Back to Home Page | Back to Index |

1 Timothy Chapter One

 
Chapter One General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To notice two different kinds of teaching: one that gives rise to 
 disputes, and the other which produces godly edification in faith
 
2) To consider what ought to be the goal of all teaching: love from a
 pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith
 
3) To appreciate the example of Paul's conversion in how longsuffering
 Christ is to those who believe on Him
 
SUMMARY
 
Paul begins this epistle by urging his "true son in the faith" to
remain in Ephesus and charge some not to teach other doctrines, nor
give heed to fables and genealogies that cause disputes rather than 
godly edification in faith. The goal of this commandment is love from 
a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith, from which some 
have strayed and turned to idle talk in their desire to be teachers of 
the law. While the law is good when used properly, it is not designed
for the righteous person, but for those whose conduct is contrary to
"sound doctrine" which is according to the gospel of God committed to
Paul's trust (1-11).
 
Speaking of what was committed to Paul's trust sparks an expression of
thanksgiving and praise to Christ for counting him faithful and 
enabling him to be of service. His gratitude is heightened by 
remembering what he had been prior to receiving the grace and mercy of
the Lord. But Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom Paul
was chief, and in him Christ shows an example of His longsuffering to
those who believe on Him for everlasting life (12-17).
 
Paul then charges Timothy to carry out his responsibility in keeping 
with prophecies made concerning him. The charge is to "wage the good
warfare, having faith and a good conscience". He is reminded of two 
men, Hymenaeus and Alexander, who have rejected such things. As a 
result they had suffered shipwreck concerning the faith and had been 
turned over to Satan by Paul that they might learn not to blaspheme 
(18-20).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. INTRODUCTION (1-2)
 
 A. THE AUTHOR (1)
 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ (1a)
 2. By the commandment of God our Savior and Jesus Christ our hope
 (1b)
 
 B. THE RECIPIENT (2)
 1. Timothy (2a)
 2. Paul's true son in the faith (2b)
 
 C. GREETINGS (2c)
 1. Grace, mercy, and peace
 2. From God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord
 
II. TEACHING SOUND DOCTRINE (3-11)
 
 A. PAUL'S CHARGE TO TIMOTHY (3-7)
 1. Remain in Ephesus and charge some... (3a)
 a. To teach no other doctrine (3b)
 b. Nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies (4a)
 1) Which cause disputes (4b)
  2) Rather than godly edification which is in faith (4c)
 2. The purpose of the commandment is... (5a)
 a. Love from a pure heart (5b)
 b. A good conscience (5c)
 c. Sincere faith (5d)
 3. For some have strayed... (6a)
 a. Having turned aside to idle talk (6b)
 b. Desiring to be teachers of the law (7a)
 1) Not understanding what they say (7b)
 2) Nor the things they affirm (7c)
 
 B. THE PROPER USE OF THE LAW (8-11)
 1. It is good if one uses it lawfully (8)
 2. The law is not made for the righteous (9a)
 a. But for all sorts of sinners (9b-10a)
 b. And anything else that is contrary to sound doctrine (10b)
 1) According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God
 (11a)
 2) Which was committed to Paul's trust (11b)
 
III. THANKSGIVING FOR THE LORD'S GRACE AND MERCY (12-17)
 
 A. THANKFUL TO CHRIST JESUS (12-14)
 1. For enabling him (12a)
 a. Because He counted him faithful (12b)
 b. Putting him into the ministry (12c)
 2. Though he had formerly been... (13a)
 a. A blasphemer (13b)
 b. A persecutor (13c)
 c. An insolent man (13d)
 ...but he obtained mercy because he did it ignorantly in 
 unbelief (13e)
 3. The grace of the Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and
 love in Christ Jesus (14)
 
 B. THE MERCY SHOWN TO HIM IS A PATTERN FOR OTHERS (15-17)
 1. Christ came to save sinners, and Paul was one of the worst
 (15)
 2. But he received mercy, that Christ might demonstrate His 
 longsuffering to others who believe on Him for everlasting 
 life (16)
 3. Paul desires that honor and glory be given forever and ever...
 (17c)
 a. To the King eternal, immortal, invisible (17a)
 b. To God who alone is wise (17b)
 
IV. TIMOTHY'S RESPONSIBILITY (18-20)
 
 A. TO WAGE THE GOOD WARFARE (18)
 1. This is the charge Paul commits to his son Timothy (18a)
 2. In accordance to prophecies made concerning him (18b)
 
 B. TO HAVE FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE (19-20)
 1. Which some have rejected, and concerning the faith have 
 suffered shipwreck (19)
 2. Such as Hymenaeus and Alexander (20a)
 a. Whom Paul delivered to Satan (20b)
 b. That they may learn not to blaspheme (20c)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - Introduction (1-2)
 - Teaching sound doctrine (3-11)
 - Thanksgiving for the Lord's grace and mercy (12-17)
 - Timothy's responsibility (18-20)
 
2) How does Paul describe Timothy in his salutation? (2)
 - My true son in the faith
 
3) Where did Paul want Timothy to remain? (3)
 - Ephesus
 
4) What two things did he want Timothy to charge some? (3-4)
 - To teach no other doctrine
 - Nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies
 
5) Paul's concern is that such teachings would cause disputes rather
 than what? (4)
 - Godly edification which is in faith
 
6) What was the three-fold purpose of this commandment? (5)
 - Love from a pure heart
 - A good conscience
 - A sincere faith
 
7) What had some turned aside to? Why? (6-7)
 - Idle talk
 - Because they desired to be teachers of the law
 
8) When is the law good? Who is the law not made for? (8-9)
 - When it is used lawfully
 - The righteous person
 
9) When is something considered "sound doctrine"? (10-11)
 - When it is according to "the glorious gospel of the blessed God"
 
10) Why did Paul thank Christ Jesus? (12)
 - Because He enabled him, counting him faithful, and put him into 
 the ministry
 
11) What had Paul been formerly? Why did he obtain mercy? (13)
 - A blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man
 - Because he did it ignorantly in unbelief
 
12) What is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance? (15)
 - That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
 
13) How did Paul view himself? (15)
 - As chief of sinners
 
14) Why did Paul obtain mercy, and Christ show all longsuffering toward
 him? (16)
 - As a pattern to those who believe on Him for everlasting life
 
15) To whom does Paul ascribe honor and glory? (17)
 - To the King eternal, immortal, invisible
 - To God who alone is wise
 
16) What charge does Paul commit to Timothy? What does it involve 
 having? (18-19)
 - Wage the good warfare
 - Faith and a good conscience
 
17) Who had made shipwreck concerning the faith? What had Paul done in
 response? Why? (19-20)
 - Hymenaeus and Alexander
 - Delivered them to Satan
 - That they may learn not to blaspheme

Jesus Christ, Our Hope (1:1)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In reference to Jesus Christ, Paul uses a title which is very unique
 in the NT...
 a. He calls Jesus "our hope" - 1 Ti 1:1
 b. Nowhere else is Jesus so described, other than in Co 1:27
 
2. Yet it came to be a precious title used by some in the early
 church...
 a. "Be of good cheer in God the Father and in Jesus Christ our common
 hope" - Ignatius, To The Ephesians 21:2
 b. "Let us therefore persevere in our hope and the earnest of our
 righteousness, who is Jesus Christ." - Epistle of Polycarp 8
 
3. The word 'hope' (Gr., elpis)...
 a. Means "a confident desire and expectation"
 b. Is closely aligned with the word 'faith' - cf. He 11:1
 
[In what way is Jesus 'our hope', our basis for 'confident expectation'?
Jesus is 'our hope'...]
 
I. FOR FORGIVENESS OF SINS
 
 A. MAN HAS A PROBLEM WITH SIN...
 1. All have sinned - Ro 3:23; cf. 1 Jn 1:8,10
 2. The consequences are grave - Ro 6:23
 3. People deal with this guilt of sin differently
 a. Some try to ignore it
 b. Others seek to compensate for it by doing good works
 c. Many look to different 'saviors' or teachers (the Law,
 Buddha, Mohammed, Mary)
 
 B. JESUS IS OUR ONLY 'HOPE'...
 1. He is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"
 - Jn 1:29
 2. In Him we have "redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
 of sins" - Ep 1:7
 3. Christians place their hope in Jesus' blood as the atonement
 for their sins
 a. By believing and being baptized into Christ - Mk 16:16; Ac
 2:38; 22:16; Ro 6:3-6
 b. By continuing to repent, confess, and pray - Ac 8:22; 1 Jn
 1:7,9
 
[Is Jesus your 'hope' for salvation from the guilt of sin? Unless you
believe in Him, you will die in your sins (Jn 8:24). Jesus is also our
'hope'...]
 
II. FOR RECONCILIATION WITH GOD
 
 A. MAN HAS A LONGING FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD...
 1. It is something put in man by His Creator - Ac 17:26-28
 2. Many seek to fulfill this longing with the wrong things
 a. Trying to satisfy it with material things
 b. But such things only leave an emptiness - Ecc 5:10
 3. Many seek to fulfill this longing in the wrong way
 a. On their own
 b. Through some man or man-made religion
 
 B. JESUS IS OUR ONLY 'HOPE'...
 1. He is the only 'way' to the Father - Jn 14:6
 2. Only in Him can we really come to know God - Jn 14:7-9; cf. Jn
 1:18
 3. In Him we are reconciled to God - 2 Co 5:18-20
 
[Is Jesus your 'hope' for fellowship with God? Without Jesus, you
cannot have a close relationship with God (1 Jn 2:23; 4:15). Jesus is
also our 'hope'...]
 
III. FOR POWER IN HOLY LIVING
 
 A. PEOPLE HAVE LONG REALIZED THE NEED TO LIVE GOOD LIVES...
 1. Yet the ancient world admitted their inability to do so
 a. "We hate our vices and love them at the same time." - Seneca
 b. "We have not stood bravely enough by our good resolutions;
 despite our will and resistance we have lost our innocence.
 Nor is it only that we have acted amiss; we shall do so to
 the end." - Seneca
  2. Even the apostles described the difficulty of living godly
 lives
 a. Paul described what it was like under the Law - Ro 7:21-24
 b. He reminded Christians of the conflict between the flesh and
 the Spirit - Ga 5:16-17
 c. Peter wrote of the warfare between fleshly lusts and the
 soul - 1 Pe 2:11
 
 B. JESUS IS OUR ONLY 'HOPE'...
 1. In Christ we are freed from the law of sin and death - Ro 8:2
 2. In Christ we have strength to do that which is good, and turn
 away from evil
 a. Because of the Spirit of God - cf. Ro 8:11-13
 b. The means by which God strengthens the inner man - Ep 3:16,
 20
 
[Is Jesus your 'hope' for power in holiness? In Jesus there is strength
to do God's will (Ph 4:13). Jesus is also our 'hope...]
 
IV. FOR PROVISION IN DAILY LIVING
 
 A. PEOPLE OFTEN WORRY ABOUT THE NECESSITIES OF LIVE...
 1. They worry about their food and clothing
 2. They desire basic contentment, with true joy and peace
 3. Jesus acknowledged this concern was common among men - Mt 6:
 31-32
 
 B. JESUS IS OUR ONLY 'HOPE'...
 1. His Father knows our needs - Mt 6:32
 2. Jesus provides the secret to God's care - Mt 6:33; Mk 10:28-30
 3. He also is the source to true joy and peace - cf. Ph 4:4,6-7
 4. In Him there is contentment, knowing that God will supply our
 needs - cf. Ph 4:11-12,19
 
[Is Jesus your 'hope' for God's providential care in your life? If you
trust in your own riches, you cannot please God (Lk 16:13). Finally,
Jesus is our 'hope'...]
 
V. FOR VICTORY OVER DEATH
 
 A. THE FEAR OF DEATH IS COMMON TO MANKIND...
 1. People try to avoid it, delay it
 2. Some try to ignore, even refusing to speak of the dead
 
 B. JESUS IS OUR ONLY 'HOPE'...
 1. He came to deliver us from the fear of death - He 2:14-15
 2. This He did by His own resurrection, and continues to do
 through the promise of His coming again - cf. 1 Th 4:13-18
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Jesus is many things to those who love Him; let's make sure that He
 is 'our hope'!
 
2. Have you made Jesus your 'hope'? If not, then you are still...
 a. In your sins
 b. Alienated from God
 c. Unable to live a truly righteous life
 d. Going through life without God's providential care
 e. Unprepared for death, not ready for the Judgment to follow
 
Why not let Jesus become your 'hope' today...?

Two Kinds Of Teaching (1:3-7)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Paul wrote First Timothy to guide one's conduct in the house of God
 - 1 Ti 3:14-15
 a. Note that the church serves as "the pillar and ground of the
 truth"
 b. It is imperative our teaching reflects that responsibility
 
2. Now let's read from 1 Ti 1:3-7...
 a. Paul reminded Timothy of the charge given him
 b. Concerning some who evidently were not teaching as they should!
 
3. In our text we note "Two Kinds Of Teaching"...
 a. There is that which causes disputes
 b. There is that which produces godly edification
 
4. What makes the difference? This question should concern...
 a. All those who teach or preach God's Word
 b. All Christians, who as students by their personal study or
 comments in classes:
 1) Can contribute to the rise of disputes
 2) Or develop thoughts which result in godly edification
 
[Let's note the difference between the two, beginning with...]
 
I. TEACHING THAT CAUSES DISPUTES
 
 A. WHEN WE ARE DRIVEN BY THE DESIRE FOR NOVELTY...
 1. Not content with the simple gospel and doctrine of Jesus Christ
 - cf. Ga 1:8-9
 2. Ignoring the charge that we "teach no other doctrine" - 1 Ti
 1:3
 3. Delving into that which is "new"
 a. New in the sense of new revelation, not supported by the
 Scriptures
  b. For old truth may be often be new to us who are still
 learning
 
 B. WHEN WE STRESS THE TALK AT THE EXPENSE OF THE WALK...
 1. It is easy to become interested only in intellectual arguments
 a. Focusing more on argument rather than action
 b. Failing to make application of what we teach or study
 2. In such case our teaching and study become 'idle talk' - 1 Ti
 1:6
 a. Against which Paul also warned Titus - Ti 1:10; 3:9
 b. Which James described as 'useless religion' - Ja 1:22-27
 
 C. WHEN WE ARE MOVED BY PRIDE RATHER THAN HUMILITY...
 1. Disputes are easily caused by those who:
 a. "desire to be teachers of the law" - 1 Ti 1:7
 b. Seek to impress others with their 'knowledge' of the Word
 - contra Ja 3:13-18
 2. Knowledge is not without its dangers
 a. We can be motivated more by pride than a sincere desire to
 serve God
 b. Without love, knowledge simply puffs up rather than truly
 builds up - 1 Co 8:1-2
 
 D. WHEN WE DISPLAY DOGMATISM WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE...
 1. Often the most dogmatic are the most misinformed!
 2. Like those "understanding neither what they say nor the things
 which they affirm" - 1 Ti 3:7
 3. Yes, we must stand fast in the defense of the truth...
 a. But "a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing"
 b. Let's be sure that we truly know and understand what is
 truth!
 
[Such are the attitudes and motives that contribute to disputes among
brethren. Now let's consider...]
 
II. TEACHING THAT PRODUCES GODLY EDIFICATION
 
 A. WHEN IT IS BASED ON FAITH...
 1. Godly edification is that "which is in faith" - 1 Ti 1:4
 2. Of course, faith comes from the Word of God - Ro 10:17
 a. Godly teaching that edifies (builds up) comes from God's
 Word
 b. We must let the Word of God be the basis of our thoughts and
 comments
 
 B. WHEN IT SEEKS TO PRODUCE LOVE...
  1. Paul wrote "the purpose of the commandment is love" - 1 Ti 1:5
 a. A love for truth certainly
 b. But also a love for God and man! - cf. 1 Jn 4:20-21
 2. The desire should not be to just win arguments
 a. Our approach will therefore be different - 2 Ti 2:24-25
 b. Because we are trying to win souls from the snare of Satan!
 - 2 Ti 2:26
 
 C. WHEN IT SEEKS TO CREATE A PURE HEART...
 1. Paul wrote that our goal should be love "from a pure heart"
  - 1 Ti 1:5
 2. The goals of our teaching and study must be pure and not
 defiled by:
 a. Trying to show how clever we are
 b. Seeking to show what great debaters we are
 c. Wanting to embarrass the ignorance of our opponents
 3. Our desire must be pure, seeking to lead people closer to God
 
 D. WHEN IT SEEKS TO DEVELOP A GOOD CONSCIENCE...
 1. Our goal should be love "from a good conscience" - 1 Ti 1:5
 a. Which comes from first applying the Word to ourselves
 b. Like Ezra the priest sought to do - cf. Ezr 7:10
 2. Yet one can easily stray - 1 Ti 1:6; cf. 1:19,20
 a. Especially when they do not practice what they preach
 b. And when they expect others to do what they themselves do
 not
 
 E. WHEN IT SEEKS TO BEGET A SINCERE FAITH...
 1. Our goal should be love "from a sincere faith" - 1 Ti 1:5
 a. Where we really believe what we teach or say
 b. Not simply engaging in an intellectual exercise
 2. Where what we are seeking is a living faith:
 a. To which we commit our lives
 b. And produces works of love to the glory of God - cf. Ga 5:6
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. So what kind of teachers or students are we...?
 a. Those constantly engaged in disputes, wrangling over words?
 b. Or those engaged in godly edification?
 
2. Let's be sure that our teaching and Bible study is always that which
 produces...
 a. Love
 b. A pure heart
 c. A good conscience
 d. A sincere faith
 
Of course, this is not possible without Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
in our lives. Have you accepted Him as Savior and obeyed Him as your
Lord by responding to the gospel of Christ...? - Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38;
22:16

The Purpose Of The Commandment (1:5)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. The idea of "commandment-keeping" is not a popular one among many
 people today...
 a. Some equate it with what they call "legalism"
 b. Others look at keeping any kind of commandment as an unpleasant
 task
 1) Perhaps a carry-over from childhood?
 2) Where they feel like they were constantly being "commanded" to
 do things?
 
2. Yet keeping the commandments of God should not be looked upon by
 Christians in this way...
 
 "Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart,
 [from] a good conscience, and from] sincere faith," (1 Ti 1:5)
 
3. What is the purpose or goal of any commandment from God...?
 a. Is it only to enjoin blind obedience?
 b. Or is there a noble purpose behind the commands?
 
[Our text (1 Ti 1:5) suggests the latter, so let's examine what Paul
reveals about "The Purpose Of The Commandment"...]
 
I. THE PURPOSE IS TO PRODUCE LOVE
 
 A. NOT FOR 'DISPUTES'...
 1. Which is as far as some go with the Word of God!
 a. They study it, discuss it, debate it, defend it
 b. In Bible class, conversations, publications, etc.
 2. Unless they obey it, all is in vain!
 a. They fail to fulfill its ultimate purpose: to produce love!
 b. Their religion is a vain religion, not a pure religion - Ja
 1:22-27
 c. "The purpose of all revelation and the test of all religion
 is character and conduct." - MacLaren
 
 B. THE GOAL OF GOD'S COMMANDS IS LOVE...
 1. Both love for God and love for man - cf. Mt 22:35-40
 2. Concerning our love for God
 a. It begins with, but goes beyond adoration, praise and
 devotion
 b. True love for God is realized when we keep His commands
 - 1 Jn 5:3; Jn 14:15,21
 3. Concerning our love for man
 a. It begins with, but goes beyond any active good will or
 affection we might have
 b. True love for man is also realized when we keep God's
 commands - 1 Jn 5:2
 
[So the goal of any command of God is love. Not just any love, but a
love that springs forth from a good source...]
 
II. FROM A PURE HEART, A GOOD CONSCIENCE, AND SINCERE FAITH
 
 A. FROM A PURE HEART...
 1. 'Pure' can also be translated 'clean', suggesting that which is
 from impurities
 2. To love with such a heart requires purification, which comes
 obedience to the truth - 1 Pe 1:22-23
 3. Have our souls been purified by obeying the truth? If not...
 a. We will be plagued by spiritual impurities (e.g., greed,
 covetousness, envy, pride)
 b. We will be unable to love God and man as we should
 4. Those with 'pure hearts' are the ones who will be truly blessed
 - Mt 5:8
 
 B. FROM A GOOD CONSCIENCE...
 1. 'Conscience' is defined as "that process of thought which
 distinguishes what it considers morally good or bad, commending
 the good, condemning the bad, and so prompting to do the
 former, and to avoid the latter." - Vine
 2. The love God desires is that which comes from a person with a
 'good conscience'
 a. To have a 'good' conscience, it must be properly set
 1) Like a clock, it is accurate only when properly set
 2) Otherwise it might lead us astray - e.g., Ac 23:1; cf.
 26:9-11
 3) A good conscience is one that is set according to God's
 standard
 b. To have a 'good' conscience, it must be properly cleansed
  1) For no matter who we are, we are sinners!
 a) God says so - Ro 3:23
 b) So does our conscience - Ro 2:14-15
 c) Any who deny this have 'rejected' or 'seared' their
 conscience - cf. 1 Ti 1:19; 4:2
 2) What can 'cleanse' our conscience?
 a) Not any OT sacrifice or worship - He 9:9-10
 b) Rather, the blood of Christ - He 9:14
 3. Only with a conscience 'cleansed' from dead works can we
 really:
 a. Love both God and man
 b. Love with a pure heart and good conscience!
 
 C. FROM A SINCERE FAITH...
 1. Some translations use 'unfeigned' instead of 'sincere' (ASV,
 KJV)
 2. It is translated elsewhere as 'without hypocrisy' (Ro 12:9) or
 'genuine' (2 Ti 1:5)
 3. The word 'faith' involves two interrelated concepts:
 a. A strong conviction in that which is believed
 b. A strong trust in the object believed
 4. A 'sincere faith' would be:
 a. A true, honest to God, conviction
 b. A true-hearted trust in God and Jesus
 5. This kind of faith comes only from the Word of God - cf. Ro
 10:17; Jn 20:30-31
 6. Without such faith, the love God desires is not possible!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. What kind of religion do you have...?
 a. One that consists in little more than religious talk?
 b. Or one that produces genuine love for God and man, manifested in
 deeds?
 
2. If you desire the religion that pleases God, it must be the kind that
 expresses itself in love:
 
 "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails
 anything, but faith working through love." (Ga 5:6)
 
3. Yet that kind of love comes "from a pure heart, from a good
 conscience, and from sincere faith"...
 a. Which is the goal of every command of God
 b. Who dare says that keeping the commandments of God are not
 important?
 
Are you willing to let the commands of God create in you "love from a
pure heart, from a good conscience and from sincere faith"...?

The Lawful Use Of The Law (1:8-11)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. A major problem in the early church was a proper understanding of the
 law of Moses...
 a. Some Jewish Christians sought to bind it upon Gentile Christians
 - cf. Ac 15:1-6
 b. Some Jewish Christians continued to observe certain elements of
 the Law - cf. Ac 21:20
 
2. The issue prompted several epistles from Paul...
 a. To the church at Rome
 b. To the churches in Galatia
 c. To the church at Colosse
 d. To the Hebrew Christians in Palestine (if Paul be the author)
 
3. It was evidently a problem in the church at Ephesus...
 a. Where Paul left Timothy - 1 Ti 1:2-4
 b. Where some strayed as in their use of the Law - 1 Ti 1:5-7
 
4. A similar problem often exists today, where people...
 a. Fail to understand the purpose and limitations of the Law
 b. Use the Law in ways that are not lawful
 
[But as Paul writes, the Law (of Moses) is good when used lawfully (1 Ti
1:8-11). From his words in this text and elsewhere, let's examine
first...]
 
I. THE LAW USED LAWFULLY
 
 A. FOR WISDOM REGARDING SALVATION THROUGH FAITH...
 1. As Paul wrote later in his second epistle to Timothy - 2 Ti
 3:14-17
 a. Referring to the Scriptures Timothy knew from childhood
 b. An obvious reference to the Old Testament, including the Law
 of Moses
 2. Appeal was often made to the Old Testament in discussing the
 nature of salvation
 a. As when Philip preached Christ to the eunuch - cf. Ac 8:
 30-35
 b. As when James spoke at the conference in Jerusalem - cf. Ac
 15:13-17
 c. As when Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome - cf. Ro 4:1-8
 -- We can learn much about our salvation in Christ from the Law!
 
 B. FOR DOCTRINE...
 1. There is much we can learn about God in the Old Testament
 a. His omnipresence, omnipotence, omniscience - cf. Psa 139
 b. His longsuffering and mercy, His justice and righteous
  indignation - cf. Psa 103
 c. His providential workings in the affairs of nations and men
 - cf. Dan 2,4,5
 2. There is much we can learn about mankind
 a. The origin and fall of man - cf. Gen 1-3
 b. The weakness of man and need for redemption - cf. Psa 51
 -- We can learn much about God and our need for Christ from the
 Law!
 
 C. FOR REPROOF, CORRECTION, INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS...
 1. The Law contains principles of righteousness that remain true
 throughout time
 a. Condemning such sins as murder, fornication, homosexuality,
 kidnapping, lying, etc.
 b. When admonishing Christians regarding basic principles of
 righteousness, the apostles often appealed to the Old
 Testament - e.g., Ro 12:19-21; 1 Pe 3:8-12; He 12:4-7
 2. The Law reveals much about sin
 a. The nature and spread of sin - Ga 3:19
 b. The condemnation of sin - Ro 3:19-20
 -- We can learn much about sin and its terrible consequences from
 the Law!
 
 D. FOR LEARNING AND ADMONITION...
 1. As Paul in his epistles to churches in Rome and Corinth - Ro
 15:4; 1 Co 10:11-12
 a. The Old Testament was written for our learning, that we
 might have hope
 b. The Old Testament was written for o