Topic: I Timothy
First Timothy was written in the mid 60’s AD after Paul was released from his first imprisonment. Paul wrote 1 Timothy to his “true child in the faith” (1:2) Timothy, who was ministering to the church in Ephesus. Paul and Timothy had been working together in Ephesus, but before Paul’s separation from Timothy and the church, he charged Timothy to deal with the false teachers that had entered the church of Ephesus. Paul then wrote to Timothy to further instruct him in the way to handle false teachers within the church, and how Christians ought to behave in light of the gospel.
The main purpose of this letter is to discuss the false teachers plaguing the church of Ephesus and to promote godly living. As Paul discusses false teachers throughout the book (1:3-20, 4:1-5, 6:2-21) and how Timothy should handle them, he also contrasts that charge with the call to daily gospel-centered living and holiness. Paul states in 1 Timothy 3:15 that he writes these instructions for Timothy to “know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth”. We see him describe a gospel-centered life (2:1-3:13), address behavior in the church (3:14-16), and then continue to list out how specific groups of people in the life of the church should conduct themselves (5:1-6:2).
Although it is not the main purpose of the book, Paul also gives specific instructions for church government and structure. He provides wisdom and counsel to Timothy with a specific focus on church leadership and the characteristics of overseers/pastors (3:1-7) and deacons (3:8-13). Proper church leadership is vital in addressing false teachers.
What Can We Learn from 1 Timothy?
Growth in our holiness happens through the transformational grace of Jesus Christ. We see this throughout each chapter as Paul advises Timothy in “the aim of our charge” (1:5). This sets up the entire letter as Paul clearly lays out the goal of his instructions against the false teachers and promotes gospel-centered living. Repeatedly in the letter, Paul calls believers to holy living and obedience with the message of the gospel. It is only in the remembrance of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection that our hearts and actions can truly be transformed (2:1-6).
Gospel center living teaches us how men and women are to conduct themselves, the basis for church leadership and structure, how Christians ought to care for widows, warnings about putting our faith in money, and how we are to respond to false teachers in the church.
First Timothy 6:12 says, “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
See you Sunday!
Dr. Scott Kallem