1 Timothy 1:3-4
“STAY”
March 8, 2026
I Timothy is the first of three books called the "Pastoral Epistles." The other two are II Timothy and Titus. Timothy and Titus were two young associates of Paul. As Paul writes this letter, Timothy is the young pastor of the church at Ephesus, a strategic port city with a population of around 300,000 on the Mediterranean Sea on the western edge of modern day Turkey. Timothy is probably more like a district superintendent with the task of selecting overseers and deacons to lead and serve the church at Ephesus. To do this job, he would have to confront false teachers. Therefore, Timothy would face all kinds of conflicts and challenges from the church and the surrounding pagan culture. Paul sums up the message of this book in the key verse: 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (KJV)
Paul begins this epistle by identifying himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus (II Tim. 1:1 a), which means he is writing this letter with apostolic authority under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Paul refers to Timothy as my true son in the faith (1:2), giving us insight into Timothy's character. Timothy was apparently brought to faith by Paul during his first missionary journey, and because of his spiritual gifts and rapid spiritual growth, Paul invited him to become his associate (Acts 16:1 3). Timothy's mother and grandmother prepared him for God's purpose by teaching him God's Word. After the brief but powerful greeting, Paul wastes no time explaining the purpose of his letter. Today, we will discover three things we must do to stay on course (ABIDE) during our everyday walk in this world.
Stay in His Word (we must let God's Word be our Guide 1:3 4). Ephesus was a tough time for Timothy because Paul writes: As / urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer (1:3). Young Timothy was to command or "order" certain men to stop spreading false teachings that were tearing down rather than building up the church. Timothy was to pass on commands from Paul, an inspired apostle. These commands were not simply Timothy's opinion or preference. We all have our own Ephesus, our tough times, so we need the principles in this epistle to be faithful servants like Timothy. Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (KJV)
We do not know exactly what the false teachers were teaching but we can get an idea from verse four, where Paul tells Timothy to tell them not to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies (II Tim. 1:4a). Some had apparently fabricated some mythical stories based on genealogies and the church was apparently caught up in this heresy. Such teachings always promote controversies rather than God's work which is by faith (1:4b). Instead of promoting controversies that tear down believers, we are to promote God's work which is by faith. Ask your parents how popular horoscopes were just a few years ago. God wants us to build up other believers, but the Evil One wants to create controversies and tear people down. We must always be sensitive to situations and people by saying words to build them up, not tear them down. To stay on course during the trials of life, we must let God's Word be our guide and . . . allow no other doctrine to have a place in our conversation!
Stay in His Will (we must have God’s love as our Goal 1:5 7). Of his command to forbid certain men from teaching false doctrine, Paul writes: The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1:5). The word translated love (AGAPE) is a love that unselfishly seeks the welfare of others. In this verse we find some things that will be true in our lives if we have this kind of love.
1. We must have a pure heart. The word translated pure refers to a heart cleansed from all sin and selfish motives. AGAPE love can only reside in a pure heart. David says in Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (KJV)
2. We must have a good conscience. Our conscience is a God given internal sin detector. It is what makes us feel guilty when we have done wrong and feel good when we have done right. We cannot love others as the Bible teaches without a pure heart, a good conscience, and . . .
3. We must have a sincere faith. The word sincere means "without deceit or pretense." This means we have no ulterior motive in our service to God, His church, or people.
Paul writes: they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm (1:7). They pretended to be wise but they really didn't even know what they were talking about. Thus, their motive was not love. True believers will always have love as their goal. Jesus said in John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (KJV)
Stay in His Way (we must know that God's standard is for our Good 1:8 11). During the trials of life, one great temptation is to retreat from the truth of God's Word or twist it to fit our selfish desires. While Paul says the false teachers at Ephesus were bad, he writes: the law is good if one uses it properly (1:8). The false teachers at Ephesus perverted the Law to support their false teachings and selfish goals. However, the Law is good when we use it properly. Paul said in Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (KJV) The Law makes us aware of our selfishness and sin. In 1 Timothy 1:9 10 Paul lists the kinds of people for whom the Law was given. The law is for the stiff-necked, the rebellious, the selfish . . . Sound Doctrine is that Jesus is the Christ (John 3:16) For God so loved the world. . .; that he died and rose again (Romans 10:9) That if you confess with your mouth. . .; that Salvation is based on Faith alone in Christ Alone (Ephesians 2:8) For by grace you are saved through faith . . !
