1 Timothy 1
Overview of 1 & 2 Timothy for New Testament Reading
We can all
look back to mentors and teachers in our lives and the impact that they had on
our values and world-view. Timothy was a young man who had the benefit of a
believing mom and grandmother, plus he was discipled by the Apostle Paul in the
Christian faith. These two letters, along with Titus, are known as the pastoral
epistles because of their instruction for young men in the ministry of Jesus
Christ. It gives us a look into the intense training system in the 1st
century as the fledging church of the Living Savior got under way. Paul’s tone
changes between the first and second letter as he become acutely aware of his
impending earthly death for the cause of Christ. He writes the first letter
probably around AD 64 right before his final imprisonment in Rome. The second
letter was written from a Roman prison somewhere around AD 67, shortly before
his martyrdom. These letters provide much valuable information for leaders in
the church and the qualifications of being a man of God in management. As you
read 2 Timothy remember that you are reading the final earthly words of a great
man of God who sacrificed everything to promote the Kingdom of the Lord.
Remember that you, just like Timothy, have a responsibility to commit yourself
to stand courageously for the truth, knowing the Word and being empowered by
His Holy Spirit to do what He has gifted you to do.
Major Themes:
Mentors- Paul
provided instruction to this young leader of the church as an example for us
today. We are to train up the next generation in the truths of Christian
leadership so that the work will continue to grow and prosper in Christ Jesus.
Sound Doctrine, Faith
and Teaching- Paul was not writing this text strictly on church
administration; instead, he was primarily preparing young Timothy to deal
wisely with false teachers who were threatening the vitality and
accomplishments of the true body of Christ in the Ephesian church.
Godliness and Personal
Discipline- (1 Tim. 2:2) There is much practical instruction about how
leaders in the church of the Living God are to act and demonstrate their walk
with Christ. Holy living as examples to the brothers and sisters in the Lord is
a main point in Paul’s writing in these pastoral letters. This implies a deep
reverence for God and the things of God. It stresses a disciplined life that
will persevere through difficulty.
Handling Controversies-
We are not to devote ourselves to myths or endless genealogies, which produce
controversies (1 Tim. 1:4). Controversies and quarrels about words result only
in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between
men of corrupt minds (1 Tim. 6:4, 2 Tim. 2:23-24). The way we handle conflict
is important to the Lord and to His church. 1 & 2 Timothy focus on this
theme.
Trustworthy Sayings-
This phrase is used five times in the pastoral epistles, but found nowhere else
in the New Testament (1 Tim. 1:15; 3:1; 4:9, 2 Tim. 2:11, Titus 3:8). These are
words we can count on from the Lord, which necessitates our obedience in
practical ways as we go through life. Research these “trustworthy sayings” and
make them a part of who you are.
Boldness- In the
face of opposition and persecution, Timothy was to carry out his ministry
without fear or shame. Paul urged him to utilize to his fullest the gifts of
preaching and teaching that the Holy Spirit had given him. We, through the
power of God, can be wise and strong. God honors our confident testimony even
when we suffer. We must get over our fear of what people might say or do, keep
your eyes on Jesus Christ.
Structure:
1 Timothy- Paul affirms his relationship with the young Timothy
(1:2). Paul begins his fatherly advice, warning Timothy about false teachers
(1:3-11) and urging him to hold on to his faith in Christ (1:12-20). Next, Paul
considers public worship, emphasizing the importance of prayer (2:1-7) and
order in church meetings (2:8-15). This leads to a discussion of the
qualifications of church leaders—elders and deacons. Here Paul lists specific
criteria for each office (3:1-16).
Paul speaks again about false
teachers, telling Timothy how to recognize them and respond to them (4:1-16).
Next, he gives practical advice on pastoral care to the young and old (5:1-2),
widows (5:3-16), elders (5:17-25), and slaves (6:1-2). Paul concludes by
exhorting Timothy to guard his motives (6:3-10), to stand firm in his faith
(6:11-12), to live above reproach (6:13-16), and to minister faithfully
(6:17-21).
2 Timothy-Paul provides expressions of love and tenderness for
Timothy (1:1-5). Then Timothy is reminded of the qualifications and qualities
necessary for a faithful minister of Jesus Christ (1:6-2:12). Timothy should
remember his call and use his gifts with boldness (1:6-12), keep to the truth
(1:13-18), prepare others to follow him in the ministry (2:1-2), be disciplined
and ready to endure suffering (2:3-7), and keep his eyes and mind focused on
Christ (2:8-13). Paul challenges Timothy to hold to sound doctrine, reject
error and avoid godless chatter, correctly handle the word of truth (2:14-19),
and keep his life pure (2:20-26).
Next, Paul warns Timothy of the
opposition that he and other believers would face in the last days from
self-centered people who use the church for their own gain and teach false
doctrines (3:1-9). Paul warns Timothy that there will be unfaithful people, and
that he is to follow Paul’s example (3:10-11), understanding the real source of
the opposition (3:12-13), and finding strength and power in the Word of God
(3:14-17). Then Paul gives Timothy a stirring charge: to preach the Word (4:1-4)
and to fulfill his ministry until the end (4:5-8).
Paul concludes with personal
requests and items of information. In these final words, he reveals his
loneliness and his strong love for his brothers and sisters in Christ (4:9-22).
Key Verses:
1 Timothy 4:12- “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but
rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of
those who believe.”
2 Timothy 2:15- “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God
as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of
truth.”
*Notes from this overview were aided by:
New American Standard
Bible: Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Mich.: 1995,
pgs. 2126-2127, 2138-2139.
-There is much that the Apostle Paul wants to share with his
young spiritual son in the faith as he sees his time on earth is growing short
and the Kingdom must be advanced through the younger generation in the body of
Christ. Paul calls Timothy his “true child in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2).” He
pronounces not just the useful grace and peace upon him, but also adds mercy in
this letter. There is a constant thread of God’s mercy as Paul writes recognizing
the gift God has given him to humbly serve the King after being truly converted
from his old ways which he calls himself, the foremost sinner (1 Timothy 1:15).
The new life is different by the mercies of Christ Jesus given through His work
on the cross and appropriated by our faith in Him. Out of this “rule of faith”
comes correct doctrine for the church, which Paul wants to impart to young
Timothy in this pastoral epistle. No longer is the church to be guided by false
doctrines as traditions of men, myths, or endless genealogies, which promote
speculations, intrigue, vain discussions, and pride in confident man-made
assertions rather than stewardship from God (1 Timothy 1:3-4, 6-7). The aim of
the genuine charge in the faith is love that comes from a pure heart, a good
conscience, and a sincere faith with great understanding spiritually from the Holy
Spirit of God. *Application* Our ministry in the Lord Jesus Christ should be characterized
by these three traits continually. A pure heart is wholly God’s and without
deceit. This is the heart that will see God in His Spirit and His Truth (Psalm
73:1, Matthew 5:8, John 4:23-24, Hebrews 10:22). A good conscience means that
you have taken the righteousness of Christ and desire nothing else but His best
for your life not turning to the right or to the left. It is the straight and
narrow way to life (Deuteronomy 5:32; 17:11, 20; 28:14, Joshua 1:7; 23:6, 2
Kings 22:2, 2 Chronicles 34:2, Isaiah 30:21, Matthew 7:13-19). A sincere faith
is one that lasts in truth and does not turn away to falsehood at any point. It
is genuine without reproach (Philippians 2:15, 1 Timothy 3:2; 5:7, Titus 1:6-7).
-Paul recounts what he was saved from as he reminisces to
the young Timothy concerning the mercies of God in his life. God entrusts His
stewardship to the faithful and obedient. God is patient and waits for us to
come to Him for deliverance and eternal life. He is the King of the ages,
immortal, invisible, the only God deserving of honor and glory forever truly (1
Timothy 1:8-17). *Application* It is good practice for us all to recount the
grace and mercy of God often in our lives. He is worthy of all our praise every
single day and every moment of those days. This is what life in His Presence is
all about. His goodness is astounding!
-Paul now charges Timothy with great encouragement and
exhortation as he entrusts Timothy to the work of the Lord according to the
prophecies previously made about him (1 Timothy 1:18). Timothy is charged to
wage the good warfare holding faith and a good conscience avoiding the
destruction of some like Hymenaeus and Alexander, who rejected the right way
and made shipwreck of their faith being handed over to Satan so that they may
learn not to blaspheme. *Application* Here we see the perseverance of the believer
extended as one of the greatest virtues in the Christian faith. Shrinking back
draws no pleasure from the Lord (Hebrews 10:38-39). A steadfast spirit is what
the Lord requires (Psalm 51:10). This is only attained by having His Holy
Spirit within you and complete life change as a new creation (2 Corinthians
5:17). People like Hymenaeus and Alexander here in the text can pretend for a
while tasting and partaking of the Holy Spirit, but until you completely
receive Him and His permanent salvation you are blaspheming God because of
unbelief and waywardness off the path of truth (Hebrews 6:1-6). I don’t believe
in this particular situation Paul is totally giving up on these two men. I
believe he is still hopeful they will recognize their error and turn back to
Christ. Whatever the case with these two, the situation is not good and they
need a cleansing and regenerating by the Lord.
Verse to Memorize- 1
Timothy 1:5
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