What is the meaning of 1 Timothy 1:8? Now we know • Paul begins with shared certainty, not speculation. The apostle speaks from settled conviction—truth already embraced by believers (2 Timothy 1:12; 1 John 5:20). • This confidence rests in God’s revelation, not human opinion; Scripture is the final authority (2 Peter 1:19–21). • Because the statement is anchored in what “we know,” every believer can take this as reliable, practical guidance for daily life. that the law • “The law” points to God’s commands given through Moses, especially the moral code that reflects His character (Exodus 20:1-17; Romans 7:7). • It exposes sin, defines righteousness, and serves as a tutor leading to Christ (Galatians 3:19, 24). • While ceremonial aspects were shadows fulfilled in Jesus (Hebrews 10:1), the moral heart of the law continues to reveal God’s unchanging standards (Matthew 5:17). is good • The law’s origin is God Himself, so it is “holy, righteous, and good” (Romans 7:12). • It revives the soul and makes the simple wise (Psalm 19:7), inspiring delight in the obedient heart (Psalm 119:97). • Far from being a burden, it shows us the beauty of God’s holiness and guards society from chaos (Deuteronomy 4:6-8). if one uses it legitimately • The law must be applied for its intended purpose—revealing sin and pointing to our need for the Savior, not providing a ladder for self-righteousness (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16). • Paul immediately clarifies: “We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious…” (1 Timothy 1:9-11). • Legitimate use includes: – Convicting hearts and restraining evil in society. – Guiding believers into holy living once they are saved by grace (Titus 2:11-12). – Magnifying Christ, “for Christ is the end of the law, in order to bring righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4). • Misuse appears when people rely on rule-keeping for justification (Acts 15:10-11; Galatians 5:4) or twist commands into legalistic bondage (Colossians 2:20-23). • The Spirit enables the believer to fulfill the righteous requirement of the law from the inside out (Romans 8:3-4). summary Paul’s brief statement affirms that God’s law is inherently good, but its goodness is experienced only when applied as He designed—exposing sin, curbing evil, and steering hearts toward Christ’s saving grace. When embraced this way, the law remains a precious gift that leads us deeper into the holiness and freedom found in the gospel. |
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