Unlawful Use of the Law

Scripture: As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, continue to remain at Ephesus so that you might command some to teach no other doctrine, nor pay attention to fables and endless genealogies, which cause debates rather than godly edifying, which is in faith. Now the goal of this command is love from a pure heart, and from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. From this, some have lost their way and turned aside to empty talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, and understanding neither what they say nor what they affirm. But we know that the law is good if someone uses it lawfully. 1 Timothy 1:3-8

Observation: As Paul begins his instructions to Timothy, he first tells him to teach sound doctrine and train others to do so, especially by telling others to avoid teaching things like fables, genealogical study, and ... the law. Paul clarifies that the law is good, but that these people do not understand the law and thus cannot properly teach about it.

As the verse continues, it appears the part of the teaching of the law Paul is against has to do with how and to whom the law applies. The law must be used "lawfully", and thus applies as a means to correct sinners who are not following God's ways. The question, then, is what would constitute an unlawful use of the law?

Application: I see an answer to this question from Paul himself. The wrong use of the law is defined by the right use ... to point out and correct sin. Therefore, using the law for some other purpose is "empty talk" without understanding. To me, such empty talk would take the form of legalism within the church - attempting to apply the law in a manner that attacks and tears down others outside of the context and purpose of the law. Especially for a church in "Asia Minor" - modern-day Turkey - teaching Gentile believers about Jewish rituals would be worthless, foolish, and wrong, and those doing so would be so doing only to elevate their own position. Just like Pharisees did (which is why Paul immediately transitions into a conversation of his own past sin).

We have seen and experienced legalism today. I am sure I once practiced it in an attempt to make myself seem more important than I was. This of course was and is wrong. We do not need to instruct believers on Jewish law. We do sometimes need to correct sin, but to do so in "love from a pure heart, and from a good conscience, and from sincere faith."

Prayer: Lord, please protect me from the sin of pride that would lead me to judge and correct other faithful believers. We all have challenges in life, and you work within us all. Yours is the seat of judgment and correction. I explicitly ask you to judge and correct me. And I explicitly ask for guidance so I do not seek to teach others your laws in any legalistic manner. Amen.