How to Treat False Teachers

Introduction The church at Ephesus had a great beginning. Other churches throughout Asia Minor grew out of it. Yet despite the influence of the apostle Paul's ministry, the church was never impervious to false teachers. As a result, Paul wrote this epistle to Timothy to remind him of his responsibility to stop false teachers and set things in order in the church. He commanded Timothy to maintain pure teaching and set an example for other churches to follow.

Paul speaks of the necessity of stopping false teachers in verses 3-11. Stopping them demands an understanding of four things: their error, their goal, their motive, and their result.

I. UNDERSTAND THEIR ERROR (vv. 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."

A. The Establishment of the Scene

Paul begins verse 3 by saying, "I besought," a word of exhortation. Paul was pleading for Timothy remain in Ephesus. Timothy was approximately thirty-five years old at the time. He had been with Paul for about twenty years. He was a true replica of Paul, as implied by verse 2: "My own son in the faith." Yet he apparently displayed a certain timidity in his character. In addition, it was no easy task to displace church leaders. Paul might have anticipated Timothy's reluctance and that's why he pleaded for him to stay in Ephesus.

Paul himself started the process of eliminating false teachers. In 1 Timothy 1:20 he mentions Hymenaeus and Alexander, perhaps two of the leading false teachers in Ephesus, whom he "delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme." But Paul had since left for Macedonia (v. 3) to visit the Philippians, and Timothy was faced with the difficult assignment of rebuking false spiritual leaders in the church at Ephesus, and perhaps the sister churches in the surrounding area.

Following the Chronology

Paul's first epistle to Timothy does not fit within the the chronology of the book of Acts. That book ends with Paul's imprisonment in Rome. Many believe Paul was released and then journeyed by ship to Ephesus. On the way he is thought to have visited Colosse, which he promised Philemon he would do (Philemon 22). From Colosse he apparently traveled to Ephesus while Timothy came from Philippi. They met in Ephesus, at which time Paul dealt with Hymenaeus and Alexander. After surveying the situation, Paul seems to have left Timothy behind to go to Philippi (Phil. 2:24). Paul had not been gone very long before he wrote this epistle to strengthen Timothy for the difficult task at hand. He also wanted to establish Timothy's authority with the people who would hear this letter.

B. The Extent of the Command 1. Paul's passionate cry

Although 1 Timothy 1:3-4 is a complete thought, it lacks the grammatical structure to be a complete sentence. The first clause begins with "as" but is never resolved. The translators of the King James Version added "so do" at the end of verse 4 because they felt they were necessary to complete the sentence. Evidently Paul was not concerned with grammar at this point because his heart was exercised over the importance of Timothy's dealing with false teachers. He was making a passionate cry to Timothy to accept his command. He knew Timothy was a genuine child in the faith who would carry out the task through the Spirit's power. 2. Paul's direct command

Further Paul said, "Charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies" (vv. 3-4). Paul was giving Timothy apostolic authority to command those false teachers to stop their teaching. False teachers and their error cannot be dealt with lightly in the church; it must be dealt with immediately and firmly. In actuality Paul was giving Timothy a military command (Gk., parangell[ma]o). Such of command is not an option--it demands a response to one's superior.

According to 1 Timothy 3:14 Paul had hoped to go to Ephesus himself. But his writing a second letter to Timothy indicates he never made it, so he depended on Timothy to protect the church.

Ephesus: A Key to Asia Minor

Ephesus was a key city--a provincial capital in Asia Minor. It had been declining economically because the river that ran through the city was depositing silt on the shore line where it met the sea. Consequently, the city was being forced inland and was losing some of its trade. Still it remained a significant city during the first century after Christ, primarily because of the Temple of Diana, or Artemis. This particular pagan cult was a fertility cult. Worship consisted of orgiastic fertility rites. In the midst of such a culture was the church that Paul cared about so passionately.

a) Its audience

Notice in 1 Timothy 1:3 that Paul says to "charge some," referring to certain individuals. That seems to indicate only a few men were having a rather wide influence--no doubt not just in Ephesus, but also in the surrounding areas. It's possible they were all known by name to Paul and Timothy. But if that were the case, why aren't their names mentioned? It may be that the Lord didn't want to give them any publicity. But more importantly, perhaps the Lord didn't want to list some and leave others out, who then might feel themselves impervious to any censure. There is no hint in the text that the false teachers were outsiders, like those in Galatia and Corinth who had come to pollute the churches there (Gal. 2:4; 2 Cor. 11:4).

b) Its specifics (1) Stop teaching heresy

At the end of verse 3 Paul tells Timothy to command those men "that they teach no other doctrine." That's the translation of a long verb in the Greek language that is used only by Paul in the New Testament. He took the Greek word translated "to teach" (didaskalia) and added the word heteros, which means "of a different kind." The English word heterodoxy means something that is the opposite of orthodoxy. The combination of those two Greek words refered to teaching heresy. Paul wanted those men to stop teaching doctrine that contradicted God's revealed truth.

Apparently the false teachers were using the Word of God as their base, probably the Old and New Testaments. They were twisting and perverting the whole nature of Christian truth.

When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost 3,000 were saved (Acts 2:38). Verse 42 says "they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine." Thirty years later everyone knew that the substance of revealed truth came through the apostles' doctrine. In 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul said to Timothy, "the things that thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." But some at the church in Ephesus had deviated from the truth and were teaching error.

(2) Stop listening to fables

In 1 Timothy 1:4 Paul elaborates on the nature of their error: "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies." Timothy was not to occupy his mind with fables or myths (Gk., muthos). In 1 Timothy 4:1 Paul indicates that such legends are in fact "doctrine of demons," manufactured by seducing spirits. These false teachers in Ephesus were much like the Athenians as described in Acts 17:21: "All the Athenians and strangers who were there [on Mars Hill] spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or hear some new thing." Apparently these men in Ephesus were introducing new things to tantalize the people, passing off demonically contrived falsehoods as divine truth.

It's difficult to identify those fables specifically because we don't have that information revealed to us. We don't know what they may have been reading into the genealogies or how they were interpreting them. It's enough for us to know that what was being taught was contrary to revealed truth. Nevertheless we can systematize their error to some extent by surveying Paul's teaching on the subject in the pastoral epistles.

(a) 1 Timothy 1:4--Paul says the false teachers were giving themselves to "fables and endless genealogies."

(b) 1 Timothy 1:7--The false teachers were promoting error because they were "desiring to be teachers of the law." Somehow the myths and genealogies were connected to Old Testament law. That leads us to believe there was a Jewish orientation to their error.

(c) 1 Timothy 4:2-3--These teachers were advocating celibacy and prohibiting marriage. They also were commanding people to abstain from food. To them true spirituality was found through all kinds of abstinences and self-deprivation.

(d) 1 Timothy 4:7--Here their teaching is referred to as "profane and old wives fables," which do nothing but bring about ungodliness.

(e) 1 Timothy 6:4-5--Here the false teacher is described as "proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and disputes of words ... perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness." You will find that the underlying motive of all false prophets is money.

(f) 2 Timothy 2:14--Paul says, "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers." Apparently the church was having to deal with those who were taking words out of their context and ascribing legendary, allegorical meanings to them. Commentator, J.N.D. Kelly observed that "much of the rabbinical Haggadah [consists of] a fanciful rewriting of Scripture.... It has also been shown that in post-exilic Judaism there was a keen interest in family-trees, and that these played a part in controversies between Jews and Jewish Christians" (A Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles [London: Adam & Charles Black, 1963], pp. 44-45). Those who were striving over words were not "rightly dividing the word of truth" (v. 15). They were doing just the opposite: wrongly interpreting it, and therefore wrongly applying it.

That kind of thing has gone on through the years and is still going on today. The subtlety of false teaching is that it uses the Word of God but corrupts it. False teachers are hucksters. They use the Word of God to make money, making merchandise out of people. They twist and pervert Scripture for their own end.

Here is just one bizarre interpretation of Scripture. Pope Gregory the Great of the sixth century wrote a study entitled, Morals on the Book of Job (Oxford: J.H. Parker, 1844). He said that the patriarch's three friends represent the heretics; his seven sons are the twelve apostles; his seven thousand sheep are God's faithful people, and his three thousand camels are the depraved Gentiles. That interpretation has no relation to the biblical text. Such interpretations were common in the rabbinical period.

In 2 Timothy 2:16-17 the idea of wrongly dividing the word of truth is further described as "profane and vain babblings; [that will] increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a gangrene. Verse 18 says two of the false teachers had erred from the truth. Then in verse 23 Paul describes their teaching as "foolish and unlearned questions" that "breed strifes."

(g) 2 Timothy 3:8--Paul said false teachers "resist the truth, [are] men of corrupt minds, [and] reprobate concerning the faith."

(h) 2 Timothy 3:13--Paul described false teachers as "evil men and seducers [who] who become worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."

(i) 2 Timothy 4:3-4--People guided by their lusts " shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" given by false teachers.

(j) Titus 1:10-11, 14, 16--Paul said, "There are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision" (v. 10). The false teaching was inspired by the Judaizers (cf. Acts 15), although it may have contained some elements of Gentile pagan philosophy. In verse 11 Paul says their "mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." Again, money is the prime motivator. In verse 14 Paul describes their teaching as "Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth." Then in verse 16 Paul says, "They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

(k) Titus 3:9-11--Paul said, "Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject, knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself."

We can't label the heresy of 1 Timothy 1:4 in any specific way except to say that it was contrary to the truth of God. But one thing we can know from surveying the epistles is that God wants all error to be stopped. It's frightening to look across America today and see church after church full of naive people who will hear false teaching and not be able to recognize it. Apologist Walter Martin once said that the average Jehovah's Witness can take apart the average Christian in thirty minutes because they doesn't know exactly what or why he believes. People are becoming victimized by false teachers because many of the Oneness teachers are not instructing their people how to recognize false doctrine and keep it from intruding into their lives. Sometimes it's as simple as turning off your television or radio, throwing away a book, or walking away from someone who communicates false teaching. Mixing sacred truth with pagan myths corrupts the Word of God. The cults have done it for years, and Trinitarianism does it now. We have to be ready to deal with it.

Teachers who propagate false doctrine are described in the pastoral epistles as ambitious, avaricious, ignorant, hypocritical, prideful, corrupt, bereft of the truth, defiled, unbelieving, disobedient, and abominable. They have turned aside from the truth and have been made shipwreck of the faith.

The Danger Facing the Church

John 8:44 reminds us that Satan is not only a murderer, but also a liar. One of the manifestations of his lying intent is the proliferation of false teachers who besiege the gospel and the church. In addition we can find warning after warning in the Old Testament against those who teach false doctrine. Jeremiah 23-27 alone has many references to false teachers.

Wherever God establishes the truth Satan endeavors to sow lies and error. In Matthew 7:15 our Lord tells us, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing [the garment of a prophet], but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Later in Matthew 24:11, during the Olivet Discourse regarding His Second Coming, Jesus warned that many false Christs would come in the future. First 1 John 2:18 says, "Even now are there many antichrists." The book of Revelation draws us a clear picture of the consummation of the church age--God's final picture of what will happen on the earth. It is a time characterized by deception and lies, dominated by the False Prophet and the Antichrist.

First Timothy 4:1 reminds us that seducing spirits are loose in the church, teaching demonic

doctrines. They speak lies. The apostle Paul warned the Galatian church about false teachers in several verses (1:6-7; 3:1). In writing to the church at Colosse, (2:8, 16, 18, 20-23). Paul rebuked teachings that claimed salvation in the name of Jesus Christ alone was insufficient. We all must apply in all that we say or do, to include our baptism ( Colossians 3:17 ).

In a general sense, any student of the Bible is aware that wherever there is truth, there will also be the encroachment of error. That's precisely what had happened to the church in Ephesus. It had known the blessing of God as few churches in history will ever know. For three years the apostle Paul himself ministered there (Acts 20:31). He warned the church elders, saying, "I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.... I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance" (Acts 20:29-30, 32). Paul knew that the church at Ephesus, like any church, would come under attack from lying prophets and teachers. And it happened. Every church that stands strongly for the truth will have to deal with who Paul calls corrupters of the Word of God (2 Cor. 2:17). In 2 Corinthians 4:2 he refers to them as handling the Word of God deceitfully.

The subtlety of false teaching is that it uses the Word of God but misrepresents its teaching. There is no real threat posed to the Christian church by those who teach something explicitly and overtly antibiblical, anti-Christ, and anti-God. But there is great danger to the church from subtle teaching that appears to be biblical and pulls away unwary souls from the faith.

C. The Effect of the Error 1. An attack of the gospel

First Timothy 1:4 says these false teachers "minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith." They provide speculations instead of truth. They continually stir up useless questions, and that creates confusion. The Greek word translated "edifying" (oikonomia), means "stewardship," "administration," or "dispensation." It refers to a modus operandi--a means of operation. Since it is connected with theos, the Greek word translated "God," it refers to the plan of God. Through their questions these false teachers strike a blow at the gospel of saving faith. Therefore, it is likely they were propagating the Gnostic trinity which is a of falsehood and deception.

The Two Religions of the World

Because of the many religious bodies existing in the world today, people are easily confused about how to differentiate them. But when you think about it, there are really only two religions in the world: the religion of divine accomplishment-- that God in Christ accomplished salvation apart from any effort of man--and the religion of human achievement--that men attain to salvation by something they do. The religion of divine accomplishment is the Christian gospel. Every other religion in the world in one way or another fits into the category of human achievement. Wherever false doctrine strikes a blow at the gospel, it will purport that man in and of himself can please God.

Those who interpret Scripture in light of Jewish legends and fables were propagating a legalistic approach to salvation. That's no different from the Mormons, who claim to believe the Bible. However they try to interpret it in light of The Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, and The

Pearl of Great Price, which misrepresent, misinterpret, and confuse Scripture. Similarly, the Christian Scientist erroneously evaluates Scripture by using Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures written by Mary Baker Eddy. There are many people who cannot understand the simplicity of the Word of God unless their particular teacher or system reinterprets it according to their legends and musings, which are both human and demonic.

2. An analysis by Paul

This is what Paul said about anyone preaching another gospel: "Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed [Gk., anathema, "devoted to destruction"]" (Gal. 1:8). False teachers are not to be dealt with lightly, especially if you understand their error. Their error is a blow to the scriptural doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, unto baptism in the name of Jesus. That is not a trifling matter.

II. UNDERSTAND THEIR GOAL (vv. 5-6) A. The Commandment (v. 5) 1. The essence of the church (v. 5a)

"Now the end [Gk., telos, "the objective, the goal"] of the commandment is love."

What God wants to see in the church is love. Jesus said the identifying mark of believers is love (John 13:35). It's essential that the church be marked by people who love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love their neighbor as themselves (Matt. 22:37-39). First John 4:10-11 says, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." The pervasive characteristic of Christians is love.

The Greek word translated "love" is agap[ma]e--the love of choice, of the will. It is self-denying, selfsacrificing love. A person who exemplifies that kind of love will live his life for the benefit of God, for the benefit of other believers, and for the benefit of the lost. Paul wanted Timothy to create love in the fellowship. And that's not the goal of false teachers.

2. The essence of love (v. 5b)

"Love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned."

a) A pure heart

A pure heart is a magnificent Old Testament concept. In Psalm 51:10 David says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God." First Samuel 16:7 reminds us that God looks at the heart while man looks at the outward appearance. Proverbs 23:7 says that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. The heart is the center of man's beliefs, convictions, and moral character. It is the center of his spiritual desires and

his longings toward God. When the heart is made pure by the washing of regeneration, and tends toward obedience (Rom. 6:17), it is a pure heart. And out of that pure heart comes love.

b) A good conscience

The Greek word translated "good" (agathos) means, "perfect." A good conscience produces pleasure, satisfaction, and a sense of well being. The conscience is your self-judging faculty. It responds to your mind. Your mind is the engine; your conscience is the flywheel. Whatever is in your mind will activate your conscience. And if you have a pure heart, you'll have a pure conscience because there won't be anything for your conscience to accuse you. Your self-judging faculty will pronounce that all is well. So your conscience will provide you with peace, joy, and freedom from guilt because your heart is pure. Paul affirmed that in his own life when he said, "I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men" (Acts 24:16). That's not the kind of conscience false teachers have. First Timothy 4:2 says theirs has been "seared with a hot iron."

c) A genuine faith

Love also comes out of sincere faith, not the hypocritical faith manifested by false teachers. Faith that has no pretense creates love. A false teacher has a dirty heart because it's never been cleansed by the true gospel of faith in Christ. A false teacher has a guilty conscience because his impure heart triggers it. But his conscience may have reached the point where it's so scarred that it's lost its sensitivity. And a false teacher has hypocritical faith. He's a phony--he wears a mask. That kind of life will never produce the love of God. The goal of the false teacher is not to create an environment of love, but to feed his ego and fill his pockets.

B. The Contrast (v. 6)

"From which some, having swerved, have turned aside unto vain jangling."

"Having swerved" and "turned aside" speak of missing the mark and turning off course. False teachers aren't headed for the goal of love; they're headed for the fulfillment of their own lusts. According to 1 Timothy 6:5 their desire is gold. First Timothy 1:7 says they desire to be considered as teachers of the law, even though they don't understand what they're talking about. That's why Paul referred to their teaching as "vain jangling," which is simply irrelevant noise.

Perverted hearts, scarred consciences, and hypocritical faith will never produce love. Genuine love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith comes about only in the life that has been transformed by Christ. False religions cannot restrain the flesh, reform a life, or transform a heart. They only make a lot of noise--and tragically it is often a damning noise. That's why Titus 1:11 says their "mouths must be stopped."

Pondering the Principles

1. Do you know what you believe about the Christian faith and why? To be all that God would want us to be, and especially to help us to recognize false doctrine, it is imperative that we understand the basics of the Christian faith. Begin a systematic study of the doctrines of Christianity. Some good books to get you started Apostolic Church History by D.D. Marvin Arnold and The Oneness of God by David Bernard or The New Birth by David Bernard. As you grasp the basics, choose one particular doctrine for further study. When you have a good working knowledge of that, choose another. The idea is to fulfill 2 Timothy 2:15 in your life. Memorize it before you begin: "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

2. Any true believer desires to fulfill Christ's command in John 15:12, "Love one another, as I have loved you." As we have seen, 1 Timothy 1:5 identifies three essential ingredients that produce love: a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a genuine faith. If your heart is not pure, ask God to cleanse it for you. Then repent of whatever is making it unclean. If your conscience is accusing you, ask God to help you determine why. As He shows you, confess any sin that becomes clear to you and turn from it. Finally, ask God to show you you're being insincere and hypocritical. As you make your commitment to those three essentials, you will find yourself exhibiting the love of Christ in your life.

Cmo Tratar Falsos Maestros

Introduccin La iglesia en Efeso tena un gran comienzo . Otras iglesias de Asia Menor surgieron de ella. Sin embargo, a pesar de la influencia del ministerio del apstol Pablo , la iglesia nunca fue inmune a los falsos maestros. Como resultado de ello , Pablo escribi esta epstola a Timoteo para recordarle su responsabilidad de detener falsos maestros y poner las cosas en orden en la iglesia . l orden a Timoteo a mantener la enseanza pura y un ejemplo para otras iglesias a seguir. Pablo habla de la necesidad de detener los falsos maestros en los versculos 3-11 . Detencin de ellos exige una comprensin de estas cuatro cosas : su error, su objetivo, su motivacin y su resultado. I. COMPRENDER SU ERROR ( vv. 3-4) "Como te rogu que te quedases en Efeso , cuando part para Macedonia , para que mandases a algunos que no enseen diversa doctrina , ni presten atencin a fbulas y genealogas interminables, que cuestiona ministro ms que edificacin de Dios que es por fe , tambin lo hacen " . A. El establecimiento de la Escena

Pablo comienza el versculo 3 diciendo: " te rogu , " una palabra de exhortacin . Paul estaba rogando para Timothy permanecer en feso. Timoteo era aproximadamente treinta y cinco aos de edad en el momento . Haba estado con Pablo durante unos veinte aos. Fue una verdadera rplica de Pablo, como lo implica el versculo 2 : "mi verdadero hijo en la fe. " Sin embargo, al parecer, muestra cierta timidez de su carcter. Adems , no fue una tarea fcil de desplazar a los lderes de la iglesia. Paul podra haber previsto la renuencia de Timoteo y por eso abog por que se quedara en Efeso. Pablo mismo comenz el proceso de eliminacin de los falsos maestros. En 1 Timoteo 01:20 menciona Himeneo y Alejandro , tal vez dos de los lderes falsos maestros en Efeso , a quien " entregado a Satans para que aprendan a no blasfemar. " Pero Paul ya se haba ido a Macedonia (v. 3 ) para visitar a los Filipenses y Timoteo se enfrenta a la difcil tarea de reprender falsos lderes espirituales de la iglesia de feso , y tal vez las iglesias hermanas en los alrededores . Despus de la Cronologa Primera epstola de Pablo a Timoteo no encaja dentro de la cronologa del libro de los Hechos . El libro termina con el encarcelamiento de Pablo en Roma. Muchos creen que Pablo fue liberado y viaj en barco a feso . En el camino, se cree que han visitado Colosas , que prometi que hara Filemn ( Filemn 22 ) . De Colosas aparentemente viaj a feso mientras Timoteo vinieron de Filipos. Se conocieron en feso , momento en el que Pablo trata con Himeneo y Alejandro. Despus de examinar la situacin, Pablo parece haber dejado atrs para ir a Timoteo a Filipos ( Fil. 2:24 ) . Pablo no haba estado ausente mucho tiempo antes de que l escribi esta epstola a Timoteo para fortalecer la difcil tarea a la mano. Tambin quera establecer la autoridad de Timoteo con las personas que oyen esta carta . B. Extensin de la Comandancia 1 . Grito apasionado de Pablo Aunque 1 Timoteo 1:3-4 es un pensamiento completo , le falta la estructura gramatical de ser una frase completa . La primera clusula comienza con "como" , pero nunca se resuelve . Los traductores de la versin King James aadi " tambin lo hacen " al final del versculo 4 porque pensaban que no eran necesarios para completar la frase . Es evidente que Pablo no estaba preocupado con la gramtica en este momento porque su corazn se ejerce sobre la importancia de tratar de Timoteo con los falsos maestros. Estaba haciendo un grito apasionado a Timoteo a aceptar sus rdenes. Saba que Timoteo era un verdadero hijo en la fe , que llevara a cabo la tarea a travs del poder del Espritu .

2 . Mando directo de Pablo Adems Pablo dijo: " Cargue algunos que no enseen diversa doctrina , ni presten atencin a fbulas y genealogas interminables " ( vv. 3-4) . Pablo estaba dando a Timoteo autoridad apostlica para mandar esos falsos maestros para detener su enseanza. Los falsos maestros y su error no pueden ser tratados a la ligera en la iglesia , sino que debe ser tratado de inmediato y con firmeza. En realidad Pablo estaba dando a Timoteo un comando militar ( gr. , parangell [ ma ] o) . Dicho de mando no es una opcin - que exige una respuesta a superiores de uno. De acuerdo con 1 Timoteo 3:14 Pablo tena la esperanza de ir a feso s mismo. Pero su escrito una segunda carta a Timoteo indica que nunca lleg , as que dependa de Timoteo para proteger a la iglesia . Efeso : clave de la Asia Menor feso era una ciudad clave - una capital de provincia , en Asia Menor . Haba ido disminuyendo econmicamente porque el ro que corra por la ciudad fue depositando sedimentos en la lnea de costa donde se reuni con el mar. En consecuencia, la ciudad estaba siendo forzado hacia el interior y fue perdiendo parte de su comercio. An as, sigue siendo una ciudad importante durante el primer siglo despus de Cristo , sobre todo por el Templo de Diana o Artemisa. Este culto pagano particular era un culto a la fertilidad . Adoracin consista en ritos de fertilidad orgisticos . En medio de esa cultura era la iglesia que Pablo se preocupaba apasionadamente .

a) Su pblico Aviso en 1 Timoteo 1:03 que Pablo dice que " cobrar alguna ", en referencia a ciertos individuos . Eso parece indicar que slo unos pocos hombres estaban teniendo una influencia bastante amplia - sin duda no solamente en Efeso, sino tambin en las reas circundantes. Es posible que todos se conocen por el nombre de Pablo y Timoteo. Pero si ese fuera el caso , por qu no se mencionan sus nombres? Puede ser que el Seor no quera darles cualquier tipo de publicidad . Pero lo ms importante , tal vez el Seor no quiso enumerar algunos y dejar a otros fuera , quin puede sentirse inmune a cualquier censura. No hay ninguna indicacin en el texto que los falsos maestros eran extranjeros , como los de Galacia y Corinto que haba llegado a contaminar las iglesias all ( Glatas 2:04 ; 2 Corintios 11:04 . ) .

b ) Sus detalles ( 1 ) Detener la enseanza de la hereja didaskalia ) y se aadi la palabra heteros , que significa " de otro tipo ". La palabra Ingls heterodoxia significa algo que es lo contrario de la ortodoxia. La combinacin de esas dos palabras griegas referido a la enseanza de la hereja. Pablo quera que los hombres dejen de ensear doctrina que contradice la verdad revelada de Dios. Al parecer, los falsos maestros estaban usando la Palabra de Dios como su base, probablemente el Antiguo y Nuevo Testamento . Fueron torciendo y pervirtiendo la naturaleza entera de la verdad cristiana . Cuando Pedro predic en el da de Pentecosts 3,000 fueron salvos ( Hechos 2:38 ) . El versculo 42 dice que " perseveraban en la doctrina de los apstoles . " Treinta aos ms tarde, todo el mundo saba que la sustancia de la verdad revelada lleg a travs de la doctrina de los apstoles. En 2 Timoteo 2:2 Pablo dijo a Timoteo , " las cosas que has odo de m ante muchos testigos, esto encarga a hombres fieles que sean idneos para ensear tambin a otros . " Pero algunos en la iglesia en Efeso haban desviado de la verdad y estaban enseando error. ( 2 ) Dejar de escuchar a las fbulas En 1 Timoteo 1:04 Pablo profundiza en la naturaleza de su error: " ni presten atencin a fbulas y genealogas interminables ". Timoteo no era ocupar su mente con fbulas o mitos ( gr. , mythos ) . En 1 Timoteo 4:1 Pablo indica que tales leyendas son , de hecho, " doctrina de demonios", fabricado por espritus engaadores . Estos falsos maestros en Efeso eran muy parecidos a los atenienses como se describe en Hechos 17:21 : " Todos los atenienses y los extranjeros que estaban all [ en Mars Hill ] pas su tiempo en otra cosa , sino en decir u or algo nuevo . " Al parecer, estos hombres en Efeso estaban introduciendo nuevas cosas para tentar a la gente, hacer pasar mentiras ideadas por demonios como verdad divina. Es difcil identificar esas fbulas especficamente porque no tenemos esa informacin nos revela . No sabemos lo que han estado leyendo en las genealogas o cmo ellos estaban interpretando . Es suficiente para nosotros saber que lo que se enseaba era contrario a la verdad revelada . Sin embargo , podemos sistematizar su error en cierta medida por la topografa enseanza de Pablo sobre el tema en las epstolas pastorales. ( a) 1 Timoteo 1:04 - Pablo dice que los falsos maestros s estaban dando a las " fbulas y

genealogas interminables ". ( b ) 1 Timoteo 1:7 - Los falsos maestros estaban promoviendo error porque eran " queriendo ser doctores de la ley. " De alguna manera los mitos y genealogas estaban conectados a la ley del Antiguo Testamento. Eso nos lleva a creer que haba una orientacin juda a su error. ( c ) 1 Timoteo 4:2 - 3 - Estos maestros estaba defendiendo el celibato y la prohibicin de matrimonio. Tambin estaban al mando de las personas a abstenerse de alimentos. A ellos se encontr la verdadera espiritualidad a travs de todo tipo de abstinencias y autoprivacin . ( d ) 1 Timoteo 4:07 - Aqu su enseanza se conoce como " profanas y de viejas fbulas ", que no hacen ms que llevar a la impiedad . ( e) 1 Timoteo 6:04 - 5 - Aqu el falso maestro se describe como " envanecido, nada sabe , y delira acerca de cuestiones y contiendas de palabras ... disputas necias de hombres corruptos de entendimiento y privados de la verdad , suponiendo que la ganancia es la piedad " . Usted encontrar que el motivo subyacente de todos los falsos profetas es el dinero. ( f ) 2 Timoteo 2:14 - Pablo dice: " De estas cosas Recurdales esto, exhortndoles delante del Seor a que no se esfuerzan en las palabras para nada aprovecha , sino que es para perdicin de los oyentes . " Al parecer, la iglesia fue tener que tratar con los que estaban tomando las palabras de su contexto y atribuir legendarios, significados alegricos a ellos. Comentarista , J.N.D. Kelly seal que "gran parte de la Hagad rabnico [ consiste en ] una fantasa reescritura de la Biblia .... Tambin se ha demostrado que en los post-exilio judasmo haba un gran inters en la familia de los rboles , y que stas desempearon un papel importante en controversias entre los Judios y los cristianos judos "( Comentario sobre las Epstolas pastorales [London : Adam & Charles Negro , 1963 ] , pp 44-45 ) . Los que estaban luchando por las palabras no eran " bien la palabra de verdad" ( v. 15 ) . Ellos estaban haciendo justo lo contrario : mal interpretarlo, y por lo tanto mal aplicarlo. Ese tipo de cosas ha pasado a travs de los aos y todava est pasando hoy en da . La sutileza de la falsa enseanza es que usa la Palabra de Dios, sino que lo corrompe . Los falsos maestros son charlatanes . Ellos usan la Palabra de Dios para ganar dinero , por lo que la mercanca a la gente. Se tuercen y pervierten las Escrituras para sus propios fines .

Aqu es slo una extraa interpretacin de la Escritura . El Papa Gregorio Magno del siglo VI escribi un estudio titulado La moral en el Libro de Job ( Oxford: JH Parker, 1844) . Dijo que tres amigos del patriarca representan a los herejes , y sus siete hijos son los doce apstoles, sus siete mil ovejas son los fieles de Dios , y sus tres mil camellos son los gentiles depravados . Esta interpretacin no tiene ninguna relacin con el texto bblico. Tales interpretaciones eran comunes en el perodo rabnico . En 2 Timoteo 2:16-17 la idea errnea de la palabra de verdad, se describe adems como " profanas y vanas palabreras , [ que ser ] en la impiedad y su palabra ser carcomer como gangrena El versculo 18 dice dos. . de los falsos maestros se haban equivocado de la verdad. Luego, en el versculo 23, Pablo describe su enseanza como " cuestiones necias e ignorantes " que " contiendas de raza. " ( g ) 2 Timoteo 3:08 - Pablo dijo falsos maestros " resisten a la verdad , [son ] los hombres corruptos de entendimiento , [y] rprobos en cuanto a la fe . " ( h ) 2 Timoteo 3:13 - Pablo describi a los falsos maestros como " malos hombres y engaadores [que] que se convierten en peor, engaando y siendo engaados. " ( i ) 2 Timoteo 4:3 , 4 - Personas guiados por sus concupiscencias " apartarn sus odos de la verdad y se volvern a las fbulas " dadas por los falsos maestros . ( j ) Tito 1:10-11 , 14 , 16 - Pablo dijo: " Hay muchos charlatanes y engaadores rebeldes y vanos , especialmente los de la circuncisin " (v. 10 ) . La falsa enseanza fue inspirado por los judaizantes ( cf. Hch 15 ) , aunque es posible que contena algunos elementos de los gentiles filosofa pagana . En el versculo 11 Pablo dice que sus " preciso tapar la boca ; que trastornan casas enteras , enseando lo que no conviene, por ganancia deshonesta ". Una vez ms, el dinero es el motivador principal . En el versculo 14, Pablo describe su enseanza como " fbulas judaicas, ni a mandamientos de hombres que se apartan de la verdad. " Luego, en el versculo 16 , Pablo dice: " Profesan conocer a Dios , pero con los hechos lo niegan , siendo abominables y rebeldes, reprobados para toda buena obra . " ( k ) Tito 3:09 - 11 - Pablo dijo , " las cuestiones necias , y genealogas, y contenciones, y discusiones acerca de la ley; . porque son sin provecho y vanas Un hombre que cause divisiones , despus de la primera y segunda amonestacin, rechaza , sabiendo que el tal se ha pervertido , y peca y est condenado por su propio " . No podemos etiquetar la hereja de 1 Timoteo 1:04 , en cualquier forma especfica , salvo para decir que era contrario a la verdad de Dios. Pero una cosa que podemos saber de la

topografa de las epstolas es que Dios quiere que todos los errores que se detenga . Es aterrador para buscar a travs de Amrica hoy y ver la iglesia despus de misa llena de gente ingenua que se escuchan las enseanzas falsas y no ser capaz de reconocerlo . Apologista Walter Martin dijo una vez que los Testigos de Jehov promedio puede desarmar el cristiano promedio en treinta minutos , ya que no sabe exactamente qu o por qu cree . Las personas se estn convirtiendo en vctimas de los falsos maestros , porque muchos de los profesores de la Unicidad no estn instruyendo a su gente a reconocer las falsas doctrinas y acaba metindose en sus vidas. A veces es tan simple como apagar la televisin o la radio , tirar un libro, o alejarse de alguien que se comunica la falsa enseanza . Verdad sagrada mezcla de mitos paganos corrompe la Palabra de Dios. Los cultos han hecho durante aos, y Trinitarianismo lo hace ahora . Tenemos que estar preparados para lidiar con eso. Los maestros que se propagan falsas doctrinas se describen en las epstolas pastorales como ambicioso, avaro , contamin ignorante, hipcrita , orgulloso , corrupto, privados de la verdad , de incredulidad , rebeldes, y abominable . Se han apartado de la verdad y se han hecho naufragio de la fe . El peligro que enfrenta la Iglesia Juan 8:44 nos recuerda que Satans no slo es un asesino , pero tambin es un mentiroso. Una de las manifestaciones de su intencin de mentir es la proliferacin de los falsos maestros que asedian el evangelio y la iglesia. Adems podemos encontrar advertencia despus de advertir en el Antiguo Testamento en contra de aquellos que ensean falsa doctrina. Solo Jeremas 23-27 tiene muchas referencias a los falsos maestros. Dondequiera que Dios establece la verdad Satans se esfuerza por sembrar la mentira y el error. En Mateo 07:15 el Seor nos dice: " Guardaos de los falsos profetas , que vienen a vosotros con vestidos de ovejas [ la confeccin de un profeta ] , pero por dentro son lobos rapaces. " Ms adelante, en Mateo 24:11 , en el Sermn del Monte en relacin con su segunda venida , Jess advirti que muchos cristos falsos vendran en el futuro. Primero 1 Juan 2:18 dice , " as ahora han surgido muchos anticristos ". El libro de Apocalipsis nos dibuja un panorama claro de la consumacin de la era de la iglesia - imagen final de Dios de lo que suceder en la tierra. Es una poca que se caracteriza por el engao y la mentira , dominados por el Falso Profeta y el Anticristo . Primera de Timoteo 4:01 nos recuerda que los espritus engaadores estn sueltos en la iglesia , enseando doctrinas demonacas . Ellos hablan mentiras. El apstol Pablo advirti a la iglesia de Galacia sobre los falsos maestros en varios versculos ( 1:6-7 ; 3:1) . Al escribir a la iglesia de Colosas ( 2:8, 16 , 18 , 20-23 ) . Pablo reprendi a las enseanzas que se cobr la salvacin en el nombre de Jesucristo era insuficiente . Todos

debemos aplicar en todo lo que decimos o hacemos, para incluir nuestro bautismo ( Colosenses 3:17 ) . En un sentido general , cualquier estudiante de la Biblia sabe que siempre hay algo de verdad , habr tambin la invasin de error. Eso es precisamente lo que le haba sucedido a la iglesia de feso . Haba conocido la bendicin de Dios como pocas iglesias en la historia sabr nunca . Durante tres aos l mismo el apstol Pablo ministr all ( Hechos 20:31) . l advirti a los ancianos de la iglesia , diciendo: "Yo s que despus de mi partida se lobos rapaces entrarn en medio de vosotros que no perdonarn al rebao. Y de vosotros mismos se levantarn hombres que hablen cosas perversas para arrastrar a los discpulos tras ellos. ... os encomiendo a Dios , ya la palabra de su gracia , que tiene poder para construir el edificio , y para daros herencia " (Hechos 20:29-30 , 32 ) . Pablo saba que la iglesia de Efeso , como cualquier iglesia, habra sido atacada por mentirosos profetas y maestros . Y as fue. Cada iglesia que se encuentra fuertemente por la verdad tendr que lidiar con lo que Pablo llama corruptores de la Palabra de Dios ( 2 Cor . 2:17 ) . En 2 Corintios 4:02 se refiere a ellos como el manejo de la palabra de Dios . La sutileza de la falsa enseanza es que usa la Palabra de Dios, sino que tergiversa la enseanza. No hay ninguna amenaza real que representa a la iglesia cristiana por los que ensean algo explcita y abiertamente anti- bblica , anti - Cristo y anti- Dios. Pero hay un gran peligro para la iglesia de la enseanza sutil que parece ser bblico y se aleja almas incautas de la fe .

C. El efecto del error 1 . Un ataque del evangelio Primera de Timoteo 1:04 dice que estos falsos maestros "preguntas ministro ms que edificacin de Dios que es por fe . " Proporcionan especulaciones en lugar de la verdad . Ellos continuamente despiertan preguntas intiles , y eso crea confusin. La palabra griega traducida como " edificante " ( oikonomia ) , significa "administracin ", " administracin" o " dispensacin " . Se refiere a un modus operandi - un medio de operacin. Ya que est conectado con theos , la palabra griega traducida como " Dios", que se refiere al plan de Dios . A travs de sus preguntas a estos falsos maestros dar un golpe en el evangelio de la fe salvadora . Por lo tanto , lo ms probable es que se propagan la trinidad gnstica , que es una de la mentira y el engao . Las Dos Religiones del Mundo Debido a las muchas entidades religiosas existentes en el mundo actual , la gente est

fcilmente confundidos acerca de cmo diferenciarlos. Pero cuando se piensa en ello , en realidad slo hay dos religiones en el mundo : la religin de la realizacin divina - que Dios, en Cristo, la salvacin cumplida aparte de cualquier esfuerzo del hombre - y la religin de los logros humanos - que los hombres alcanzan a la salvacin por algo que hacen . La religin de la realizacin divina es el evangelio cristiano . Cualquier otra religin en el mundo de una manera u otra se inscribe en la categora de los logros humanos . Dondequiera falsa doctrina es un golpe en el evangelio , se pretende que el hombre en s y por s mismo pueden agradar a Dios . Los que interpretan la Escritura a la luz de las leyendas y fbulas judas fueron propagando un enfoque legalista a la salvacin. Eso no es diferente de los mormones , que dicen creer en la Biblia . Sin embargo tratan de interpretarla a la luz del Libro de Mormn , Doctrina y Convenios y La Perla de Gran Precio , que tergiversar , malinterpretar , y confunden la Escritura. Del mismo modo, la Ciencia Cristiana evala errneamente las Escrituras usando Ciencia y Salud con Clave de las Escrituras por Mary Baker Eddy . Hay muchas personas que no pueden comprender la sencillez de la Palabra de Dios a menos que el maestro o sistema en particular reinterpreta en funcin de sus leyendas y reflexiones , que son a la vez humana y demonaca.

2 . Un anlisis realizado por Paul Esto es lo que Pablo dijo acerca de alguien predicando un evangelio " . Aun nosotros, o un ngel del cielo, os anunciare otro evangelio diferente del que os hemos anunciado que , sea anatema [ Gk , anatema , " dedicada a la destruccin " ]" (Glatas 1:08 ) . Los falsos maestros no deben ser tratados a la ligera, especialmente si usted entiende su error. Su error es un golpe a la doctrina bblica de la salvacin por gracia mediante la fe , el bautismo en el nombre de Jess. Eso no es un asunto trivial . II . ENTENDER SU META ( vv. 5-6) A. El mandamiento (v. 5 ) 1 . La esencia de la iglesia ( v. 5a ) " Pues el propsito [ Gk . , Telos , " el objetivo , la meta "] de este mandamiento es el amor. " Lo que Dios quiere ver en la iglesia es el amor. Jess dijo que la marca de identificacin de los creyentes es el amor (Juan 13:35 ) . Es esencial que la iglesia se caracteriza por personas que aman al Seor su Dios con todo su corazn, alma , mente y fuerzas , y amar al prjimo como a s mismos (Mateo 22:37-39 ) . Primera de Juan 4:10-11 dice: " En esto

consiste el amor: no en que nosotros hayamos amado a Dios , sino en que l nos am a nosotros , y envi a su Hijo en propiciacin por nuestros pecados. Amados, si Dios nos ha amado as , debemos tambin amarnos unos a otros . " La caracterstica dominante de los cristianos es el amor. La palabra griega traducida como " amor " es agap [ ma ] e - el amor de la eleccin, de la voluntad. Es abnegado , sacrificado amor. Una persona que es un ejemplo de ese tipo de amor vivir su vida en beneficio de Dios , para el beneficio de otros creyentes , y para el beneficio de los perdidos . Pablo quera que Timoteo crear amor en la comunin . Y ese no es el objetivo de los falsos maestros . 2 . La esencia del amor (v. 5b ) "El amor nacido de corazn limpio, y de buena conciencia, y de fe no fingida . " a) Un corazn puro Un corazn puro es un magnfico concepto del Antiguo Testamento. En el Salmo 51:10 David dice: " Crea en m un corazn limpio , oh Dios . " Primero Samuel 16:7 nos recuerda que Dios mira el corazn , mientras que el hombre mira la apariencia exterior . Proverbios 23:07 dice que cuando un hombre piensa en su corazn , tal es l . El corazn es el centro de las creencias del hombre , convicciones y carcter moral. Es el centro de sus deseos y sus anhelos espirituales hacia Dios . Cuando el corazn se hace pura por el lavamiento de la regeneracin, y tiende hacia la obediencia (Romanos 6:17) , se trata de un corazn puro. Y de ese corazn puro llega el amor . b ) Una buena conciencia La palabra griega traducida como " bueno" ( agathos ) significa " perfecto". Una buena conciencia produce placer , satisfaccin y una sensacin de bienestar . La conciencia es la facultad discrecional . Responde a su mente . Tu mente es el motor , la conciencia es el volante. Lo que est en su mente , se activar tu conciencia. Y si usted tiene un corazn puro , podrs tener una conciencia pura , porque no habr nada para su conciencia de acusarte . Su facultad discrecional se pronuncia que todo est bien . Por lo que su conciencia le proporcionar con la paz , la alegra y la libertad de la culpa porque su corazn es puro . Pablo afirm que en su propia vida , cuando dijo : "Yo procuro tener siempre una conciencia sin ofensa ante Dios y ante los hombres " (Hechos 24:16 ) . Ese no es el tipo de conciencia falsos maestros tienen . Primera de Timoteo 4:02 dice que la suya ha sido " cauterizada con un hierro caliente. "

c ) Una fe genuina El amor tambin viene con fe sincera , no la fe hipcrita manifestada por los falsos maestros . La fe que no tiene ninguna pretensin crea amor . Un falso maestro tiene un corazn sucio , ya que nunca ha sido limpiado por el verdadero evangelio de la fe en Cristo. Un falso maestro tiene una conciencia culpable , porque su corazn impuro lo activa. Pero su conciencia puede haber llegado al punto en el que es tan marcada que ha perdido su sensibilidad. Y un falso maestro tiene fe hipcrita . Es un falso - que lleva una mscara. Ese tipo de vida nunca volver a producir el amor de Dios . El objetivo del falso maestro no es crear un ambiente de amor , sino para alimentar su ego y llenar los bolsillos. B. El contraste (v. 6 ) " Desde que algunos, desvindose , se apartaron a vana palabrera ". " Desvindose " y " desviado " hablar de la falta de la marca y la desactivacin de golf. Los falsos maestros no se dirigen a la meta del amor, que se dirigen para el cumplimiento de sus propias pasiones . De acuerdo con 1 Timoteo 6:05 su deseo es oro. Primera de Timoteo 1:07 dice que el deseo de ser considerados como maestros de la ley, aunque no entienden lo que estn hablando. Es por eso que Pablo se refiri a sus enseanzas como " palabrera vana ", que no es ms que el ruido irrelevante. Corazones pervertidos, conciencias llenas de cicatrices , y la fe hipcrita nunca producirn amor. El amor genuino de un corazn puro , de una buena conciencia y una fe sincera se produce slo en la vida que ha sido transformada por Cristo. Las religiones falsas no pueden restringir la carne, la reforma de la vida , o transformar un corazn. Ellos slo hacen mucho ruido - y trgicamente a menudo es un ruido abrumador . Es por eso que Tito 01:11 dice que sus "bocas deben ser detenidos. "

Reflexionando sobre los Principios 1 . Sabe usted lo que usted cree sobre la fe cristiana y por qu? Para ser todo lo que Dios quiere que seamos , y sobre todo que nos ayude a reconocer las falsas doctrinas , es imperativo que entendamos los fundamentos de la fe cristiana. Comienza un estudio sistemtico de las doctrinas del cristianismo . Algunos buenos libros para que empieces

Historia de la Iglesia Apostlica de DD Marvin Arnold y la unicidad de Dios por David Bernard o el nuevo nacimiento por David Bernard . Al comprender los conceptos bsicos , elija una doctrina particular en estudio. Cuando se tiene un buen conocimiento de eso, elija otra. La idea es cumplir con 2 Timoteo 2:15 en su vida. Memorice antes de comenzar: " Procura con diligencia presentarte a Dios aprobado, como obrero que no tiene de qu avergonzarse , que usa bien la palabra de verdad . " 2 . Todo verdadero creyente desea cumplir el mandato de Cristo en Juan 15:12 , " Amaos los unos a los otros como yo os he amado. " Como hemos visto , 1 Timoteo 1:5 identifica tres ingredientes esenciales que producen el amor : un corazn puro , una buena conciencia y de una fe genuina. Si tu corazn no es puro , pida a Dios que limpie por usted. A continuacin, se arrepienten de lo que se lo que es inmundo . Si tu conciencia te acusa , pdale a Dios que ayude a determinar por qu . Como l muestra , confesar cualquier pecado que se le hace evidente y se aparte de l . Por ltimo , pide a Dios que le muestre que ests siendo sincero e hipcrita. Como usted hace su compromiso con los tres elementos esenciales , se encontrar mostrando el amor de Cristo en su vida.