Introduction to First Timothy Timothy’s Early Life – Before Meeting Paul Timothy’s Early Life – Before Meeting Paul – Raised by a godly mother & grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15) – named him “one who honors God” – These women of faith taught Timothy the Holy Scriptures (sacred writings) from his infancy The OT Scriptures were holy b/c they were inspired by God The OT Scriptures were holy b/c they were inspired by God The OT Scriptures could produce faith in coming Messiah The OT Scriptures could produce faith in coming Messiah Faith comes by hearing the word of God Faith comes by hearing the word of God Salvation comes through hearing & obeying Scripture Salvation comes through hearing & obeying Scripture – Unhypocritical faith can save & can be “transferred”

Introduction to First Timothy Timothy Meets Paul Timothy Meets Paul – Timothy & his family lived in Lystra (Acts 16:1) – Paul first came to Lystra on his first journey (Acts 14:8) – Timothy & his mother likely converted by Paul on his first missionary journey to Lystra Paul calls Timothy his “beloved son” “in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; cf. 1 Cor. 4:15) Paul calls Timothy his “beloved son” “in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; cf. 1 Cor. 4:15) Timothy knew the persecutions Paul endured on his first journey through Lystra (2 Tim. 3:10-11; Acts 14:8-18) Timothy knew the persecutions Paul endured on his first journey through Lystra (2 Tim. 3:10-11; Acts 14:8-18) When Paul comes back thru Lystra on his second journey, Eunice is a “believer” and Timothy is “well spoken of by the brethren” (Acts 16:1-2) – had been converted earlier When Paul comes back thru Lystra on his second journey, Eunice is a “believer” and Timothy is “well spoken of by the brethren” (Acts 16:1-2) – had been converted earlier

Introduction to First Timothy Timothy Becomes Paul’s Fellow-Worker Timothy Becomes Paul’s Fellow-Worker – “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)

Introduction to First Timothy Timothy Travels with Paul on His 2 nd Journey Timothy Travels with Paul on His 2 nd Journey – To Phrygia, Galatia, Troas (Acts 16:6-8), Macedonia [Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea] (Acts 16:9-17:14)— staying in Berea – Paul calls him to meet in Athens (Acts 17:15), then he sends him to Thessalonica to strengthen the persecuted Christians (1 Thess. 3:1-2) – Timothy meets Paul back in Corinth with good news and is with him when 1&2 Thess written from Corinth (1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1)

Introduction to First Timothy Timothy Works with Paul on His 3 rd Journey Timothy Works with Paul on His 3 rd Journey – With Paul in Ephesus, from which dispatched to Macedonia with Erastus (Acts 19:22) – This is about the same time that Paul wrote First Corinthians, so Paul must have instructed him to go from Macedonia to Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10-12) – Later, Timothy joined Paul in Macedonia. 2 Cor. was written from Macedonia (2 Cor. 2:13; 7:5-7), and Timothy was with Paul when written (2 Cor. 1:1, 19). – With Paul in Corinth when Romans written (Rom. 16:21; Acts 20:2). – Traveled with Paul to Troas (Acts 20:3-5)

Introduction to First Timothy Timothy with Paul During His First Roman Imprisonment & After Timothy with Paul During His First Roman Imprisonment & After – Paul spent “two whole years” in prison in Rome (Acts 28:30), during which time he penned Eph, Phil, Col, Phile—three named Timothy as being with him (Phil. 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 hoped to meet Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tim. 3:14; 4:13; cf. 1:3, where Timothy was laboring) – Near the end of Paul’s life (in Roman prison again), he urged Timothy to come and be with him (2 Tim. 4:9, 21) before his death.

Introduction to First Timothy Special Relationship & Confidence Between Paul & Timothy Special Relationship & Confidence Between Paul & Timothy – “Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.” (1 Cor. 16:10-11) – “Timothy, my fellow worker…” (Rom. 16:21)

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

Introduction to First Timothy The Purpose & Timing of First Timothy The Purpose & Timing of First Timothy – Paul met with the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 (~56-57 AD) – there was trouble brewing (Acts 20:28-30) – No doubt Timothy saw evidence of Paul’s words 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)

Introduction to First Timothy The Purpose & Timing of First Timothy The Purpose & Timing of First Timothy – Paul wrote the letter to remind Timothy to “charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1:3). – The emphasis of the letter is on THE faith—holding to it, teaching it, defending it, living it—with apostolic authority. – The letter was probably written around AD, after Paul was released from his first Roman imprisonment.