1 Timothy 1 Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: 1 Tim 1:1,2

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope,

2 To Timothy my true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

A. Find Out:      

1. What is Paul? v.1a
2. Why is he one? v.1b
3. How does he describe God? v.1c
4. How does he describe Jesus? v.1d
5. How does he describe Timothy? v.2a
6. What 3 things does he want for Timothy? v.2b

B. Think:

1. Read Acts 14:6,7 & 16:1-3 What do we know about Timothy?
2. What do you think Paul’s descriptions of God and Christ are meant to communicate to Timothy?
3. Why are grace, mercy and peace foundational requirements for the Christian life?

C. Comment:

     As Paul writes, his opening words of greeting hold a glimmer of what he will share in the letter. Everything in these opening words, is designed to subtly create confidence in Timothy.

     First is his description of who he is: an apostle by God’s decree. Quite subtly, Paul is reminding Timothy that we are what we are because of God’s calling, not because we thought it was a good idea. That establishes confidence in His purpose or calling of us.

     Second, Paul speaks of God as Saviour, a reminder that God not only called us but redeemed us, establishing a confidence for a daily relating to God.

    Third, Paul describes Jesus as our hope. Jesus died and was raised again; the impossible happened to him and the impossible has happened to us. Resurrection life is what energises us (see Romans 8:11 ), establishing confidence by the power within us.

    Finally Paul encourages Timothy with a reminder of their relationship and assurance about what happened. Paul can verify Timothy’s testimony. That establishes confidence to be a minister of Christ. Calling, salvation, power and ministry are all assured.

D. Application:

1. God calls, redeems, empowers and equips us.
2. The work of ministry in the church is to encourage & build us.

Passage: 1 Tim 1:3-7

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work – which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

A. Find Out:

1. What was Timothy to do in Ephesus ? v.3,4a
2. What were these men creating v.4b
3. What did Paul want for them instead? v.5
4. What had happened to some? v.6
5. What had they wanted? v.7a
6. But with what end? v.7b

B. Think:

1. What had some people in Ephesus been doing?
2. With what results?
3. What was the threefold goal Paul had for them, summed up in love?

C. Comment:

    Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus when he went over to Macedonia and there, he wanted Timothy to confront a certain problem.

    First observe the EXPRESSION of the problem: there was false teaching going on. Some had become caught up in false doctrines and myths, and were more concerned about genealogies than about truth.

    Second, observe the FRUITS of the problem: controversy and almost certainly division. When teachers stray from the truth it will stir up upset and that in turn will divide people.

     Third, observe the CAUSE of the problem: some men had made it their ambition to be teachers but had not been equipped for it, neither by natural knowledge nor by the Holy Spirit.

      Fourth, observe the ANSWER to the problem: to restore love to the church that flows out of purity of heart, a clear, guilt-free conscience and a sincere or wholehearted faith. False teaching comes from a wrong heart. Restore one and you can restore the other.

     This was a very real problem that Timothy had to deal with in Ephesus, and it needed Paul’s encouraging words to keep on dealing with it. A problem like this is not dealt with quickly and needs long-term working at to fully deal with it.

D. Application:

1. We need God’s equipping to be able to do God’s work without it causing problems.
2. The servant of God needs to be righteous.

Passage: 1 Tim 1:8-14

8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practising homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers – and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

A. Find Out:

1. When is the law good? v.8
2. Who is it made for? v.9,10
3. Why does Paul thank the Lord? v.12
4. What had he once been? v.13
5. Why was he shown mercy? v.13
6. What 3 things had been poured out to him? v.14

B. Think:

1. How are the law and the Gospel linked?
2. How is Paul a wonderful example of the work of the Gospel?
3. What are the essentials we need to receive to be Christians?

C. Comment:

     Remember above we saw how Paul was encouraging Timothy to deal with those men in Ephesus who were teaching false doctrines. They had obviously been over-emphasizing the law and so Paul now comments that the law is good in its right place. The place or purpose of the law is to show up sinners and reveal their need of the Gospel. These people are condemned by the law and are shown their need of the mercy and grace of God that comes through Jesus Christ.

     After all, says Paul, I know what I’m talking about, for I was once against God and against His people, but God saved me. Paul had acted in the way he had out of ignorance and unbelief, but God never-the-less showed His mercy by forgiving and redeeming him.

      So, says Paul, God poured out His grace, His faith and His love, into my life, so I have been where these men are but I have been transformed by God. These three things need to be imparted to us by God for us to be Christians: a) grace, which is His power, His Holy Spirit in us, b) then faith, that ability to believe and respond and c) finally love, that wonderful expression of God’s goodness towards us that creates a growing response to Him in us.

D. Application:

1. The law shows me my need of a saviour as it shows up my faults and failings.
2. God’s grace and mercy flows to us continually.

Passage: 1 Tim 1:15-20

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

A. Find Out:

1. How does Paul describe himself? v.15
2. Why was he shown mercy? v.16
3. How does he describe God? v.17
4. Why was God instructing Timothy? v.18
5. How was Timothy to do it? v.19a
6. What had happened to others? v.19b, 20

B. Think:

1. How was Paul’s life a testimony to God’s grace?
2. How do Paul’s instructions indicate it is possible to fall away?
3. What are key guidelines for us to live by?

C. Comment:

     As Paul continues to use himself as an illustration of the wonderful grace of God, he reminds Timothy of a saying of the church, that Christ came to save sinners. We may take that little statement casually but it is the heart of the Gospel, that the prime purpose for Christ coming from heaven was to save sinners – and we are all sinners! Indeed, Paul places himself at the top of the list of sinners (and note the present tense), constantly being aware of his need for a saviour. But note also that he doesn’t revel in his fallenness, but instead glorifies God for the wonderful way He had worked, and continued to work, in Paul’s life.

     For a moment Paul soars up in mighty praise to God who has no ending, who is indestructible, unseen, the only God who deserves praise and worship. Finally he encourages Timothy to persevere in the ministry that God called him to through personal prophecy. Keep going for it, says Paul, ensuring that you move in faith, responding to God’s leading, keeping your conscience free from guilt, knowing you are keeping yourself from wrong. Others had failed and had lost God’s protection, so that they might realise their foolishness

D. Application:

1. Christ came to save sinners. I am a sinner, therefore Christ came to save me.
2. Faith and perseverance are needed by me.