1 Introduction
1st Century Periods Inception Period
1st Century Periods Inception Period Expansion Period
Consolidation Period 1st Century Periods Inception Period Expansion Period Consolidation Period
Timothy Native of Lystra Convert of Paul (I Tim. 1:2) Eunice – Mother Lois – Grandmother Father a Gentile Convert of Paul (I Tim. 1:2) Ordained (I Tim. 4:14) Travelled with Paul + Luke Sent to Ephesus
Timothy Like a son to Paul Spent time in prison (Heb. 13:23) Died a martyr Coworker of John Spent time in prison (Heb. 13:23) Timid Stomach problems
Authorship Internal Evidence = Paul No contradictions Positive reception by early church leaders
Outline Greetings – 1:1-2 Paul and Timothy – 1:3-20 The church and prayer – 2:1-15 The church and leadership – 3:1-16 The church and apostasy – 4:1-16 The church and different people – 5:1-6:2 Final approval – 6:3-21
The Importance of I Timothy Source for church organization Stress the importance of teaching correct doctrine They demand holy living Provide historical information God speaks to us as He did to them
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope, 2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. - I Timothy 1:1-2
As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, - I Timothy 1:3
Heresy Gnosticism – Gnosis = Knowledge A mixing of different sources of knowledge Philosophy / Mysticism / Christianity Produce doctrine of Dualism
Dualism Two Elements: God/Mind - Flesh/Matter Both eternal God/Mind good – Flesh/Matter evil Salvation = Escape from the flesh Two ways to escape: Asceticism (deny the flesh) Antinomianism (indulge the flesh)
Gnosticism produced 2 new attitudes: Speculative Intellectualism Major in Minors
Gnosticism produced 2 new attitudes: Speculative Intellectualism Pride Only certain teachers had “special knowledge” (gnosis)
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. - II Timothy 3:16-17