The Book of 1 Timothy:

Transcription

1 The Book of 1 Timothy: The Holy Bible It is also referred to as God s Word, or the Holy Scriptures. This book is made up by 66 books penned by various authors over a period of approx years, although written by men; God is the ultimate author (2 Tim.3v16-17, 2 Pet.1v20-21). The date and author of 1 Timothy The Book of 1 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul (1v1) and was probably written between A.D Introduction to Timothy Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, a young man in his teens or early twenties, he was the son of a Jewish mother and a Greek father. His mother and grandmother had become a Christians (2 Tim.1v5, 3v15) who had brought him up in the faith since his youth. Timothy s home was in Lystra in the Roman province of Galatia in what is now Turkey (Acts 16v1-3). Paul met Timothy in Lystra on his first missionary journey (Acts 14v6-23). Timothy was a friend, co-labourer, and disciple for the rest of Paul s life. He was well spoken of by the Christians in Lystra and the neighbouring city of Iconium. When Paul revisited the church in Lystra on his second missionary journey, he wanted this young man of sincere faith to accompany him on his mission travels as his co-worker (Acts 16v1-3). In his letters Paul wrote of Timothy with love and respect. He called him his son (1 Tim.1v2, v18) in the faith whom he loved and who was faithful in the Lord (1 Cor.4v17). Paul said Timothy had a genuine spirit like his own. He said Timothy was a co-worker who was concerned about the welfare of the Christians and their churches, who sought the interests of Christ Jesus, and who was of proven worth in furthering the gospel like a child serving his father (Phil.2v19-22). Timothy ministered with Paul in: Athens (Acts 17v5) Berea (Acts 17v14) Corinth (Acts 18v5, 2 Cor.1v19) Ephesus (Acts 19v21-22) Final trip to Jerusalem (Acts 20v4) Paul often sent Timothy to churches as his representative. This letter finds him on another assignment, serving as pastor of the church at Ephesus (1v3). Timothy was sent by Paul to minister to the churches as his representative, including: Corinth (1 Cor.4v17) Philippi (Phil.2v19) Thessalonica (1 Thess.3v2) Ephesus (1 Tim.1v3) Six of Paul s letters bear Timothy s name with Paul s in the opening greeting (2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon). Summary of the Holy Bible Page 64

2 Timothy joined Paul on Paul s second missionary journey and travelled with him through the cities in which Paul had established congregations on his first missionary journey. Timothy then travelled with Paul through Asia Minor to Troas, where Paul was given the vision of a man in Macedonia. From Troas Timothy travelled with Paul, Silas, and Luke to Macedonia and the city of Philippi. There he assisted Paul and the others in establishing the church of the Philippians. Either Timothy remained with Luke in Philippi for a short time, or he journeyed with Paul and Silas to Thessalonica. After Paul left Thessalonica and went to Berea, Paul pressed on from Berea to Athens leaving Timothy with Silas to continue the ministry in Berea (Acts 17v14). Following Paul s instructions to rejoin him (Acts 17v5); Timothy joined Paul in Corinth (Acts 18v1, 5). There he assisted Paul in the gospel ministry to establish the church of Corinth. From Corinth Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica as his personal agent to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonian Christians who were being severely persecuted (1 Thess.3v1-5). Timothy then returned to Corinth to report the good news of the Thessalonians faith and love (1 Thess.3v6). At the conclusion of Paul s second missionary journey, Timothy may have remained with Silas in Corinth to continue the work there while Paul returned to the church of Antioch in Syria to report on his mission efforts. Timothy was with Paul on his third missionary journey, most of which was spent in the city of Ephesus (Acts 19v22). When trouble arose in the church of Corinth, Paul sent Timothy from Ephesus to Corinth as his agent to address the problems there (1 Cor.4v17). Near the end of the third mission journey Paul again sent Timothy as his agent from Ephesus back to the churches in Macedonia -Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea - before Paul himself returned to those churches and then proceeded to Corinth where he spent three months (Acts 20v1-2). It is thought that from Corinth Paul wrote his letter to the Romans. Timothy was with Paul when Paul wrote his letter to the Romans. This is certain because Paul included in that letter a greeting from Timothy (Rom.16v21). At the end of Paul s third missionary journey Timothy accompanied Paul and others when they carried the collection from the Gentile churches to the church in Jerusalem (Acts 20v3-4). It would appear that Timothy was in Jerusalem when Paul was taken into Roman custody. Timothy was also with Paul during Paul s first imprisonment in Rome. After Paul was released from his imprisonment in Rome, Paul left Timothy in charge of the church of Ephesus (1 Tim.1v3). In his second letter to Timothy shortly before his martyrdom Paul asked Timothy to come to him in Rome, for he longed to see Timothy yet once more (2 Tim.1v4; 4v9, 21). The Scriptures tell do not tell us much more about Timothy and his ministerial activities. However there is a small bit of information given to us about Timothy in Heb.13v23. The writer tells us that Timothy had been released. We are not told from where, when, or why Timothy was imprisoned. The division of the book of 1 Timothy The book can be divided into 5 sections: Introduction (1v1-2) To instruct Timothy in writing to oppose the false doctrines that Paul had personally urged him to oppose while they were together in Ephesus, giving instructions needed to fight the good fight of faith (1v3-20). Summary of the Holy Bible Page 65

3 To instruct Timothy how believers should conduct themselves in the church (2v1 3v16). To instruct Timothy on how to conduct his personal and pastoral ministry (4v1-6v19). Conclusion (6v20-21). Why the book was written Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him in his responsibility for overseeing the work of the Ephesian church and possibly the other churches in the province of Asia (1v3). This letter lays the foundation for ordaining elders (3v1-7), and provides guidance for ordaining people into offices of the church (3v8-13). Paul had left Timothy behind at Ephesus with an awesome responsibility: to charge some not to teach anything contrary to the sound doctrine which was according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God (1v3-11). Fulfilling this charge was made difficult by Timothy s youth and natural timidity (4v11-12; 2 Tim.1v7-8). While Paul hoped to come himself, he writes these letters to Timothy to guide him in the meantime (3v14-15). Some of the themes in 1 Timothy The Book of 1 Timothy is addressed by Paul to Timothy personally, but actually it is meant for many of the concerns of the Christian church. Everything that is written is designed to help both him and the congregation in their doctrine and conduct. Fight the good fight of the faith (1v18-19; 6v12) warn believers about false doctrine. Instructions on prayer: (2v1-7) 1. Pray for everyone, (2v1) 2. Pray for governing officials so we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (2v2) 3. Prayers in behalf of everyone please God, who wants all to be saved and to come to know the truth of the gospel (2v3-4) Leadership instructions concerning: a). The men in the congregation (2v8) b). The women in the congregation (2v9-15) The qualifications for those who serve as: a). Pastors and overseers of the church (3v1-7) b). Lay leaders and deacons of the church (3v8-13) Brief summary of the book This is the first letter Paul wrote to Timothy, a young pastor who had been helping Paul in his work. Paul was more than just a mentor and leader to Timothy, he was like a father to him, and Timothy was like a son to Paul (1v2). Paul begins the letter by urging Timothy to be on guard for false teachers and false doctrine. However, much of the letter deals with pastoral conduct. Paul instructs Timothy in worship (chapter 2) and developing mature leaders for the church (chapter 3). Summary of the Holy Bible Page 66

4 Most of the letter deals with pastoral conduct, warnings about false teachers, and the church s responsibility toward single members, widows, elders, and slaves. All throughout the letter, Paul encourages Timothy to stand firm, to persevere, and to remain true to his calling. The key verses are 1 Timothy 2v5: For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3v1-2: Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 1 Timothy 3v14-15: These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Timothy 4v9-10: This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labour and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men and especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 6v12: Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Seeing the Old Testament in 1 Timothy An interesting link to the Old Testament in the book of 1 Timothy is Paul s quotation of the basis for considering church elders to be worthy of double honour, and deserving of respect when it comes to being accused of wrongdoing (5v17-19). Deuteronomy 24v15; 25v4; and Leviticus 19v13 all speak of the necessity to pay a worker what he has earned and to do it in a timely manner. Part of the Mosaic Law demanded that two or three witnesses were necessary to bring an accusation against a man (Deut.19v15). The Jewish Christians in the churches Timothy pastored would have been well aware of these Old Testament connections. It is also interesting to notice that as Paul quoted from the Scriptures (i.e. Deuteronomy and Leviticus) he also quotes from Luke s gospel giving it the same authority (see 5v18 and Luke 10v7). Practical Application: Three of Paul s letters (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus) are referred to as Pastoral letters because they are concerned with issues that are concerned with the duties of those who are called to lead local churches. Jesus Christ is presented by Paul as the mediator between God and man (2v5), the Saviour to all who believe in Him. Christ is Head and Lord of the church, and Timothy serves Christ by pastoring His church. This then is the main application of Paul s first letter to his son in the faith. Paul instructs Timothy on matters of church doctrine, church leadership, and church administration. We can use those same instructions in governing our local assembly today. Likewise, the work and ministry of a pastor, the qualifications for an elder, and the qualifications of a deacon are just as important and relevant today as they were in Timothy s day. For those not called into leadership roles in their church, the book is still practical. Every follower must contend for the faith and avoid false teaching. Every follower must stand firm and persevere. Summary of the Holy Bible Page 67

5 Special phrases found only in the Pastoral letters: God my Saviour (1 Tim.1v1; 2v3; 4v10; Titus 1v3; 2v10, 13; 3v4). Sayings of special value (1 Tim.1v15; 3v1; 4v9-10; 2 Tim.2v11-13; Titus 3v8). Paul is thankful to Christ Jesus (1v12-14) For enabling him (v12a) a. Because He counted him faithful (v12b) b. Putting him into the ministry (v12c) Though he had formerly been (v13a) a. A blasphemer (v13b) b. A persecutor (v13c) c. An insolent man (v13d)... but he obtained mercy because he did it ignorantly in unbelief (v13e) The grace of the Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love in Christ Jesus (v14) The mercy shown to him is a pattern for others (1v15-17) 1. Christ came to save sinners, and Paul was one of the worst (v15) 2. But he received mercy, that Christ might demonstrate His longsuffering to others who believe on Him for everlasting life (v16) 3. Paul desires that honour and glory be given a. To the King eternal, immortal, invisible (v17a) b. To God who alone is wise (v17b) c. Forever and ever (v17c) Personal Notes: Summary of the Holy Bible Page 68