Something Greater

Sound Doctrine Paul grouped six terms together, breaking them into three pair of related words to describe the audience for whom the Law was intended: "The law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane." (1 Timothy 1:9) Lawless: Those with no law, not included in any government or supervisory system Disobedient: Those with law, but refusing to obey, rejecting governing authority Ungodly: The irreverent, those not adoring God Sinners: The losers, those who miss the mark and fail to obtain a prize Unholy: Those in the wrong, those who are untrue, weak, and common Profane: The wicked, those who live worthless lives, filled with coarse, easily-satisfied appetites that are often based upon superstition or myth The three groups of descriptors can be separated according to their focus: Lawless and Disobedient: Authority Ungodly and Sinners: Pleasure Unholy and Profane: Hist...

Unholy and Profane The third and final pair of terms used by Paul in his letter to Timothy: "We know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane." 1 Timothy 1:8-9 (ESV) UNHOLY: anosios (wicked); from a (not) and hosios (intrinsically or divinely right, hallowed) PROFANE: bebelos (accessible, as by crossing a door-way; heathenish or wicked); from baino (to walk) and belos (a threshold) "Unholy" is best understood by looking at its opposite meaning: holy. "Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." Revelation 15:3-4 (ESV) HOLY: hosios (intrinsically or divinely ...

Ungodly and Sinners "The law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane." 1 Timothy 1:9 (ESV) Human nature can be described in terms of its relationship to God's Law . At times we act as if we were lawless, as if there were no law or command to restrain our behavior. At other times we act as if we are disobedient, acting defiantly, refusing to obey the law that we clearly understand. Paul continues his letter of guidance to young Timothy, describing human nature in terms of its relationship to Jesus Christ . UNGODLY: asebes (irreverent, impious or wicked); from a (not) and sebo (to revere or adore) SINNERS: hamartolos (sinful, sinner); from hamartano (to miss the mark, not sharing in the prize, to err or sin); from a (not) and meiromai (to get as a section or allotment) WHAT DO YOU THINK? What thought process must a Christian go through when moving from reverence for God to self...

Laying Down the Law Paul has asked Timothy to remain at Ephesus, to serve as pastor of the church. Timothy would be challenging an existing leadership that has swerved away from three pillars of genuine love: a pure heart a good conscience a sincere faith The crux of the crisis are teachers who are teaching without understanding the very law which they confidently assert they are upholding. Paul accuses the religious leaders of using the law "unlawfully": "Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted....

What Is Sin? How did the Jews define "unrighteousness" or sin? How does society define sin? How would you define sin? How does God define sin? Paul charged the Jews with knowing precisely what defines sin: Dishonoring God (Romans 1:21) Idol worship (Romans 1:23-25) Sexual perversion (Romans 1:26-27) Unrighteousness: evil, covetousness, malice, envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness, gossip, slander, hate, insolence, haughtiness, boasting, disobedience, foolishness, faithlessness, heartlessness, and ruthlessness. (Romans 1:29-32) The Jews knew that the Word of God included Laws: "All who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law." Romans 2:12 (ESV) Our society defines "sin" similarly, although it is not called "sin". We create laws to protect people from each other and to maintain social stability. Our human government is woefully inadequate and without integrity, but the definition of sin remains the same for o...