Introduction to First Timothy Timothy’s Early Life – Before Meeting Paul Timothy’s Early Life – Before Meeting Paul – Raised by a godly mother & grandmother

Introduction to First TimothyIntroduction to First Timothy

• Timothy’s Early Life – Before Meeting PaulTimothy’s Early Life – Before Meeting Paul– Raised by a godly mother & grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5; Raised by a godly mother & grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5;

3:15) – named him “one who honors God”3:15) – named him “one who honors God”– These women of faith taught Timothy the Holy These women of faith taught Timothy the Holy

Scriptures (sacred writings) from his infancyScriptures (sacred writings) from his infancy• The OT Scriptures were holy b/c they were inspired by GodThe OT Scriptures were holy b/c they were inspired by God• The OT Scriptures could produce faith in coming MessiahThe OT Scriptures could produce faith in coming Messiah• Faith comes by hearing the word of GodFaith comes by hearing the word of God• Salvation comes through hearing & obeying ScriptureSalvation comes through hearing & obeying Scripture

– Unhypocritical faith can save & can be “transferred”Unhypocritical faith can save & can be “transferred”


• Timothy Meets PaulTimothy Meets Paul– Timothy & his family lived in Lystra (Acts 16:1)Timothy & his family lived in Lystra (Acts 16:1)– Paul first came to Lystra on his first journey (Acts 14:8)Paul first came to Lystra on his first journey (Acts 14:8)– Timothy & his mother likely converted by Paul on his Timothy & his mother likely converted by Paul on his

first missionary journey to Lystrafirst missionary journey to Lystra• Paul calls Timothy his “beloved son” “in the faith” (1 Tim. Paul calls Timothy his “beloved son” “in the faith” (1 Tim.

1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; cf. 1 Cor. 4:15)1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; cf. 1 Cor. 4:15)• Timothy knew the persecutions Paul endured on his first Timothy knew the persecutions Paul endured on his first

journey through Lystra (2 Tim. 3:10-11; Acts 14:8-18)journey through Lystra (2 Tim. 3:10-11; Acts 14:8-18)• When Paul comes back thru Lystra on his second journey, When Paul comes back thru Lystra on his second journey,

Eunice is a “believer” and Timothy is “well spoken of by the Eunice is a “believer” and Timothy is “well spoken of by the brethren” (Acts 16:1-2) – had been converted earlierbrethren” (Acts 16:1-2) – had been converted earlier


• Timothy Becomes Paul’s Fellow-WorkerTimothy Becomes Paul’s Fellow-Worker– ““Paul wanted to have him go with him” (Acts 16:3)Paul wanted to have him go with him” (Acts 16:3)• Circumcised him b/c of the Jews (Acts 16:3)Circumcised him b/c of the Jews (Acts 16:3)• Perhaps at this point elders laid hands on him (1 Tim. 4:14)Perhaps at this point elders laid hands on him (1 Tim. 4:14)• Paul imparted miraculous gift to him (2 Tim. 1:6)Paul imparted miraculous gift to him (2 Tim. 1:6)


• Timothy Travels with Paul on His 2Timothy Travels with Paul on His 2ndnd Journey Journey– To Phrygia, Galatia, Troas (Acts 16:6-8), Macedonia To Phrygia, Galatia, Troas (Acts 16:6-8), Macedonia

[Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea] (Acts 16:9-17:14)—[Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea] (Acts 16:9-17:14)—staying in Bereastaying in Berea

– Paul calls him to meet in Athens (Acts 17:15), then he Paul calls him to meet in Athens (Acts 17:15), then he sends him to Thessalonica to strengthen the sends him to Thessalonica to strengthen the persecuted Christians (1 Thess. 3:1-2)persecuted Christians (1 Thess. 3:1-2)

– Timothy meets Paul back in Corinth with good news Timothy meets Paul back in Corinth with good news and is with him when 1&2 Thess written from Corinth and is with him when 1&2 Thess written from Corinth (1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1)(1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1)


• Timothy Works with Paul on His 3Timothy Works with Paul on His 3rdrd Journey Journey– With Paul in Ephesus, from which dispatched to With Paul in Ephesus, from which dispatched to

Macedonia with Erastus (Acts 19:22)Macedonia with Erastus (Acts 19:22)– This is about the same time that Paul wrote First This is about the same time that Paul wrote First

Corinthians, so Paul must have instructed him to go Corinthians, so Paul must have instructed him to go from Macedonia to Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10-12)from Macedonia to Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10-12)

– Later, Timothy joined Paul in Macedonia. 2 Cor. was Later, Timothy joined Paul in Macedonia. 2 Cor. was written from Macedonia (2 Cor. 2:13; 7:5-7), and written from Macedonia (2 Cor. 2:13; 7:5-7), and Timothy was with Paul when written (2 Cor. 1:1, 19).Timothy was with Paul when written (2 Cor. 1:1, 19).

– With Paul in Corinth when Romans written (Rom. With Paul in Corinth when Romans written (Rom. 16:21; Acts 20:2).16:21; Acts 20:2).

– Traveled with Paul to Troas (Acts 20:3-5)Traveled with Paul to Troas (Acts 20:3-5)


• Timothy with Paul During His First Roman Timothy with Paul During His First Roman Imprisonment & AfterImprisonment & After– Paul spent “two whole years” in prison in Rome (Acts Paul spent “two whole years” in prison in Rome (Acts

28:30), during which time he penned Eph, Phil, Col, 28:30), during which time he penned Eph, Phil, Col, Phile—three named Timothy as being with him (Phil. Phile—three named Timothy as being with him (Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1; Phile 1). Maybe a prisoner (cf. Heb. 13:23)1:1; Col. 1:1; Phile 1). Maybe a prisoner (cf. Heb. 13:23)

– Paul sent Timothy to Philippi from Rome (Phil. 2:19-24)Paul sent Timothy to Philippi from Rome (Phil. 2:19-24)– Paul hoped to meet Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tim. 3:14; Paul hoped to meet Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tim. 3:14;

4:13; cf. 1:3, where Timothy was laboring)4:13; cf. 1:3, where Timothy was laboring)– Near the end of Paul’s life (in Roman prison again), he Near the end of Paul’s life (in Roman prison again), he

urged Timothy to come and be with him (2 Tim. 4:9, urged Timothy to come and be with him (2 Tim. 4:9, 21) before his death.21) before his death.


• Special Relationship & Confidence Between Paul Special Relationship & Confidence Between Paul & Timothy& Timothy– ““Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you

without fear; without fear; for he does the work of the Lordfor he does the work of the Lord, as I , as I also do. Therefore let no one despise him. But send also do. Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.” (1 Cor. for I am waiting for him with the brethren.” (1 Cor. 16:10-11)16:10-11)

– ““Timothy, my fellow worker…” (Rom. 16:21)Timothy, my fellow worker…” (Rom. 16:21)


• Special Relationship & Confidence Between Paul Special Relationship & Confidence Between Paul & Timothy& Timothy– ““But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you

shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For your state. For I have no one like-mindedI have no one like-minded, who will , who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know know his proven characterhis proven character, that , that as a son with his as a son with his father he served with me in the gospelfather he served with me in the gospel. Therefore I . Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.” (Phil. 2:19-23)goes with me.” (Phil. 2:19-23)


• The Purpose & Timing of First TimothyThe Purpose & Timing of First Timothy– Paul met with the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 (~56-57 Paul met with the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 (~56-57

AD) – there was trouble brewing (Acts 20:28-30)AD) – there was trouble brewing (Acts 20:28-30)– No doubt Timothy saw evidence of Paul’s words No doubt Timothy saw evidence of Paul’s words

coming true:coming true:• ““from which some, having strayed, have turned aside” (1:6)from which some, having strayed, have turned aside” (1:6)• ““Some having rejected…suffered shipwreck” (1:19-20)Some having rejected…suffered shipwreck” (1:19-20)• ““Some have already turned aside after Satan” (5:15)Some have already turned aside after Satan” (5:15)• ““Some will depart from the faith” (4:1)Some will depart from the faith” (4:1)• ““Some have strayed” (6:10, 21)Some have strayed” (6:10, 21)• ““Guard…avoiding…what is falsely called knowledge” (6:20)Guard…avoiding…what is falsely called knowledge” (6:20)


• The Purpose & Timing of First TimothyThe Purpose & Timing of First Timothy– Paul wrote the letter to remind Timothy to “charge Paul wrote the letter to remind Timothy to “charge

some that they teach no other doctrine” (1:3).some that they teach no other doctrine” (1:3).– The emphasis of the letter is on THE faith—holding to The emphasis of the letter is on THE faith—holding to

it, teaching it, defending it, living it—with apostolic it, teaching it, defending it, living it—with apostolic authority.authority.

– The letter was probably written around 63-64 AD, The letter was probably written around 63-64 AD, after Paul was released from his first Roman after Paul was released from his first Roman imprisonment.imprisonment.

Documents

Introduction to First Timothy Timothy’s Early Life – Before Meeting Paul Timothy’s Early Life – Before Meeting Paul – Raised by a godly mother & grandmother