1 Timothy 1:8-11

1 Timothy 1:8

νομιμωσ - pertaining to being in accordance with normal procedure
cf. 2 Timothy 2:5
There are a set of rules by which the person competes. Here there is a set of rules by which to use the Law.

χραομαι - make use of, employ
cf. Acts 27:17; 1 Cor 7:31, 9:12,15; 1 Tim 5:23; 1 Cor 7:21
To make use of something for the purpose of obtaining a goal.

In this passage we come across a curious phrase. He says that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully. At first glance this seems redundant, so in order to understand what is being understand, we must first answer the questions, what is the Law, and how is it used lawfully?

In the previous 2 verses we understood the Law to be the Scriptures. This would most likely be a reference to the Old Testament and specifically the Pentateuch, but we can also apply it to the New Testament, the Word of God as a whole. Not only that, but I think there is good reason to say that Paul is appealing to the unwritten Law of God as well, as explained in Romans 2:14-15. We see that the Law is equated with correct doctrine in verse 10. Here Paul is saying that the Law is a good thing, even though we’ve been saved from the consequences of it. The provision of grace through Jesus Christ has saved us from any judgement on the basis of the Law of God, because Christ has fulfilled that Law (Matt. 5:17-18).

But even though Christ has fulfilled the Law and it no longer applies to us in a judicial sense, it still does serve a purpose. In 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, Paul comments about sin, death and the Law. He says that the sting of death is sin; that death is brought in because of sin. He also says that the power of sin is the law. The law gives sin its binding power, because there is no escaping what has been revealed to us in the Law. Sin brings death, and that is revealed to us in the Law.

How is the Law used lawfully? That word lawfully means pertaining to being in accordance with normal procedure. So when something is used in this sense, it is being used in accordance with the purpose for which it exists. What then is the purpose of the Law? We see from Romans 7:7-12 that the purpose or goal of the Law was to awaken a sense of sin in the ungodly. It was intended as a means to which sinners would be confronted with their sin. When we compare our lives to the Law, we see how we fall short and really begin to comprehend our sin. The goal of the Law is to instruct us of our sin, while the goal of New Testament doctrine is to produce love (1:5). So the meaning here is that the Law is good if you use it for obtaining the goal for which it was given, namely conviction of sin. It is not meant to bind people into a set way of living for which there is no compromise. It is not meant to create slaves, but rather to show people their own wickedness for the purpose of producing love from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith.

1 Timothy 1:9-10

αντικειμαι - be opposed to

υγιαινω - to be sound or free from error, be correct
cf. 1 Ti 6:3; 2 Ti 1:13, 4:3; Tit 1:9, 13, 2:1, 8;

Law is not made for people who are living righteously - if one is not inclined to steal, it is unnecessary to tell him not to steal. The law is given to those who practice things contrary to sound teaching. Paul gives a list of some of the things which are contrary to sound teaching. This list then, would be a list of objective moral wrongs, not culturally conditioned but wrong even if no one believed them to be wrong, based on the fact that Paul says they are contrary to sound teaching. If something is contrary to sound teaching, then it is unsound. Paul is saying that these things are contrary to correct teaching. They are then, by way of contrast, incorrect or wrong practices.

In today’s society we have seen an incredible number of people become swayed by the incorrect doctrine that there is no objective moral standard. This doctrine has led to all sorts of evil in the world, and has diminished the value of man greatly. Man is no longer intrinsically valuable, rather he is only valuable so much as he can be a tool for society. The abandonment of objective moral values allows people to be free from judgement and free from wrong. Paul says that the Law is made so that sin is evident (Rom 7:7-12), and he calls it good, implying that it remains relevant in a post-law era. The Law is given so that those who sin have a standard by which to judge their actions. They have a standard which tells them their actions are wrong. The idea that the Old Testament Law is no longer valid is contrary to the teaching of the Scriptures. The Law is still valid in its primary function - the revealing of sin. Remember in Romans how Paul says that he would not have known about sin except through the Law? He is saying that the Law is still a fundamental Christian tool in helping to reveal sin to sinners. In order to come to Christ for salvation, one first has to recognize the fact that one needs saving. A person first has to recognize that they are a sinner before they can come to faith in Christ. This is the purpose of the Law. (Gal. 3:23-25)

How can we apply this to our situation today? We’ve talked about the fact that people today no longer believe in an objective moral standard. Since this is the case, we first need to give good reasons for believing in an objective moral standard, and then we need to be able to show that the Bible is consistent with that standard. When the Bible says that all have sinned, we use the Law to show how that is true. When Paul makes the claim that all are under sin in Romans 3, he follows it up by appealing to the Old Testament. So when we are talking to people about sin, it is important for us to be able to appeal to the Law of God as explained in the Bible to show the reality of sin.

We can also apply this another way. Oftentimes we become clouded in our own justifications of our actions, and therefore minimize our sin. The Law does not allow us to do this. It convicts us of our sin, and shows us that we are wrong in our actions. We are to use the Law properly to show people that their actions are wrong, or to allow ourselves to be convicted of wrong in our own lives.