"Whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine"

THE UNLOVING AND UNLOVELY: 1 Timothy 1:10

The Apostle continues his list of those who are the proper subjects of the Law by listing those persons who, in their unloving actions, show themselves to be outside God’s purposes for humankind. In verse 9, he cites those who show contempt for their parents (or elders) and for life. Now he moves on to other categories of offenders:

“The sexually immoral.” This is Greek pornois, a general term for those who practice sexual immorality. (A related noun, the feminine pornê, means “prostitute”; compare our word pornography.) As Paul points out elsewhere, sexual sin is a sin against one’s own body, and of course another’s; and it tears at the covenant bonds of community and fellowship.

“Men who practice homosexuality.” The Greek is arsenokoitai, a word which has become much-disputed, but basically is a compound meaning “those who copulate with men (males)”. This practice was contrary to the moral and holiness codes of the Old Testament, and the prohibition carries over into the Church.

“Enslavers.” Andrapodistais means “those who make off with (i.e., steal) people”, so the reference is to human trafficking, as we call it. This continues to be a plague in our time, and not just in semi-feudal societies: the roll call of offending nations includes western democracies. Anyone who wonders how there could have been any debate over the Scriptural disdain for the slave trade in the fifteenth through nineteenth centuries and thereby exercise a little chronological chauvinism, should bear in mind the current discussions about the first two terms, above. In each age, the residents of that epoch must come to terms with its own struggles and sins in the light of Scripture, or else dismiss the Bible as irrelevant.

“Liars.” The Greek is pseustais, a general term for active dishonesty. The Decalogue prohibited false witness, though the tenor of the Old Testament is clear that lying is disapproved by God as well (with some notable caveats). This is a more comprehensive proscription.

“Perjurers.” Perjury is false testimony that goes beyond a simple lie in its impact, which is to cheat or defraud another. The Greek word epiorkois, also refers to those who break oaths. This latter reading is perhaps to be preferred here in translation to draw out the meaning of the Greek original, since perjury is also presumably included in the previous term.

“Whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.” What is striking about this expression is that it implicitly equates sound teaching with right practice. As Wesley once said, in a quote I see whenever I visit Wesley Seminary’s main campus in Washington: “Unite the two so long disjoin’d: knowledge and vital piety.” Paul also makes the point that the Bible is not an exhaustive field-manual of legal prescriptions and proscriptions. W.C. Fields is famous for having drawled, when caught reading the Bible: “I’m looking for the loopholes.” Not only do they not exist, but the standard of God’s holiness cannot be limited by any human framework of regulation, even an inspired one. On the other hand, there is much in the world which is “contrary to” (lit., “set against” or “standing in opposition to”) “sound doctrine” – the word “sound” here carrying also the overtone of “healthy”.

When I was in high school, my French class took a field trip to a restaurant as a cultural-enrichment experience. The restaurant was located off the Capitol Beltway several exits north of the school. In those days, it was possible to travel in private cars with students as drivers, something which would never be permitted now. We went in about three vehicles, had a lovely time at the restaurant, and left to come back with my teacher’s admonition, “Go straight back to school” ringing in our ears. And we did. Only ... we went the long way around the Beltway, in what would be forever enshrined in our retelling the tale as “The Grand Prix”. It was a wonder that none of us was killed, given the speeds at which we were tooling around the Beltway and the expansion project which was at that time going full-bore on the Virginia side, with concrete barriers and lane shifts. Technically, we complied, but not really. When we got back to campus, it was just in time to go home ... and to say hello to one very relieved teacher who laughed at our prank but must have been frantic with worry by that point.

Often we humans play such games with God, going through a pretense of obedience or a formal semblance of it, while heading off the exact opposite direction in our hearts, our affections, our practical service. We also take a great risk when we do this; and while we may return at length to the loving embrace of our heavenly Father, we expose ourselves and others needlessly to real hurt and pain, and rob ourselves of the joys of steady discipleship.

“In accordance with the gospel.” The Christian message is meant for life, to be life-bringing and life-enhancing. As Jesus said, “I came that you might have life, and have it abundantly.”


Washington, D.C. (North Capitol Street)