The idea that a “pious forger” wrote the Pastoral Epistles faces several further difficulties: 1) The early church did not approve of such practices and surely would have exposed this as a ruse, if there had actually been one (cf. 2 Thess. 2:1, 2; 3:17). 2) Why forge 3 letters that include similar material and no deviant doctrine? 3) If a counterfeit, why not invent an itinerary for Paul that would have harmonized with Acts? 4) Would a later, devoted follower of Paul have put the words of 1:13, 15 into his master’s mouth? 5) Why would he include warnings against deceivers (2 Tim. 3:13; Titus 1:10), if he himself were one?
The evidence seems clear that Paul wrote 1 Timothy and Titus shortly after his release from his first Roman imprisonment (ca. A.D. 62–64), and 2 Timothy from prison during his second Roman imprisonment (ca. A.D. 66–67), shortly before his death.
Background and Setting
After being released from his first Roman imprisonment (cf. Acts 28:30), Paul revisited several of the cities in which he had ministered, including Ephesus. Leaving Timothy behind there to deal with problems that had arisen in the Ephesian church, such as false doctrine (1:3-7; 4:1-3; 6:3-5), disorder in worship (2:1-15), the need for qualified leaders (3:1-14), and materialism (6:6-19), Paul went on to Macedonia, from where he wrote Timothy this letter to help him carry out his task in the church (cf. 3:14, 15).
Historical and Theological Themes
First Timothy is a practical letter containing pastoral instruction from Paul to Timothy (cf. 3:14, 15). Since Timothy was well versed in Paul’s theology, the apostle had no need to give him extensive doctrinal instruction. This epistle does, however, express many important theological truths, such as the proper function of the law (1:5-11), salvation (1:14-16; 2:4-6); the attributes of God (1:17); the Fall (2:13, 14); the person of Christ (3:16; 6:15, 16); election (6:12); and the second coming of Christ (6:14, 15).
Interpretive Challenges
There is disagreement over the identity of the false teachers (1:3) and the genealogies (1:4) involved in their teaching. What it means to be “delivered to Satan” (1:20) has also been a source of debate. The letter contains key passages in the debate over the extent of the atonement (2:4-6; 4:10). Paul’s teaching on the role of women (2:9-15) has generated much discussion, particularly his declaration that they are not to assume leadership roles in the church (2:11, 12). How women can be saved by bearing children (2:15) has also confused many. Whether the fact that an elder must be “the husband of one wife” excludes divorced or unmarried men has been disputed, as well as whether Paul refers to deacons’ wives or deaconesses (3:11). Those who believe Christians can lose their salvation cite 4:1 as support for their view. There is a question about the identity of the widows in 5:3-16—are they needy women ministered to by the church, or an order of older women ministering to the church? Does “double honor” accorded to elders who rule well (5:17, 18) refer to respect or money? These will all be dealt with in their respective notes.
Outline
I. Greeting (1:1, 2)
II. Instructions Concerning False Doctrine (1:3-20)
A. The False Doctrine at Ephesus (1:3-11)
B. The True Doctrine of Paul (1:12-17)
C. The Exhortation to Timothy (1:18-20)
III. Instructions Concerning the Church (2:1-3:16)
A. The Importance of Prayer (2:1-8)
B. The Role of Women (2:9-15)
C. The Qualifications for Leaders (3:1-13)
D. The Reason for Paul’s Letter (3:14-16)
IV. Instructions Concerning False Teachers (4:1-16)
A. The Description of False Teachers (4:1-5)
B. The Description of True Teachers (4:6-16)
V. Instructions Concerning Pastoral Responsibilities (5:1-6:2)
A. The Responsibility to Sinning Members (5:1, 2)
B. The Responsibility to Widows (5:3-16)
C. The Responsibility to Elders (5:17-25)
D. The Responsibility to Slaves (6:1, 2)
VI. Instructions Concerning the Man of God (6:3-21)
A. The Peril of False Teaching (6:3-5)
B. The Peril of Loving Money (6:6-10)
C. The Proper Character and Motivation of a Man of God (6:11-16)
D. The Proper Handling of Treasure (6:17-19)
E. The Proper Handling of Truth (6:20, 21)
The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to
TIMOTHY
1 Timothy 1
Greeting
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
2To Timothy, a atrue son in the faith:
bGrace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
No Other Doctrine
3As I urged you cwhen I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may 1charge some dthat they teach no other doctrine,
4enor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.
5Now fthe purpose of the commandment is love gfrom a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from 2sincere faith,
6from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to hidle talk,
7desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
8But we know that the law is igood if one uses it lawfully,
9knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is 3contrary to sound doctrine,
11according to the glorious gospel of the jblessed God which was kcommitted to my trust.
Glory to God for His Grace
(cf. Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–19)
12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has lenabled me, mbecause He counted me faithful, nputting me into the ministry,
13although oI was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an 4insolent man; but I obtained mercy because pI did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14qAnd the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, rwith faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
15sThis is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that tChrist Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
16However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
17Now to uthe King eternal, vimmortal, winvisible, to 5God xwho alone is wise, ybe honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Fight the Good Fight
18This 6charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
19having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,
20of whom are zHymenaeus and aAlexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to bblaspheme.
1 Timothy 2
Pray for All Men
1Therefore I 1exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2afor kings and ball who are in 2authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and 3reverence.
3For this is cgood and acceptable in the sight dof God our Savior,
4ewho desires all men to be saved fand to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5gFor there is one God and hone Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
6iwho gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
7jfor which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth 4in Christ and not lying—ka teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Men and Women in the Church
8I desire
therefore that the men pray leverywhere, mlifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;
9in like manner also, that the nwomen adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and 5moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,
10obut, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
11Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.
12And pI do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
13For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
15Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
1 Timothy 3
Qualifications of Overseers
1This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a 1bishop, he desires a good work.
2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;
3not 2given to wine, not violent, 3not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not 4covetous;
4one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence
5(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
6not a 5novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.
7Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the asnare of the devil.
Qualifications of Deacons
8Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, bnot given to much wine, not greedy for money,
9holding the 6mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
10But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.
11Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not 7slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
12Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13For those who have served well as deacons cobtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
The Great Mystery
14These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly;
15but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and 8ground of the truth.
16And without controversy great is the 9mystery of godliness:
d God10 was manifested in the flesh,
e Justified in the Spirit,
f Seen by angels,
g Preached among the Gentiles,
h Believed on in the world,
i Received up in glory.
1 Timothy 4
The Great Apostasy
1Now the Spirit 1expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed ato deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, Names of Satan
2bspeaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience cseared with a hot iron,
3forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;
5for it is 2sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
A Good Servant of Jesus Christ
6If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, dnourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
7But ereject profane and old wives’ fables, and fexercise yourself toward godliness.
8For gbodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, hhaving promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
9This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
10For to this end 3we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, iwho is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
11These things command and teach.
Take Heed to Your Ministry
12Let no one 4despise your youth, but be an jexample to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, 5in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to 6doctrine.
14kDo not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy lwith the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
15Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
16Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
1 Timothy 5
Treatment of Church Members
1Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,
2older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.
Honor True Widows
3Honor widows who are really widows.
4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and ato repay their parents; for this is 1good and acceptable before God.
5Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers bnight and day.
6But she who lives in 2pleasure is dead while she lives.
7And these things command, that they may be blameless.
8But if anyone does not provide for his own, cand especially for those of his household, dhe has denied the faith eand is worse than an unbeliever.
9Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man,
10well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
11But 3refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
12having condemnation because they have cast off their first 4faith.
13And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.
14Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15For some have already turned aside after Satan.
16If any believing 5man or woman has widows, let them 6relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
Honor the Elders
17Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
18For the Scripture says, f“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, g“The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except hfrom two or three witnesses.
20Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
21I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the 7elect angels that you observe these things without iprejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
22Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor jshare in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.
23No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent 8infirmities.
24Some men’s sins are kclearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.
25Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
1 Timothy 6
Honor Masters
1Let as many abondservants as are under the yoke
count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.
2And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
Error and Greed
3If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to bwholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, cand to the 1doctrine which accords with godliness,
4he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV Page 623
