“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” (1 Timothy 1:8-11; all Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version).
My oldest grandson recently obtained his driver’s license. When we offered him the opportunity to drive our car during our upcoming visit in a couple of weeks, he seemed a little apprehensive. He realizes he still needs some experience. The driver’s license simply means he met some basic standards to operate a motor vehicle. It does not mean he is an expert.
I admire his honesty. When I got my first driver’s license, I was more reckless than I am now. Like most new drivers, I must have thought a driver’s license made me a good driver. Experience has changed that. I have fewer encounters with police officers while driving now than I did in my youth. Now, I realize that those slow-moving old geezers who were constantly getting in my way back then (“why is that slowpoke going only 10 MPH over the speed limit”) were actually better drivers than I was.
I have learned an important lesson while driving over the last few decades: if a police officer pulls you over, it is not because you were doing a good job. Usually, they point out how much you were exceeding the posted speed limit, the stop sign or red light you ran through, or some other infraction. The best you can hope for from one of these encounters is a verbal warning; usually, a ticket is involved. Neither I nor anyone I know has ever had a police officer say, “I just pulled you over to say that you’re doing a fantastic job driving this car. Here’s a $25 gift certificate to the local doughnut shop, courtesy of the police department, to express our gratitude!”
Laws do not usually reward good behavior. They are designed to discourage and punish bad behavior. St. Paul knew this. Timothy needed to recognize this. We need to remember it.
In this passage, Paul reminds us that the law is not for the just but for “the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners” (1 Timothy 1:9). He follows that with a list of sins. It is not an exhaustive list, but it covers diverse ways that people violate the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament. Following the commandments does not make you righteous. However, failing to follow them should raise concerns about the genuineness of your faith in Jesus. If you see yourself listed in 1 Timothy 1:9-10, you need to acknowledge that your relationship with Jesus is not where it should be.
Paul wrote this passage as a continuation of his instructions to Timothy. One of the false teachings Timothy would confront taught that Christians should live by the Old Testament law. Paul—a “Pharisee of Pharisees” (Acts 23:6; Philippians 3:5)—knew that was a recipe for disaster. The law could point out sin. It could be used as the basis for a “personal moral inventory.” However, it could not save a sinner from hell. Only faith in Jesus Christ can do that. In the next segment of this letter, Paul will address Jesus’ role in salvation.
Darkened Glass Reflections 