Page 20 - Pastoral Epistles student textbook

the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!
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Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with
tears.

 There is nothing wrong with being a teacher. Teaching is good because it helps our people
understand what is right and what is not right (truth and lies) and helps us come to understand the
gospel. But Paul is talking about people who “want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know
what they are talking about.”
What do you think Paul means when he says this?

Why was the law given?
The purpose of the law was not to give us a list of commands but to show us our sin and
help us to see our need for a Savior.
In V6 Paul said that the leaders had been on solid doctrine, but they have since departed and turned
to meaningless talk.
V7 says they want to be teachers of the law.

 It could be that they wanted the title of “teacher.” They wanted people to look up to them rather
than humbly serving the Lord.
1:8-10. Understanding the Purpose of the Law.

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8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is
made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the
unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for
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the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars
and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.

The purpose of the law is to clear lines / boundaries for godly living – to show us what God is like and
to point us to our need for salvation.

The law does not save us – it points us to the One who can save us.
1:12-17. Understanding the Work of Grace.

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me
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trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and
a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and
unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the
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faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the
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world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown
mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense
patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for
ever and ever. Amen.

No one is beyond the scope or power of God to save and re-create into His likeness.
God is generous in His love and mercy. He has shown mercy to all of us, because we are
all sinners.

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