1 Timothy 1 — Timothy at Ephesus
Introduction: The letter provides some insights into the relationship between Paul and Timothy, and also has instruction useful to leaders and lay persons in the body of Christ. Timothy had been with Paul over a number of years, had heard him preach the gospel as they traveled to various provinces, and had been mentioned by name in some of Paul’s earliest letters. Paul’s first letter to Timothy indicates he had urged Timothy to remain at Ephesus while Paul went into Macedonia.
NOTE: Bible passages are from the World English Bible.
A — Paul Sent His First Letter to Timothy
1 Timothy 1 “1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our hope; 2 to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine, 4 neither to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith — 5 but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith; 6 from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking; 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.”
Comments: The opening from the Apostle Paul may have been intended to be available to others to verify the authority Paul had conferred on Timothy. Paul addressed Timothy as a true son in the faith, extending grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Timothy needed to stay at Ephesus to keep the believers there secure in their faith. There were certain men who would do harm in the church by trying to teach a different doctrine and by using myths and endless genealogies that fostered unnecessary disputes. Paul emphasized that the goal in the church should be to strengthen God’s stewardship through love with a pure heart and a good conscience in sincere faith. Some at Ephesus had missed the mark, turning aside to worthless talking — desiring to be teachers of the law though they did not truly understand what they strongly affirmed.
B — The Law Is Good for Exposing Lawlessness
1 Timothy 1 “8 But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully, 9 as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine; 11 according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”
Comments: Paul emphasized that the law was made for those who were still conducting their lives in ways directly contrary to the law, whether Jews or Gentiles. The sound doctrine of the gospel message that Paul delivered was the glory found only in the blessed God, and he had been entrusted with it. He had even had Timothy circumcised before Timothy joined Paul and Silas, because his mother was a Jew but his father was a Greek (Acts 16:1–3).
C — The Grace of Our Lord Abounds Exceedingly
1 Timothy 1 “12 And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service; 13 although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Comments: Paul applies the gospel directly to himself in humility as he gave thanks to Christ Jesus the Lord for enabling him to be faithful to his appointed service. He explained the dramatic change brought about in his life as he was shown mercy by God because he had acted in ignorance and unbelief while he was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. Paul took no credit to himself as he praised the Lord for the grace that abounded to him exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Paul considered that he was chief among sinners, and wanted Timothy to know that it is a trustworthy saying worthy of full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Paul believed that his experience of receiving mercy through the patience of Christ Jesus was an example to benefit those who would also believe in Christ for eternal life. As Paul wrote these thoughts it seemed to stir his emotions to a peak of praise: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
D — Wage the Good Warfare
1 Timothy 1 “18 This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage the good warfare; 19 holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith; 20 of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.”
Comments: Paul does not specify the time or the mode of prophecies about Timothy, but he gave him instruction in accord with those prophecies — that Timothy would be able to combat false doctrines and needless arguments within the church while holding fast to the faith with a good conscience. Some at Ephesus had thrust away faith and had thus made a shipwreck concerning the faith. Since a shipwreck affects all who are on board, it would be important to take definitive action to neutralize or remove such an influence. Paul named Hymenaeus and Alexander, and said he had delivered them to Satan that they might be taught not to blaspheme — likely excluding these men from fellowship that they might come to repentance (Matthew 18:15–17). Paul had already written his own testimony that he had been a blasphemer but was shown mercy by the Lord, so there was always hope for repentance.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I want to take to heart the admonition in this letter that I will not be found as one who turns some details of scripture into points of unnecessary contention within the church. I want to use your word and the guidance of your Holy Spirit through love with a pure heart and a good conscience in sincere faith to strengthen the stewardship by you Lord as chief shepherd. Help me Lord to understand that the law in scripture is intended to identify the actions contrary to the law, and to be thankful that it has brought much of my own transgression to my attention for correction by your mercy and grace. Give me a measure of the abundant faith and love that is in Christ Jesus to remind me that you came into the world to save sinners. May all honor and glory be forever given to God my eternal, immortal, invisible King who alone is wise. Lord I ask that you give me the strength and wisdom for whatever part I may have in waging the good warfare to combat those who may make a shipwreck of the faith in the assembly of believers wherein I am a member. Amen.
Published 24 April 2013