8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.
그러나 사람이 율법을 법있게 쓰면 율법은 선한 것인 줄 우리는 아노라
The translation ‘to use law lawfully (ESV, NASB)’[1] carries better the subtlety of the word choice in Greek. This verse implies that the false teachers in the previous verse make law into a vain thing because they are not using it lawfully or illegitimately (which also goes with the ‘legitimacy’ of Timothy in v.2) out of their greed and foolishness of focusing on themselves, instead of the law’s lawful focus: God’s saving plan and accomplishment through Christ.
9 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,
알 것은 이것이니 법은 옳은 사람을 위하여 세운 것이 아니요 오직 불법한 자와, 복종치 아니하는 자며, 경건치 아니한 자와, 죄인이며, 거룩하지 아니한 자와, 망령된 자며, 아비를 치는 자와, 어미를 치는 자며, 살인하는 자며,
Here comes another word play, continuing from the previous verse: ‘The law is made for the lawless’. So the whole becomes ‘The law made for the lawless is good if it is used lawfully’, which summarises the gospel that the law was given because of our fallenness but its purpose is to save us through a Savour to whom it points. Therefore Its ultimate use is not to condemn the jaw-dropping list of law breakers into the everlasting flame of hell, but to turn them to the love of the Father – the purpose in line with commanding and fighting the false teachers (v.5).
10 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
음행하는 자며, 남색하는 자며, 사람을 탈취하는 자며, 거짓말하는 자며, 거짓 맹세하는 자와, 기타 바른 교훈을 거스리는 자를 위함이니
The list could go on. But these horrible labels of sin the false law teachers warn against and stop there is just equal to the sin of mispresenting the law and/or the gospel. Paul shows that by putting the small print at the end of the list. ‘and whatever else does not agree with the full instruction 기타 바른 교훈을 거스리는 자 [of the gospel that makes known the purpose of our God’ (cf. v.11).] It is notable that the repeated preposition ‘for’ connects each phrases back to the primary clause, ‘the law is made for….’ in v.9. Seeing the first of the list was the lawless, and that the rest elaborates on the types of lawlessness, the last of the list ‘not conforming to the full gospel’ is the also something that belongs to the lawless. Thus, the false teachers, because they do not know (the consequences of) what they are saying (v.7), far from being the teachers of law, they only end up belonging with the lawless themselves.
11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
이 교훈은 내게 맡기신 바 복되신 하나님의 영광의 복음을 좇음이니라
The full scale of the gospel is concerned with God, who has the power to give an order that we should be saved; and with Jesus who achieves the hope us being saved, which goes back to v.1. This is the gospel Paul is entrusted and sent with.
Dear Lord, we confess to you how lawless and illegitimate we are, not knowing the impact of the gospel you have in store for us, but only focusing on ourselves. We are all false teachers and false followers. How relieving it is that the purpose of your command and admonishing is not to condemn us for good, but to turn us to the true love of yours, to make us your children despite who we have been! Lord, will we live to understand the full depth of your thinking? We become ill, old, and weak, and even perish, but as your children let us long-suffer with you to the full strength of your glorious gospel until we see the eternal life, the timeless bliss with you and all the loved ones on the day of your perfect salvation. Give us this day a new heart to turn to you my Lord.
[1] νομίμως (nomimōs) ‘lawfully’ (G3545). properly, in accordance to the rules lawfully
lawfully, agreeably to law, or custom, rightfully, properly, in accordance with the rules 1Tim. 1:8; 2Tim. 2:5
Image: Moses Breaking the Tablets of the Law (1659) by Rembrandt. Public domain.