Bible Study - 1 Timothy 1:8-9

 

Led by Shaun Fereday, Leader @SFGH Church

The Goodness of the Law and the Grace That Saves - 1 Timothy 1:8-9

We kicked off with Shaun inviting someone to read verses 8–11 (although we only managed to get through v.8 to 9 on the night), preferably in the NIV to avoid any more "janglings" like last week's unusual words from the King James. Barbara stepped up beautifully with her Bible (no fuss, just faithful reading). 

"We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practising homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me."

Shaun thanked her warmly, noting how "meaty" the passage is, even if much of it reads straightforwardly on the surface. He summed it up simply: the law is good, laid down not for the righteous but for the lawless, disobedient, ungodly sinners, and profane—followed by a sobering list of sins, with Paul adding it's not exhaustive. All this points to the glorious gospel entrusted to him.

But Shaun didn't let us stop at face value. He reminded us that from a worldly perspective, some bits here feel controversial today, so we must speak truthfully yet lovingly and sensitively, honouring God's Word.

Starting at verse 8—"Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully"—Shaun connected it back to last week's study on the false teachers Paul berated (in verses 4–7). Those folks weren't using the law properly, so Paul clarifies: the Mosaic law (not Roman law) is good because it's God-given. He quoted Romans 7:12 (Brian read it aloud): "So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good." Paul viewed the law as holy, righteous, and good everywhere he wrote.

The key conditional phrase—"if one uses it lawfully"—means using it properly or correctly (as other translations like the NIV and NLT put it). Some in Ephesus were mishandling it, twisting it into something legalistic that missed God's intent, especially for those saved by faith in Christ.

Shaun explained that an inappropriate, overly legalistic application of the law isn't what God wants for believers. He pointed to Jesus' woes against the Pharisees in Matthew 23:23, where they tithed mint, dill, and cumin meticulously but neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness—straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel.

Brian jumped in here, nodding to Galatians as a classic example: no one is justified by works of the law (Galatians 2–3). He highlighted the first commandment—love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength—and how failing that (which we all do) means we've broken the whole law. The heart matters more than external rules; if the heart is right toward God, sins of the flesh lose their grip.

Shaun built on that: the law isn't laid down for the just (the righteous, those who've recognised their sin and turned to Christ) but for the lawless and disobedient. It exposes sinfulness, showing we can't keep it perfectly. That's why we need a Saviour—Jesus fulfilled the law we couldn't. Salvation comes through grace, not law-keeping.

He referenced Romans 6:14 (Brian read: "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace") and Galatians 5:13–26 as homework—don't live by the flesh, but by the Spirit. A shorter summary? We're not under law but under grace, yet the law remains holy and good; we should uphold its moral principles while resting in Christ's righteousness.

The group dug deeper: the law acts as a mirror, revealing sin (1 John 1:8 allusion—if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves). It points us to Christ. Shaun quoted Galatians 3:19 and 24: the law was added because of transgressions, a guardian until Christ came, so we might be justified by faith.

A key theme emerged: the difference between sinning (which believers do) and "practising sin" (1 John 3:4: "Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness"). We repent, confess, and seek to turn from it—laying it at the cross. Worldly sinners often don't recognise sin or repentance; pride gets in the way.

Shaun shared a moving prison ministry story about David, a murderer who wrestled with salvation, thinking his crime disqualified him. But Shaun pointed out the difference: repentance. Paul says in 1 Corinthians (alluding to lists like this), "and such were some of you"—but you've been washed, sanctified, justified. No one is beyond hope with genuine repentance.

Brian noted how Paul's list in verses 9–10 tracks the Ten Commandments closely—not exhaustive, but itemising violations. That set us up nicely for our next Bible Study in two weeks time.

The evening closed with Dave's prayer of thanks for God's Word and safe journeys home.

Scripture References

• 1 Timothy 1:8–11

• Romans 7:12

• Matthew 23:23

• Romans 6:14

• Galatians 5:13–26

• Galatians 3:19

• Galatians 3:24

• 1 John 3:4

• 1 John 1:8

• 1 Corinthians 6:11

Key Themes

• The goodness of God’s law: The Mosaic law is described as holy, just, and good because it comes from God (supported by Romans 7:12). The issue in Ephesus was not the law itself, but false teaching and misuse of it.

• Using the law properly vs legalism: The group discusses how law can be handled in an unhealthy, overly legalistic way—like the Pharisees who focused on technicalities while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).

• Law as a mirror and a guide, not a means of salvation: The law exposes human sin and shows why people need a Saviour. Salvation is emphasised as coming through grace in Christ, not by works of the law (Romans 6:14; Galatians referenced).

• Righteousness comes through Christ: The group stresses that a “righteous person” is righteous only because they are clothed in Christ’s righteousness, not because they have perfectly kept the commandments.

• Repentance and “practising sin”: A central distinction is made between falling into sin (which believers confess and repent of) and practising sin without repentance (1 John 3:4). Repentance is described as genuine turning, not merely words.

• Making things right horizontally and vertically: When sin affects others, the response should include putting things right with the person and also bringing it to God in prayer.

Memorable Quotes

• “The law is good… if one uses it properly.”

• “If we could keep all the rules, we wouldn’t need Jesus Christ.”

• “The key word… is practice sin. We should never "practice" or try to get better at sinning!” 

• “Repentance isn’t just going, ‘I’m fine; I’ll do it again next week.’”

Article written from the transcrip by Shaun Fereday, Leader @SFGH Church