Monday, February 17: “Proper Understanding”

1 Timothy 1: 5, 6: “The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion.”

As St. Paul was bidding farewell to the Ephesian elders on the beach of Miletus, he warned of a time when savage wolves would try to lead the flock away from the true faith (Acts 20: 17; 29, 30). Now, with he in the mission field and Timothy in charge in Ephesus, the invasion had begun. As always, it started with a drawing away from true faith to a leaning on man’s understanding. But the Gospel is not about empty chatter or false knowledge (6: 20, 21). These things never lead to love, the Gospel’s ultimate aim.