1 Timothy - Introduction

• WHO:
o Paul to Timothy.
o Timothy is a great illustration of the importance of parents and grandparents in the nurturing of children and bringing them into a relationship with God. His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, were Jewish believers who shaped his godly relationships (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15). We also know that his father was a Gentile. Timothy became Paul’s protege and pastor of the church at Ephesus. We also know that he was young (4:12), but not how young.
o False Teachers: This letter was about some false teachers, much like Paul’s letter to Titus.
o Hymenaeus – a blasphemer who Paul turned over to Satan (1:20). (Also mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:17)
o Alexander - a blasphemer who Paul turned over to Satan (1:20). (Also mentioned in Acts 19:33 and 2 Timothy 4:14).
• WHAT:
o False doctrines, false teachers.
o Timothy’s charge; that he would fight the good fight.
o The proper place of women.
o Qualifications for Christian leaders.
o Behavior of widows.
o Proper behavior of believing slaves and believing masters.
o Proper behavior of the rich.
• WHEN: After Acts 28:28 between Paul's two imprisonments in Rome, in the mid-60's around the same time as Paul’s letter to Titus and before Paul’s second imprisonment leading to his execution when he wrote his second letter to Timothy.
o Probable Timeline:
1. Paul was released from his house arrest in Rome (where we find him at the end of Acts), probably because his accusers did not choose to press their charges against him before Caesar, probably because his Jewish accusers failed to appear (Acts 24:1; 28:30).
2. Paul visited Ephesus, left Timothy there to supervise the churches, and went on to Macedonia (northern Greece).
3. From there he wrote 1 Timothy (1Timothy 1:3).
4. He visited Crete, left Titus there to supervise those churches, and went to Nicopolis in Achaia (southern Greece, Titus 3:12).
5. Either from Macedonia or Nicopolis, he wrote this letter to encourage Titus.
6. He visited Troas (2 Timothy 4:13), where he was suddenly arrested, taken to Rome, imprisoned, and finally beheaded.
7. From Rome, during this second imprisonment, he wrote 2 Timothy.
• WHERE: Written to Timothy in Ephesus.
• WHY: Paul has left Timothy in Ephesus to deal with some problems with false teachers in the church in Ephesus and to establish proper teaching and to give encouragement and instruction to Timothy.
• THEME: The theme of 1 Timothy is that the gospel leads to practical, visible change in the lives of those who believe it.
• KEY VERSE: 4:12: Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

• KEY WORDS (in the KJV):
• Good - 22 times
• Doctrine (teaching) - 8 times
• Godliness - 8 times
• Teach and teacher - 7 times
• Charge - 7 times
• Savior – 5 times
• Faithful is the Saying – 3 times
• Teach otherwise - 2 times

1 Timothy and Titus give us the characteristics of an elder or church leader, which should be our goal as well:
• Temperate: Even-tempered. Not erratic or unstable.
• Prudent: Showing good judgment; common sense.
• Not addicted to wine: Not a heavy drinker.
• Not pugnacious: Does not lose his temper. Not a violent man.
• Gentle: Patient; considerate; kind.
• Uncontentious: Peaceful; willing to listen; not argumentative.
• Free from the love of money: Not greedy for personal gain.
• Not self-willed: Willing to yield to others. Not trying to get his own way.
• Not a novice: Not recently saved. Evidence of spiritual maturity.
• Not quick-tempered: Not easily angered.
• Loving what is good: Loyal to the highest moral and ethical values.
• Just: Fair and honest.
• Devout: Devoted to God in his personal life.
• Self-controlled: Able to control himself under pressure.
• Above reproach: No questionable conduct; no grounds for accusations.
• Hospitable: Receptive and open to people.
• Good reputation with outsiders: Admired by non-Christians.
• Husband of one wife: A one-woman man. Faithful to his wife.
• Manages own household: well Spiritual leader at home.
• Children under control: Children who respect him.
• Children who believe: Children who display faith.
• Able to teach: Knows and communicates biblical truth.
• Holding fast the word of truth: Firm in the truth. Not a compromiser.
• Exhort with sound doctrine: Encourages others with biblical truth.
• Refute those who contradict: Spots and refutes false teaching.

NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, the scripture version used is the New Living Translation.