Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 2

Paul Instructs Brother Timothy to Command the Brethren to Teach No Other Doctrine

1 Timothy 1:3-4 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. KJV

After completing his greeting to Brother Timothy, the Apostle Paul immediately wants to fortify Timothy in his duty to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and in so doing the first object of Paul's concern is that Timothy not sit idlely by and watch people add to or take away from the Gospel of Christ or the Gospel of Grace so he writes these words to him, "As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine," (1 Timothy 1:3) (KJV). Apparently Paul had already instructed Timothy to do this very thing in the city of Ephesus where the Church @ Ephesus was founded and now he wants Timothy to be mindful to do the same in every place where the true Gospel of Grace has been preached. The little English phrase 'thou mightest charge' is translated by one Greek word paraggello meaning to transmit a message, that is, (by implication) to enjoin: - to give charge, give commandment, declare. The little English phrase 'that they teach no other doctrine' is translated by one Greek word heterodidaskaleō meaning simply to instruct differently: In other words, Paul knew that there were men going about espousing, exploring, and even embracing other ideology that had nothing at all to do with sin, salvation, and security eternally. However, the Gospel of Grace addresses each of these and is the answer for them all.

Therefore, here he instructs Brother Timothy to command everyone to not teach any ideas, theories, philosophies, etc. that are not according to the Gospel of Christ, for none have any power to save sinners eternally and they are useless, just as the Apostle declared to the wayward brethren in the Church @ Galatia with these very strong words, "I am surprised {and} astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade {and} deserting Him Who invited {and} called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah) [and that you are transferring your allegiance] to a different [even an opposition] gospel. Not that there is [or could be] any other [genuine Gospel], but there are [obviously] some who are troubling {and} disturbing {and} bewildering you [with a different kind of teaching which they offer as a gospel] and want to pervert {and} distort the Gospel of Christ (the Messiah) [into something which it absolutely is not]. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to {and} different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)! As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from {or} contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!" (Galatians 1:6-9) (Amplified Bible).

We see how strongly Paul felt about anyone who would pervert the true Gospel of Grace and so he wants Timothy to be as strong in his condemnation of the teachers of false, frivolous, and even foul language passed off as it were from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Teaching. At the time of this letter, the Apostle Paul's primary contentions were with those Jews (known as the Judaizers), that is, Jews who went about the Churches of Jesus Christ declaring to the believers that they still needed to practice and obey the Jewish Mosaic Laws, even that Gentiles needed to be circumcised after they had accepted Christ (Galatians 5:7-12), so now Paul instructs Timothy with these words reminding him of the urgency of the hour, "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do." (1 Timothy 1:4) (KJV). The first English word 'neither' used to begin this sentence is much more authoritative in its meaning, for it is translated by the Greek word  mēde meaning but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor: - neither, nor (yet), (no) not (once, so much as).

The little English phrase 'give heed' is translated by the Greek word prosechō meaning to pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to: - be given to, have regard for. The English word 'fables' is translated by the Greek word muthos which means simply a tale, that is, fiction (“myth”): The Apostle Paul's use of the words 'endless' 'geneoligies' is not a refute of those who would trace their family line or family tree back so many generations, but it was a swipe at the Judaizers who supposed that they only had some super special insight into mysteries deeper than any others could and according to the JFB Commentary "This formed the transition stage between Judaism and Gnosticism." In other words, Paul wanted Brother Timothy to never not even once pay attention to those men teaching this sort of nonsense or garbage because it had its basis not in truth, but in fiction, fantasy, fairy tales. These people Paul declares only present, promote, and propogate questions, that is, the cause for disputes which are not necessary because the Word of God is the Word of Truth and the Final Authority on all matters and it is the only message that can build up humanity.

"The Word of God was so sacred to the Apostle Paul and he burned with fury, fierceness, and fiery indignation when he saw others perverting it for profit or for status among people, so he commands Timothy to command those under his authority to never give heed to anyone who adds to or takes away from the Word of God, this is what Paul said to the Corinthian Church concerning those people and concerning himself, 'For we are not, like so many, [like hucksters making a trade of] peddling God's Word [shortchanging and adulterating the divine message]; but like [men] of sincerity {and} the purest motive, as [commissioned and sent] by God, we speak [His message] in Christ (the Messiah), in the [very] sight {and} presence of God.' (2 Corinthians 2:17) (Amplified Bible)." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…