Introduction to 1 Timothy

Introduction:

This morning, we are being a brand new journey together—an exegetical walk through the book of 1 Timothy, a letter as relevant to the church today as it was to the church in Ephesus nearly two thousand years ago.

And before we dive into the details, I want us to remember why this book matters.

There is a misconception, that his book is a manual for pastors and other church leaders only. It is a Spirit inspired call for the entire church to pursue godliness, to hold fast to strong doctrine, and to preserve the purity of the gospel.

At the heart of this letter is Paul’s conviction that the gospel always produces visible, practical change in the lives of those who believe.

Paul writes this letter near the end of his ministry to a young man he calls “a true son in the faith”—Timothy. Timothy was facing challenges every church faces: false teachers, false teachings, spiritual confusion, disorder in the church, and cultural pressure from a city know for wealth, immorality, and idolatry.

Paul hands him a charge—really, a sacred stewardship—to guard the gospel, teach the truth, raise up godly leaders, and show the church what a life shaped by the gospel looks like.

Family, we need this letter in our lives today.

In a world filled with confusion, compromise, spiritual drift, and doctrinal instability, 1 Timothy calls us back to what matters—the gospel, the church, and a life that reflects Christ.

So as we begin this study and hear each chapter read, I invite you to listen carefully. Listen as though Paul were writing to you—to us, Calvary Harvest.

Listen to the heart of a spiritual father urging his child to stand firm in truth, to pursue holiness, and to lift high the name of Jesus in a world which so desperately need Him.

With that in mind, lets turn our attention to the reading of God’s Word.

Reading 1 Timothy:

Chapter 1: Thomas Kusner

Chapter 2: Steven Moore

Chapter 3: Kurt Smith

Chapter 4: Karl Kremple

Chapter 5: Jeff Jarrard

Chapter 6: Thomas Kusner

Author and Title:

The very first verse of 1 Timothy clearly states Paul is the author, and this was universally believed until the nineteenth century. In the last 200 years a significant shift has occurred in biblical scholarship, leaving many today to deny Paul actually wrote 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, or Titus.

Critics point to the way in which these three letters (commonly referred to as the “Pastoral Epistles”) differ from Paul’s other letters in style, vocabulary, theology, church order, and the way in which Paul, himself is portrayed.

However, the differences in theology and church order, for example, are typically overstated based on a particular reading of Paul’s earlier letters, and based on the effect of reading these three letters as a unit rather than individually.

For example, some claim the Pastoral Epistles picture a much more structured church with an emphasis on church officers (elders and deacons) rather than the dynamic, Spirit-directed church in Paul’s other letters. This honestly, overstates the evidence of both groups of letters in opposite direction.

Elders are mentioned as early as Paul’s first missionary journey:

Acts 14:21–23 NKJV

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

and Philippians is addressed to the “bishops and deacons” of the church in Philippi:

Philippians 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Also, difference in style and vocabulary is not unusual for a creative mind, especially considering these letters differ from the other letters in purpose, subject matter, and audience, these being the only ones written to co-laborers.

Also, it is problematic to argue these works were written under a false name since the early church clearly excluded from the canon of Scripture any works they thought to be pseudonymous. While critics point to the common practice of pseudonymous writing in the ancient world (like the book of Enoch), they usually fail to point out this practice, though common in the culture, was not common in personal letters, and was categorically rejected by the early church:

2 Thessalonians 2:2 NKJV

2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.

2 Thessalonians 3:17 NKJV

17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.

Tertullian (160–225 AD) wrote when it was discovered a church elder had composed a pseudonymous work, The Acts of Paul (which included a purported Pauline letter, 3 Corinthians), the offending elder “was removed from his office.”

Accepting as Scripture letters which lie about their origin is also a big ethical problem.

Thus, there is a good basis for affirming the straightforward claim of these letters as authentically written by Paul. The title indicates this letter was sent to Timothy, and its contents confirm that, chronologically, it precedes 2 Timothy.

Date and Timeline:

Some critics have suggested 1 Timothy doesn’t seem to fit into the narrative of Acts. Other have responded tit could fit into the events of Acts 20. However, the traditional position has been that Paul was released from his first Roman imprisonment (the one mentioned at the close of Acts; you can read it in Acts 28:16, 30–31), accomplishing further missionary work, and was then imprisoned a second time, leading to his execution.

This reconstruction is supported by statements from Clement and Eusubius, Two early church fathers in their respective writings.

First Timothy then would fit well during Paul’s work between the two imprisonments. If Paul’s arrival in Rome, as narrated in Acts, is dated about 59–61 AD, then, allowing a couple of years for the imprisonment, he would have been released in about 62 AD. If Paul was executed under Nero (68 AD), 1 Timothy would have been written somewhere in the mid-60s.

Theme:

The Theme of 1 Timothy is that the gospel leads to practical, visible change in the lives of those who believe it. It is often thought that the theme is church order, but the discussion of church offices is simply a piece of the larger argument that the true gospel, in contrast to false teaching, will always lead to godliness in its adherents.

Key Themes:

The gospel produces holiness in the lives of Christians, and there is no legitimate separation between belief and behavior. Thus, those who profess faith but do not demonstrate any progress in godliness should question their spiritual state. (1:5; 2:8–15; 3:1–16; 4:6–16; 5:4–6, 8; 6:3–5, 11–14, 18–19)

Worldwide evangelization is essential and is rooted in God’s own evangelistic desire. (1:15; 2:1–17; 3:16; 4:10)

One key evidence of reception of the gospel is proper behavior in corporate worship, which includes: evangelistic prayer, unity, modesty, and submission. (2:1–15)

Church leaders should be people whose lives are shaped by the gospel. (3:1–13; 4:6–16)

Appropriate honor is a key element in how Christians should relate to one another in the church. (5:1–6:2)

The created order (like being wealth) is good and is to be appreciated, though not worshiped. (4:4–5; 6:17–19)

It is important to labor for the purity and preservation of the gospel. (1:3–7, 18–20; 4:6–16; 6:2b–3, 12, 20–21)

Family it is really important we understand God’s plan brings blessing of Christ’s salvation to people partly by means of the church and its ministries.

Literary Features:

The general form of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus have been called more specifically “Pastoral Epistles” because each one is a letter written to someone who has pastoral leadership responsibilities. These letters give advice on the issues of the church and church life. Paul gives guidance and encouragement—it is important to understand Timothy was not actually one of the pastors of a church but was Paul’s liaison who implemented Paul’s instruction to the church.

The resulting letter is occasional, meaning the author of the letter addresses the specific situation in the recipient’s church which needed attention. The Pastoral Epistles are not theological treatises in which Paul is able to explore topics of his choosing. Paul take up the topics in this letter, specifically, because they are the topics which have been raised.

I believe it is really helpful to regard the entire letter as a formal, authoritative charge—what I mean is, this is a list of duties which Paul is challenging and directing Timothy to perform.

Paul is writing this letter as a friend and father in faith, expressing personal concern over the well-being of a younger church leader and the church in which he is ministering too. The overarching concern of the letter is to combat false teaching and false teachers. Which helps us understand, in this letter, there are detailed contrasts between good and bad spiritual leadership in the church.

Lastly, this letter provides the most complete summary in the Bible of a pastor’s ministry and spirituality. There are also lists of spiritual qualification for officers in the church, as well as advice about caring for people with different needs, such as widows and slaves. Also three times Paul says a statement he makes is “trustworthy:”

1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV

15 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.

1 Timothy 3:1 NKJV

1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.

1 Timothy 4:9 NKJV

9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.

Setting for the Letter:

Paul is likely writing to Timothy during a fourth missionary journey not recorded in the book of Acts. Writing from an unknown location, Paul wrote to Timothy at Ephesus to instruct him how to lead the church there. Ephesus was a wealthy and highly influential port city in the Roman province of Asia, renowned for its temple of Artemis or called Diana.

False teaching and Teachers:

The ESV Study Bible 1:3—teaching a different doctrine

1:6—swerving from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith 1:6—wandering away into vain discussions 1:7—lacking understanding 1:10—practicing something contrary to sound doctrine 1:19—making shipwreck of their faith 1:20—blaspheming 4:1—departing from the faith 4:1—devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons 4:2—insincere, lying, having a seared conscience 4:7—perpetuating irreverent, silly myths 5:15—straying after Satan 5:20—persisting in sin 6:10—wandering away from the faith 6:20—irreverent babble and contradictions 6:21—swerving from the faith

vv. 1–2) Salutations

[1] Paul in his self-description, emphasized his credentials (apostle) and his authority (by the commandment of God). He did this both as a personal encouragement to Timothy and so the letter could be used as a letter of reference before the Ephesian Christians.

Again, it seems 1 Timothy was written by Paul to Timothy sometime after his release from Roman imprisonment as described at the end of the Book of Acts.

Apparently, after his release (hoped for in:)

Philemon 22 NKJV

22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

Philippians 1:25–26 NKJV

25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Philippians 2:24 NKJV

24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

Paul returned to the city of Ephesus. THere de discovered that during his absence Ephesus had become a storm center of false teaching. This was a sad fulfillment of the prediction he made to the Ephesian elders in:

Acts 20:29–30 NKJV

29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

Paul probably dealt with the false teachers personally, but soon found it necessary to leave for another place, possible for Macedonia. He then left Timothy there to be his own personal representative. HE knew Timothy had a difficult job to carry out, so he hoped this letter would both equip and encourage him in that task.

Also I want to point out, the official-like language use, indicates to us that the Pastoral Epistles were not private letter, but were intended to be read to the churches committed to the charge of Timothy.

Our Savior: at the time of writing this, the title Savior was used to honor the Roman Emperor. People called and were forced to call, Caesar Nero “savior.”

Paul made the identity of the real Savior clear: God, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I think it is also important to recognize “by the commandment of God:” this command proceeds equally from God and Christ Jesus. This language could hardly have been used is Paul conceived of Jesus Christ as only a creature.

Meaning Paul thought of Christ as God.

[2] The book of Acts tells us Timothy came from Lystra, a city in the province of Galatia (Acts 16:1–3).

He was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother named Eunice. His mother and grandmother taught him the Scriptures from the time of his youth.

Paul could consider Timothy a true son in the faith because he probably led him and his mother to faith in Jesus Christ on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:8–20). This also expresses Paul’s confidence in Timothy’s integrity and faithfulness to the truth.

Grace, mercy, and peace: this is a familiar greeting Paul used in his letters to the congregation. Here, he also applied it to an individual.

God grants his grace, mercy and peace not only to churches, but also to the individuals who make up the churches too.

There is a difference though, when Paul wrote to the churches, he commonly only greeted them with grace and peace. To Timothy and Titus he added mercy to the greeting.

“Not only grace and peace, as to others. When we pray for ministers, we must be more than ordinarily earnest for them with God. These three are joined together only in the Epistles of Timothy and Titus.”–Trapp

Closing:

Family, as we look back over the opening words of this powerful letter, one truth rises to the surface: the gospel of Jesus Christ is meant to shape every part of our lives and every part of our church.

Paul’s charge to Timothy wasn’t just for a young leader in Ephesus—it is a charge God places before every believer and every local church today.

We are called to hold fast to sound doctrine

We are called to pursue holiness with sincerity

We are called to guard the purity of the gospel

We are called to stand together against anything which would distort or diminish the truth of Christ

As we move forward in this study, chapter by chapter, line by line, my prayer is that God would use this letter to strengthen you, our church, to sharpen our convictions, deepen our love for one anther, and ignite in us a great passion for godliness.

May we, like Timothy, receive this as a sacred trust.

May we listen with open hearts.

May we rise in obedience.

May the Lord use His Word to make our church a place where His gospel is clear, His people are holy, and His glory is on full display.

Let’s Pray.