Book Study: First Timothy

Book Overview

Paul’s first letter to Timothy is a guide for church leadership and Christian living.  Paul emphasizes the need to guard against false teaching and to uphold sound doctrine. He then turns to instructions on worship and prayer and describes the role of women in the church. Next, he outlines the qualifications for overseers and deacons. Paul warns of apostasy and urges Timothy to train in godliness. The letter continues with guidelines for the care of widows and respect for elders. Finally, Paul addresses Christian attitudes toward wealth and contentment reminding Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain and warns against the dangers of greed. The letter closes with a strong exhortation to pursue righteousness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

Brief Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1

Paul writes to Timothy whom he left at Ephesus to go to Macedonia. He cautions him to focus on advancing the faith in Jesus and not strange doctrines, myths and genealogies. He states not to overemphasize the law, which is good only for those who are rebellious. Paul expresses thankfulness for his conversion and God’s grace in using him. Paul is an example of God’s patience. He commands timothy to fight the good fight.

Chapter 2

Paul urges them to pray for all men so that all may be saved through our mediator Jesus Christ. He gives instructions for women to be modest, quiet, submissive and not to teach or have authority.

Chapter 3

Paul outlines qualifications for bishops or overseers’ then moves on to qualifications for deacons . Finally he describes how women should behave in the church.

Chapter 4

Paul describes how some will fall away from faith forbidding marriage and certain foods. He tells Timothy to discipline himself to godliness and be an example to others. He encourages public reading of scripture and preaching.

Chapter 5

Paul describes Widows indeed and instructs qualifications for their support in the church. He encourages younger widows to marry and not be idle. Widows must first be supported by their families and not the church. He states elders should receive double honor and not be accused without two or more people. He explains that their deeds will be found out and not be concealed.

Chapter 6

Paul gives instructions to slaves to honor their masters. Paul encourages godliness and warns against those who would promote anything else. He cautions against pursuing money but instead says to pursue righteousness and godliness. He charges Timothy to Fight the good fight and keep the faith until the coming of Jesus. He ends with a final charge to avoid worldly arguments falsely called knowledge.

Key Verses

1 Timothy 1:15

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst.

1 Timothy 1:19

holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

1 Timothy 2:1

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.

1 Timothy 2:4-5

who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:9-10

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

1 Timothy 3:10

They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

1 Timothy 3:16

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

1 Timothy 4:1

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

1 Timothy 4:8

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

1 Timothy 5:8

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Timothy 5:18-19

For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:6

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:17

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly supplies with all things to enjoy

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