1 Timothy

First Things First Gifting and calling come from God; training and equipping come through men. The apostle Paul was the consummate trainer and equipper. When he couldn’t do it in person, he did it in writing—and we have two of his training manuals, letters...

Watching Over the Teaching 1 Timothy 1:3-7 How can elders effectively shepherd the flock of God, when the spiritual gift of teaching is encouraged at all levels involving many teachers? Between children’s ministry, small groups, Sunday preaching, women’s...

Humble Leadership 1 Timothy 1 Timothy had a unique relationship with Paul, his mentor—something few ever experience. Paul delighted to share his wisdom and insight (inspired as it was). That is the easy part of the relationship—we all like to give advice and...

Connected with the Chief 1 Timothy 2:1-15 Perhaps the older brothers who spoke of “laboring” in prayer were on to something. It’s hard work and just about anything else seems easier to do. I suspect Timothy found this so, judging from the earnest appeal Paul...

Was Paul culturally conditioned? 1 Tim 2:11-12 Many today are throwing out the (centuries) long established interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:11-12 that a person’s involvement in leadership and teaching can be affected by his or her sex. To some, a literal...

Why the Difference 1 Timothy 2:13-15 In 1 Timothy 2:13-15, Paul supports his teaching of verse 12, namely a gender distinction in the teaching and leading roles in the church. The command of Scripture by itself should be sufficient for us. however, the Lord...

Desiring a Good Work 1 Timothy 3 Every elder wishes that there were more people who desired to serve God’s people in the church! It takes no theology degree to make that observation. It seems strange, especially when God attaches such value to serving. Being...

Change and Truth 1 Timothy 3:14-16 “But, if we just change the structure of our meetings, things will go so much better!” “But, it’s not about structure, it’s about God’s presence in our ministry!” Sound familiar? Two divergent views, reacting to each other....

Falling Away From Faith 1 Timothy 4:1-5 Nothing is more painful to elders than a believer falling away from the faith. This is the most serious thing that can happen to a Christian. The apostle Paul anticipates and warns young Timothy about this problem in 1...

Sharpening the Blade 1 Timothy 4:6-16 “First put on your own mask, then help those around you.” This familiar refrain is heard by air travelers at the beginning of every commercial flight. In the event that air pressure in the plane cabin drops, oxygen masks...

Who Do You Help? 1 Timothy 5:1-16 One of the more difficult areas of leadership in the local church has to do with the needy among us. You don’t have to be associated with a local church for very long to realize there are far more apparent needs than there...

Elders Who Do Well 1 Timothy 5:17-18 In this passage Paul addresses the quality of an elder’s work. He speaks first of those elders who “rule well” and then those who “work hard at preaching and teaching.” He says they are “worthy of double honor.” According...

1 Timothy 5:17-19 Last article we addressed the subject of those elders who rule and teach well being worthy of double honor. But what about the rest of the elders? The danger in writing an article like the previous one is that some elders might feel...

1 Tim 5:19-25 As an elder, you will be criticized—that is axiomatic. Sometimes it comes from well-meaning Christians who are trying to “help” you. Sometimes, from those who for various reasons (whether jealousy, insecurity, fear, selfishness – you can...

To Question or Not to Question? 1 Timothy 6:1-5 He said he was just trying to start a conversation, that’s all his questions were about. Yes, questions can be innocent, a sign of being a Berean kind of Christian (Acts 17) who wants to make sure what he is...

Comfort or Ministry? Oh, to live life a bit more comfortably! Did you know that such creaturely comfort can hinder the work of the Lord! There is nothing wrong with desiring comfort from pain and hardship. As elders, however, we cannot afford to spend too...

Notable Directives Timothy must have been a remarkable young man to gain Paul’s trust and confidence. However, it is clear that Paul let him go out from under his immediate tutelage. Personal training can only go so far and then a young protégé has to go it...