"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To notice two different kinds of teaching: one that gives rise to
disputes, and the other which produces godly edification in faith
2) To consider what ought to be the goal of all teaching: love from a
pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith
3) To appreciate the example of Paul's conversion in how longsuffering
Christ is to those who believe on Him
SUMMARY
Paul begins this epistle by urging his "true son in the faith" to
remain in Ephesus and charge some not to teach other doctrines, nor
give heed to fables and genealogies that cause disputes rather than
godly edification in faith. The goal of this commandment is love from
a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith, from which some
have strayed and turned to idle talk in their desire to be teachers of
the law. While the law is good when used properly, it is not designed
for the righteous person, but for those whose conduct is contrary to
"sound doctrine" which is according to the gospel of God committed to
Paul's trust (1-11).
Speaking of what was committed to Paul's trust sparks an expression of
thanksgiving and praise to Christ for counting him faithful and
enabling him to be of service. His gratitude is heightened by
remembering what he had been prior to receiving the grace and mercy of
the Lord. But Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom Paul
was chief, and in him Christ shows an example of His longsuffering to
those who believe on Him for everlasting life (12-17).
Paul then charges Timothy to carry out his responsibility in keeping
with prophecies made concerning him. The charge is to "wage the good
warfare, having faith and a good conscience". He is reminded of two
men, Hymenaeus and Alexander, who have rejected such things. As a
result they had suffered shipwreck concerning the faith and had been
turned over to Satan by Paul that they might learn not to blaspheme
(18-20).
OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION (1-2)
A. THE AUTHOR (1)
1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ (1a)
2. By the commandment of God our Savior and Jesus Christ our hope
(1b)
B. THE RECIPIENT (2)
1. Timothy (2a)
2. Paul's true son in the faith (2b)
C. GREETINGS (2c)
1. Grace, mercy, and peace
2. From God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord
II. TEACHING SOUND DOCTRINE (3-11)
A. PAUL'S CHARGE TO TIMOTHY (3-7)
1. Remain in Ephesus and charge some... (3a)
a. To teach no other doctrine (3b)
b. Nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies (4a)
1) Which cause disputes (4b)
2) Rather than godly edification which is in faith (4c)
2. The purpose of the commandment is... (5a)
a. Love from a pure heart (5b)
b. A good conscience (5c)
c. Sincere faith (5d)
3. For some have strayed... (6a)
a. Having turned aside to idle talk (6b)
b. Desiring to be teachers of the law (7a)
1) Not understanding what they say (7b)
2) Nor the things they affirm (7c)
B. THE PROPER USE OF THE LAW (8-11)
1. It is good if one uses it lawfully (8)
2. The law is not made for the righteous (9a)
a. But for all sorts of sinners (9b-10a)
b. And anything else that is contrary to sound doctrine (10b)
1) According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God
(11a)
2) Which was committed to Paul's trust (11b)
III. THANKSGIVING FOR THE LORD'S GRACE AND MERCY (12-17)
A. THANKFUL TO CHRIST JESUS (12-14)
1. For enabling him (12a)
a. Because He counted him faithful (12b)
b. Putting him into the ministry (12c)
2. Though he had formerly been... (13a)
a. A blasphemer (13b)
b. A persecutor (13c)
c. An insolent man (13d)
...but he obtained mercy because he did it ignorantly in
unbelief (13e)
3. The grace of the Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and
love in Christ Jesus (14)
B. THE MERCY SHOWN TO HIM IS A PATTERN FOR OTHERS (15-17)
1. Christ came to save sinners, and Paul was one of the worst
(15)
2. But he received mercy, that Christ might demonstrate His
longsuffering to others who believe on Him for everlasting
life (16)
3. Paul desires that honor and glory be given forever and ever...
(17c)
a. To the King eternal, immortal, invisible (17a)
b. To God who alone is wise (17b)
IV. TIMOTHY'S RESPONSIBILITY (18-20)
A. TO WAGE THE GOOD WARFARE (18)
1. This is the charge Paul commits to his son Timothy (18a)
2. In accordance to prophecies made concerning him (18b)
B. TO HAVE FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE (19-20)
1. Which some have rejected, and concerning the faith have
suffered shipwreck (19)
2. Such as Hymenaeus and Alexander (20a)
a. Whom Paul delivered to Satan (20b)
b. That they may learn not to blaspheme (20c)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Introduction (1-2)
- Teaching sound doctrine (3-11)
- Thanksgiving for the Lord's grace and mercy (12-17)
- Timothy's responsibility (18-20)
2) How does Paul describe Timothy in his salutation? (2)
- My true son in the faith
3) Where did Paul want Timothy to remain? (3)
- Ephesus
4) What two things did he want Timothy to charge some? (3-4)
- To teach no other doctrine
- Nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies
5) Paul's concern is that such teachings would cause disputes rather
than what? (4)
- Godly edification which is in faith
6) What was the three-fold purpose of this commandment? (5)
- Love from a pure heart
- A good conscience
- A sincere faith
7) What had some turned aside to? Why? (6-7)
- Idle talk
- Because they desired to be teachers of the law
8) When is the law good? Who is the law not made for? (8-9)
- When it is used lawfully
- The righteous person
9) When is something considered "sound doctrine"? (10-11)
- When it is according to "the glorious gospel of the blessed God"
10) Why did Paul thank Christ Jesus? (12)
- Because He enabled him, counting him faithful, and put him into
the ministry
11) What had Paul been formerly? Why did he obtain mercy? (13)
- A blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man
- Because he did it ignorantly in unbelief
12) What is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance? (15)
- That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
13) How did Paul view himself? (15)
- As chief of sinners
14) Why did Paul obtain mercy, and Christ show all longsuffering toward
him? (16)
- As a pattern to those who believe on Him for everlasting life
15) To whom does Paul ascribe honor and glory? (17)
- To the King eternal, immortal, invisible
- To God who alone is wise
16) What charge does Paul commit to Timothy? What does it involve
having? (18-19)
- Wage the good warfare
- Faith and a good conscience
17) Who had made shipwreck concerning the faith? What had Paul done in
response? Why? (19-20)
- Hymenaeus and Alexander
- Delivered them to Satan
- That they may learn not to blaspheme
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