First Timothy - Chapter 1

THEME: THE FAITH OF THE CHURCH

Paul’s emphasis here will be on a warning against false teachers in the local church. Here the introduction is far different than any other epistle he has written. He says he is an apostle by the commandment of God. Commandments express will. The will of God for His people is found in His ten commandments. In verse 8 we will see that Paul says that the law is good if a man use it lawfully. To use it lawfully means to understand that obedience to rules will not bring salvation. To accept Christ and to live by Him brings salvation. The law reveals sin but by the law is no flesh justified.

1:1-2

The command is of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope. Sent unto Timothy, Paul’s own son in the faith, are grace, mercy, and peace from the Father and the Son.

The hope mentioned here is only seen here and in Colossians 1:27 and refers to the constant hope of His return for which all Christians long. The three words given are a small trinity. Mercy is that from God which acts freely to save when the demands of His holiness are satisfied. Because God is merciful we can come to Him and find salvation from His grace. Peace is the result that flows from the first two.

1:3

The warning begins with Paul’s seeking Timothy to remain in Ephesus so that he may charge some men that no other doctrine be taught. This warning means no OTHER doctrine. The Judaizers were there bringing another gospel which Timothy must counter. From Pentecost onward we are taught that believers must remain in the apostle’s doctrine which are the basic rules of the faith.

1:4

The warning continues with the trouble of the false Judaizers rendering faith  of the church as more a continuation of the Jews, based upon only being saved because of  being born as sons of Abraham (genealogies). Paul is always consistent in teaching that faith in Christ makes one a son of Abraham by the will of God. John perfects this teaching in John 1:13, not “by blood”.

1:5

Love comes from a pure heart with a good conscience and is not something pretended. It is unfeigned. These are three wonderful graces and are as meaningful today as they were in the early church days.

1:6-8

Paul continues his warning against empty chatter which has no meaning. Those who do so do not understand the gospel and misunderstand the law. Under the law the best man in the world is fully condemned but under the gospel the worst man can be justified if he believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. The law is for moral conduct, not meant for salvation.

1:9-10

Knowing what has just been explained in verses 6-8, Paul now renders many characteristics that are contrary to sound doctrine, meaning the doctrine of salvation through Christ alone. Under the law, man could not measure up. No works allowed obedience by imperfect sinners. Under grace the imperfect are changed (transformed) into new creatures seeking only to conform to the Messiah sent for that single purpose, saving those who are lost.

1:11-17

Paul now prepares his own personal testimony to show how he himself has been changed and who changed him.

The gospel has been entrusted to him by God and he has been enabled by Jesus, who considered him faithful and placed him into His ministry. Paul is thankful and clearly states the Lordship of Christ.

He had been a blasphemer and persecutor and harmed believers, but he obtained mercy because of his ignorance in unbelief. Grace was abundant unto him with both faith and love extended toward him. He says this action is exactly why Christ Jesus came, to save sinners, and he freely admits that of all sinners he himself is chief. Here is our witness to those who say that they are too sinful for God to save. God has already saved the worst sinner ever known therefore all who came after him are not as bad as Paul was. This was a pattern sinners may follow to life everlasting and because this pattern has been made evident, honor and glory are forever in God.

1:18-20

Paul now charges Timothy to be aware that he should be aware of the prophecies that came before him and that by them he should bring spiritual warfare. He calls Timothy his son, and warns him to fight a good fight and not to make a shipwreck of the faith as some were doing.

Paul does not leave this point to generalities but rather gives the actual names of two men who are making the wreck he mentioned. These men have failed and were apostates, creating confusion and disorder and harming the true gospel message. Paul says he has delivered them unto Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme. Here Paul means he has expelled these men from the church and placed them therefore outside it where Satan rules. This is authority given to Paul, and the other apostles, Paul further expresses this authority in 1st Cor 5:3-5 as he explains why such a one has been delivered to Satan, so that the spirit of the assembly might be saved. Peter also exercised this same powerful authority in Acts 5:1-11 as he confronted the lies of Ananias and Sapphira by removing them not only from the faithful living but from life itself.