1 Timothy Epistle Essay, Research Paper

"Charge to the Timid Timothy" The author of this letter is Paul, as

stated in the salutation (1:1). The evidence in the writing also supports the

belief Paul as the author; especially in the way he greets the receiver in his

letters, and the close relationship between Paul and Timothy. One of the

supporting sources in the church history is found in Theophilus of Antioch,

which dates back to 180 A.D. which confirms Paul is the author. The letter was

written to Timothy, Paul’s "true son in faith" (1:2,18). We first

learn about Timothy in (Ac 16:1-3), where we find out that his mother was Jewish

and his father was Greek. In 1 Timothy Paul desired that the disciple travel

with him and therefore Paul circumcised him to fit in with the Jews they were

going to preach to. This began a long relationship together where they worked

with the Lord, where Timothy treated Paul as he would his father (Ph 2:19-24).

This treatment would mean traveling with Paul, and remaining with the new

congregations when Paul would have to leave suddenly (Ac 17:13-14). Timothy

would also to go back to encourage the congregations (1 Th 3:1-3). Timothy also

had the honor to sit with Paul as he wrote several epistles, and from these

epistles we learn that Timothy had been with Paul during his imprisonment in

Rome. Because of his faithfulness in his service helps us learn why Paul would

leave him in Ephesus (1:3). Many people believe that Paul may have written 1

Timothy after his long stay at Ephesus and departure for Macedonia on his third

missionary journey (Ac 19:1-41). This would make 1 Timothy written around 53-67

(The NIV Study Bible, 1835). Most of the people thought that Paul wrote this

epistle from Macedonia, following his first imprisonment in Rome (Ac 28:16).

Paul was released and allowed to travel for several years before being finally

arrested again and finally put to death by Nero. If 1st Timothy were indeed

written during this period, the date would be around 63-64 AD The purpose of

this epistle was for Timothy to stay behind in Ephesus with a great

responsibility: he was there to protect the community from false teachers and

spread the correct word to the town. It was hard to keep this responsibility

because of his youth and he was naturally shy and timid (4:11-12). This letter

is addressed to Timothy full of responsibility of working with a congregation

and guiding them in the right way. Everything that was written was to help to

direct the congregation in doctrine and in conduct. In the first chapter Paul

begins by urging his "true son in the faith" to remain in Ephesus and

tell the people not to teach false doctrines, or to believe in them, because

they mess with your belief in the faith. The goal of this chapter is love from a

pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith, from which some of the

people of Ephesis have strayed from because of the false teachers of the law.

While the law is good when used properly, it is not designed for the righteous

person, but for those whose actions are bad according to the doctrine, which is

according to the gospel, committed to Paul’s trust (1:1-11). Paul speaks of

thanksgiving and praise to Christ for counting on him faithful and letting him

be part of spreading the word of God. He is even more thankful when he remembers

that he used to be against the word until he found God, and God even forgave him

for persecuting the believers. Paul knew that Jesus came into the world to save

sinners, and Paul was a great sinner. Paul shows an example of Jesus?

longsuffering life to those who believe in him and everlasting life (1:12-17).

Paul then charges Timothy to carry out his responsibility in keeping with

stories that Paul preached concerning Jesus. The charge is to having faith and a

good conscience. In chapter two Paul is once again encouraged to stay in Ephesus

and spread the good word and battle the blaspheme. Paul now introduces to

Timothy the matters that are concerning the church. He starts with a prayer,

where he tells who we should pray for and the reasons why we should pray for

them. His thought is that men should pray everywhere they are, lifting up their

prayers without doubting (2:1-8). Women are to treat themselves properly

according to Paul. This means apparel worn with moderation, but it also includes

good works, as in it is proper for women professing godliness. Also women should

learn their faith in silence with all respect for the men. Basing this

restriction in the relationship of Adam and Eve and that the man came before the

woman. Paul reminds the women they are childbearing and they should continue in

faith, love, and holiness with self-control (2:9-15). In chapter three we find

that the qualifications necessary for those who would like to serve as bishops

in the local churches (3:1-7). A similar list is included for those who would

like to be deacons (3:8-13). Paul then explains the purpose of writing this

epistle. Even though Paul hopes to come soon, he writes to Timothy so that

Timothy will be able to instruct himself in the church as the leader in the

truth (3:14-15). Paul also brings up the "great mystery of God" which

is where he is manifested in the flesh, or also know as the coming of Jesus

(3:16). Chapter four begins with describing how the spirit will be revealed in

times when some people are straying from faith. This falling away would come

about as people gave into the false stories. In regards to the letter Paul makes

it clear that all foods are acceptable if they are received with thanksgiving,

because God said to Paul in a vision they are alright to consume (4:1-5). In the

last half of this chapter we find Paul instructing Timothy how he could become a

good Minister of Jesus Christ by instructing the breathen in matters pertaining

to doctrine. Now Timothy should be careful to avoid foolish fables, and rather

exercise himself to godliness (4:6-10). Though Timothy is young he shouldn’t let

anyone despise him for that. Instead he must demonstrate the proper example of

how a believer should speak and live. Paul assures Timothy that if he follows

these instructions his progress will show, and that he will save himself and

those he saves (4:11-16). This chapter is describing the church and various

members. Chapter five starts out with all of the members in general, telling to

consider them as family (5:1-2). A major section is then devoted to the widows

of the church, it says to honor the "widows indeed"(5:3). Younger

widows are expected to remarry and have children, while widows with children and

grandchildren are to be supported by their own family rather than burden the

church (5:3-16). Several remarks are made regarding elders. Elders who have good

intentions are to be worthy of financial support, especially if they are

spreading the word. Accusations against an elder are not to be taken seriously

unless there are two or three witnesses. Those elders who are sinning need to be

publicly forgiven so they are free of fear (5:17-20). The final chapter begins

with instructions concerning servants and their duties toward their masters,

especially toward those masters who believe (6:1-2). A description then follows

of those who might teach the false word of the Lord and his doctrine. (6:3-5).

Paul mentions the people who are caught up in material possessions such as food

and clothing, and those facing the desire to be rich (6:6-10). Now Paul gives

his final instructions to Timothy, he tells him to forget all of the other

things not concerning to God and to fully depend on God (6:11-16). The epistle

ends with the Christians who are rich in the world, and with a plea for Timothy

to stay committed to his trust, avoiding profane and false doctrines that have

led others away from faith (6:17-21). The final summary of this epistle is that

Paul was worried that Ephesus and the people in it would fall away from the

faith because of false doctrines that existed in the town. He wrote Timothy to

warn of this happening and to teach and to encourage him.

Erdman, Charles R. The Pastoral Epistles. Philadelphia: Westminster

Press,1929. Gurthie, Donald The Pastoral Epistles. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans

Publishing Company, 1964. The NIV Study Bible Grand Rapids: Zondervan Corp.

1985. Stedman, Ray C. ?1Timothy: Pastor?s Primer? March 1968, On-line

internet. 12/14/99. Available wwsiwy://15/http:/www.pbc.org/dp/stedman/adventure/0255.html.

?Timothy Honored of God? On-line internet. 12/03/99. Available http://azstarnet.com/~fbarnes/btim.htm.