1 Timothy
The Pastoral Epistles
The two letters which Paul wrote to Timothy and the one written to Titus are grouped together and called the “pastoral epistles” of Paul. This name comes from the fact that Timothy and Titus were both co-workers with Paul in the public ministry of the Gospel of Christ. Because of this, these letters have special value for pastors and teachers in the public ministry. Yet we should not pass over these “pastoral epistles” as being irrelevant to lay people. God has preserved this part of His Word not just for pastors and teachers, but shows us that they are applicable for His church as a whole.
Background for the Pastoral Epistles
The three letters which Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus do not fit into the historical record of the missionary activity of the Apostle Paul found in the book of Acts. The book of Acts ends with the imprisonment of the Apostle Paul in Rome where he wrote his letters to the Colossians, the Ephesians, Philemon, and the Philippians. The book of Acts does not record Paul’s release from prison, his continued missionary activity, his second imprisonment, nor his death. Based on Biblical references and extra-biblical sources we can piece together the following history of Paul’s life and journeys:
After his first imprisonment in Rome, which lasted about two years, Paul was released. Near the end of his captivity in Rome he expected to be released as he stated in his letter to Philemon saying, “But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you” (Philemon 1:22 - cf. Philippians 2:24). After his release, is seems that Paul followed through on His plans to visit Macedonia and Asia Minor where he left Timothy to work in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3) and may also have journeyed to Crete where Titus was put in charge of the churches there (Titus 1:5). Paul’s first letter to Timothy and letter to Titus were probably written while Paul was in Macedonia around 63 A.D.
According to early Christian sources, Paul did make a journey west of Rome to Spain. This was something that he had hoped to do and spoke about in his letter to the Romans years before (Romans15:23-24). Some time after that Paul was taken prisoner for a second time. It was during this imprisonment that Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy. During this imprisonment Paul realized that he would not be released, but expected to receive a martyrs’s death as he wrote to Timothy saying, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Timothy 4:6). This would make Paul’s second letter to Timothy his last New Testament epistle. Church tradition holds that Paul was martyred in Rome in the year 67 or 68 A.D.
Background on Timothy
Timothy was the son of a mixed marriage, his mother being a Jew and his father a Gentile (Acts 16:1). In spite of this, Timothy had been brought up and instructed in the true doctrine of the Old Testament faith by his mother and grandmother whom Paul praises for their sincere faith (2 Timothy 1:5, 3:14). Luke goes on to write that Timothy was well spoken of by his fellow believers, and that Paul decided to take Timothy along with him on the remainder of his second missionary journey (Acts 16:2ff).
At this time Timothy was still a young man (1 Timothy 4:12), but one who was dedicated to the work of his Lord Jesus. Timothy became a close associate of the Apostle Paul, and was with him through much of his second and third missionary journeys (note that Timothy’s name is mentioned along with Paul’s in the letters to the Thessaloninans, written during Paul’s second missionary journey; and his letters to the Corinthians and Romans, written during his third missionary journey). At the end of that journey he also journeyed with Paul to Jerusalem to deliver the collection for the Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 20:4-5). Timothy was with Paul again during his first imprisonment in Rome (Timothy’s name is mentioned beside Paul’s in his letters to the Colossians, Philemon and the Philippians). During this time Paul sent Timothy as his representative to the congregations in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:2); Macedonia (Acts 19:22) and Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:17), while he was busy with other situations. Later Paul placed Timothy in charge of the congregation at Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). After that Timothy himself was also imprisoned and then released (Hebrews 13:23).
Outline and Contents
I. Salutation (1:1-2)
In the introductory verses we are told, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, to Timothy, a true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:1-2). The apostle was writing to young Timothy who was caring for the souls of believers in and around the city of Ephesus. Paul’s primary purpose in writing was to instruct and encourage Timothy in the difficult task of leading, teaching and guarding that flock.
II. Instruction to Rebuke False Teachers (1:3-20)
Paul starts by instructing Timothy to rebuke false teachers who begin to teach other doctrines, saying, “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia----remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith” (1 Timothy 1:3-4). After pointing out some of the things Timothy should watch out for, Paul goes on to speak of the grace of God as demonstrated in his own life. Paul says, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (1 Timothy 1:15-16). Then Paul goes on to entrust Timothy to do this and encourages him to “fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 1:18).
III. The Regulations for the Church (2:1-3:16)
In the next part of the letter Paul goes on to discuss regulations for the church. He speaks about prayer in the worship service, (2:1-8); the role of women in the church (2:9-15); and the qualifications for bishops (3:1-7) and deacons (3:8-13).
At the end of the list of qualifications for deacons Paul writes, “These things I write to you... 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” (3:14-15). He continues with a confession of faith, similar to what we confess in the second article of the Apostles’ Creed: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory” (3:16).
IV. General Instructions to Timothy (4:1-6:21)
In chapter four Paul continues with another warning against false teaching, and encourages him and his flock to follow sound doctrine and godly living. “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed” (4:6). Paul also encourages Timothy to faithful service through the reading of Scripture and teaching of God’s Word. “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (4:13).
Chapter five offers instruction on how to deal with different types of members such as: older men and women, younger men and women, widows, elders in the church, servants, and masters.
Then Paul once more warns Timothy of the dangers of false teachers saying, “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing” (6:3-4). Paul again encourages Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith” (6:12), and warns him of the dangers of the love of wealth, “those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (6:9). Finally Paul tells Timothy to “guard what has been entrusted to you” and concludes his letter with the familiar words, “Grace be with you. Amen” (6:20-21).
Note: This study was prepared for the Bible Class at Zion Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, GA by Pastor Nathanael Mayhew.
If you would like more information about this study,
please contact Pastor Mayhew