An Overview of 1 & 2 Timothy
Paul writes two letters to a young pastor named Timothy, whom Paul considers to be his spiritual child (1 Tim 1:2). Paul was in prison for preaching the gospel and was sentenced to death. Timothy was a newly appointed pastor in the church at Ephesus, and at the time, some people in the congregation were preaching false doctrines, or not staying true to their appointed roles and tasks.
Paul reminds Timothy to teach sound doctrine, and not accept another gospel. In 2 Timothy, Paul reminds the young pastor (and us) to guard ourselves against false doctrines, to be a “good soldier for Christ” and work to please God with our work. He reminds us that many people will turn away from the Word in the last days, but the Word of God should still be preached “in season and out of season”, meaning at all times. Paul finishes his letter saying how he’s “fought the good fight” and now goes to be with the Lord in heaven.
Accept No Other Gospel
In both letters, Paul stresses the importance of being faithful to the gospel of Christ.
“As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.”
1 Timothy 1:3-4
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.”
2 Timothy 2:15-17
Paul reminds Timothy to avoid people who stir up controversy and teach things that aren’t in-line with the gospel of Christ (also see Gal 1:6-10, Titus 1:14). These things lead people away from the truth and those who followed these types of teachings have left the faith. He says that anyone who teaches a different doctrine other than what Christ has taught, is “puffed up with conceit and understands nothing and has an unhealthy craving for controversy and breeding quarrels” (1 Tim 6:4). In other words, such people work to cause division within God’s people to make them fall away from the faith. Instead, Paul says Timothy and believers should pursue godliness, contentment, and faithfulness.
A Good Servant of Jesus Christ
“If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.”
1 Timothy 4:6
Paul heavily stresses the importance of being a good servant of the gospel in both 1 and 2 Timothy. He likens the work of a believer, especially a leader in the church, to be like a soldier for God and Christ. He says that believers must obey the rules if they want to receive the prize.
“No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”
2 Timothy 2:4-5
Both letters remind Timothy, and us today, of what our focus should be – understanding the gospel, and then proclaiming it. Paul also gives reminders on what it means to be a worker approved by God. He says believers should be gentle, faithful, avoid irreverent teachings and ideas, to endure suffering for the sake of the gospel, and correct opponents with gentleness (1 Tim 6:11; 2 Tim 2:23-26). Paul mentions how he endures suffering for the sake of the gospel, that those who hear it may receive salvation. He says the grace of God is shown through himself, going from a persecutor of the church to a vessel for the Lord to use (see Acts 8-9). He encourages Timothy to follow his example.
Qualifications for Leadership and Instructions for the Church
In 1 Timothy, Paul gives various qualifications for those who wish to be leaders and deacons in the church. Those who want to be deacons or overseers must be faithful to their wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, not greedy or a drunkard, gentle, not quarrelsome, able to hold the faith with a clear conscience, and manage their own households well. They must also not be recent converts, or they might become arrogant. They must also be thought of well by outsiders (non-believers). If we look at our own lives, we must ask ourselves if we’re also living like this. It’s easy to be caught up in our own personal lives, worldly desires, and such. We can lose sight of how we must live as God’s followers. Whether we are leaders in the church, or just general believers, God’s word is instructing us how to live as God’s people.
James 1:20-22 talks about how God’s word is like a mirror. We should read the Bible and reflect on our own lives of faith, words and actions, and see if we are up to God’s standards. If we aren’t (we’re not because of sin), we must repent and change to become more like God – who is our Creator.
In 2 Timothy 2, Paul repeats these types of qualifications for people who want to be workers approved by God. They must be those who are not ashamed of the gospel, and be able to handle the word of truth. They must be kind to all and patiently endure suffering and persecution, and correct their opponents gently so that they can repent and come to the truth.
Preaching the Word
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
2 Timothy 4:1-2
Paul reminds Timothy, and us, of our duty as believers in Christ. He makes similar sentiments in 2 Corinthians 5:20, where he says we are “ambassadors for Christ”. He says that a time is coming when people will no longer want to hear the truth, but instead, follow what sounds pleasing to their ears (2 Tim 4:4). In 2 Timothy 2:4, Paul says that “no good soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits”. A good worker approved by God should not be involved in discussions and quarrels that take people away from faith. Paul reminds believers of what the Bible is – that is – the Word of God, and how we should use it.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Bible is a weapon to help fight against the devil and his schemes (Eph 6:10-12). It also helps to train and correct others who need to learn the truth and stay on the true path to salvation. Paul says to stay sober-minded, endure suffering, and have the mind of an evangelist to fulfill your ministry (2 Tim 4:5).
Closing
Paul makes some final greetings to fellow saints in the church, and to warn against greed and loving money (1 Tim 6:10). Loving money, being greedy, is the root of all evil and causes people to be destroyed. Instead, we are encouraged to flee from worldly desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. We need to fight the good fight of faith, and take hold of the eternal life we are promised. At the end of his second letter, Paul also talks about how there were some who opposed him, and while he was on trial others deserted him. But the Lord rescued him.
At this time, Paul was in prison and awaiting his execution. He closes with this,
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4;6-8
Paul went from persecuting God’s church to being one of God’s greatest instruments for evangelizing the world (see Acts 8-9), and now he’s come to the end of his time. He has kept the faith and now goes to rest in the Lord.
Personally, I find Paul’s letters especially important as a believer in today’s time. These words were not only for the young pastor, Timothy, but also for us. We should try to follow these instructions but, in the end, they’re not just Paul’s words, but they’re God’s words. God is telling us to be like Him, to follow His word rightly, and teach it correctly. I will do my best to grow and improve in understanding and faith. All so I can become someone God can use as His instrument. I hope all believers can read these letters, and be encouraged. I hope they can reflect on how to change oneself and live how God calls us all to be.
Written by Kenny
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