THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY
Introduction:
“Hitherto Paul’s epistles were directed to churches; now follow some to particular persons: two to Timothy, one to Titus, and another to Philemon—all three ministers…Their commission and work was much the same with that of the apostles, to plant churches, and water the churches that were planted; and accordingly they were itinerants, as we find Timothy was. Timothy was first converted by Paul, and therefore he calls him his ‘own son in the faith:’ we read of his conversion, Acts 16:3.
“The scope of these two epistles is to direct Timothy how to discharge his duty as an evangelist at Ephesus, where he now was, and where Paul ordered him for some time to reside, to perfect the good work which he had begun there. As for the ordinary pastoral charge of that church, he had very solemnly committed it to the presbytery, as appears from Acts 20:28, where he charges the presbyters ‘to feed the flock of God, which he had purchased with his own blood.’” — Matthew Henry.
“The Design of the First Epistle was:
1) To direct Timothy to charge the false teachers against continuing to teach other doctrine than that of the Gospel (1 Timothy 1:3-20; compare Revelation 2:1-6);
2) To give him instructions as to the orderly conducting of worship, the qualifications of bishops and deacons, and the selection of widows who should, in return for Church charity, do appointed service (1 Timothy 2:1—6:2);
3) To warn against covetousness, a sin prevalent at Ephesus, and to urge to good works (1 Timothy 6:3-19).” — Jamieson, Fausset, Brown.
Writer: The apostle Paul.
Date: uncertain.
Key Text: 1 Timothy 3:15, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
Synopsis:
I. Legality and unsound doctrine rebuked, 1:1-20
A. Salutation, 1 Timothy 1:1-2.
1. Paul means to say that he is an Apostle under orders, v. 1.
2. Timothy, “my own son in the faith,” v. 2.
Exhortation concerning dealing with legalistic teachers:
1. Who emphasize “other doctrine” rather than real godliness; whose purpose was to stir up strife, 1 Timothy 1:3-6.
2. Who desire to be teachers of the law without understanding its significance, 1 Timothy 1:7-11.
NOTE: “The Judaizers here meant seem to be distinct from those impugned in the Epistles to the Galatians and Romans, who made the works of the law necessary to justification in opposition to Gospel grace. The Judaizers here meant corrupted the law with “fables,” which they pretended to found on it, subversive of morals as well as of truth. Their error was not in maintaining the obligation of the law, but in abusing it by fabulous and immoral interpretations of, and additions to, it.” — A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament.
C. Paul’s experience:
1. His call to the ministry while in active opposition to the gospel, 1 Timothy 1:12-13.
2. His acknowledgment of divine grace and confession of unworthiness, 1 Timothy 1:14-15.
3. Christ’s purpose in using him as a pattern of longsuffering, 1 Timothy 1:16.
D. The first solemn charge to Timothy, 1 Timothy 1:18-20.
II. Prayer and the divine order of the sexes enjoined, 2:1-15
A. Intercessory prayer for all men, 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
NOTE: “As the destruction of Jerusalem drew near, the Jews (including those at Ephesus) were seized with the dream of freedom from every yoke; and so virtually ‘blasphemed’’ (compare 1 Timothy 1:20) God’s name by ‘speaking evil of dignities’ (1 Timothy 6:1; 2 Peter 2:10; Jude 1:8). Hence Paul, in opposition, gives prominence to the injunction that prayer be made for all men, especially for magistrates and kings (Titus 3:1-3).” — A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament.
B. Christ the “Mediator” [literally, “go-between”], 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Romans 3:29; Ephesians 4:5-6; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24.
1. One God, v. 5; Romans 3:30; Galatians 3:20.
2. Not only the Father gave Him for us, John 3:16.
3. But the Son gave Himself, v. 6; Philippians 2:5-8.
C. Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles, 1 Timothy 2:7.
D. The Duties of men and women, 1 Timothy 2:8-15.
1. “The men” [Gr. aner = male], v. 8; 1 Corinthians 11:14
2. “The women,” vv. 9-12; 1 Corinthians 11:15; 14:34-35.
III. The Qualifications of Elders and Deacons, 3:1-16
A. The qualifications of a bishop:
1. Personal character and habits 1 Timothy 3:2-3.
2. Attitude toward his family 1 Timothy 3:4-5.
3. Experience and good reputation 1 Timothy 3:6-7.
A. The qualifications of deacons:
1. Character, habits and Christian experience 1 Timothy 3:8-9.
2. Tested for a period 1 Timothy 3:10.
3. Having faithful wives, and proper authority in their own homes 1 Timothy 3:11-12.
4. The advantages of the diaconate 1 Timothy 3:13.
C. The purpose of the epistle 1 Timothy 3:15.
D. The mystery of the incarnation of Christ 1 Timothy 3:16.
IV. The walk of the “Good Minister,” 4:1-16.
A. A dreadful apostasy, 1 Timothy 4:1-3.
B. He treats of Christian liberty, 1 Timothy 4:4-5.
C. He gives Timothy divers directions: 1 Timothy 4:6-16.
1. With respect to himself, 1 Timothy 4:7-12.
2. With respect to His doctrine, 1 Timothy 4:13-14.
3. With respect to the people under his care, 1 Timothy 4:15-16.
V. The Work of the “Good Minister,” 5:1—6:21.
A. Courtesy to old and young, 1 Timothy 5:1-2.
B. The attitude of the church toward widows, 1 Timothy 5:3-16.
NOTE: “Evidently, as in Acts 6:1-6, so here in Ephesus there had arisen some trouble over the widows in the church. Both for individual cases of need and as a class Timothy is to show proper respect, to keep on honoring the widows.” — A. T. Robertson.
The duty to the church elders, 1 Timothy 5:17-20.
C. The Apostle gives a solemn charge concerning ordination, 1 Timothy 5:21-22.
D. Advice relating to personal matters, 1 Timothy 5:23-25.
E. Duties of servants, 1 Timothy 6:1-2.
F. Duty of separation from contentious teachers, 1 Timothy 6:3-5.
G. The blessings of contentment, 1 Timothy 6:6-8.
H. The peril of riches, and the duty of the minister to avoid covetousness; to seek Christian virtues, and to “fight the good fight of faith,” 1 Timothy 6:9-12.
I. A solemn charge to the young pastor, 1 Timothy 6:13-16.
J. A solemn charge concerning ordination, 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
K. A final charge to Timothy, 1 Timothy 6:20-21.