CHAPTER INTRO
DATE: 1Timothy was written by Paul to his "son in the faith,"
Timothy around 59A.D.

THEME: This letter, and 2Timothy and Titus are called the "pastoral
letters." That's because they are written specifically to young men who
had been charged with being pastor of a church.
At this time, Paul had left Timothy at the church in Ephesus to work
on several problems with which the church was struggling.

The MAIN reason for the letter is in 1Tim. 3:14-16.
However, several other subjects are noted:
1) False doctrine;
2) Prayer;
3) Women and modesty;
4) Qualifications for: Bishops and deacons;
5) How to correct errors with a good ministry;
6) How to treat widows and elders;
7) Fighting the good faith.

CHAPTER 1
Vss 1-4
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God
our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace,
from God our father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into
Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no
other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which
minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith,
so do.

A gentlemen once asked me if I were a CERTIFIED DEPUTY.
I said, "Well, I'm certainly certifiable."

Paul gives his certification as an "apostle."
The letter is written to Timothy, "my own son in the faith."
Paul had found Timothy in Lystra and led him to surrender to
Christ as Lord.
Timothy was the son of a Greek father, and Jewish mother.

Paul gives one of the reasons for the letter saying, "that thou
mayest charge some that they teach NO OTHER
DOCTRINE!"

Some were using stories or fables to teach
other than the true Gospel.
Fables, or myths, were used to teach gnosticism, which was
centered on secretive knowledge and fake genealogies.

Timothy is charged with teaching God's TRUTH.
THAT is the ONLY way in which true edifying of others can be
accomplished.

vss 5-7
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure
heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto
vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither
what they say, no whereof they affirm.

REAL love comes from three things:
1) It begins with the heart of love IN Christ;
2) It continues with a "good conscience" - being truthful;
3) And, it exhibits "faith unfeigned," or, faith without prejudice
and faith that is constant.

((I remember a cartoon called HAGAR.
On one instance, the cartoon featured the son asking his father,
"Dad, what's the secret to having a good marriage?"
Dad answered, "To have a happy marriage, the wife must know
her PLACE!"
Just then, Hagar's wife walked in, and said,
"And that PLACE is on a pedestal with her husband looking UP
at her, RIGHT?"
And Hagar said, "Ahum, RIGHT!"))

Verse 7 is actually about desire to BE something when one is NOT!
There obviously were some in the church who claimed to be
teachers, but did NOT KNOW the law!

Vss 8-11
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man,
but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for
sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and
murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with
mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if
there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which
was committed to my trust.

The law is GOOD if used RIGHTLY!
A "righteous" man will not disobey God's commands
often. (Rom. 3:23, 1John 1:9)

ALMOST all of the laws of State have their beginnings in God's
WORD! THAT is how we put controls on those mentioned in vss 9-10!

But according to the "glorious gospel," JESUS is the
STANDARD of the law! THAT is "sound doctrine!"

Vss 12-17
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me,
for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious:
but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith
and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am
chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus
Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which
should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God,
be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Salvation is ROOTED in the "faith and love which is in Christ
Jesus!"
And THAT salvation is what ESTABLISHES one in the ministry
of Christ!
Those who are truly saved, are an EXAMPLE to others of what
REAL salvation is! (vss 15-16)

Jesus SUFFERED, being perfectly aligned with the law and
without sin; but was PERSECUTED as a sinner!
He DID that with "all LONGSUFFERING."
And, THAT is the "PATTERN" after which truly saved
people will STRIVE!

Let us live, who are saved, for the "honour and glory"
of CHRIST!

Vss 18-20
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the
prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest
war a good warfare;
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put
away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered
unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

WAR a GOOD WARFARE!
THAT charge is not only to Timothy, but to ALL who are saved!

The GOOD warfare is with the devil and his angels!
(See Eph. 6:12)

HOW do we war against evil?
With "faith and a good conscience!"
HOLD onto Christ in BELIEVING, AND in DOING!

Verse 19b tells us that "some" have put away faith and
a good conscience and made SHIPWRECK of the Christian life!
In verse 20, TWO of them are named: "Hymanaeus and
Alexander."
They had opposed Paul on sound doctrine.
And in 1Cor. 5:5, Paul had said any who opposed sound
doctrine should be "delivered to Satan."

Take note, there are only two spiritual kingdoms in this world;
the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.
To delver a person FROM one, is to deliver that person TO
the other!

This may be the case for ex-communication.
THAT action is taken BY the church and overseen by the pastor.
(See Matt. 18:15-17)

There are many FALSE things in this world!
As Christians, we are to be careful NOT to bring the world into
the church; but to take CHRIST to the world!