1 Introduction

Introduction Letters to Timothy #1 – Introduction

• Authenticity of the letters

  • Ancient evidence

    • Authenticity attested by Clement of Rome in 96 A.D.

    • Disputed only by 2nd-century Gnostics who disagreed with their teachings

  • Modern objections

    • One argument is 175-300 words found only in letters to Timothy & Titus, used nowhere else in the New Testament

      • Today’s college graduate has an estimated active vocabulary of 50,000 words (surely Paul had more!)

      • Paul’s known vocabulary from all his writings is only about 2,500 words—our sampling is far too small to draw conclusions

      • Similar differences of vocabulary emerge between selected writings of almost any writer, especially over a period of time

    • Others say that these letters are written against the Gnostic heresy of the 2nd century, so must have been later (?)

      • Similar themes also found in Colossians, letters of John

      • The Bible has a way of speaking to the errors of any century!

• Who was Timothy?

  • His career

    • Born to Greek father in Lystra, raised to fear God by his Jewish mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5)

    • Paul’s apprentice on his 2nd missionary journey (Acts 16:3)

    • Ministered to churches in Philippi (Php 2:22), Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:2)

    • Stayed with Paul during early part of Roman imprisonment (Colossians 1:1), though they were later separated (2 Timothy 4:21)

    • During time of these letters was preaching in Ephesus

  • His character

    • Sincere faith (2 Timothy 1:5)

    • Underestimated himself? (1 Timothy 4:12-14; 2 Timothy 1:6)

    • Fearful? (2 Timothy 1:7-8)

    • But never a hint that he let Paul down (Php 2:19-22)

• The church of Christ at Ephesus

  • The city of Ephesus

    • Commercial city with large harbor, good highway access

    • Largest city (300,000?) in the Roman province of Asia

    • Regional center of Diana (Artemis) worship (Acts 19:23 ff)

    • Center of magical arts, divination (Acts 19:19)

  • The history of the church in Ephesus

    • Starting with a group of 12 disciples of John, Paul built up a large church over an unusual two-year stay (Acts 19:1-41)

    • Timothy remains behind to continue the preaching work

    • Going back to Jerusalem, Paul warned the Ephesian elders that false teaching and division were coming (Acts 20:1-38)

    • Tradition says the apostle John later taught in Ephesus

    • Jesus later said the Ephesians were holding fast against false doctrine, but had left their “first love” (Revelation 2:4)

• Why were these letters written?

  • To counter false teaching

    • “That you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines...” (1 Timothy 1:3)

    • The false teachings were varied

      • “Myths and endless genealogies” (1 Timothy 1:3)

      • “What is falsely called knowledge” (1 Timothy 6:20)

      • Combination of quasi-Jewish superstitions & Eastern Gnosticism?

    • Those teaching them were spiritually lost

      • “suffered shipwreck of their faith” (1 Timothy 1:19)

      • “gone astray from the truth” (2 Timothy 2:18)

    • Yet they found willing hearers

      • “Wanting to have their ears tickled” (2 Timothy 4:3)

      • Desiring a mere “form of godliness” (2 Timothy 3:5)

    • These letters say that doctrine does make a difference!

      • “Retain the standard of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13)

      • “Pay close attention... to your teaching” (1 Timothy 4:16)

  • To grow and mature faithful churches

    • “That you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church...” (1 Timothy 3:15)

    • These letters address several specific “church” topics

      • Male/female roles in the worship assembly (1 Timothy 2:1-15)

      • Qualifications of elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3:16)

      • Bible reading and teaching in the assembly (1 Timothy 4:1-16)

      • Proper use of the church’s benevolence (1 Timothy 5:1-25)

    • These letters also address individual responsibility to the Lord’s work in a local congregation

      • “Fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience”
        (1 Timothy 1:18-19)

      • “Show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12)

      • “Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you” (2 Timothy 1:6)

      • Though Paul speaks to Timothy as a fellow preacher, we can all apply these principles to our own roles in the church

    • “Remind them of these things...” (2 Timothy 2:14)

OUTLINE OF 1ST TIMOTHY

• Salutation (1 Timothy 1:1-2)

• Charge concerning sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3-20)

  • Charge to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:3-5)

  • Teachers of false doctrine (1 Timothy 1:6-7)

  • The law and the gospel (1 Timothy 1:8-16)

  • The responsibility for sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:17-20)

• Charge concerning public worship (2 Timothy 2:1-15)

  • Prayer in public worship (2 Timothy 2:1-7)

  • Men’s and women’s roles in the assembly (2 Timothy 2:8-15)

• Charge concerning elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-16)

  • Instructions concerning elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

  • Instructions concerning deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13)

  • Reasons for these instructions (1 Timothy 3:14-16)

• Charge concerning false teachers (1 Timothy 4:1-16)

  • Recognizing false teachers (1 Timothy 4:1-5)

  • How to deal with false teachers (1 Timothy 4:6-10)

  • How to handle yourself in the process (1 Timothy 4:11-16)

• Charge concerning various segments of the congregation (1 Timothy 5:1-25, 1 Timothy 6:1-2)

  • Right treatment of all members (1 Timothy 5:1-2)

  • Right treatment of widows (1 Timothy 5:3-16)

  • Right treatment of elders (1 Timothy 5:17-20)

  • Special instructions to Timothy (1 Timothy 5:21-25)

  • Right treatment of masters (1 Timothy 6:1-2)

• Charge concerning the minister (1 Timothy 6:3-21)

  • Having the right motive (1 Timothy 6:3-10)

  • Living as a man of God (1 Timothy 6:11-17)

  • Being a faithful minister (1 Timothy 6:17-21)

(adapted from Jim Sheerer, New Testament Commentary, Yeomen Press, 2001)