1 Tim. 1:6-7
Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
It is easy to judge people. It is not hard to look on another's sins and look down upon them. I used to do this as a sport. I desired to be a preacher, but I was much like the "certain persons" in this passage. I had no understanding regarding what I was saying or the things about which I made confident assertions. I was soiled with pride, and I would easily rebuke someone in their sin. Years later, having been through many sins, struggles, and failures, consequently, I am much more sympathetic and gracious knowing that I am not saved by good deeds, but am saved by God's grace. I sympathize with the "certain persons" in this passage and a question arises in me while studying it. How can I keep from "swerving" from the gospel? I am not talking about losing my salvation, because I believe that to be an impossibility.I know first hand, however, a Christian can fall off of Christ path and stumble into a hole of sin where it seems there's no way to get out of it. In this case, these people, like myself, fell into a whole of legalism. How can I keep from letting this happening to me again? The answer seems simple, but very complex. I can keep from swerving away from the gospel by: Staying closing to the gospel, steering away from temptation, and satisfying myself with what God has sovereignly called me to do on this earth.
Certain persons,..
Anytime there is truth, there will be lies
Anytime there is happiness, there will be sadness
Anytime there is sanity, there will be madness
Anytime there is peace, there will be war
Anytime there is life, there will be death
God's truth is being proclaimed in Ephesus, and there are some straying from the gospel, and attempting to corrupt it with legalism.
Satan is always trying to distort the gospel.
...,by swerving from these,...
What were they swerving from?
The "these" is referring to verse 5 of this chapter, "Love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. As discussed in my last blog...
They swerved away from:
Love from a pure heart
Love from a good conscience
Love from a sincere faith
Simply put, they swerved away from the gospel of Jesus Christ
....,have wandered away....
It is a scary thing to wander. Most of the time, however, you don't realize you are wandering until after the fact. These people wandered away from the gospel, which much scarier. I have wander from the gospel as well. It is such a horrifying and miserable place to be wandering from Christ.
..into vain discussion..
They left the gospel for legalistic conversations and arguments. This is like choosing to no longer eat food and choosing rather to eat cardboard instead. It is beyond insane to leave Christ for anything.
Pride boils up and wants to voice its opinion on topics that are so stupid and meaningless compared to the gospel.
I used to live in an two bedroom apartment with one bathroom, and 6 roommates. I remember heated arguments, very heated arguments over pointless things: hair length, tattoos , holidays, what to eat or drink, what to wear, etc. They would go to the Bible and try to find a passage that would fit their argument. All the while, there was a world outside that needed Christ, but not a argument about food.
...,desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
It is a wonderful thing to desire to be a preacher of God's word, however, consider James 3:1, Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
We are not all called to be pastors. Even if you are very good teacher, or public speaker, that doesn't qualify you. In the third chapter of 1st Timothy we a find a strict set of qualifications for pastors and deacons. God is very serious about who preaches and who does not.
These false teachers had good intentions, but good intentions do not make the actions good. They were not qualified by God to teach His word, yet they taught anyway. That is a very scary place to be.
I see many young men who have been saved and have a excitement about them. They want to share the gospel with everyone, and these young men believe because of that, consequently, they must be called to preach. NO. It might be that they are just Christians. As if that is not as awesome. They're are so many young men who are chasing after the wind. Have you considered that God might just have created you to be the teacher/leader of your household? He might have just called you to raise your children and to lovingly lead your wife in the ways of the Lord. Is that any less of a calling? No!! In fact, I believe there are too many men seeking to be preachers, and neglecting to teach their children and love their wife in truth.We are all called to be proclaimers of the gospel, but we are not all called to shepherd a flock of believers.
Remember this, and also learn to respect, love, and pray for your pastor more. Realizing that he will "be judged with greater strictness".
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Remain
1 Timothy 1:3-5
-of false teaching
..,which promote speculations...
Their preoccupation with myths and genealogies resulted not in edification , but speculation. Paul wrote in 1 Tim. 6:4-5 that the result was "controversial questions and disputes about words , out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain". Their teaching was nothing but "worldly and empty chatter" leading to "further ungodliness" (2 Tim. 2:16). This talk "will spread like gangrene" (2 Tim.2:17), leading people "astray from the truth" (2 Tim. 2:18). The teachers "foolish and ignorant speculations " would only "produce quarrels" (2 Tim. 2:23). It all came from failure to accurately handle the Word of truth (2 Tim.2:15), and to examine everything carefully (1 Thess. 5:21). This teaching promoted questions and controversies , and the false teachers paid close attention to what did not need to be a focus. It only led to fruitless discussion and strife.
The result of false teaching is speculations and controversies.
-of true teaching
...rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith...
True teaching furthers the administration of God, which is by faith. Some translations put it , "God's work, which is by faith". Paul here is referring to God's saving plan, which we are stewards of, and which we must respond by faith, by His grace. Paul feared the Ephesians might spend so much time in fruitless discussion of these doctrines that they would lose sight of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
Getting involved in controversies might heighten someone's ego, but it quickly becomes a substitute for the work that matters, that is, work done by faith. The false teachers heresy attempted to strike a blow at the gospel. These teachers were not like the Galatian heretics who taught Law-obedience unto salvation. These guys, however, were teaching Law, a bunch of other stupid stuff, and obedience unto salvation.
All religions can be put into two categories: religions of works, and a religion of grace. Religions of works, where men attempt to gain salvation by their own efforts in good deeds, ceremonies, or rituals. Every religion to one extent or another fits into that category, except one, the great religion of grace. That God in Christ accomplished salvation on the cross. Our debt is paid.
True teaching furthers the gospel of Jesus Christ, which saves souls from wrath and unto grace.
The Goal
- Love
..The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
The goal of the false teachers is controversies, but the goal of gospel teaching is love.
False teachers are motivated by mere curiosity and desire to gain prestige. True teachers are motivated by love.
Such love , coming from the inner springs of our heart, conscience and faith is uncontaminated by false or even mixed motives. The goal of Timothy's instruction to the false teachers is love which can only come from a real experience of the grace of God. The goal was that these false teachers would not just stop spreading lies, but that they would be saved by God's grace.
Instead of pointing to the divine origin of love, Paul gives three descriptions of the source of it.
-Love from a pure heart
In biblical thought, the heart is the seat of the mind, the emotions, and the will. It is the seat of spiritual experience from which moral conduct springs. Taken from the O.T., the word "heart" stands for the totality of man's moral affections, and without purity, nobility of character is impossible. Jesus gives a special promise for the pure in heart (Mt. 5:8), and spoke of the pruning of the vine as an illustration of the cleansing of believers through the Word (Jn. 15:3).
The psalmists asks, "who may ascend into the Hill of the Lord, and who may stand in His holy place?" He answers his question, "He who can clean hands and a pure heart" (Ps. 24:3-4). After his sin with Bathsheba, David cries in Psalm 51:10, "create in me a clean heart, O God". Psalm 73:1 exclaims , "Surely God is good to Israel , to those who are pure in heart!" A heart washed by the grace of regeneration (Titus 3:5), and an obedient heart (Rom. 6:17) make a pure heart.
-Love from a good conscience
The Greek word for "good" (agathos) means that which is perfect, producing pleasure, satisfaction, and a sense of well-being. The Greek word for "conscience" (syneidesis) indicates literally "joint knowledge" , and came to be used of the facility to distinguish between right and wrong. The conscience is the God-given self-judging facility of man. It either affirms or accuses a person (Rom.2:14-15). The mind knows the standard of right and wrong. When that standard is violated, the conscience reacts to accuse, producing guilt, shame, doubt, fear, remorse, or despair. Those who with pure hearts will not be condemned by their conscience. Paul's goal was to maintain a blameless conscience. Free of offense against either God or man (Acts 24:16). Peace, confidence, joy, hope, courage, and contentment are the results of a conscience that is non-accusing, and love will flow forth. In order for Christians to have this "good conscience" we must fill our minds with God's word and obey it (1 Cor. 8:7; 1 Peter 3:15-15).
-Love from a sincere faith
A sincere faith is one without any pretense. A un-hypocritical faith that does not wear a mask. It is a trust in God that Paul believed Timothy possessed (2 Tim.1:5). The hypocritical faith of these false teachers will not produce this sincerity. It is having simplicity of aim. Faith is "sincere" only when it is not mere talk, but genuine trust and confidence in Christ (2 Cor.5:7).
False teachers have dirty hearts, un-cleansed by the gospel, having guilty condemning consciences triggered by their dirty hearts. They have a hypocritical and false faith. False teachers could never produce these things which Paul lists.
This is not surprising, for it is only the Gospel of Jesus Christ that produces pure hearts, good consciences, and sincere faith!!
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, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
It is unusual for Paul to have begun his message to Timothy with out any expression of gratitude. Romans, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, 2nd Timothy, and Philemon all include a salutation, expression of gratitude, and then the body of the letter begins. In Galatians, Titus, and here in 1st Timothy, strangely, Paul moves from the salutation to the body of the letter excluding any expression of gratitude.
The description of life in Ephesus (Acts19:1-40;20:17-38, Rev. 2:1-7) portray a Church tempted by the occult , enticed into error by savage heretics, and finally, abandoning its first love, that is, Christ.
What was happening in the church of Ephesus left Paul no basis of gratitude. He had previously warned the Ephesians that some of their own members would draw them away (Acts 20:29-30). Later in this chapter he mentions two of them by name (1Tim. 1:20). The heresy in the church had arisen from within, and Paul is urging Timothy to act on Paul's behalf to thwart the advance of this false teaching.
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus....
Remain
Calvin said that Timothy must have been excited about this task, but consider the term "urge"(parakaleo), which means "to beg", "beseech", "entreat", or "implore". Why did Paul have to beg Timothy to stay? This is likely because Timothy was reluctant to remain, and possibly considered leaving, even though he was Paul's "true child in the faith". Paul pleads with Timothy to stay at Ephesus. Timothy was vulnerable to timidity (2 Tim.1:7), and intimidation by those who looked down upon him because of his youth (1 Tim. 4:12). He may have felt inadequate to handle the arguments of the false teachers.
I sympathize with Timothy, and understand why he was reluctant. He is a young man at this point and there are a lot of issues he has to address at this church. It is no easy task, and a huge burden for young Timothy. Throughout my life, consequently, I have had situations like this. I was ready to give up, and quit. It was too much of burden for me. At the opportune time, however, someone who I greatly respect would come beside me and encourage me, and help carry my burden. God the Father will always come to our aid, and sovereignly place mentors in our path to help us along the way. He did so here in Timothy's life by placing the apostle Paul as his mentor. Isn't that awesome?!!
Herein I urge older men and women to help the younger generation. We need more mentors in our day. We need men and women who have been through the fires and struggles of this life to help us get through it as well. We have never been through it before, but you have, and fought through it. We need your wisdom, encouragement, and experience. I am urging you to urge us to remain on Christ's path.
Refute:
- Different Doctrines
....so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine....
Timothy here is given apostolic authority, and definite commission to hold the false teachers at Ephesus in check. Paul wants Timothy to come down hard, and take a strong line with these false teachers.
The term "charge" (parangello) is a military term which means to pass commands from one to another. It demands obedience from an inferior to an order from a superior.
The term "certain" implies that these teachers were few in number. But they had a wide influence , not only in Ephesus, but also in the surrounding region. They were not outsiders, as in Corinth and Galatia, but probably elders in the Ephesian church and surrounding churches.
The term "charge" (parangello) is a military term which means to pass commands from one to another. It demands obedience from an inferior to an order from a superior.
The term "certain" implies that these teachers were few in number. But they had a wide influence , not only in Ephesus, but also in the surrounding region. They were not outsiders, as in Corinth and Galatia, but probably elders in the Ephesian church and surrounding churches.
Paul pleads with Timothy to remain in Ephesus in order to refute different doctrines. Paul calls it "heterodidaskleo" , a verb Paul might have created. It means to teach that which is "heteros" , which means different from the teachings of our Lord and His apostles.
Paul complained to the Galatians that they had deserted the grace of Christ for a "different gospel" (Gal. 6:1). He said that the Corinthians were led astray by a "different Jesus", "different Spirit", and a "different gospel" from what they had first received (1 Cor.11:4).
Paul's preoccupation in this chapter is with sound doctrine being maintained and strange doctrine being refuted. This contrast strikes a clashing note today. Not only are most societies pluralistic (holding to more than one religion), but pluralism as an ideology ( a set of theories and beliefs held by an individual or group) is advocated and viewed as being politically correct. This affirms that religions today, except Christianity, are an independent-conditioned phenomenon that frown on any attempt to convert people.
One of the main principles of "post-modernism" is that there is no objective truth, let alone eternal truth. "You have yours, and I have mine. Even if our views diverge widely from each other and contradict each other". The outcome of this, consequently, is the most prized virtue being tolerance. Tolerating everything and everyone except those of us who insist that certain ideas are true while others are false, and certain practices evil and others good.
I cannot embrace this, because I believe Jesus Christ is the only truth. He said that He was the truth, and that He came to bear witness to the truth , that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and that the truth would set us free. The truth matters. Truth which God revealed through Christ and by The Spirit.
Jesus told us to beware of false teachers, and Paul had already warned this congregation. Now, Paul is begging Timothy to take a stand, and refute their "strange doctrines". He warns Timothy ton not allow any new form of teaching to be introduced that does not line up with the pure and true doctrine of Christ and His apostles.
The truth of God is one, therefore there is one plain manner of teaching it, free from adding to it. Seeking to be filled with majesty of Spirit, rather than human eloquence. Whoever departs from that, disfigures and corrupts the Gospel. We should openly refute and fight everything that is belittles the pure and majestic Gospel of Christ, and everything that corrupts it by new and borrowed inventions, or obscures it by ungodly speculations.
The doctrine of the Ephesian false teachers, therefore, is entirely opposed to the Word of God, and to that purity of doctrine which Paul commands the Ephesian church to continue in.
Fruitless discussion
nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies......
What specific myths were being taught here, or how exactly these false teachers were using genealogies is not clear. Whatever form it took, this teaching was contrary to the truth. The exact heresy at Ephesus is unknown, but some of its general features can be pieced together from this letter.
The term "myths' is used in a very unfavorable way to contrast the legendary character of many of these stories to historical truth. Many commentators agree that these "myths" go back to an apocryphal work from second century B.C., The book of Jubilees, and it has a number of additions to the O.T. , which might be what Paul is writing about. These stories are patriotic legends that are similar to such American traditions as the story of George Washington and the cherry tree. This term "myths" also appears in 1 Tim. 4:7, where Paul calls them "old wives tales". They were godless legends that were a waste of time and breathe. In 2 Tim.4:4, Paul pictures them as enticing and attractive because they snared the attention of the listeners away from the truth and toward these fables.
The damage of these "myths" came from their empty content, their attractiveness, and their general uselessness. It seemed to have reflected Jewish interests, in legends with a hint of Hellenistic influence but not full-blown Gnosticism. There was also some small hints of Judaism, because these teachers "wanted to be teachers of the Law" (1:7), but not the same Judaizers from Galatia, who taught salvation by Law-obedience.
In 1 Tim. 4:3 we read that the heresy involved a false asceticism. They "forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods" in hopes to obtain divine acceptance through legalistic attention to self-deprivation. They were allegorizers and speculators. They treated the O.T. as a happy hunting ground for their opinions. To Paul, their whole approach was worthless. God had given the O.T. to His people for a much more serious purpose.
The term "genealogies" also appears in Titus 3:9, where the results of reflecting on these genealogies were "unprofitable and useless". We do not really know what these genealogies were, but they might have been expansions of biblical genealogies, Jewish novels, or false post-biblical contributions of ancestry. We do know however that Paul's references suggest a teaching which combined Jewish and Gnostic elements. Commentator J.N.D. Kelly suggests that these myths and genealogies "must have to do with allegorical or legendary interpretations of the O.T. catering on the pedigrees of the patriarchs. Much of the rabbinical Haggadah consisted of just such a fanciful rewriting of Scripture; the Book of Jubilees and Pseudo-Philo's antiquitatum biblicarum, with its mania for family trees, are apt examples. It also has been shown that in postexilic Judaism there was a keen interest in family trees, and that these played a part in controversies between Jews and Jewish Christians."
Worthless and irrelevant junk can quickly crowd the gospel. Religious speculation and theological arguments about small details may not seem harmful at first, but they have a way of sidetracking us from the person and work of Jesus Christ.
What specific myths were being taught here, or how exactly these false teachers were using genealogies is not clear. Whatever form it took, this teaching was contrary to the truth. The exact heresy at Ephesus is unknown, but some of its general features can be pieced together from this letter.
The term "myths' is used in a very unfavorable way to contrast the legendary character of many of these stories to historical truth. Many commentators agree that these "myths" go back to an apocryphal work from second century B.C., The book of Jubilees, and it has a number of additions to the O.T. , which might be what Paul is writing about. These stories are patriotic legends that are similar to such American traditions as the story of George Washington and the cherry tree. This term "myths" also appears in 1 Tim. 4:7, where Paul calls them "old wives tales". They were godless legends that were a waste of time and breathe. In 2 Tim.4:4, Paul pictures them as enticing and attractive because they snared the attention of the listeners away from the truth and toward these fables.
The damage of these "myths" came from their empty content, their attractiveness, and their general uselessness. It seemed to have reflected Jewish interests, in legends with a hint of Hellenistic influence but not full-blown Gnosticism. There was also some small hints of Judaism, because these teachers "wanted to be teachers of the Law" (1:7), but not the same Judaizers from Galatia, who taught salvation by Law-obedience.
In 1 Tim. 4:3 we read that the heresy involved a false asceticism. They "forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods" in hopes to obtain divine acceptance through legalistic attention to self-deprivation. They were allegorizers and speculators. They treated the O.T. as a happy hunting ground for their opinions. To Paul, their whole approach was worthless. God had given the O.T. to His people for a much more serious purpose.
The term "genealogies" also appears in Titus 3:9, where the results of reflecting on these genealogies were "unprofitable and useless". We do not really know what these genealogies were, but they might have been expansions of biblical genealogies, Jewish novels, or false post-biblical contributions of ancestry. We do know however that Paul's references suggest a teaching which combined Jewish and Gnostic elements. Commentator J.N.D. Kelly suggests that these myths and genealogies "must have to do with allegorical or legendary interpretations of the O.T. catering on the pedigrees of the patriarchs. Much of the rabbinical Haggadah consisted of just such a fanciful rewriting of Scripture; the Book of Jubilees and Pseudo-Philo's antiquitatum biblicarum, with its mania for family trees, are apt examples. It also has been shown that in postexilic Judaism there was a keen interest in family trees, and that these played a part in controversies between Jews and Jewish Christians."
Worthless and irrelevant junk can quickly crowd the gospel. Religious speculation and theological arguments about small details may not seem harmful at first, but they have a way of sidetracking us from the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Results
-of false teaching
..,which promote speculations...
Their preoccupation with myths and genealogies resulted not in edification , but speculation. Paul wrote in 1 Tim. 6:4-5 that the result was "controversial questions and disputes about words , out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain". Their teaching was nothing but "worldly and empty chatter" leading to "further ungodliness" (2 Tim. 2:16). This talk "will spread like gangrene" (2 Tim.2:17), leading people "astray from the truth" (2 Tim. 2:18). The teachers "foolish and ignorant speculations " would only "produce quarrels" (2 Tim. 2:23). It all came from failure to accurately handle the Word of truth (2 Tim.2:15), and to examine everything carefully (1 Thess. 5:21). This teaching promoted questions and controversies , and the false teachers paid close attention to what did not need to be a focus. It only led to fruitless discussion and strife.
The result of false teaching is speculations and controversies.
-of true teaching
...rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith...
True teaching furthers the administration of God, which is by faith. Some translations put it , "God's work, which is by faith". Paul here is referring to God's saving plan, which we are stewards of, and which we must respond by faith, by His grace. Paul feared the Ephesians might spend so much time in fruitless discussion of these doctrines that they would lose sight of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
Getting involved in controversies might heighten someone's ego, but it quickly becomes a substitute for the work that matters, that is, work done by faith. The false teachers heresy attempted to strike a blow at the gospel. These teachers were not like the Galatian heretics who taught Law-obedience unto salvation. These guys, however, were teaching Law, a bunch of other stupid stuff, and obedience unto salvation.
All religions can be put into two categories: religions of works, and a religion of grace. Religions of works, where men attempt to gain salvation by their own efforts in good deeds, ceremonies, or rituals. Every religion to one extent or another fits into that category, except one, the great religion of grace. That God in Christ accomplished salvation on the cross. Our debt is paid.
True teaching furthers the gospel of Jesus Christ, which saves souls from wrath and unto grace.
The Goal
- Love
..The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
The goal of the false teachers is controversies, but the goal of gospel teaching is love.
False teachers are motivated by mere curiosity and desire to gain prestige. True teachers are motivated by love.
Such love , coming from the inner springs of our heart, conscience and faith is uncontaminated by false or even mixed motives. The goal of Timothy's instruction to the false teachers is love which can only come from a real experience of the grace of God. The goal was that these false teachers would not just stop spreading lies, but that they would be saved by God's grace.
Instead of pointing to the divine origin of love, Paul gives three descriptions of the source of it.
-Love from a pure heart
In biblical thought, the heart is the seat of the mind, the emotions, and the will. It is the seat of spiritual experience from which moral conduct springs. Taken from the O.T., the word "heart" stands for the totality of man's moral affections, and without purity, nobility of character is impossible. Jesus gives a special promise for the pure in heart (Mt. 5:8), and spoke of the pruning of the vine as an illustration of the cleansing of believers through the Word (Jn. 15:3).
The psalmists asks, "who may ascend into the Hill of the Lord, and who may stand in His holy place?" He answers his question, "He who can clean hands and a pure heart" (Ps. 24:3-4). After his sin with Bathsheba, David cries in Psalm 51:10, "create in me a clean heart, O God". Psalm 73:1 exclaims , "Surely God is good to Israel , to those who are pure in heart!" A heart washed by the grace of regeneration (Titus 3:5), and an obedient heart (Rom. 6:17) make a pure heart.
-Love from a good conscience
The Greek word for "good" (agathos) means that which is perfect, producing pleasure, satisfaction, and a sense of well-being. The Greek word for "conscience" (syneidesis) indicates literally "joint knowledge" , and came to be used of the facility to distinguish between right and wrong. The conscience is the God-given self-judging facility of man. It either affirms or accuses a person (Rom.2:14-15). The mind knows the standard of right and wrong. When that standard is violated, the conscience reacts to accuse, producing guilt, shame, doubt, fear, remorse, or despair. Those who with pure hearts will not be condemned by their conscience. Paul's goal was to maintain a blameless conscience. Free of offense against either God or man (Acts 24:16). Peace, confidence, joy, hope, courage, and contentment are the results of a conscience that is non-accusing, and love will flow forth. In order for Christians to have this "good conscience" we must fill our minds with God's word and obey it (1 Cor. 8:7; 1 Peter 3:15-15).
-Love from a sincere faith
A sincere faith is one without any pretense. A un-hypocritical faith that does not wear a mask. It is a trust in God that Paul believed Timothy possessed (2 Tim.1:5). The hypocritical faith of these false teachers will not produce this sincerity. It is having simplicity of aim. Faith is "sincere" only when it is not mere talk, but genuine trust and confidence in Christ (2 Cor.5:7).
False teachers have dirty hearts, un-cleansed by the gospel, having guilty condemning consciences triggered by their dirty hearts. They have a hypocritical and false faith. False teachers could never produce these things which Paul lists.
This is not surprising, for it is only the Gospel of Jesus Christ that produces pure hearts, good consciences, and sincere faith!!
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