Distractions: The church in Ephesus was troubled with distractions. So Paul gave Timothy this charge to put an end to the foolish talk bombarding this church: command[1] certain men not to teach strange doctrines derailing them from the purpose of God to sanctify and lead His people to holy love (v5).[2]
Holy Love: The fruit that God wants for His household[3] is love, because it is the sure mark of a healthy church.[4] Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Love is the fruit of the Spirit’s presence in us (Gal. 5:22) and it is the fulfillment of the will of God (Rom. 13:8; Gal. 5:14; Matt. 7:12). But this is no ordinary love. This is a holy love that flows out of a sanctified life, a love that stems from a heart cleansed of sin, a conscience that no longer accuses, and a genuine faith that practices what it preaches (v5).[5] Every sound doctrine of Scripture promotes a godly life like this (1 Tim. 6:3; Titus 1:1; 2:11-14). Nothing we learn of the Lord is fruitful if it doesn’t produce in us a greater likeness to Him. All good theology exists to reveal to us God in Christ that we may be like Him. As the moon reflects the sun, so we are to look to our Lord and be radiant (Ps. 34:5). May we behold His glory and glow with His likeness (2 Cor. 3:18)!
[1] The verb for instruct is pa-ran-gel-lō παραγγέλλω, which is a
military word that giving orders. Timothy was not to have an intellectual
debate, but to demand that these men stop their speaking of nonsense.
[2] These false teachers were
distractors. They neglected the virtues (v6) that were the wellspring of holy
love (1:5; cf. 1 Cor. 13:4-7). They instead pursued fruitless discussions about
the Law (vv6-7), paying attention to speculative ideas like myths and
genealogies (v4) that did not advance God’s purpose for His people.
[3] “Administration” in v4 means stewardship
(oi-ko-no-mi-a [οἰκονομία]), literally,
“household-law.” God is the head of the house and we are His stewards. We are
to faithfully carry out His law/purpose for His house (cf. 3:15). The false
teachers hijacked God’s house and were introducing ideas foreign to God’s
purpose.
[4] Love is the very basic trait of
all true believers (1 Thess. 4:9). Cf. 1 John 2:10; 3:10, 14, 16; 4:7-11; Rev.
2:4-5.
[5] Or, justification by God’s grace, sanctification
by the Spirit, and an unfeigned trust in Christ that follows Him.