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Overview Of 1st Timothy

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Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles Tags:

When studying the books of the Bible, it is wise for the Bible student to possess (1) an outline of the book or (2) an overview (general view or survey) of the book in order to get the general “thrust” of the author’s message and intent to the reader. These “tools” are also extremely helpful in keeping the Bible student “on track” as one studies the more deeper aspects of the book (i.e., the meat; cf. 1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12-14). With the above thoughts in mind, the following is an overview of 1st Timothy:

Chapter 1

  • We are not to teach any other doctrine other than the doctrine of Christ (1 Timothy 1:3; cf. Gal. 1:6-9).
  • God’s law is not made for a righteous man (1 Timothy 1:9; cf. 1 John 3:4).
  • Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15 cf. Matthew 9:13).
  • War a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience (1 Timothy 1:18-19).

Chapter 2

  • Prayers, supplications, intercessions and thanksgiving should be given for all men because this is good in God’s sight (1 Timothy 2:1; 1 Timothy 2:3)
  • God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
  • Christ is our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5; cf. Hebrews 9:15).
  • Women should adorn themselves as those women professing godliness with good works (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
  • Women are commanded not to usurp authority “over” the man (1 Timothy 2:12).

Chapter 3

  • Qualifications of elders and deacons are given (1 Timothy 3:1-13).

Chapter 4

  • Everything God created is “good” and nothing is to be rejected, “if” it is received with gratitude and thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:4).
  • Refuse profane and old wives’ fables and exercise ourselves to “godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7).
  • We are to trust in the living God (1 Timothy 4:10).
  • We are to be “examples” to others in word, conversation, love, spirit, faith and purity (1 Timothy 4:12).
  • We need to continually examine our lives by the standard of God’s Word so we can save not only ourselves but those that we influence (1 Timothy 4:16).

Chapter 5

  • Do not rebuke an older man but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brothers; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity (1 Timothy 5:1-2).
  • The church is obligated to “honor” (take care of) widows that have no one to care for them (1 Timothy 5:3; 1 Timothy 5:16).
  • Younger women should marry, bear children, guide the house and not speak reproachfully (1 Timothy 5:14).
  • Elders who “labor in the word and doctrine” should be counted of “double honor” (1 Timothy 5:17).
  • We are not to receive an accusation against an elder unless it is before “two or three witnesses” (1 Timothy 5:19; cf. Deuteronomy 19:15).
  • Elders who sin are to be “rebuked” before the church so others may “fear” (1 Timothy 5:19-20)
  • The church is to show no respect of persons as far as their accountability to God is concerned, and that includes elders  (1 Timothy 5:19-21).
  • We are not to “hastily” lay hands on an elder to draw him up for trial and we are not to become partakers of the sins of other men by permitting them to bring hasty” and “unjust” accusations against elders. We are to keep ourselves “pure” from all sinful complications (1 Timothy 5:22).
  • Paul sanctions the use of wine for medicinal purposes (1 Timothy 5:23).

Chapter 6

  • We are to treat our employers and employees with honor and respect so that God’s name and Word are not slandered (1 Timothy 6:1-2; cf. Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22).
  • We are to teach “wholesome” or “sound words” according to the words of Christ or Christ’s teaching (1 Timothy 1:3; cf. 2 Timothy 1:13; Titus 1:9).
  • We need to focus on “spiritual” priorities rather than “physical” priorities (i.e. getting rich (1 Timothy 6:6-11; cf. Matthew 6-25-34; Colossians 3:1-2).
  • We are to “Fight the good fight of faith” and to “lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:12; cf. 1:18-19; Philippians 3:12-14; Hebrews 12:2).
  • Do not “trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,” being “rich in good works” (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
  • We are to lay up for ourselves treasures “in heaven” not on the earth (1 Timothy 6:19; cf. Matthew 6:19-21).
  • As Christians, we are to guard the gospel that is committed to us. We are not to alter, add to, or take away from it (Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19). We are to be faithful in keeping and teaching it (1 Timothy 6:20; cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 2 Timothy 1:14; Titus 1:3).
  • We are to avoid profane and empty babblings and oppositions of false science (1 Timothy 6:20; cf. Titus 1:14).

Heeding the spiritual admonitions and principles found in the book of 1st Timothy will cause us to (1) be faithful to “teach no other doctrine,” and (2) to maintain a “faith unfeigned” (1 Timothy 1:3-5; cf. 1 Peter 1:22-23).

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