Click Arrow To Start Audio

I TIMOTHY: INTRODUCTION

1. I Timothy is the first epistle, according to the order of arrangement in the New Testament that is written to an individual.

2. What we know about Timothy:

a. Lystra was his home – where Paul was stoned and left outside the city for dead (Acts 16:1-2).

b. Timothy’s mother was Eunice, a Jewess who was married to a Greek.  Along with Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, Eunice helped in developing Timothy’s faith (2 Tim. 1:5; Acts 16:1).

c. On Paul’s second preaching tour, Timothy was chosen to accompany Paul (Acts 16:3).

d. On this second preacher tour, Timothy was sent back to Thessalonica to help the recently established church.  He met Paul in Corinth to report his findings (Acts 17:14, 15; 18:5; I Thess. 3:2-6).

e. On Paul’s third preaching tour, Timothy was sent to Macedonia and Corinth and was with Paul at Troas on his return trip (Acts 19:22; 20:4, 2 Cor. 1:19).

f. While in prison in Rome, Paul sent Timothy on a mission to inform and comfort the brethren in Macedonia (Phil. 1:1, 2:19-23; Col. 1:1; Philm. 1).

g. At least once, Timothy would also suffer imprisonment (Heb. 13:23).

I. AUTHOR OF THE BOOK

A. Paul – “Paul, and apostle of Christ Jesus…” (I Tim. 1:1)

II. DATE AND PLACE OF WRITING THE BOOK

A.  Because the activities referred to in I Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus do not relate to the events recorded in Acts, it is assumed that these three epistles were written following Paul’s first imprisonment (Acts 28:30-31).

1. Paul leaves Timothy in Ephesus on his way to Macedonia (I Tim. 1:3).  Timothy apparently remains there until the later writing of 2 Timothy (2 Tim. 1:16-18, 4:19, Acts 18:19).

a. Only two visits to Ephesus by Paul are recorded in Acts:

(1). The first – (Acts 18:19-22) , Paul is headed for Syria, not Macedonia.

(2). The second – (Acts 19:1-20:1), Paul has already sent Timothy ahead into Macedonia.  When Paul leaves, Timothy is already in Macedonia, not Ephesus.

2. This first epistle to Timothy was probably written in A.D. 65-66 from somewhere in Macedonia.

III. THEME AND PURPOSE OF THE BOOK

A. Theme: Exhortation to a young evangelist

B. Purpose:

1. To encourage Timothy to look out for and oppose false teachers (1:3-7, 18-20, 6:3-5, 20-21).

2. To furnish written credentials that Timothy’s course of action had the authority of Christ’s apostle – Paul (1:1, 3-4).

3. To give instructions on how men ought to conduct matters and themselves in the church (3:14-15).

4. To exhort Timothy to be diligent to his duties as an evangelist (4:6-6:2)

IV. FEATURES OF THE BOOK

A. A list of qualifications of elders and deacons (3:1-7; 8-13)

B. The necessity of a good conscience in serving God.

1. Accompanies a pure heart and unhypocritical faith (1:5).

2. Lack of it characterizes the false teachers who fall away from the faith (1:19-20, 4:1-2).

3. It is practical in carrying out the duties of a deacon (3:9)

C. “Godliness” stressed.  Occurs 8 times in the epistle.  The word conveys the thought of being devout, manifesting piety toward God.

1. Represents our goal and reason for praying for those in power (2:2).

2. Centered in Christ (3:16).

3. Our goal in spiritual training (4:7, 6:11).

4. Its rewards are realized in this life and even into the next (4:8).

5. With contentment, it represents great gain (6:5, 6).

6. The product of sound doctrine (6:3)

D. “Doxologies” occur.  The word comes from the Greek and means to speak forth praise.  Such praise occurs 3 times in this epistle.  Paul is breaking out with praise for God’s mercy and the inimitable Christ (1:17, 3:16, 6:15).

V. OUTLINE OF THE BOOK

I. Salutation (1:1-2)

II. Timothy charged to uphold the doctrine of faith (1:3-20).

III. Orderly conduct in the church set forth (2:1-3:16)

A. Conduct requirements of men and women (2:1-15).

B. Qualifications of bishops and deacons (3:1-13)

C. The church is support of the delivered faith (3:14-15).

IV. The prediction that some would fall away from the faith (4:1-5).

V. Characteristics of the good minister of Christ (4:6-16).

VI. General admonitions (5:1-6:2)

A. Respecting age (5:1-2).

B. Responsibility toward widows (5:3-16).

C. Responsibility toward elders (5:17-22).

D. Medicinal use of wine advised (5:23).

E. Understanding the nature of sin and good works (5:24-25).

F. Responsibility of servants towards their master (6:1-2).

VII. Teaching regarding men and riches (6:3-21).