PROBLEMS OF THE CHURCH
1Timothy 1.4-7
As always, almost in every of his Letters Paul touches the subject of discipline and behavior in the church. Hear Paul mentioned another number of negative behaviors what are very common almost in every church, they are: strange denominational doctrines, myths, fruitless discussions, and of course those who want to teach but have lack of knowledge and understanding of the Scripture.
Paul also mentioned in these verses "endless genealogies" which perhaps relate to people who wanted to relate themselves to Abraham or to Christ through their physical ancestry. What kind of genealogies they are speculate or argue about is unknown, but we can guess that if among Ephesians some Jews practicing Christ, they are the most likely ones who tried to trace their genealogy in order to relate to Christ.
Also, there is a possibility that Ephesians themselves tried to trace their own genealogy for some reason, and such behavior Paul immediately rebuke, because to be a Jew or a Gentile Christian physical genealogy plays no role, but only in heart, in their spirit, one can true descendant of Abraham and Christ.
THE LAW IS GOOD
1Timothy 1.8-11
"The Law if Good." Paul of course meant the Law of Moses, because there is no other Law exist. Paul also added, "if one uses it Lawfully." By this entire statement Paul repeated praises to the Law by David and other men of GOD: (Psalm of David 19.7-11) (Psalm 119.1-2.12.14-16.18.20.24.27.33-35.39-40.42.46-48.50.52.54.62-63.69-73.75.79.83.86-87.92-93.96-100.103-105.111-113.118-119.125-127.129-130.137-138.140.142-144.151-152.159-167.169.172.174) (Isaiah 42.21) (Romans 7.12.14.16.21-22) (Galatians 3.12.24-25) (1Timothy 1.8-11) (2Timothy 3.16-17).
~ The Law of the Lord give Life: (Leviticus 18.5) (Deuteronomy 8.3) (Nehemiah 9.29) (Ezekiel 20.11.13) (Matthew 4.4, 19.17) (Luke 4.4) (John 12.49-50).
Matthew 5.17-19, Mark 1.44.
17. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets. I have come not abolish but fulfill."
Paul also reveal by this statement what those who lived under the Law of Moses and obeyed the Law Lawfully, means strictly Spiritually from the heart, according as the Law prescribes, they are also in the same position without any disadvantage in Repentance, and Forgiveness and Salvation before the Lord GOD as anyone who lived, and live today under the Christ.
Christs fulfill the entire Law of Moses Spiritually, from His Heart, means with Love and Compassion: (Romans 13.8.10) (Galatians 5.14.18.22-23, 6.2).
And so, all those who fulfill the Law of Moses in the same fashion, out of Love and Compassion, who lived before Christ or after, Forgiveness and Salvation apply to all without any exceptions.
Entire Law of Moses is a Spiritual Law, because everything what is written in it, all must come and fulfill from the heart-soul-spirit of a person. Paul specified in verse 9, "that Law is not made for a righteous person but for those who are lawless..." This means that if you have Love and Compassion and using it, you already fulfill the entire Law without even reading it, because it is written Spiritually in your heart-souls-spirit.
For those who are "lawless and rebellious..." are all against "the sound teaching" of the Gospel of Christ. It is only for them, "for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill..." the Law of Moses is issued, for all sinners of the world, in order to condemn them and to punish them, "according to the glorious Gospel" the Spiritual Commandments of the Law of Moses brought to us by our GOD, "with which" Paul was entrusted to spread all over the world.
In verse 15 Paul made a general statement, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." If we will be all perfect, follow our conscience and without sin, the Law would be unnecessary for us, and it would be unnecessary for Christ to come and to Sacrifice Himself to GOD on our behalf.
But because we are all sinners in one way or another, the Law of Moses and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ are two necessary conditions for our Forgiveness and our Salvation, and we have to take it to the heart Spiritually, both, the Law of Moses and Sacrifice of Christ, with Love, Appreciation, and Compassion, and Repent, in order to fulfill the Law and to bow to Christ from the heart.
SHIPWRECK OF FAITH
1Timothy 1.19.
This verse 19 again is a good proof of wrong assumption for those who claim that because they accepted Christ and believe in Him, they are already saved. This false doctrine is very common among Christians and turning people into dysfunctional worshipers of GOD who became only the listeners of the Law but not the doers of the Law, thinking that they already achieve their salvation by acceptance of Christ and doing nothing for His sake.
Everyone's Faith is tested by GOD, and we would not even notice it. Also, many turned away from Faith in Christ by living as the world live, and many who spent many years in the church give up their Faith in Christ for material opportunities and monetary wealth, and many simply turned the church into the business to profit and became "Christians" but in word only.
Many other "shipwrecks of Faith" can be mentioned here, but the point is that no one can be sure about his or her own faith, fate, and destiny, because it might take many different forms during our life spend. We often think that we are on the right path, but it can be wrong in the eyes of GOD. (Psalm 44.20-21) (Ecclesiastes 11.9, 12.14) (Jeremiah 17.10) (Matthew 10.26) (Mark 4.22) (Luke 8.17, 12.2) (Romans 2.16) (1Corinthians 4.5) (Revelation 2.23).