I TIMOTHY---PASTOR WITH A PURPOSE

INTRODUCTION

1.    Timothy, the man

A.   He was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother. (Acts 16:1, 3)

B.   He was probably led to the Lord by Paul. (I Tim. 1:2)

C.   He was reared in the knowledge of the Scriptures. (II Tim. 1:5; 3:14, 15)

D.   He accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey. (Acts 16)

E.   He was ordained as an evangelist. (I Tim. 4:14; II Tim. 1:6; 4:5)

F.    He was made the pastor of the church at Ephesus. (I Tim. 1:3, 4)

G.   Paul desired to have him with him at the time of his death. (II Tim. 4:9, 13, 21)

2.    The epistle

A.   It is called a “pastoral epistle”; others are: II Timothy and Titus.

B.   It is addressed to an individual rather than a church or group of churches.

C.   It is the earliest instruction for the orderly ministry of a local church.

D.   “All Christian workers have, for centuries, found these letters a source of encouragement and help. One prominent minister declared that he read them every Sabbath evening for his own soul’s welfare.”                                                                                        --Lee

DATE: Between 64 and 66 A.D. when Paul was about 70 years old

KEY VERSE: 3:15

KEY WORD: charge (6 times - 1:3, 18; 5:7, 21; 6:13, 17)

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE BOOK

1.    To encourage and instruct Timothy

A.   Timothy was left alone to take charge of the work at Ephesus.

B.   Timothy was somewhat discouraged by Paul’s departure. (I Tim. 1:3; II Tim. 1:4)

2.    To warn him about false doctrine that was beginning to creep into the church (1:4-11, 19; 5:15)

3.    To instruct him as to the proper organization and behavior of the local church (chs. 2-5)

4.    To urge Timothy to live a spotless life (6:11-16)

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK

 I.     PAUL’S CHARGE TO A YOUNG CHURCH (1:1-3:16)

A.   To purity in doctrine (1:1-20)

B.   To purity in actions (2:1-15)

C.   To purity in officers (3:1-16)

II.    PAUL’S CHARGE TO A YOUNG PASTOR (4:1-6:21)

A.   His relation to sound doctrine (4:1-16)

B.   His relation to the church (5:1-6:2)

C.   His relation to himself (6:3-21)