Chris

Don wrote: “1Ti 6:3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, . . .”

Indeed, whatever Paul’s opponents were teaching exactly, did not agree with the gospel of Christ. Compare 1 Timothy 1:8-11:

1 Timothy 1:8-11, “Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.”

The proper use of the law is in accordance with the gospel. Apparently, the teaching of Paul’s opponents failed to recognize what the proper use of the law was and consequently taught in a way that was out of accord with the gospel, presumably, by making the law a means of salvation.

In contrast to his opponents’ teaching, Paul gives us the true nature of the gospel in an account of his own conversion (12-17).