1 Timothy's Letter

The book of 1 Timothy is a letter by the apostle Paul (vs. 1) to Timothy, his true son in the faith. Paul was like a father to Timothy that is why he will address him as ‘his beloved son in the faith’ (Vs. 2). This letter is amongst the letters Paul wrote that were known as “Pastoral epistles” with 2 Timothy and Titus. First Timothy is the first of Paul’s Pastoral Epistles – letters written to church leaders he knew. In contrast, most of Paul’s epistles were written to entire congregations. Titus also received a pastoral epistle from Paul, but Timothy got two. These three letters were written in the latter part of Paul’s life after his first imprisonment in Rome. This letter was written in A.D. 62 – 66. Paul left his young pastor Timothy to take charge of the Church at Ephesus in Asia Minor.
Timothy had been of great help to the apostle Paul during his second missionary journey when Barnabas took John Mark with him to Cyprus.
It should be noted that Timothy was a small boy when he came in contact with the apostle Paul as a young convert through the testimonies of his mother and the others who had given their lives to Christ. Timothy’s mother was a Jewess and his father was a gentile who had not believed. Paul used the occasion to brief Timothy as his mentor and leader of the special message that was handed to him for the church the body of Christ, on how to deal with false teachers and teaching. Timothy also received instructions on the church order itself such as prayer times, selection of overseers, deacons and developing matured leaders for the Church and even the running of the needy widow group. Lastly Paul wrote to encourage Timothy to go on with the faith and his God – given responsibility to protect the gospel and God’s church. All throughout the letter, Paul encourages Timothy to stand firm, to persevere, and to remain true to his
calling.

In Chapter one, Paul reminds Timothy that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, which is to condemn. He went a long to show him how the grace of God had saved him after he persecuted the church of God out of ignorance. He said he was a chief sinner saved only by the grace of God and encourages Timothy to fight the good fight of faith and to keep his conscience pure. In Chapter two Paul encourages us to pray for those in authority including the unsaved so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives. In vs. 4 Paul exhorts us to know that God desire is for everyone to be saved and come into knowledge of Him. He ends this chapter with some specific instructions on how women are to dress modestly and also to learn about the faith in full submission (Vs. 2:5). In chapter three, Paul gives out certain characteristics that both the overseers and deacons in the church must have. “Here is a trustworthy saying: if anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” (1Tim 3:1-2). Paul gave these instructions so they will know how to conduct themselves in God’s household. In chapter four, Paul is warning Timothy to observe the time even as today. Many will abandon the faith and follow things taught by demons and seek things only for their own interest. From this chapter Paul makes us to know that everything was created by God and we should receive with thanks giving even though there were some restrictions in other dispensations. He finally ends the chapter by asking Timothy to train himself to be godly, to devote himself to reading and teaching and to watch his life and doctrine closely. In chapter 5, Timothy is instructed to take care of the widows in the church and also to the families of the widows concern. And finally in chapter 6 Timothy is reminded to be contented and to pursue godliness. He cautions Timothy run away from desiring to acquire wealth and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Timothy was asked to fight the good fight of faith and to hold faithfully of the gospel that has been entrusted onto him. This book also applies to us leaders in churches today to strictly follow and keep the church in order.