Last week was actually the first in a new series on Timothy, even though it was based on Acts 28. Unfortunately, this week’s recording stops suddenly after 30 minutes because the mp3 recorder ran out of batteries.

1 Timothy 1 [ 31:53 ] Play in Popup | Download

1 Timothy 1

Introduction

Timothy is to get the church on a good footing to allow it to mature.

Note, the importance of church, the group. The church was to have a great future, growth was expected. Not like the film I once saw where Paul and Peter were disagreeing with each other and one said he was “fighting for the survival of the church!”

Timothy is to counter false teaching, develop the worship and appoint leaders.

By looking at what Paul told Timothy had to do, we can see some features of the church in Ephesus, it’s problems or deficiencies.

The structure of 1 Timothy are the task set out for Timothy to accomplish:
(a) Warn the false teachers against teaching doctrine contrary to the accepted gospel already proclaimed and accepted by the church. See 1:3-20, compare Revelation 2:1-6, Galatians 1.
(b) Teach orderly conduct in worship.
(c) Appoint properly qualified leaders.
(d) Select female church workers, widows who would be supported by the church and response would carry out certain duties in the church. See 2 – 6:2.
(e) Warn against covetousness and urge good works. See 6:3-19.

A summary of Timothy’s task could be: To bring about a community of the truth, worshipping in truth and living out the truth, all within the context of resisting false teaching.

Use of language reveals attitude or mood of the writer or speaker. I choose three words in the first part of this letter which, I think, reveals something of Paul.

1) “Command”
“Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope…”

“Commandment” – gk epitag?, stresses the authoritativeness of the command.

This later letter of Paul’s has a different greeting from his earlier ones. Previously he described himself as an apostle by the “will” of God. Now it is by the command of God. Does he now feel conscious that it is something he must submit to, with all the consequences? Perhaps he needed this perspective when the times became more challenging for him.

How to know the will of God?

  • Live in the scriptures.
  • Keep up your conversations with God.
  • Try to do what you believe you are asked to do by God.

2) Verse 3, “Stay.”

Sometimes we need to resist the urge to move on in our quest for the next adventure. Where the action is, is where Jesus wants you to be.

“Stay!” Why? Was he about to move on? The greater good, the mission of the church of Jesus Christ is put alongside personal desires.

3) “Charge” verses 3, 5 and 18
“Charge” – gk parangelia, a proclamation, a command or commandment, is strictly hsed of commands received from a superior and transmitted to others. (Vine’s Expository Dict of NT words)

Is also used in Rom 16:22-27

Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him- to the only wise God be glory for ever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

A command or instruction is given, a charge is a responsibility accepted. This distinction is something explored further in this letter when Paul starts speaking of false teachers.