Jet Tour Through 1 Timothy Series

1 TIMOTHY – Counsel

INTRODUCTION: 1 Timothy was the 11th Epistle written by Paul. It was written between Paul’s two Roman imprisonments, as he traveled on his 4th Missionary Journey. After stopping in Ephesus, Paul traveled on to Philippi; but requested Timothy to stay in Ephesus for further instruction to the Church. This personal Letter was written to encourage Timothy in that task. In the KJV, the Book contains 6 Chapters, 113 verses and 2,243 words.

I. The Author of the Book -

A. Paul (1:1) - Though his name only appears once, 1st person pronouns are used 26 times.

B. Paul identifies himself in 1 Timothy as:

1. An Apostle (1:1; 2:7),

2. A preacher (2:7),

3. A teacher (2:7);

4. Having been put in the ministry by Christ (1:12);

5. A former blasphemer & persecutor (1:13);

6. The Chief of sinners (1:15);

7. A pattern of God’s grace in salvation (1:16);

II. The Recipient of the Book - Timothy

A. Timothy is mentioned by name 3 times in this Letter, while he is referred to 19 times by 2nd person pronouns

B. Timothy’s early home life:

1. His Father was a Gentile (Acts 16:1);

2. His Mother (Eunice) was a Jewess (Acts 16:1);

3. His Mother & Grandmother (Lois) taught him the Scripture as a child (2 Tim 1:5; 3:15).

C. Timothy’s personal problems:

1. He was young for the responsibilities given to him (1 Tim 4:12);

2. He was timid and shy (1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6-8);

3. He was sickly (1 Tim 5:23).

D. Timothy’s relationship with Paul:

1. Paul led him to faith in Christ (1 Tim 1:2);

2. Paul chose him as a companion in missionary work (Acts 16:3);

3. Paul trained him for ministry (2 Tim 2:2);

4. Paul sent him to minister in Thessalonica (1 Thess 3:6), Berea (Acts 17:14), Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3), Corinth (1 Cor 16:10), Philippi (Acts 19:22; Phil 2:19), and to the Hebrew Believers (Heb 13:23).

5. Paul relied on his help while he was in prison (Philemon 1:1; Phil 2:22).

III. The Date & Place of Writing

A. Date: Probably in the year 62 or 63 AD. It was probably written about the same time as Titus, after Paul’s release from his first Roman imprisonment (Phil 1:19,25-26; 2:24). Paul had initially sent Timothy to Philippi to tell them of his release (Phil 2:19-23). Timothy later joined him in Ephesus, where Paul left him when he himself went to visit the Church at Philippi (1 Tim 1:3).

B. Place: The place of the writing was Macedonia, probably from Philippi. (1 Tim 1:3; 3:14-15).

IV. The Purpose of the Book

A. To instruct Timothy on how to deal with false doctrine (1:1:3-4);

B. To exhort Timothy to pray (2:1);

C. To identify for Timothy the character qualities to look for in choosing Church pastors and deacons (3:1-13);

D. To encourage Timothy to faithfully pursue his calling to ministry;

· (1 Tim 3:15) … that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

· (1 Tim 4:7) … exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

· (1 Tim 4:15) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

· (1 Tim 4:16) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

· (1 Tim 5:22) Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

· (1 Tim 6:5) Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

E. To warn Timothy of the coming apostasy (4:1-5; 6:1-10);

F. To urge Timothy to fight the good fight (6:11-14).

V. The Keys to the Book

A. The key thought = Instruction for Pastoral ministry

B. The key phrase = “I charge thee” (5:21)

C. The key verse = 3:15

D. Key Words =

1. Thyself - 7 times

2. Charge - 6 times

3. Teach - 8 times

4. Good - 23 times

5. Godliness - 9 times

6. Doctrine - 8 times

VI. The Outline to the Book

{Taken from Warren Wiersbe’s book, Be Faithful}

A. The Church and its message - Ch. 1

1. Teaching sound doctrine - (vv. 1-11)

2. Proclaiming the Gospel - (vv. 12-17)

3. Defending the faith - (vv. 18-20)

B. The Church and its members - Ch. 2-3

1. Praying men - (2:1-8)

2. Submitting women - (2:9-15)

3. Qualified pastors - (3:1-7)

4. Qualified deacons - (3:8-13)

5. Behaving believers - (3:14-16)

C. The Church and its minister - Ch. 4

1. A good minister, preaching the Word - (vv. 1-6)