For Ruth By Chuck

Written by Chuck for Ruth. 

Who: Paul  

What: I Timothy  

Where: Ephesus  

When: A.D. 64  

HISTORY of this Letter

Timothy a young man who joined with Paul on his second missionary journey when he was in the city of Lystra in Galatia (Acts 16:1-4). Timothy's mother, Eunice, was a Jew and his father a Greek. Paul was probably the person who led Timothy to the Lord (I Tim. 1:2; II Tim. 1:2; I Cor. 4:17), and perhaps on Paul's first trip there (Acts 14:8-20). Paul took Timothy with him and spent three years or so preaching and teaching in Ephesus and the some or the surrounding areas on his third missionary journey (Acts 18:23-21:17). After Paul's trip to Jerusalem for the Passover, Paul was thrown into the slammer in Rome (Acts 21:18-28:31). While in the PENN in Rome Paul wrote his letter to the church at Ephesus (Eph. 1:15-16). Timothy was present with Paul in Rome when he wrote his four "prison letters." After Paul's release from his "first" imprisonment he and Timothy visited all the churches around Ephesus and ministered there for some time. Paul left for Macedonia (I Tim. 1:3) while Timothy stayed on at Ephesus (I Tim. 1:3). Paul hoped to return soon (3:14), but wrote to him encouraging Timothy in the ministry (3:15). According to the letter to Titus, Paul had been to Crete and had left Titus there with similar instructions (Titus 1:5); later on Titus had to come over to Paul at Nicopolis where Paul was wintering (3:12). Paul will then be imprisoned a "second" time (II Tim. 1:8, 16-17; 2:9; 4:10, 16-17, 20). 

Key Verse 3:15  

Key words: Teach, serve, and command

Chapter 1:Charge to Timothy 

Letters Introduction (v. 1-2)  

A warning against False Teachers (v. 3-11)  

Responsibility: Preach the Gospel and Hold the Faith (v. 12-20)  

Chapter 2: Conduct of the Church

Prayer: Worship of God our Savior (v. 1-7)  

Men in Public Worship (v. 8)  

Women in Public Worship (v. 9-15)  

Chapter 3: Qualification of Church Officers   

Elders (v. 1-7)  

Deacons (v. 8-13)  

Hymns of the Gospel (v. 14-16)  

Chapter 4: Conduct of the Pastor/Minister 

Instructions to Timothy, Regarding shutting out people for there faith.

Preach Gods Word. (v. 1-6)  

Live out the Word (v. 7-14)  

Progress in the exercise of the gifts. (v. 15-16)  

Chapter 5 and 6: Church Ministry

Instructions in re-guards to   

Older men (5:1-2) 

Widows (5: 3-16)  

Officers (5:17-25)  

Slavers (6:1-2) 

False Teachers (6:3-10)  

The Wealthy (6:17-19)  

Timothy's instructions / Paul's Charge to Tim (6:11-16, 20-21)  

Flee Corruption 

Fight the Good Fight of Faith  

Application

From prayer to worship from family and the use of money, the book (Letter) of 1Timothy is full of practical knowledge for life in the local church. But beyond these practical truths for all believers "Paul's purpose in 1 Timothy is to help his spiritual son remain true to the mission." Therefore this book has special application to those of us in gospel ministry. Which I hope is all of us? 

These biblical truths that helped Timothy in his day apply just the same as church leaders in ours -- both for personal godliness and reflection and for the whole life of the church. If we see this letter as Paul writing to Timothy and we do not see application in out own lives we will most certainly miss a huge blessing from Paul's advise. 

--
Chuck Goulart
President
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"Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes."