A note from our Pastor:

“Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”

1 Timothy 6:5

Our study verse for this week is the conclusion of the Apostle Paul’s teachings about certain false teachers. The Apostle has told Timothy and his congregation that these false teachers do not speak wholesome words. Instead, they divide one another with disputes over words and meaningless issues. Now in this verse, the Apostle brings the discussion to a close with their ultimate motivation and how they should be handled.

First, the Apostle says the disputes they are constantly engineering have corrupted their minds. It has caused them to look for alternate understandings. Rather than looking for the things of Christ, they look for the things that will provoke one another. As a result, they are now destitute of the truth. They have moved so far into their own disputes they cannot teach the essential doctrines of Christ.

What is the root of this behavior? The false teachers were operating on a core assumption that work in the ministry would lead to material gain. They were not in a place of service to the congregation. They were not thinking about sacrificing themselves for the truth of Christ. They were willing to turn away from all that the Apostle had taught them if it did not bring them material and worldly gain.

The lasting lesson for the community of believers is to be aware of and cautious about situations where the minister is dependent on the financial support of the congregation. This scenario can quickly result in the minister teaching the things the congregation wants to hear instead of following the leading of God and reaching deeper into scripture.

To bring this lesson to full closure the Apostle tells Timothy and his congregation how they should respond to these false teachers. In a straightforward instruction, the Apostle tells them to withdraw from these teachers. Withdrawing from them will remove their impact on the congregation. It will signal to them their opportunity for gain is no longer present. The congregation should simply shift their focus back to the things of Christ and grow in the knowledge of him.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah