When children are very little they have no concept of lying. The parent finds it easier to discipline at a stage where they have every expectation that the question, “Did you eat a cookie after I told you to wait?” will be answered honestly by their child. Jesus thanked the Father that He revealed truth to babes and hid it from those who were wise in their own sight (Matt. 11:25). “Out of the mouth of babes” God perfected praise (Matt. 21:16). This indicates that the hard part of holding fast to sound doctrine is not understanding what sound doctrine is, but rather having the strength to live by it.
Paul commanded Timothy to teach others to avoid and reject false doctrine because that is the loving and right way to labor for God (1 Tim. 1:3-5). He alluded to that charge when he named two false teachers (1 Tim. 1:18-20)
Though they departed from the truth, Timothy could be strong because he had received the truth of God. The success that Satan has had in drawing many away is concerning. Timothy was charged by Paul to teach the truth so that sound doctrine could be recognized from error.
Truth is so precious that it is worth fighting for. Paul commands Timothy to “wage the good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18). A grueling battle awaits those who will confront the lies of the Devil. It takes boldness to contend for the faith (Jude 3).
Paul was not unloving in naming these wayward brothers. Love demanded that Paul do that which was in their best interest, and in the best interest of the brotherhood at large. Some rebuke with a mean spirit and lazily write off brothers who could be restored or who were never wrong in the first place. Others ignore known error in a congregation or preacher in hopes that they will “study their way out of it.” Neither extreme is right. To be like Paul I need to be able to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Aquila and Priscilla were willing to take Apollos aside and explain “the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26). Those bold enough to do so in a biblical way should not be met with accusations of trying to be the brotherhood police. Just because some have waged war in an unlawful manner does not mean no one should do it at all. This must be done lovingly because there is a difference between a false teacher and a teacher who has taught something false. Any Bible teacher should take James 3:1 to heart and respond humbly when approached in this manner.
Hymenaeus and Alexander made shipwreck of their faith (1 Tim. 1:20). If Timothy was going to fulfill his charge he would need to teach truth, defend it, and live it out in his life (1 Tim. 1:19). Paul was able to have a good conscience despite His past (1 Tim. 1:12-17). He knew that the truth lovingly provided to him by God must be obeyed to obtain mercy.
If truth is taught it produces godliness because the law is for sinners that they might become obedient (1 Tim. 1:8-11). Ungodly teaching can only produce ungodly people. Like Timothy, I need to hold fast to sound doctrine.
-Ross Haffner