The Apostle Paul wrote 3 epistles that are
collectively referred to as the Pastoral Epistles.These are First Timothy,
Second Timothy and Titus.These Pastoral Epistles
were written about the same time (around AD 65-68).First Timothy was written
from Laodicea, Second Timothy from Rome and Titus from Nicopolis of Macedonia.There is great similarity
between First Timothy and Titus, indicating that these 2 epistles go together.Second Timothy however is
markedly different.
Paul wrote the epistle to Titus and the first epistle to Timothy in quite similar style and content because both
Titus and Timothy were placed in charge of the churches in Crete and Ephesus respectively.The purpose was simply to
instruct them on how to rule in orderly manner the churches committed to their care.In both these epistles,
Paul gave instructions concerning public prayers, the qualifications of Elders (“Bishops”) and Deacons, Church
discipline and Christian testimony in the light of growing heresies.
By the time Paul wrote the Second Epistle to Timothy, he was a prisoner before Nero in Rome.This particular epistle was therefore written to encourage Timothy in the face of tough persecutions from
Rome.
Timothy
Timothy’s father was Greek, a Gentile. His mother was Jewish, who was a believer (Acts 16:1). He was therefore
an interesting young evangelist, a Greek to the Gentiles, a Jew to the Jews. Timothy served the church at Ephesus,
in Asia Minor, where members were predominantly Gentile.
Timothy's grandmother was named Lois, his
mother Eunice. Paul speaks highly of both Lois and Eunice (2 Tim 1:3-5).The most outstanding characteristic
of Timothy was his unfeigned faith, which he shared with Lois and Eunice. Timothy received a good report from the churches at Lystra and
Iconium, two cities in Asia Minor.Because of this, Paul decided
to train and use Timothy to strengthen the churches in the faith; Timothy soon began to serve not only as a companion
to Paul in his missionary travels (Acts 16), but as a pastor as well.
Paul called Timothy his true son in the
faith. He urged Timothy to remain in Ephesus to oversee the congregation there. That duty included insisting that
others not deviate from God's truth in any way.
Paul also charged Timothy with instructing others not to listen to lies or myths about God and His truth, not to
waste time in unproductive, distracting issues. Paul wanted Timothy to teach others the matters of faith that would
build the congregations of God and encourage them to avoid endless debates that would detract from their spiritual
growth.
Timothy visited Paul in Rome when Paul was in prison (Phil 1:1, Col 1:1). We read of Timothy being set free in
Heb 13:23, suggesting that he too was imprisoned as well.
Legend has it that Timothy continued to
minister to the congregation in Ephesus and was martyred under the Roman emperor Domitian (81-96) or Nerva (96-98).Before his death, Paul desired to see Timothy one last time (2 Tim 4:9). Other long-standing companions
had by then deserted him (2 Tim 4:10, 16).
Theme: Sound doctrine for a congregation and its preacher.
Key verses:1 Timothy 3:14-15 These things write I unto thee, hoping
to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the
house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Memory verse:1 Timothy 2:5-6
For there is one God, and one mediator
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
OUTLINE:
Introduction (1:1-2)
Charge concerning sound doctrine (1:3-20)
General instructions concerning the Church (2:1-3:13)
Advice to Timothy (3:14-4:16)
Instructions concerning members of the Church(5:1-6:19)
Concluding charge to Timothy (6:20-21)