Outline Of 1 Timothy Series

Tom Lowe

8-21-2020

OUTLINE OF 1 Timothy

Opening Greetings, 1:1-2

Instruction Concerning Doctrine, 1:3-20

Paul’s Warning Against False Doctrines, 1:3-11

Paul’s Testimony Concerning the Grace of God, 1:12-17

Paul’s Charge to Timothy, 1:18-20

III. Instruction Concerning Worship, 2:1-15

A. Prayer in the Church, 2:1-8

B. Women in the Church, 2:9-15

IV. Instruction Concerning Leaders, 3:1-16

A. Bishops, 3:1-7

B. Deacons, 3:8-16

V. Instruction Concerning Dangers, 4:1-16

A. Description of the Dangers, 4:1-5

B. Defenses Against the Dangers, 4:6-16

VI. Instruction Concerning Various Duties, 5:1-6:21

A. Toward those Older and Younger, 5:1-2

B. Toward Widows, 5:3-16

C. Toward Elders, 5:17-25

D. Toward Masters and Slaves, 6:1-2

E. Toward False Teachers, 6:3-5

F. Toward Money and Godliness, 6:6-19

G. Toward One’s Trust, 6:20-21

Introduction to 1 Timothy

First Timothy is one of the most important books in the New Testament, both doctrinally and practically. It deals with the most important aspects of our faith: salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; the importance of prayer; the qualifications to be a leader in the church; and the centrality of Jesus. The book also deals with important practical issues: true versus false teaching; spiritually disciplining one’s life; rebuking and counseling people; the church’s responsibility to the poor and needy; issues involving church elders; and the gospel and money. This volume has a detailed outline of, and commentary on, the book of 1 Timothy.

1 TIMOTHY

Lesson 1

Title: Opening Greetings, verses 1:1-2

1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

Commentary

Paul,

Jesus launched the church based on 12 disciples/12 apostles. They symbolized that he was founding a new, spiritual Israel. Jesus’ selection of 12 disciples/12 apostles (Matt 10:1-2; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-26) is symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel. In fact, on the twelve gates of New Jerusalem are written “the names of the twelve tribes of Israel” (Rev 21:12), and on twelve foundation stones of New Jerusalem are “the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Rev 21:14). The apostles themselves recognized the significance of the “12.” In Acts 1:12-26 they concluded that it was necessary to fill Judas Iscariot’s position as apostle. Although Paul was an apostle (Rom 1:1; 1 Cor 1:1; 9:1), the NT (and Paul himself) recognizes a distinction between the apostleship of Paul and “the Twelve” (see Acts 6:2; 1 Cor 15:5, 8). This may have to do with the fact that Paul’s ministry primarily was to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; 13:46; 18:6; Rom 11:13; Gal 1:16; 2:7), whereas Peter, the evident leader and spokesman of the Twelve, primarily was an apostle to Jews (see Gal 2:7-8). The NT recognizes two basic types of apostles: (A) foundational apostles; and (B) church commissioned apostles. “Foundational” apostles were those apostles who were companions of Jesus, witnesses to the resurrection, and were specifically called to be apostles and witnesses by Jesus (see Matt 10:1-5; Mark 6:7, 30; Luke 6:13; John 15:27; Acts 1:21-22). They were able to attest to their special status by performing signs (see Matt 10:1-8; Mark 6:7; Acts 2:43; 2 Cor 12:12). Foundational apostles were the leaders of the early church and the “foundation” of the church itself (Eph 2:19-20). 8 foundational apostles have not existed since the original apostles died (only one foundation can be laid for a building). “Church-commissioned” apostles are those men and women who have been delegated by a church to go out and preach the gospel, plant new churches, and build up the church (see Acts 13:1-3; 14:14; Rom 16:7; 1 Cor 9:5-6; 12:28; 1 Thess 1:1; 2:6). Both types of apostle are united in a man like Paul (see Acts 9:1-16; 13:1-3; 1 Cor 9:1; 15:6-10; Gal 1:11-17; 1 Tim 2:7). Church-commissioned apostles can have no greater authority than being commissioned by the church.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

His name was well known to Timothy, and very dear to him; and so was his office as an apostle, and which he mentions, not so much for Timothy's sake, but for the sake of others, so that what he delivers in this epistle might come with its proper weight and authority, and be observed due to his office, as well as his name; “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God“ (Romans 1:1). How he came into this office is explained next; he did not promote himself, nor was he called to it by men. Paul is writing in his role as, and with the full authority of, an apostle of Christ Jesus. Even though Timothy knew that Paul was an apostle, Paul mentions that fact to emphasize the role in which he is writing and to stress the authority of what he is saying. That makes his words and teaching equivalent to the teaching of Jesus Christ himself (see 1 Tim 6:3). Since this letter was read in the churches (and is still being read today), we need to remember what Paul is still saying to us as Christ’s apostle. Christ Jesus, who is our HOPE: Paul said in 1 Cor 15:19, “If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most to be pitied.” However, Paul recognized that this world and this life are not all that there is. Instead, there is eternity: there will be a new earth, and eternal life (which begins now) for people who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The resurrection of Jesus is the “first fruits” and guarantee that those who are Christ’s will be raised and will experience eternal life on the new earth (1 Cor 15:20-23).