1 Timothy

Growing in Christ

"He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." (Luke 24:45)

Overview of Old Testament or New Testament

Links to observations drawn from other books of the Bible

In the Pastoral Epistles, Paul shares with Timothy and Titus principles of caring for the newly emerging churches and choosing leadership for them.

Practical and Pastoral Observations on 1 Timothy (please read each chapter slowly and meditatively before reading observations below):

Introduction: Paul had worked with Timothy since his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3). Paul had left Timothy to oversee the growing work in Ephesus. He probably wrote 1 Timothy from Macedonia (1 Tim. 1:3) and hoped to visit soon (3:14, 4:13) to equip Timothy further. In the meantime, Paul provided support in several practical areas as able until that personal visit. The letter was probably written after Paul's release, following the Book of Acts, between AD 63-66.

1 Timothy 1

Primary relationships: Paul's authority as apostle comes from God's appointment, our Savior, through Jesus Christ who is our hope (v.1). Timothy, Paul's disciple, receives direction (v.3-4) and support (v.2) from Paul. Teamwork helps us stay focused on the goal, trust Christ, overcome opposition and reach higher for His glory and our good in Him.

Goal of this relationship: is primarily spiritual, expressed in our character and sanctification as love, purity of heart, clear conscience, sincere faith (v.5). 

Role of the Law: The law is not for righteous people but to restrain evil (v.9-10) until the transformation that is in Christ (v11.) is accomplished; a transformation of which the law is incapable.

Transformation Through Christ: Paul himself was transformed by Christ (v.14) as a testimony to Christ's power to take the "foremost of sinners" (v.13-16) as an example, trophy and testimony of grace and power to salvation for encouragement to all who would believe unto eternal life (v.16). This grace and transformation elicits the explosion of praise in v.17: "To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen!"

Victory or Shipwreck: Sadly some miss the goal (v.5) and are shipwrecked (v.19). These men Paul directs to this last-resort remedial discipline to protect those in Timothy's care while hoping for a change of course (v.20). Timothy is urged to the contrary to fight the good fight, continue his course, and not be diverted from the goal (v.18).

Personal Response: I will memorize v.5 and stay focused on the goal.

My Prayer: Father, keep me on course towards purity of heart, leading to a clear conscience through which flows faith and most importantly love.

I Timothy 2

Prayer for Those in Authority: As God sends rain on the just and the unjust, we are to pray for all men (v.1), including kings, just or unjust (v.2). Nero was Caesar when Paul wrote this letter. We pray for unjust rulers that they may be saved and we unmolested. We seek to live a quiet, dignified, godly life both to honor God and that we may not draw the unjust ruler's attention. Paul does not here call the church to speak truth to power.

God our Savior: desires (but does not decree) all men to be saved (v.4). This salvation (sozo: same word as healing of body and deliverance from Satan) is exclusively through one mediator, Christ Jesus (v.5), by means of his ransom (substitute payment for us) on the cross (v.6).

Complementarianism: Paul's teaching here is unpopular and frequently set aside, yet those who choose to do so must understand what it is they set aside and the basis on which Paul asserts the complementary roles of men and women in the church. Paul calls men to public prayer (v.8) and teaching (v.12) and women to modest behavior (v.9) and good works (v.10). These varying roles of course do not imply varying value, nor are these responsibilities the only roles of men and women. While some assert Paul's teaching applies only to cultures where women lack access to education, Paul asserts it to be rooted in creation (v.12-14). Childbearing is likewise rooted in creation and has become dangerous through the fall (Gen.3). Yet God has special grace for women in childbearing who are characterized by faith, love, holiness and self-restraint (v.15).

Gracious Service: It can be commonly observed that where women take leadership roles the proportion of men in the church decreases. Whether Paul foresaw this we cannot know. Yet the second half of the chapter is one in which it is unlikely the church will find agreement in western culture in the foreseeable future. Regardless of one's view, agreement must be found in each member of the body called to live out their role to the best of the ability given them by God.

Personal Application:  I will seek to lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

My Prayer: Father, even in controversy and emotion over complementarian roles and relationships, may we honor one another while listening deeply to the heart of our brother or sister.

 I Timothy 3

Encouragement to seek leadership: the Bible distinguishes between self-serving ambition and a godly ambition to serve and build up the church (v.1). We should not hesitate to take on the costly role of oversight, if God calls us to it. The Greek term "episkope" has to do with supervision and been translated "overseer, bishop and elder". The term "diakonos" is related to "helper" which may be a helper of the elder, people of the congregation, or those served outside the congregation (v.8).

Leadership standards: are similar for elders (v.2-7) and deacons (v.8-13) and focus on

• character (temperate, including use of wine, prudent, respectable, v.2; gentle, peaceable, not in love with money (v.3,8) or conceited (v.6), dignified, truthful (not double-tongued, v.8)

• reputation (both inside and outside the church (v.7), married once, v.2) and

• skills (able to manage his own household (v.4-5), to teach (v.2) the faith, personally lived, accurately (v.9).

Leadership should be tested (v.10) before being given responsibility. Wives likewise are to be dignified, temperate, faithful and in control of their tongues (v.11).

Leadership standards must be high both because of who Christ is and what the Church is:

The Church is the very household of God, owned by and representing Him, holding high the truth which brings life and salvation (v.15).

The Gospel is encapsulated in this early hymn fragment focused entirely on Christ: His incarnation (revealed in the flesh), resurrection (vindicated), mission of the church (proclaimed among the nations to be believed on in the world), ascension returning to heaven. "He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory." (v.16)

Personal Response: I will honor Christian leaders both in the Church called to build up disciples to serve in the world, and in the Church in the marketplace and public square.

2.) Personal discipline (v.8) involving focus and perseverance (v.15, 16),

3.) Seek to be a personal example of godliness in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity (v.12).

4.) Strengthen through exercise the spiritual gift given through prophesy and the laying on of hands for the benefit of the Body of Christ (v.14).

I am a soldier with eyes set on the goal of godliness in Jesus Christ into eternal life. I will remain focused, turning aside neither to distraction or sin. I will monitor and discipline myself in the foundational areas urged by Paul: "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."  (v.12)

Personal Response: I will evaluate at the end of the day my speech (was it true, upbuilding, honoring to God?), my conduct (was it helpful, responsible, orderly, reflecting heaven?), my love (was it indiscriminate, both in my heart, words and deeds?), my faith (was it strong, did it keep me on course, set my eyes on Christ ruling in glory?) and purity (was I pure in heart, eyes, motivation, conduct and speech?).

My Prayer: Father, fill me with passionate desire for godliness in an ongoing act of worship of Your supreme worthiness forever.

I Timothy 5

Finances in the Christian Community: Paul advises Timothy to distribute local offerings between two groups - dependant widows (v.3-16) and full-time elders (17-18).

Widows: decentralized care (v.8) for those who cannot care for themselves is the principle Paul advises. Widows with children or grandchildren should be cared for by their family (v.4). Widows over 60, without family, should be cared for by the wider church community, provided they fix their hope on God (v.5) and demonstrate Godly character (v.10). Younger widows should remarry rather than rely on the wider community (v.14) and contribute to society rather than only socialize (v.13). Older widows supported by the church comprise a sort of "order of widows" (Ryrie) who devote themselves to prayer and good works (v.5,10), perhaps the first roots of later monastic orders.

Elders: who teach, preach and administer the church are also to be supported, at least in part, by local offerings (v.17-18). "Double honor" for elders (v.17) probably refers to 1.) respect and 2.) financial support. This respect extends to a community culture in which accusations are not made lightly, requiring multiple witnesses (v.19). Yet, confirmed sin among those who are to be models of Christian living among us is to be confronted (v.20) and leaders disciplined for sin are not to be restored hastily (v.22).

Sin is serious and will be found out, either because the behavior is evident to all or, if hidden, because truth always emerges over time (v.24-25).

The church is to be a compassionate, holy and disciplined community. This applies to all aspects of it life, leadership and mission.

Personal Response: I will live a holy life, resisting and keeping from sin (v.22), both from public sin seen by all, and hidden sin seen by God now and by others later (v.24-25). 

My Prayer: Jesus, may I honor you by being like you.