I Timothy for Beginners

In Acts 2 we see the beginning of the church during the Jewish feast of Pentecost. This occurred shortly after the ascension of Jesus. At its inception, approximately 3,000 were added to the church following their baptism.

Acts 2 closes with the statement, "And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." (vs. 47) Although the church began in Jerusalem, in Acts 1:8, Jesus gave specific instructions that the apostles were to proclaim the gospel to Judea, Samaria, and to all the world. This occurred in the early chapters of Acts as the church was persecuted and it was driven from Jerusalem. Paul played a part of the persecution in the early period but as we learn in Acts 9, he was converted to Christ and became an important figure in the expansion of the church. This development included a growing number of non-Jews (gentiles) until eventually there were more gentiles than Jews. They brought with them many teachings and cultural issues that were a challenge to their Jewish brethren.

When the church began, it focused on learning from the apostles themselves and strengthening each other (Acts 2:42-47). They may not have known it, but this relatively short period of discipling activity would prepare them for their eventual move away from Jerusalem. As they spread out, they established congregations of the Lord's church wherever they went (See Acts 8:4). They had no complete New Testament as we have today to guide them. They had the teachings of the apostles and letters, such as those Paul wrote to help them in their efforts. As always happens, God gifted certain Christians with knowledge and skills to support and encourage the Church. Timothy, and others like him, fulfilled this role.

Paul has been released from his first imprisonment in Rome and instead of traveling to Jerusalem as he intended, he spent time in Crete, Ephesus, Corinth, Miletus and Troas. He revisited the churches that he had previously established instead of planting new ones. His efforts included encouraging Timothy, Titus and other preachers in their ministry.

Timothy is first mentioned in Acts 16:1 when Paul was on his second missionary journey. He was a native of Lystra located in what is today, Turkey. His mother Eunice was a Jewish Christian who, along with his grandmother, Lois, raised him to know the scriptures. Later he was apparently baptized by Paul (I Timothy 1:2). Timothy's father was a Greek and a non-believer.

Paul states in I Timothy 1:18 that God selected Timothy for His service. Paul would likely know this through the Holy Spirit's guidance (I Timothy 4:14). Timothy was appointed to this ministry by Paul and the council of elders. Timothy would not only serve as a minister to various congregations but would also travel and minister to Paul (See Hebrews 13:23).

Apparently, Timothy was quite conscious of his youth. Paul recognized this and encouraged him to not let that be a hinderance (I Timothy 4:12). Timothy also apparently had stomach issues (I Timothy 5:23).

Ephesus was a major city in Asia Minor (Turkey). Paul had established a church there and it became the center of Christianity after the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. Paul sent Timothy there to minister to this church.

There were no large churches as we know them today. Most met in homes. Each had various natural leaders. Paul sent Timothy to train and appoint men to lead these during their early development periods, especially in difficult times.

The letter begins with Paul's greeting to Timothy and the style of writing is like Paul's style. Further, the content of the letter outlining doctrinal issues and intimate knowledge of his relationship with Timothy validate Paul as the author. There was never any historical challenge to Paul's authorship

Knowing the author of the various letters of the New Testament demonstrates the continuity of thought and the unity of the message. In this case, we see strong similarities between Paul's instructions to Timothy and historical events from the book of Acts.

NOTE: Consider this as a breaking point for Session 1.

Paul had previously instructed the Ephesian elders to be diligent in carrying out their ministry and warned them against false teachers. (Acts 20:17-32). He now charges Timothy to assist in that action. False teachers continued to undermine the faith of the Christians at that time and continues today.

Depending on the version, Paul refers to these heresies as:

• NIV – false doctrines
• ESV – different doctrines
• KJV – no other doctrine
• NASV – strange doctrines

The primary false teaching was Gnosticism. This false doctrine basically teaches that one had to have special hidden knowledge in order to obtain salvation. It mixed Greek philosophy with mysticism and pagan religions, as well as teachings from Judaism and Christianity. Together these produced a different doctrine than what was taught by Christ and His Apostles.

Gnosticism produced an approach called, "Dualism". Dualism taught that there were two eternal elements in the world: God/mind and Matter/flesh. God/mind was good, and matter/flesh was totally evil. Humans were a combination of these two. We have flesh, and therefore are totally evil and corrupt. To obtain salvation, our spirit had to escape from us. When that was done (through the insight to the secret knowledge), then one could return to God and be at peace.

The two ways to escape from the flesh were strict asceticism and Antinomianism. These two false teachings were also in conflict with each other. Strict asceticism taught certain about food, forbade marriage, and the domination of the spirit over flesh. The problem (false teaching) was that this system emphasized a works salvation (the Jewish law for example) and not a grace through faith system as Paul taught in Ephesians 2:8.

Antinomianism, by contrast taught that there should be no laws or restrictions and that one should have complete sensual freedom, or complete indulgence of the flesh. Since the spirit and flesh were separate, one didn't affect the other so a person could do as they wished in the flesh and the spirit would ultimately be free once the flesh died.

The gospel, however, teaches that a soul cannot sin without receiving consequences from God (Romans 6:23).

Speculative intellectualism is continual discussion and argument concerning issues that are not addressed by the Bible and therefore undermine the gospel. Examples provided in the text are our appearance in heaven, what Jesus looked like and when exactly would Jesus return (also perhaps signs that would point to His imminent return). These are not relevant to the actual message of the gospel which stresses the importance of readiness for the return of Christ and our faithful service to Him in this life.

Continued discussions and arguments on these and similar issues cause disunity and a lowering of faith. They offer no value to our salvation and spiritual growth. They might be classified as "vain talk" but offer no substance as either spiritual milk or meat.

Pride is focusing on self and has always been at the heart of sin, even in the garden as Satan tempted Adam and Eve with being like God. Pride is at the heart of all sin and false teaching. The teachings of Gnosticism elevated one over another since one needed special knowledge for salvation. And of course, this knowledge was only available through them. It is submitting to what is important to man rather than what is important to God.

Timothy, as a young preacher needing to grow in confidence, would possibly be susceptible to what appeared to be wise teachings, or unable to adequately defend against it. Paul writes to instruct and provide Timothy with sound apostolic guidance to properly arm and provide him with confidence to overcome the false and heretical doctrine he was facing.

Paul is encouraging Timothy to stand firm in the faith and be an example and encouragement. His teachings to Timothy are relevant to us today. In Paul's letter we see his apostolic authority, sound church doctrine, strong leadership, organization and example of proper administration. It is a manual of how to function as a congregation of the Lord's church. These teachings still apply today as we face attacks from Satan, both externally and internally.

Paul closes his first letter encouraging Timothy to "guard the deposit entrusted to you." (I Timothy 6:20) This continues to be a charge today for all of us.