “contrary to sound |literally healthy, wholesome| doctrine.” This doctrine, which is “according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God,” is held up as the standard by which we evaluate any teaching or attitude, not a man-made system of ethics or code of conduct.

This glorious gospel, the good news, proclaiming the entire person and work of the great Creator/Redeemer Jesus Christ, must be the basis for all “ wholesome ” teaching and lifestyle. Paul later wrote that these “wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and . . . the doctrine which is according to godliness

1 Timothy 6:3-5Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life."Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.