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Mark Vestal
Supporter
Why does Paul say to timothy keep the commandment without stain? only Jesus did that.
seems like paul is trying to put young timothy back under the Law when he says keep the commandment without stain
1 Timothy 6:14
NKJV - 14 That you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing.
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Asked October 19 2023
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Greg T
Supporter
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Mark Vestal
Supporter
This particular "commandment" is not a commandment of 'the law' by God. Verses 11 and 12 detail what Paul is referring to: "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." Paul is compelling Timothy to 'fight the good fight of FAITH', just as Paul himself has done to this point (2 Tim 4:7) in order to share and preserve our good news of not being under 'law'. It was Paul's purpose as the appointed apostle by Christ ascended to us Gentiles for God's ministry of reconciliation to all humanity. Look at it this way (Paul to Timothy); Timothy, we're no longer under the law, so be obedient to God and share His good news with the world of 'faith plus nothing' being the requirement for salvation today. As you can see, this is not a legal commandment. It is instruction by Paul to Timothy (and all post-cross believers) of how to handle God's Word of truth: 2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Paul is saying that rather than focus on keeping the 613 points of the law (that only kept Israel in bondage), focus now on LOVE. It is God's love for us that we see at the cross. By keeping His love for us in memory, we then strive to love others as God wants us to. By doing so, we keep the sinful acts that would arise under a broken 'law' (our natural tendency as humans) from coming to fruition...less frequently at least (Rom 7). Rom 8:4 "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom 13:8 "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." Gal 5:14 "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
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