1 Timothy 3
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1 Timothy
1 Timothy
Background
Apollos “founded” the church of Ephesus, but he only knew about John’s the Baptist’s baptism of repentance. Paul Priscilla and Aquila “explained the way of God to him more accurately” (Acts 18:26). While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul went to Ephesus and baptized the disciples of Apollos/John the Baptist “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5). They did not know about the Holy Spirit, but when Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit filled them and 12 men began to prophesy. Paul stayed in Ephesus for 3 years (A.D. 46-48) before a riot cased him to leave for Macedonia, where he had already sent Timothy.
Paul circumcised Timothy. Timothy had a Greek father, and a Jewish mother, Eunice. Timothy’s half-Jewish heritage let Paul to circumcise him to be able to minister to Jews. Titus, on the other hand, was a Gentile, and Paul did not circumcise Titus. Timothy was perhaps the closest friend of Paul.
Timothy was converted on Paul’s 1st missionary journey (Acts 14), joined him on the 2nd missionary journey, and was in Ephesus during Paul’s 3rd missionary journey and after.
Paul wrote 13 letters to the churches. Here, in approximate chronological order:
Galatians - 1st missionary journey
1 Thessalonians - 2nd missionary journey
2 Thessalonians
1 Corinthians - 3rd missionary journey
2 Corinthians
Romans
Ephesians - 1st Roman imprisonment
Philippians
Colossians
Philemon
1 Timothy - After Acts
Titus
2 Timothy - 2nd Roman imprisonment
Pastoral Epistles Compared
In Chapter 1
Paul greets Timothy, foreshadowing his topics (mercy, commandments, true son).
Paul tells Timothy to deal with false teachers. These false teachings were used to justify bad morals.
The law is for the ungodly and disobedient. There is not a law for the righteous person.
Paul gives his testimony:
I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry—even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them. But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
5. Timothy must keep up the good fight for the true gospel, “in keeping with the prophesies”.
6. Some have “shipwrecked” their faith. Paul “delivered them to Satan” so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.
In Chapter 2
Paul gives instruction on prayer.
For kings and all in authority.
So that we may live quiet lives.
For it pleases the Savior since he wants all to be saved.
Therefore men pray without anger or argument.
Therefore women dress in good works. There is order in the church.
What do we know about the devil?
Does the behavior of your spouse affect your job?
Is it important to respect people that you disagree with?
Are we too hard or too easy on pastors?
What are the benefits of organization?
Starting with Chapter 2, the rest of the letter is a handbook for order in the church. Paul sprinkles in some gospel and warnings against false teachers, but primarily he instructs Timothy on how to run an orderly congregation.
Let’s keep a critical eye on our own church as we study 1 Timothy. We surely don’t get everything right. But, I do think that we get a lot right.
Paul begins his “handbook” with instructions on prayer.
Now, in chapter 3, he talks about the qualifications for leadership.
In the New Testament, the elder is the pastor, is the bishop. These are three different titles for one office.
This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.
There was clearly a problem with prayer in the church...
Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. Wives, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
There was clearly a problem with prayer in the church...
I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will 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. And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated in the Spirit,
seen by angels,
preached among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
Applications
Applications
The ESV Study Bible Chapter 2
Paul suggests that the way the church conducts itself in corporate worship (unity, modesty, proper submission) bears significantly on its effectiveness in world evangelization.