THE TIMES - THE FAITH. 1Timothy 4:1-11 The work and qualities of overseers and deacons influence the work and qualities of believers in an assembly. Since the last days began when Christ rose from the dead, indicating certain worsening social and moral traits that are increasing in our time, we need to pay special attention to these descriptions. There seem to be darker shadows over our days than in the past.
There is, for example, much greater resistance to the Gospel and to "The Faith" than there was forty years or more ago. Strange teachings are spreading that have gained followers because they appeal to the flesh and the lifestyle of today’s generation. Beneath the appearance of holiness, there is a hidden hypocrisy that allows people to ignore their normal conscience and accept what is enticing. The conscience becomes hardened to the clear understanding of right and wrong, not to mention the unchanging teachings of God's word.
"The Faith" is the body of truth. It is "the things that are most surely believed among us." “The Doctrine” is what is taught. “The Truth” is what it is in itself. Some have made "shipwreck of the faith" [1:19, 20]. Some "depart from the faith' [4:1]. Some "deny the faith" [5:8]. Some "cast off the faith" [5:11-14]. Some "go astray" from the faith for money [6:9, 10]. Some missed the mark concerning the faith [6:21].
The Scriptures contain three closely related terms: “The Faith”—that which is believed; “The Doctrine”—that which is taught; and “The Truth”—that which relates to God Himself. “The Faith” reflects what is “commonly believed among us” who are God’s people. “The Doctrine” encompasses what is taught, understood, and practiced among God’s people. “The Truth” presents it as it is in itself and concerning God.
By the time the words of “The Faith” were written as a body of teaching and became the “common faith” as Jude described, it had become, to use Luke's words, “Those things that are most surely believed among us,” which is a perfect definition of “The Faith.” There are several warnings in 1st Timothy about those who stray from “The Faith.”
- 1st Tim.1:19-20. “Some, having put away a good conscience, made shipwreck concerning the faith.”
- 1st Tim. 4:1. “Some, giving heed to seducing spirits (teaching) and doctrines (teachings) of demons, shall depart from the faith.”
- 1st Tim. 5:8. “If any provide not for his own, he has denied the faith.”
- 1st Tim.5:11-15. “Some women having by lightness of behavior turned aside after Satan, have cast off their first faith.”
- 1st Tim.6:9-10. “Some, reaching after money, have been led astray from the faith.”
- 1st Tim. 6:21. “Some, professing knowledge which is falsely so called, missed the mark concerning the faith.”
These are not imaginary dangers but real ones into which many have already fallen, and others are likely to fall. These six ways away from “The Faith” are quite different from each other and can be traced to the root cause: lacking love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and unfeigned faith, as Paul wrote in chapter one. Some of these issues are worse than others, even though all are serious and have far-reaching effects. Some deliberately turn away from “The Truth,” while others behave inappropriately even though they may remain among God’s people in an assembly. This attitude brings reproach upon all the saints and diminishes what an assembly is and practices.