1 TIMOTHY
1 TIMOTHY
Contents
The salutation (1 Tim. 1:1-2) is followed by a warning against false teachers of the law who promote controversies rather than set forward God’s work (1:3-11). There are thanks for the way God’s mercy and grace have been at work in Paul (1:12-17). This epistle is designed to aid Timothy as he fights the good fight (1:18-20). Paul urges that prayer be offered for all, especially those in authority, so that they may promote conditions in which people will come to salvation (2:1-7). From the further thought of prayer in the right spirit, Paul moves to the way women should dress and live (2:8-15). Then he discusses the qualifications to be sought in bishops (3:1-7) and deacons (3:8
10, 12-13), with a short section on either deacons’ wives or female deacons (3:11). He explains his concern for God’s household and cites a little poem about the incarnation (3:14-16). There is a further warning about false teachers (4:1-5), followed by some exhortations to Timothy to be a good servant of Christ and not to neglect the gift he was given when hands were laid on him (4:6-16). Paul offers advice about how to treat older and younger men, older and younger women, and widows (5:1 -16) and gives special instructions regarding elders (5:17-20), Timothy’s own behavior (5:21-25), and slaves (6:1 -2). Once again Paul warns against false teachers and the danger of the love of money (6:3-10); he urges Timothy to flee from all such conduct, charging him to live uprightly (6:11-16). Timothy should order rich people to do good and thus lay up treasure where it matters (6:17-19). The letter ends with another exhortation to Paul’s young friend to be firm in the faith (6:20-21a). Finally, Paul appends the grace (6:21b).