3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.” (1 Timothy 1:3–4 (ESV)
There is a common misconception that a false teacher’s influence and impact only exists outside the church. Therefore, those within the church body need not pay any attention to the heresy proclaimed by such heretics. The Scriptures do not accept or teach such a perspective. On the contrary, the Bible instructs believers in Christ to be on their guard against false teachers and their erroneous teachings.
The Apostle Paul took great care to warn the Ephesian Church elders against such metaphorical wolves in sheep’s clothing. Ironically, the Ephesian Church was the same church Timothy was pastoring when he received this first letter from his mentor.
In Acts 20:17-35, Paul extensively spoke to the church elders in Ephesus. He said in part, “28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.” (Acts 20:28–31 (ESV)
The Lord Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:15–19 (ESV)
This parallels the words by the Prophet Ezekiel against the false shepherds of Israel. In Ezekiel 34:1-10, the LORD had strong words for false teachers who were leading astray God’s people.
“The message of false teachers may be attractive and even seem orthodox. The only way to know for sure is to allow time to see their fruits (I Tim. 16-20). Some of the false prophetic fruits are mentioned in the New Testament (NT) controversies (I Tim. 1:3), divisions (I Tim. 6:3-4), greed 6:5-10), destruction of faith (2 Tim. 2:18), and self-destruction by heresy (2 Peter 2:1),” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
It was with this in mind, Paul urged Timothy to remain as pastor in Ephesus. He did not want him to leave this pastoral post. This was because the apostle wanted Timothy to charge (παραγγείλῃς; parangeiles) or command certain individuals within the church to not teach any different doctrine (ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖν; heterodidaskaein) from what was previously, and accurately, taught. In other words, to teach error in the church was forbidden. This would be anything, by anyone, deviating from the doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. In other words, the biblical Gospel.
“Writing, then, to his trusted friend, Paul gives immediate expression to what he considers the most pressing necessity, namely, that Timothy by all means stay on duty at Ephesus in order to continue the battle for the truth. It is hardly necessary to point out that the apostle was not interested in Timothy’s mere staying in Ephesus, but in his remaining there in order to straighten out what was wrong,” states Dr. William Hendriksen.[1]
Dr. J. Gresham Machen (1881-1937) knew well what Paul warned, and counseled, Timothy. The Princeton Seminary professor, and later founder of Westminster Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, PA, battled false doctrine within the American Presbyterian denomination. Often, he stood alone.
In his classic book Christianity and Liberalism, Dr. Machen wrote in the Introduction these profound words. “Light may seem at times to be an impertinent intruder, but it is always beneficial in the end. The type of religion which rejoices in the pious sound of traditional phrases, regardless of their meanings, or shrinks from “controversial” matters, will never stand amid the shocks of life. In the sphere of religion, as in other spheres, the things about which men are agreed are apt to be the things that are least worth holding; the really important things are the things about which men will fight.”
Paul would later say to Timothy, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12 (ESV)
May we each take seriously this counsel from this godly mentor to his godly protégé. We dare not do anything less. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 56.
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