First Timothy

Paul’s first epistle to Timothy is characterized by the word godliness; no other epistle contains as many references (the Greek word for godliness derives from well and reverence). It was the Apostle’s purpose in writing to Timothy that he might know how he ought to behave himself “in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). Here we have divine guidance for right conduct in the assembly, viewed here as the house of God. As such, it is to be the maintainer of the truth. In First Timothy the house is seen in order.
Chapter 1. Some had turned aside to vain discourse, desiring to be law-teachers (1 Tim. 1:6, 7). There is a right use for the law, however, its application is not to the righteous person, but to the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners (1 Tim. 1:8, 9). It was Paul’s purpose in leaving Timothy at Ephesus, that he might enjoin them not to teach other doctrines.
Paul had declared unto them all the counsel of God (Acts 20:27); there is no further revealed truth. The church is to maintain and uphold the truth it has received. The end of Paul’s charge is the only right spiritual condition that will enable us to carry this out—“love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith” (1 Tim. 1:5 JND).
Chapter 2. We have a Saviour-God who “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:3, 4). Our conduct within the assembly and before the world (the latter is especially the message in Paul’s epistle to Titus) is to be characterized by godliness and honesty (1 Tim. 2:2, 3). Our conduct as men (1 Tim. 2:8) and women is important (1 Tim. 2:9-15).
Chapter 3. Instructions are given for brothers desiring to exercise oversight in the assembly, and likewise for those that would minister (serve) in the assembly (1 Tim. 3:1, 8).
Chapters 4-6. In latter times, there would be a departure from the faith; men would give heed to seducing spirits, “forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats” (1 Tim. 4:3). This is the religious flesh and false godliness, against which the Apostle warns.
In these chapters we find instruction in godliness as to temporal things. “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). Christianity was never a means of social advancement. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6). Finally, we are to “keep the entrusted deposit” (1 Tim. 6:20 JND)—the full truth of Christianity—in the face of man’s most advanced intellectual opposition.