1 Timothy

1 Timothy

 

WHEN THE CHURCH NEEDS STRUCTURE​

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The gospel is spreading. Churches are multiplying. Believers are growing. But chaos is threatening.

 

False teachers are spreading weird doctrines. Leaders are unqualified. Worship is disorderly. Widows need care. Elders need support. Slaves and masters don't know how to relate as brothers. Wealthy believers are arrogant. Young men are aggressive. Older women are gossiping.

 

The church needs structure. Order. Clarity. Qualified leadership. Sound doctrine. Practical wisdom for navigating relationships.

 

Timothy is a young pastor in Ephesus, facing all these problems. He's overwhelmed. He's intimidated. He's unsure how to handle the complexity.

 

Paul writes to help him. This isn't a theological treatise like Romans or Galatians. It's a pastoral manual. Practical instructions for ordering church life. How to identify false teaching. How to choose leaders. How to conduct worship. How to care for widows. How to handle money. How to lead well.

 

First Timothy is about structure and sound doctrine in the church. It's messy, practical, sometimes uncomfortable. But it's necessary. Because without structure, chaos reigns. Without sound doctrine, error spreads. Without qualified leaders, the church suffers.

 

If you're in church leadership, if you're confused about how the church should function, if you're facing false teaching or disorderly worship, read 1 Timothy. Paul will give you practical wisdom for ordering church life.

 

A note before we begin:

First Timothy is six chapters of practical pastoral instruction. This summary covers the major themes, but Paul's detailed guidance on church structure, leadership qualifications, and handling various groups deserves careful study. After this overview, open your Bible and read all six chapters of 1 Timothy yourself. Let Paul's wisdom shape how you think about church leadership and structure.

 

Warning Against False Teachers

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope, writes to Timothy, his true son in the faith. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God's work, which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

 

Timothy needs to stay in Ephesus. His job: stop false teachers. They're teaching false doctrines, myths, endless genealogies. This promotes speculation, not God's work. The goal is love from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith.

 

Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they don't know what they're talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

 

Some have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be law teachers but don't understand what they're saying.

 

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practising homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which He entrusted to me.

 

The law is good if used properly. It's for lawbreakers, not the righteous. It's for those who violate sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel.

 

The Lord's Grace to Paul

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

 

Paul thanks Jesus for considering him trustworthy. Even though he was a blasphemer, persecutor, violent man. He received mercy because he acted in ignorance. God's grace was poured out abundantly.

 

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life.

 

Christ came to save sinners. Paul's the worst. He received mercy so Christ could display His patience as an example for others who would believe.

 

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Timothy, my son, I'm giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

 

Timothy needs to fight the battle well. Hold on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and shipwrecked their faith.

 

Instructions on Worship

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

 

Pray for everyone. Especially for kings and those in authority. So we can live peaceful, quiet lives in godliness and holiness. This pleases God, who wants everyone to be saved and know the truth.

 

For there's one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

 

One God. One mediator: Christ Jesus. He gave Himself as a ransom for all.

 

And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle, I'm telling the truth, I'm not lying, and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

 

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

 

Men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or arguing. Women should dress modestly, not with elaborate hairstyles or expensive jewellery, but with good deeds.

 

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I don't permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam wasn't the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

 

This is a controversial passage. Paul's instructions are rooted in the creation order and the fall. In the context of worship, women should learn in quietness and submission. Paul doesn't permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man.

 

Qualifications for Overseers

Here is a trustworthy saying: whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. If anyone doesn't know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?

 

Qualifications for overseers: above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not drunk, not violent, gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. Manages his family well. Children obey him with respect.

 

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he won't fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

 

Not a recent convert. Must have a good reputation with outsiders.

 

Qualifications for Deacons

In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there's nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

 

Deacons must be worthy of respect, sincere, not drinking much wine, not pursuing dishonest gain. They hold deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must be tested first.

 

In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

 

A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

 

The Mystery of Godliness

Although I hope to come to you soon, I'm writing you these instructions so that, if I'm delayed, you'll know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

 

Paul's writing these instructions so Timothy knows how people should conduct themselves in God's household, the church.

 

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached amongst the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

 

The mystery of godliness: Jesus appeared in flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached amongst nations, believed in the world, taken up in glory.

 

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

 

In later times, some will abandon the faith. Follow deceiving spirits. Teachings of demons. Through hypocritical liars with seared consciences. They forbid marriage and certain foods. But God created all food to be received with thanksgiving.

 

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it's received with thanksgiving, because it's consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

 

Everything God created is good. Receive it with thanksgiving. It's consecrated by God's word and prayer.

 

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you'll be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you've followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

 

Timothy should point these things out. Be a good minister. Nourished on truth and good teaching. Reject godless myths. Train yourself to be godly. Physical training has some value. Godliness has value for everything.

 

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That's why we labour and strive, because we've put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe.

 

Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you're young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Don't neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

 

Timothy shouldn't let anyone look down on him because he's young. Set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, purity. Devote yourself to public reading of Scripture, preaching, teaching. Don't neglect your gift.

 

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you'll save both yourself and your hearers.

 

Be diligent. Give yourself wholly. Watch your life and doctrine. Persevere. You'll save yourself and your hearers.

 

Instructions About Widows, Elders and Slaves

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

 

Don't rebuke an older man harshly. Treat him as a father. Younger men as brothers. Older women as mothers. Younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

 

Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

 

Give proper recognition to widows who are really in need. If a widow has children or grandchildren, they should care for her.

 

The widow who's really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even whilst she lives.

 

A true widow puts her hope in God. Prays night and day. But a widow who lives for pleasure is dead whilst she lives.

 

Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. Anyone who doesn't provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

 

If you don't provide for your relatives, especially your household, you've denied the faith. You're worse than an unbeliever.

 

No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she's over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord's people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

 

Widows on the church's list must be over sixty, faithful to their husband, known for good deeds.

 

As for younger widows, don't put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they've broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.

 

Younger widows shouldn't be on the list. When desires overcome dedication, they want to marry. They become idle, busybodies, talking nonsense. Paul counsels younger widows to marry, have children, manage homes.

 

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, do not muzzle an ox whilst it's treading out the grain, and, the worker deserves his wages.

 

Elders who lead well deserve double honour, especially those who preach and teach. The worker deserves wages.

 

Don't entertain an accusation against an elder unless it's brought by two or three witnesses. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favouritism.

 

Don't entertain accusations against elders unless there are two or three witnesses. Elders who sin, reprove publicly. Do this without partiality or favouritism.

 

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and don't share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

 

Don't be hasty in appointing leaders. Don't share in others' sins. Keep yourself pure.

 

Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

 

The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that aren't obvious cannot remain hidden for ever.

 

All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they're fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.

 

Slaves should respect their masters so God's name isn't slandered. If they have believing masters, serve them even better because they're fellow believers.

 

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and doesn't agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they're conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who've been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

 

False teachers don't agree with sound instruction. They're conceited. Understand nothing. They have unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels. This results in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, friction. They think godliness is a means to financial gain.

 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we'll be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

 

Godliness with contentment is great gain. We brought nothing into the world. We take nothing out. If we have food and clothing, be content. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

 

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

 

Timothy should flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight. Take hold of eternal life.

 

In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who whilst testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in His own time. God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honour and might for ever. Amen.

 

Paul charges Timothy to keep this command without spot or blame until Jesus appears. God is the blessed and only Ruler, King of kings, Lord of lords, who alone is immortal.

 

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they'll lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

 

The rich shouldn't be arrogant or put hope in wealth. Put hope in God. Do good. Be rich in good deeds. Be generous. This lays up treasure as a firm foundation.

 

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.

 

Grace be with you all.

 

What This Means for You

First Timothy is about structure and sound doctrine in the church. Paul gives Timothy practical instructions for ordering church life, choosing leaders, conducting worship, caring for various groups, and handling false teachers.

 

Here's what 1 Timothy teaches you:

Christ came to save sinners. Paul's the worst. He received mercy as an example of Christ's patience.

 

Pray for everyone, especially those in authority, that we may live peaceful, quiet lives.

 

Overseers must be above reproach, faithful to their wife, temperate, self controlled, respectable, able to teach, manage their family well. Not a recent convert.

 

Deacons must be worthy of respect, sincere, not pursuing dishonest gain, tested first.

 

Everything God created is good. Receive it with thanksgiving.

 

Train yourself to be godly. Godliness has value for everything.

 

Don't let anyone look down on you because you're young. Set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, purity.

 

Provide for your relatives. If you don't, you've denied the faith.

 

Elders who lead well deserve double honour.

 

Godliness with contentment is great gain. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

 

The rich shouldn't be arrogant. Put hope in God. Be generous.

 

Your Next Steps

First Timothy challenges you to pursue sound doctrine, godly character, and proper church structure.

 

Are you in church leadership? Study the qualifications carefully. Are you above reproach? Do you manage your family well? Are you able to teach?

 

Are you content? Or are you pursuing wealth? Godliness with contentment is great gain. The love of money destroys.

 

Are you training yourself to be godly? Physical training has some value. Godliness has value for everything.

 

Are you providing for your relatives? If not, you've denied the faith.

 

Are you fighting the good fight? Pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness?

 

Read It Yourself

This summary covers 1 Timothy's major themes, but Paul's detailed instructions for church structure and leadership deserve careful study. First Timothy is six chapters of practical pastoral wisdom.

 

Don't just read about 1 Timothy. Read 1 Timothy. Open your Bible and read all six chapters. Let Paul's instructions shape how you think about church leadership, worship, and structure.

 

Guard What's Been Entrusted

That's Paul's final charge to Timothy. Guard what's been entrusted to your care.

 

Sound doctrine. Godly living. Proper church structure. Qualified leadership. Care for those in need.

 

Guard it. Teach it. Fight for it. Pass it on.

 

 

Scripture paraphrased and quoted from various translations for clarity.

© The Unknown Believer