1 Timothy 1:8-11, another look

[ayin jade]

1 Timothy 1:8-11

8 But we know that the law is good if a man uses it lawfully,

9 knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous one, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

10 for fornicators, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and anything else that is contrary to sound doctrine,

11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

I was doing a bible study and saw this list of those who dont get into heaven (from 1 Timothy) related to the 10 commandments. I thought it was interesting and wanted your take on this. The study was by John MacArthur.

A description of sinners (vv. 9b-10a)

"The law is ... for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for them that defile themselves with mankind [homosexuals], for kidnapers, for liars, for perjured persons [perjurers]."

The law is designed to expose sinners for what they really are. The law is good, but it is not good news. The law wasn't made for righteous men; it was made for sinners so they could see their sin. The law is good because it's the first half of the gospel: it tells people that they're sinners. The second part of the gospel tells them there is a Savior.

To demonstrate his point, Paul pulled his definitions of sinners from the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:3-17). The first three pairs--lawless and disobedient, ungodly and sinners, unholy and profane, all refer to the first part of the Ten Commandments, which govern our relationship to God. God commands that we not have any other gods before Him, that we worship the true God, that we make no graven images, and that we remember He is the only one to be adored and worshiped (vv. 3-5). Then in mentioning murderers, fornicators, homosexuals, kidnapers, and liars, he moves through the second half of the Ten Commandments, which govern our relationship to others.

(a) The first group

The first three pairs are assembled with both a negative characteristic and a resulting action.

i) Lawless--disobedient

Lawlessness produces disobedience. Anyone who has no standards will be insubordinate. If you don't believe in the law, you won't pay any attention to it. So the lawless are disobedient.

ii) Ungodly--sinners

Someone who is ungodly doesn't care about God or what is true of God. Therefore he commits sin.

iii) Unholy--profane

An unholy person is irreverent. He is indifferent to God and the duty he should render to God. He has not regard for anything sacred.

The law was made for people who are disobedient, impure, and irreverent to show them what they are. When they match their lives to the law of God, they will see themselves as lawless and disobedient, ungodly and sinful, and unholy and profane.

(b) The second group

Paul then moved to the second group of the Ten Commandments, dealing with man's relationship to man.

i) The fifth commandment

The fifth commandment says, "Honor thy father and thy mother" (Ex. 20:12). In 1 Timothy 1:9 Paul says the law is made "for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers." That same commandment is broadened in Exodus 21:15: "And he that strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. ." The law was made for people who break the fifth commandment by not honoring their parents. That encompasses dishonor, murder, and everything in between.

ii) The sixth commandment

The Greek word translated "manslayers" in 1 Timothy 1:9 literally means "murderers." The term "manslaughter" refers to accidental death, but that's not what Paul had in mind here. He was referring to the sixth commandment, which says, "You shall not murder" (Ex. 20:13, NASB).

iii) The seventh commandment

According to 1 Timothy 1:10 the law is also made for "fornicators [heterosexual sinners]" and "for them that defile themselves with mankind [Gk., arsenokoit[ma]es, "homosexuals"]." That Greek word is made up of two words: "male" and "marriage bed"--males in the marriage bed. Fornicators homosexuality are a violation of the seventh commandment of God, which allows for no sexual relationship except that between a man and his wife.

iv) The eighth commandment

The eighth commandment says, "Thou shalt not steal" (Ex. 20:15). In 1 Timothy 1:10 Paul refers to "kidnapers." In his day, one of the most prominent ways men revealed their depravity was in stealing children. There was a great need for slaves, and children were easy prey. Exodus 21:16 and Deuteronomy 24:7 assign the death penalty for those who commit such a crime.

v) The ninth commandment

Then Paul mentioned liars and perjurers, violators of the ninth commandment, which states, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor" (Ex. 20:16).

[Work in Progress]

and anything else that is contrary to sound doctrine,

Yikes. Jade, I was so humbled at church today - it was Communion Sunday and I didn't even feel worthy enough to take it.

Then I come home and see this topic. Gee, thanks.

Seriously, I like MacArthur and think his comments are good.

I'd like to hear him address Christians who have fallen in these sins, have repented of them, show much remorse, but still committed them nonetheless. I know people who are worried about their salvation because of that.

But really - haven't we all committed one or more at sometime?

Good post.

[tsth]

Yes it is. It also gives way for 2nd thoughts about the "Law" and it's purpose and place even for the Christian. The Law of Christ gives much freedom in law, because if we are truly abiding in Christ we cannot in good conscience, break the law continuously.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[RustyAngeL]

Excellent post Jade, much food for thought here.

[Guest Thomas I believe]

if we are truly abiding in Christ we cannot in good conscience, break the law continuously.

Amen Suzanne !! And great post Jade ! A great reminder for us all..

[Work in Progress]

because if we are truly abiding in Christ we cannot in good conscience, break the law continuously.

Yes, Suzanne, I think that is the key. That is what I try to explain to Christians who are heartbroken over committing one of the above mentioned sins and worry that they can not be saved and go to Heaven. It is hard for them to believe that since the Scripture says that "an adulterer (or murderer, or any one of the others) will not see Heaven". That seems pretty cut and dried.

[ayin jade]

Paul was a murderer. Peter was a liar. They were forgiven. I would say they are in heaven.

[Work in Progress]

Paul was a murderer. Peter was a liar. They were forgiven. I would say they are in heaven.

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[tsth]

Paul was a murderer. Peter was a liar. They were forgiven. I would say they are in heaven.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would too, because they became a "new creation" in Jesus Christ! They did not remain murderers or liars. That is being "born again"!

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Work in Progress]

Suzanne, the people I am talking about are already Christians, who committed one of those sins.