Daily Bread

INTRODUCTION TO 1 TIMOTHY

Paul called Timothy 'my true son in the faith.' He led him to Christ during his first missionary journey, when he pioneered the church in Lystra, Timothy's hometown. Timothy's mother and grandmother were Jewish Christians; his father was Greek. When Paul stopped by Lystra on his second evangelistic journey, he invited Timothy to join him as an intern shepherd. Timothy's training in obedience began when Paul circumcised him. Later, Paul wrote the Philippians (2:19-22): 'I hope...to send Timothy to you...I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But...Timothy has proved himself...'

1 Timothy was written to Timothy after Paul went to Macedonia, leaving him to shepherd the church in Ephesus. Some of Timothy's flock were older and more experienced than he. But Paul exhorted him to lead by love, and by setting an example in speech and life, in purity and in faith. A leader must continue to grow in faith and in love. Two times Paul told Timothy to 'fight the good fight of faith' (1Ti 1:18; 6:12).

Paul gave advice about false teachers, and some specific directions about appointing and training leaders.

1. The goal of this command is love (1-7)

Genuine love comes from a pure heart, a good conscience and sincere faith. There were certain men in the church in Ephesus who wanted to show off their 'superior' knowledge by teaching something different from the Bible. Their teaching promoted controversies rather than God's work, so Paul told Timothy to command these men to stop such false teaching. God's work is done by faith and love--not by arguing.

2. The law is for lawbreakers (8-11)

The law is good and necessary, for man has a sinful nature. The law was given to restrain and limit that sinful nature so that people might live together in peace. When men receive the glorious gospel, they are changed within and can live according to the inner leading of the Spirit rather than the outer constraints of the law.


Prayer: Lord, thank you for entrusting me with your glorious gospel. Come and dwell within me and lead in your love. Help me to do your work by faith.

One Word: God's work is done in love