Paul’s Encouragement to Timothy in Facing a Difficult Problem I Timothy 1:1-20
In this chapter Paul reminds Timothy of his awesome task as a minister of God and reminds him that God will see him through to victory. God had given Timothy a special stewardship, and He expected Timothy to be faithful. Timothy must remain committed to the presentation of God’s word in the face of the prevalence of false teachers.
I Timothy 1:1-20 may be outlined as follows: I. Paul’s Advice Against False Doctrines – I Timothy 1:1-11; II. Paul’s Acknowledging Testimony of God’s Grace – I Timothy 1:12-17; III. Paul’s Assertive Charge to Timothy – I Timothy 1:18-20.
- Paul’s Advice Against False Doctrines – I Timothy 1:1-11
In his opening greeting in verses 1-2, Paul identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ; thus, his apostleship came to him by a heavenly command. Paul referred to Jesus Christ as our hope (v. 1). In verse 2, Paul referred to Timothy as the recipient of this epistle. Timothy was issued Paul’s fairly standard greeting of grace, mercy and peace.
Paul admonished Timothy to remain in Ephesus to suppress certain men in the congregation who were teaching false doctrine. The doctrine the false teachers were teaching was different from Paul’s doctrine (v. 3). The false teachers were teaching fables and long involved genealogies (v. 4). It is not known exactly what these fables and genealogies consisted of; however, the teaching regarding these fables and genealogies produced no spiritual value and led only to further speculation, questions, and arguments. Such speculation did not promote God’s plan, which is conveyed only by faith.
In verse 5, Paul contrasts the false teachers and their ministry with that of the true minister of God’s grace. The object of God’s minister (steward) is to see people love one another, a love that comes from a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith. Although love should be the goal of all Christian ministry, the false teachers in the Ephesus congregation had lost sight of this lofty purpose and had wandered away and turned aside to meaningless talk (v. 6). These false teachers were only promoting endless arguments, divisions, and empty talk!
In verse 7, these false teachers wanted to become competent and respected teachers of the Law, but they were completely incapable of doing so. These false teachers did not understand the Law or even what they were saying about it. In verse 8, Paul was not speaking against the Law, for he viewed the Law as “holy, righteous, and good” (Romans 7:12). Thus, Paul was conveying that the Law is good provided it is used properly. Paul explains to Timothy the significance of the Law. “God did not give the Law to save people, but to show people how much they need to be saved” (Romans 7:16).
In verses 9-10, Paul lists the sinners who are convicted and condemned by the Law, and if you compare this list with Exodus 20, you will discover that practically all of the commandments are included. God had entrusted Paul and Timothy with a glorious Gospel, not a system of Laws! (v. 11). Sound doctrine literally means “healthy teaching,” that is, teaching that promotes spiritual health.
- Paul’s Acknowledging Testimony of God’s Grace – I Timothy 1:12-17
Paul looked back to the time before he knew Christ, the time when he was a persecutor of the followers of Christ. He had been in the past in firm opposition to the gospel; now, Paul was thankful that he is a proponent of the gospel. He was once a persecutor, but now he is a preacher of the gospel. He was once a blasphemer of God’s name, but now in his letter we find him blessing the name of God. The one who firmly hated the cause of Christ, now speaks well of the Lord.
Let us listen to some of Paul’s doxological expressions. In I Timothy 1:12, he states: “Now, unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Also in Romans 11:33-36, after Paul thought of God’s mercy to Jews and Gentiles, Paul broke forth in praise to God when he said: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor? Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again? For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”
In Ephesians Chapter 3, after Paul had revealed the mystery of Christ which consists of both Jews and Gentiles being equal in the body of Christ, Paul exalted the name of God by saying: “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
Paul, in writing to Timothy in Ephesus, reminds Timothy that he received his calling directly from God. Paul thanked Christ for counting him faithful – for considering him worthy of the task (v. 12). Paul knew that God could have called others to do the same task. No one is indispensable to God.
Paul did not see himself as unique or a gift to God. Rather, God’s work through Paul was unique and a gift to Paul. Paul was genuinely called during an appearance of the risen Christ on the Damascus Road (Act 9). Paul attributed his changed life to the unexpected kindness of God. Prior to his meeting the Lord on the Damascus Road, Paul admits that he was a blasphemer and persecutor (v. 13). He even admitted that he had harmed others. As a persecutor before Christ’s intervention in his life, Paul wanted to wipe out all followers of Jesus. Paul was also guilty of harming others, and not just having people arrested.
Paul was an accomplice to Stephen being stoned (Acts 7:58). The ones who stoned Stephen threw their garments at the feet of Paul, who was referred to at that time as Saul. Stephen’s execution by the ones who did the stoning was in full consent by Paul. But, Paul declares that his life of violent behavior was due to his ignorance. Had Paul known the truth that Jesus is Lord, he would not have done these vicious acts!
Now, we find that God showed mercy to Paul despite of his vile behavior (v. 14). Not only did Paul express his thankfulness to Christ (vs. 12-14), but Paul revealed God’s thoughtfulness to all sinners (v. 15). In verse 15, Paul stated emphatically that Christ came on a mission to save sinners. The primary purpose of Christ’s coming to this earth was to save those who were lost.
In verse 16, God’s purpose in saving sinners was demonstrated in Paul being saved. Paul, who considered himself as the worse of sinners, served as a supreme example that other sinners may be saved. If God was patient and gracious enough to save Paul, He is patient and gracious enough to save anyone. All who follow can look back at Paul as a prototype or pattern. The ultimate sinner became the ultimate saint. God’s greatest enemy became His finest servant (v. 17).
Contemplating on the marvels of God’s grace prompted Paul to give one of his great doxologies. Our Saviour is King Eternal (“the King of the Ages”) – that conveys God’s sovereignty over all history; He is “immortal and invisible” – that discloses two essential attributes of God, His eternality and His spiritual essence. He is “the only wise God”- that reveals his uniqueness as God. Our God alone deserves all honor and glory eternally, Amen.
III. Paul’s Assertive Charge to Timothy – I Timothy 1:18-20
In verse 18, Paul resumed his charge begun in verse 3. Timothy’s call and fitness for service in Ephesus was mentioned by a prophecy that confirmed Paul’s conviction that Timothy was a fit soldier to combat the false teaching in the Ephesian church. There are two items mentioned by Paul for spiritual warfare in verse 19: faith and a good conscience. The word “conscience” means “to know with.” Conscience is that inward judge that bears witness to our actions (Romans 2:15). It is possible for a believer to maintain orthodox doctrine while living in hidden sin, which can lead to spiritual shipwreck.
In verse 20, Paul named two men in Ephesus who would give Timothy trouble: Hymenaeus and Alexander. It was not easy for young Timothy to face these men with God’s truth, but he had to do it if he would preserve the purity and power of the church.
May God Bless!
