A 1 TIMOTHY. Earlier period. Timothy at Ephesus. Organized assemblies. Instruction as to officers and their
duties. Assemblies seen in their order and rule.
B 2 TIMOTHY. Later period. Organization ignored. Orderly rule succeeded by ruin. Officers superseded
by "faithful men". Individual.
A TITUS. Earlier period. Organized assemblies as in 1 Timothy.
B PHILEMON. Later period. Practical exhibition of individual walk in the truth of the latter Epistles.
A 1:1,2. Benediction.
B 1:3-20. Admonition. Practical.
C 2:1-3:13. Instruction and discipline.
D 3:14,15. Intended visit and interval.
E 3:16. The mystery of godliness.
E 4:1-12. The mystery of iniquity.
D 4:13-16. Intended visit and interval.
C 5:1-6:2. Instruction and discipline.
B 6:3-21-. Admonition. Practical.
A 6:-21. Benediction.
1. The son of a Gentile father and an Israeli mother, Timothy was born either at Derbe or Lystra, probably the latter. He already is a "disciple" when 1st mentioned [Acts 16:1]. His father is nowhere named, but his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, have secured honorable mention wherever the Scriptures are read [2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14]. Most likely Timothy had been brought to light during the apostle's 1st visit to Lystra, and thereafter the two were much in association. Paul refers to him in affectionate terms as his own son in the faith, his dearly beloved son, his son timothy, and while his undergoing his 2nd imprisonment at Rome he earnestly begged that his fellow-servant should come to him. See also Phil. 2:19-23.
2. This, the earliest of the 3 Pastoral Epistles, as they are termed, was written probably 67 A.D., but it is not known where the apostle was at this time, although some think he was at Troas, others in Macedonia.
3. To Timothy were given the earliest instructions for orderly arrangement in the church, these instructions being the simplest in nature, and, as Dean Alford well observes with regard to the Pastoral Epistles as a whole, the directions given "are altogether of an ethical, not a hierarchical, kind". These directions afford no warrant whatever for the widespread organizations of the "churches" are carried on today.
4. Even in the earliest period the increasing heresies are much in evidence. Some there were who had swerved and turned aside altogether; others denied vital truth and thus overthrew "the faith of some". Hence Paul's constant warnings against such, and instructions to enlighten the opposers, "if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging the truth". How the leaven spread is only too plainly shown in Paul's 2nd Epistle, which has been aptly termed a picture of the ruin of the church through departure from the apostolic doctrine.
1 Timothy 1)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus (Gr. Iesous, Heb. Yahshua = Yahaveh's Savior) Christ (Gr. Christos = the Anointed One, i.e. the Messiah) by the commandment of God (Gr. Theos, Heb. equivalent to Elohim) our Savior (God is called Savior here, 2;3. Luke 1:47. Tit. 1:3; 2:10; 3:4. Jude 25. Elsewhere the title is used of the Lord Jesus Christ), and Lord (Gr. Kurios, Heb. equivalent to Yahaveh) Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2 To Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father (Gr. Pater, it denotes His relationship to His "beloved Son") and Christ Jesus our Lord.
B A a 3,4. The charge. Personal.
b 5. Faith and good conscience defined.
c 6-10. Some who have turned aside.
B 11. The blessed God.
C 12. Paul, the trusted minister.
D 13. The chief of sinners unsaved.
E 14-. The Lord's abounding grace.
E -14. Faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
D 15. The chief of sinners saved.
C 16. Paul, the pattern of sinner saved.
B 17. The only God.
A a 18. The charge. Personal.
b 19-. Faith and a good conscience to be held fast.
c -19,20. Some who have made shipwreck.
3 As I besought you to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, in order that you might charge some not to teach otherwise,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies (referring the the list of emanations of AEONS according to the Gnostics), which minister questions (see Acts 25:20), rather than dispensation of God which is in faith: so do.
5 Now the end of the commandment (see Acts 5:28) is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved turned aside to vain jangling; (Gr. mataiologia, random talk, empty words, i.e. babble.)
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law (see Luke 5:17); understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (This kind of teaching promotes the traditions of men, not the Word of God. It is the Word of God that is important, not words of men.)
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; (Now that makes sense. The law is good, if men utilize it according to to the law. The law is good; man is bad.)
9 Knowing this, that the law is not appointed for a righteous man, but for the lawless and undisciplined, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man-slayers,
10 For whore-mongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealers (an inslaver [as bringing men to his feet]), for liars, for perjured persons, and if any other thing is contrary to sound doctrine;
11 According to the good news of the glory of the blessed God (only in this epistle is 'blessed" [or happy], applied to God), with which I was entrusted.
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and an insulter: but I obtained mercy (cp. 1 Cor. 7:25. 2 Cor. 4:1), because I did it not knowing in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord abounded over all
with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am foremost (i.e. 1st in position).
16 Howbeit on account of this I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern of them which are about to believe on Him to life everlasting. (Paul was converted through the visible appearance of the Lord from heaven. Others will be [Zech. 12:10.)
17 Now to the King of the ages, immortal (see Rom. 1:23. Cp. 6:16), invisible (see Rom. 1:20. Ex. 33:20. John 1:18. Col. 1:15. Heb. 11:27), the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies going before on you, that you by them might war the good warfare; (Against evil and the evil one)
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience;
which some having thrust away concerning the faith made shipwreck:
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus (cp. 2 Tim 17,18) and Alexander (cp. 2 Tim. 4:14,15); whom I delivered to Satan (see 1 Cor. 5:5), that they may learn not to blaspheme.