1 Timothy 1:8-11 8But we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,9knowing this, that the law is not given for a righteous person but for the lawless and rebellious, the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,10the sexually immoral, homosexuals, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,11according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
What Paul means by the law is not clear, but the context of verses 3-7 suggest Paul is referring to the Old Testament law. The false teachers who went to the various churches of the Paul’s missionary travels had Jewish background and taught the law in a legalistic way. The ones in Ephesus appear to follow this pattern. Paul never says in his letters that the law is bad. In fact, it is holy, righteous, and good and reveals God’s will for people (Romans 7:11, 14, 16). The problem with the law is that people use it to gain favor with God and are misled into thinking that keeping the law will earn them a place in heaven. This “works righteousness” actually becomes a trap for sin because of how people are deceived by sin, pride, and self. God’s law for a person who is “in Christ” is restored as the road map for obedient faith.
Based on the assumption of verse 8 that the law is good, Paul describes one of the purposes of the law as the definer of sin. God gives the law to help humanity not self-destruct by warning them of the dangers they will encounter if they do certain actions. The law is especially needed for those who are trapped in sin and reject God, represented in the opening words of the list lawless and rebellious.
Many of the problems listed in verses 9-11 cause people great harm. The first eight are given in pairs. The ungodly and sinners gives the results of those who break God’s laws in rebellion. They have no reverence or respect for God. The unholy and profane indicate those who have no regard for God’s holiness or God’s presence. In modern terms, they might be called “secularists.” The next pair shows their depravity by killing their fathers and mothers. They have no honor or respect for parents but hurt or even kill them. God told Israel to take honoring parents very seriously, because if a person did not, he or she should be stoned (Deuteronomy 21:18-21).
The list continues with single descriptions. Murderers expands the idea of killing people from the previous pair. The form of this word is rare and occurs only here in the New Testament. It reflects on the sixth commandment in Exodus 20:13. Sexual immorality (porneia) was a big problem in the first century and is often addressed in the New Testament (Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 2 Corinthians 12:19; Ephesians 5:5; Revelation 2:14, 20-21; 9:21). Paul condemned homosexuality in Romans 1:27 and writes that engaging in this not be accepted as part of God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9). Slave traders were common enough in that time but only mentioned here in the Bible. Slavery essentially steals a person’s life and gives it to another. Liars are those who deceive people by not telling the truth. Perjurers do not keep their oaths but bear false witness, condemned in the ninth commandment (Exodus 20:16).
Paul ends his list with a summarizing statement about whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, which could include any sin. Sound (hygiainousē) is a medical term that refers to healthy. “Healthy teaching” is correct, teaches the truth, and brings healthy spiritual life. It teaches people to live godly, loving, and holy. The false teachers were doing the opposite and were making the Ephesians sick and weak. The danger of rejecting or distorting the gospel would end up in the negative actions Paul just listed.
Verse 11 returns to the positive and prepared for Paul’s testimony of verse 12. The gospel reflects the glory of the blessed God. This statement about the gospel is given in the form of a short benediction. The gospel is how we come to know about and experience the glory of God. Sin causes us to fall from this glory (Romans 3:23). The transforming power of the Holy Spirit helps us experience anew this glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). This glory comes to us because of Jesus Christ, who is the image, goal, and outcome of our transformation (Colossians 1:27). This hope is the blessing God has promised to those who believe. This hope of glory was at the core of Paul’s message with which he had been entrusted. It was crucial that Timothy and the Ephesian believers understood this message clearly and did not compromise to the false teachers.
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