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"The purpose of the commandment is love..."

Text: 1 Timothy 1:5

A GREAT GOAL TO BEAR IN MIND

When the Lord gave us His word, He had a great goal in mind. This goal is expressed in the following text:-

“Now the purpose of the commandment is love
from a pure heart, from a good conscience,
and from sincere faith.”
1 Timothy 1:5

1. The purpose (NKJV)

a) There is certainly a sense of purpose.

b) However the word in the Greek text is “telos”.

i) This word usually describes the final result.

ii) It points to a process that leads to a definite end.

c) Perhaps the better word is:-

i) Goal

ii) End

2. The commandment

a) We are reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus found in John 13:34-35.

i) Jesus gave a command to His disciples.

ii) The word “command” heightens the significance of His word given.

iii) It is to be taken most seriously.

iv) His word is meant to be obeyed.

b) Paul is not referring to his own personal word.

c) He reminds Timothy that the Lord’s word is to be regarded as a commandment.

d) This is consistently upheld throughout the Scriptures.

i) God gave His commandments to Moses to be delivered to Israel.

ii) Jesus gave commandments to His disciples.

iii) The apostles wrote with authority to the Church at large, thus the word “commandment” may be employed.

HOW DO WE VIEW THE WORD OF GOD?

Let us check our regard for the word of God. Do we take it as a “commandment?” Let us determine that we have a healthy and correct understanding of God’s Word. Let us make a clear distinction between the Word of God and “other doctrines”, and also “fables and endless genealogies”.