Paul’s opening shows a very close connection with Timothy, that of a father to a son. It’s kind of a joke in the church to seek for/to be a Timothy to someone’s Paul. That’s cheesy and frankly our modern discipleship does not mirror closely the work these fellas were doing (although it should, something to aspire to).
Timothy remains in Ephesus guarding against false teachers. The nature of these false teachings seem to include a number of things. The details really are speculative, but either way it involves people chasing things that are untrue. My guess is that this is similar to the modern day folks who chase end times information by connecting weird dots to create a false picture that they want to see or those who elevate past figures that we know very little about to make them appear as though they are more important than they are/were.
Why are they doing this? Selfish reasons. It is to give them power over others, a source of pride, a way to make themselves important. It is false, of course, as Paul says the aim of their charge (and implicitly any church authority) is to love from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. These other fellas are in it for themselves with speculative information. But because it is largely untrue, others don’t know it, and having knowledge others don’t brings prominence with it if you can convince people that what you know is important. Obviously, we are not immune from this today. Test for false teachers. If they know things the church hasn’t known for the last 2,000 years and there is not evidence of a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith, give them no time or interest.
It seems that saying that the law is not good may also be part of what these folks are teaching. I won’t rehash the list, but the broad point is that the law is good insomuch as it is “…in accordance with the gospel of the blessed God which which I have been entrusted.” This must be the good news of Jesus and His Kingdom, which means where the good news coincides with the law, it is good. Where it does not, it is no longer necessary. This is still a matter of debate today by smart people who love Jesus.
Paul reminds Timothy next of where he has come from, more specifically, what Jesus has rescued him from. In Paul, the extensive depth of the mercy of God is shown. Paul was indeed the foremost of sinners, speaking specifically against Jesus, calling him a liar, and persecuting His church. However, Jesus came into the world to save sinners, Paul included, so that we might get a glimpse of the extreme nature of the patience and mercy of Jesus. This is not hyperbole and should be something at the forefront of our minds and discussions with those who believe they are too far gone for the love and grace of Jesus to reach them. That is a lie, and Paul’s life is here to prove it.
In this we are to rightly understand God, not only for his mercy and love, but for his power. He is the King of ages, immortal, invisible who deserves all honor and glory forever.
Paul ends this section with what he started with, false teachers, reiterating that Timothy’s good work should rest in holding faith and keeping a good conscience. For those who have given up these things for their own gain, H and A here have been blaspheming as well. Paul says he turned them over to Satan. This is most likely to mean that they were kicked out of the church, noting that Paul expects them to “learn not to…” speak against Jesus. This is the same action Jesus recommends when things can’t be resolved with someone. So, seems harsh but otherwise right.