The Strand Study Bible

I TIMOTHY

Author: Paul Theme: The Work of a Good Pastor

About the Author: Paul, whose name means “little,” was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5), and a native of Tarsus, a city of Cilicia (Acts 21:39 & 22:3). Also called Saul, Paul inherited the rights of Roman citizenship (Acts 22:28) because his father was a Pharisee (Acts 23:6). At the age of perhaps thirteen (Acts 26:4-5), Paul was sent to Jerusalem and there became a student of orthodox Judaism under Gamaliel, a teacher of the law (Acts 22:3). Paul is first mentioned in Acts 7:58 where we find him consenting to the death of Stephen. His fanatical devotion to Judaism and his extreme hatred for Christianity made him the acknowledged leader of the Christian persecution. The spread of Christianity forced Paul to travel far and wide for his victims. Armed with authority from the High Priest, Paul journeyed toward Damascus where he had heard there were many Christians. It was while he was approaching that city that his wonderful conversion took place (c. AD 37 - Acts 9:3-6). For the next thirty years (from c. AD 37 to 67), until his death, Paul would go on three missionary journeys and face two Roman imprisonments. He would write thirteen epistles (fourteen, if you count Hebrews) and become known as the preacher to the Gentiles. About the Book: Paul’s purpose in writing this epistle to Timothy was three-fold: 1. To charge Timothy to contend for the simplicity of the Gospel (I Timothy 1) 2. To instruct Timothy concerning church order (I Timothy 2-3) 3. To exhort Timothy to live by example (I Timothy 4-6) I Timothy was one of three letters written by Paul that constitute what is known as the Pastoral Epistles. The other two are II Timothy and Titus . These three Pastoral Epistles continue to be the pastor’s best manual for church leadership. I Timothy was penned from Macedonia (c. AD 64), during Paul’s Release From House Arrest In Rome. Helpful Background: Of all Paul’s co-laborers, none seemed to have been so dear to him as Timothy (I Cor 4:17 & 16:10-11 and Phil 2:19-23). It seems Timothy’s conversion took place at Lystra, during Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 14:6-21). Approximately five years after Timothy’s conversion, Paul revisited Lystra (while on his Second Missionary Journey), and found the young Timothy well reported of. It was then that Paul decided to take Timothy with him (Acts 16:1-3). Time and again we find Paul sending Timothy on church business, trusting him completely to carry out the work of Christ (I Thess 3:1-2, Acts 19:22 and I Cor 4:17). I Timothy was written to Timothy, as he pastored the church at Ephesus (I Tim 1:3). Notes of Interest: 1. I Timothy quotes the OT 1 time (Deut 25:4). Note - Deuteronomy is the OT book most often quoted in the book of I Timothy ( 1 quotation). 2. Prophecies are referred to 3 times in I Timothy . 3. There are 2 different OT characters referred to in I Timothy . Note - Adam and Eve are the OT characters most often referred to in the book of I Timothy ( 2 times each). 4. There is 1 inset map used in the book of I Timothy . It is numbered chronologically (#70). Outline of I Timothy : 1. A charge to contend for the Gospel (I Tim 1) 2. The Christian’s duty to pray (I Tim 2) 3. The qualifications of pastors and deacons (I Tim 3) 4. Beware of men’s doctrine (I Tim 4-6) I Timothy 1 A good pastor will learn to contend for the simplicity of the Gospel Date Written - c. AD 64 1. Isa 43:3,11 & II Tim 1:8-9 2. Acts 14:6-7 & 16:1-3 3. Acts 20:1 Ephesus, 3 when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other 4 doctrine,

4 5 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do . 5 Now the 6 end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith 7 unfeigned: 6 From which some having 8 swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

4. or, “doctrine contrary to the Gospel” - Gal 1:6-9 5. I Tim 6:20 & II Tim 2:23 & Titus 1:13-14 & 3:9 6. Gal 5:14 & Rom 13:8 7. that is, “faith that doesn’t pretend” 8. or, “missed the mark”

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of 1 GOD OUR SAVIOUR , and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2 Unto Timothy, my own 2 son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3 As I besought thee to abide still at

1:5 Hypocrites are like actors – they “pretend” (feign) to be what they are not. 1:6 This word ( have turned aside ) is the Greek word εξετραπησαν ( exetrapesan ). It is a medical term and means “ to twist out of joint .” Whenever a person detours ( swerves ) from the simplicity of the Gospel (II Cor 11:3-4), he causes great pain to the entire body of Christ. 2020