Bible, New Testament, 1 Timothy, Notes and Outlines

Study of the Pastoral Epistles--1 Timothy: Notes and Outlines
Posted by Bob Young

Background of the Letter
Written by Paul after his release from his first imprisonment as described in Acts 28. Primarily addressed to Timothy, by extension provided instruction to the Ephesian church.

Mid-30s to near 40, Acts 16:1
Perhaps shy or timid
May have had some physical infirmity

Paul stayed in Ephesus for three years some eight to 10 years earlier (Acts 19)
Paul had written to the church at Ephesus during his imprisonment (perhaps around 60 A.D.)

The purpose of the letter
The letter was written to Timothy to advise him on his teaching and ministry to the church. This letter includes instruction about doctrine (and false teachings), behavior, organization, discipline, and relationships. The false teachings probably included elements of a pride in knowledge to the exclusion of practice, decadence, and false asceticism. The purpose of the letter likely includes to encourage Timothy in his work and teaching at Ephesus (1:3-7), to guide the leadership and conduct of the church (3:14-15), and to instruct Timothy in his ministry (chapter 4, esp. 4:13-16) and his relationships in the church (5:21). A final charge to Timothy urges the practice of the principles (6:11-16).

Content of the Letter: Outlines

The church's teaching (1), the church's conduct (2), the church's leadership (3-4)

Protect and proclaim the message (1), instructions about the behavior of the church (2), the leaders of the church (3), the minister and ministry of the church (4), instructions for groups in the church (5), practice the principles of the message (6)

Mystery of godliness: appeared in body, authenticated by Spirit, seen by messengers, preached among nations, believed on in world, ascended out of this world. [Note the parallelism, resulting in three sets of two. Note also that this is the "center" of the book.]

Chapter 1: Notes and Outlines
1:3-11. Encouragement to stay and minister in Ephesus, especially in combatting false teachers and false teaching. The warning mentions myths, genealogies, useless talk, and ignorance of the law and its principles. The context suggests an overemphasis on knowledge, perhaps used to justify a certain decadence. In chapter 4 one can see a reference to asceticism and false pride. Correct (sound, healthy) teaching conforms to the gospel of Christ.
1:12-17. Paul himself is an example of the power and product of the gospel properly protected and proclaimed. Note the doxology with which Paul concludes this brief autobiographical section.
1:18-20. Timothy will be an example of the power of the gospel as he holds the faith which some have rejected with tragic results.

Chapter 2: Notes and Outlines
The topic of Chapter 2

Is this chapter necessarily about the formal worship assembly? Why or why not?

The importance of a higher priority in worship. Do we go to church for preaching, for praise, or for some other reason? What is our emphasis in worship?

If evangelism is our speciality rather than worship, what will happen?

Why does worship so easily become slovenly, perfunctory, mechanical, dull? Consider why the antidotes are too often repetitive, unreflective, and even flippant.

A conceptual framework for 2:1-7: The church's conduct should be informed by an attitude of global concern (John Stott)

The church's prayers should concern all people, 2:1-2

God's desire concerns all people, 2:3-4

Christ's death concerns all people, 2:5-6

The church's proclamation must concern all people, 2:7

2:8-15. The church's conduct must be characterized by activities consistent with Christianity.

Men and prayer