1 Timothy 1 Overview

1 Timothy 1 Argument, Outline, Doctrines, Applications

1 Timothy Chapter Titles

1. Paul’s philosophy of ministry
2. Pray for leaders; godly women
3. Overseers, deacons, and conduct in the church
4. Departure from the faith; train for godliness
5. Respectfully challenge; widows; elders
6. Slaves and masters, godliness, money

Chapter title: Paul’s philosophy of ministry

Summary of Chapter 1

Paul gives his biblical philosophy for ministry as it applies to Timothy in Ephesus and the problems there (1 Timothy 1:1-5). The problems stemmed from the failed on-site leadership—their interest in non biblical ideas, their personal beliefs and views, and their faulty responses to the people (1 Timothy 1:6-11). Paul then gives his own brief biographical sketch that emphasizes God’s grace, strength, mercy, and appointment to the ministry (1 Timothy 1:12-17). He concludes by instructing Timothy to faithfully carry out his ministry and specifically fight the good fight, keep his faith and a good conscience (1 Timothy 1:18-20).

Outline

1. 1 Timothy 1:1-2. Paul writes to Timothy, whom he met years before in Lystra (a town in south central Asia Minor) when Timothy was a young man (Acts 16:1-2). Paul built up Timothy in the faith and eventually delegated ministry and authority to Jesus Christ. Doctrines include: Paul, Apostleship, Timothy, Ministry, Christology, Paterology (God the Father), Grace, Mercy, Peace, Temporary Spiritual Gifts.
2. 1 Timothy 1:3-11. Paul urged Timothy to stay on in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3) and details the source of the trouble that Timothy must stop—useless and misleading teaching (1 Timothy 1:3,4,6.7). Doctrines include: 1 Timothy 1:3-4, False Doctrine, Preparation of Believers (through gifted men, word of God, Holy Spirit, faith, tests and service within the sphere of the local church), Importance of the Bible; 1 Timothy 1.4b-6, Revelation-Inspiration-Illumination-Communication, Pastor and Teacher, Teacher, Equipping of the Saints, Spiritual Growth, Ministry and Love; 1 Timothy 1:7-11, Preparation for Ministry, Strange and Petty Doctrines, Ministry, Spiritual Gifts, Mosaic Law, Morality, Sin, God, Gospel.
3. 1 Timothy 1:12-17. Paul reviews his spiritual journey from the time he was motivated by religion to violently oppose Jesus Christ until he believed in Jesus Christ and the changes that happened in his life. He begins with thanks (1 Timothy 1:12) and ends with doxology (1 Timothy 1:17). Doctrines include: 1 Timothy 1:12, Christology, Spiritual Gifts, God’s Attributes, and Ministry; 1 Timothy 1:13-14, Mercy, Grace, Faith, Love, Ministry, Position in Christ, Basic Techniques of the Christian life (Umbrella Doctrine); 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Gospel, Tenses and Kinds of Salvation, Christology, Incarnation, Unlimited Atonement; 1 Timothy 1:17, God’s Attributes, Worship.
4. 1 Timothy 1:18-20. Paul concludes his initial instructions for Timothy by reminding him to faithfully carry out his ministry as Paul taught him in 1 Timothy 1:3-11. Paul specifically names three things for Timothy to keep in mind: fight the good fight, keep his faith, and keep a good conscience. Doctrines include: Spiritual Warfare, Angelic Conflict, Ordination; Christian Way of Life, Ministry, Conscience, The Faith, Spiritual Shipwreck; Divine Discipline.

1 Timothy 1, Applications, So What?

1. 1 Timothy 1:1-2. Follow the spiritual leadership that God has placed over you. If you have troubled with this, then ask yourself why? Is the problem with you. Is the problem with the spiritual leader. Is the leadership biblical? If you cannot, then find someone you can learn from and obey. Be teachable. Learn the lessons taught.
2. 1 Timothy 1:3-4. Teach correct doctrine. This means to study, think, walk by the Holy Spirit, and believe God. Be teachable from God and from others. Do not get sidetracked to strange, though interesting teachings or to myths or stories that have developed over time and some people take as biblical truth or to endless genealogies that might be interesting but are of no value.
3. 1 Timothy 1:5. Develop love for one another; build a good conscience and follow it; be genuine (not play acting or dramatic) in your faith. See 1 Peter 1:22 (love and faith)and Romans 9:1 (conscience).
4. 1 Timothy 1:9-10. Here we have a partial list of sins that biblical law prohibits, and which Paul included in his letter to Timothy. We ought to use this list to guide our behavior.
5. 1 Timothy 1:11. Faithfully follow through on what God has entrusted you with—your family, church, work, Christian life.
6. 1 Timothy 1:12. Thank God consistently for giving you a Christian ministry and the energy and ability to do it.
7. 1 Timothy 1:14. Trust God to supply what you need in your Christian life and service. Our faith needs to grow and our love needs to grow. God favors us with the ability.
8. 1 Timothy 1:16. Be patient with those to whom you witness and to those whom you teach. Some take longer to respond.
9. 1 Timothy 1:17. Recognize God for whom he is and what he does for you and others. Take him into account and thank him and honor him.
10. 1 Timothy 1:18. Faithfully serve in your area of gift and ability. Engage in the Christian life. There will be opposition. Think biblically and act biblically.
11. 1 Timothy 1:19. Continue to believe God in whatever circumstances you find yourself. Build a good conscience and follow your conscience.