I Timothy

By Joyce Webb 2024

Chapter 1 Verse 1-20

Introduction:
Paul wrote this letter near the end of his life. Timothy is a young believer who has worked with Paul.

Paul asked Timothy to stay in Ephesus for a time to continue to teach the believers—as Paul left to go on to other groups.

Paul wrote things to help Timothy lead the people.

Chapter 1

Verse 1 Paul calls Timothy—his child, or his son “in the faith”.
Paul never married. He did not have children.

Timothy’s father was Greek, and his mother was Jewish.

When Timothy became a believer, Paul became his friend and teacher and treated him like a son.

Verse 2 Paul said to Timothy,— When I left to go to Macedonia —(north and central Greece today)—-I asked you to stay in Ephesus.

I wanted you to stop the wrong teaching that was happening there.

The people had long discussions about things that were stories about spiritual things and people from long ago.

Many of the stories were made up—not true—or they were things that people who worshipped idols believed in.

Paul said—Do not give time to this kind of talk. It does not help with understanding God or true spiritual things.

Some of the people were arguing about which teachers and preachers were more spiritual than others.

Paul said—That kind of talk does not help anything. Stop doing it.

God’s commandment is to show love to others. To have a pure heart. To have a mind that is clear and not guilty with sin or wrong doing.

Verse 6 Paul said some of the teachers there have gone away off the main purpose of what God said.

Verse 7 They want people to think that they are teachers of the Law of Moses—but they do not know what they are talking about.

Verse 8 Paul said–God’s laws are good—if we use them the way God meant for them to be used.

Verse 9 Those laws were given to show men their sin.

Men were sinning but did not seem to know —that what they were doing —did not please God.
In those days, most of the people worshipped idols. Their ideas of what was right and wrong was very different from what God in heaven thought.

The worship of idols often had young women at the temple. Men who came to worship had sex with the women. They thought that was okay.

God’s laws said, “No”.

There were other kinds of sins happening—murder, stealing, lying, and all kinds of sexual sins,

People were doing all kinds of dishonest things, and hurtful things to others. Lots of evil things.

But—God’s law said— that was not right.

Verses 11-12 Paul said—God called me to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to people. I am thankful to God for giving me the strength and ability to do that.

Verse 13 Paul said—Before I became a believer, I spoke against Christ.

I hurt and persecuted Christian believers. (Paul had them put in jail.)

But then —I received mercy from God— and was forgiven.

I had done those things in ignorance —-not understanding who Jesus was.

Verse 14-16 Paul said—God’s grace to me was full—I was given faith and the love of Christ.

Verse 15 Jesus came into the world to save sinners—-and I was one of the worst sinners.

Verse 16 I was given mercy. Jesus was long-suffering with me and showed much patience with me.
I am an example to others— of what God can do for them, too.

Verse 17 May glory be given to God who is eternal —He lives forever.
May He have glory and honor forever.

Verse 18 I say to you, Timothy, remember the prophecies that were said about you before— they will give you strength and confidence to “fight the Lord’s battles”.

(Paul is talking about when Timothy first became a believer. Men prayed over him. They prayed over other men, too.

The Bible does not say in words—-but it is understood—that at this time of prayer—-the Holy Spirit spoke through a man —that Timothy —-would be used by God —-to preach and minister to others.)

Paul said—Hold tight to your faith. Others have given up their faith and have spiritually become “ship-wrecked” because of it.

Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples of men who gave up their faith in Christ—-and now— their lives are not pleasing to God.

Paul said–I have given them over to let their sin teach them a lesson.
Perhaps their sinful lives will teach them to return to God.