Mr. D's Notes on I Timothy
Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.
Copyright 2000

CHAPTER 2

I TIMOTHY INTRODUCTION:

AUTHOR: Paul - 1:1

Paul was originally Saul in the book of Acts. It is of interest that Roman families that were Jews had the practice of giving their children both a Jewish and a Gentile name at birth. It may be that Saul was his Jewish name, and then after his conversion/going to the Gentiles with the Gospel, he went by his Roman or Gentile name Paul.

RECIPIENT: Timothy
1:2 " Unto Timothy, [my] own son in the faith"
1:18 "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, "
6:20 "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust,"

The Bible tells us that Timothy's mother and grandmother were a part of his life. "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." II Tim 1:5

I am quite disappointed in my own similarities to Timothy in the spiritual realm. Neither my mother nor my grandmother did any more for me spiritually than to take me to church. Neither spoke to me of my souls need, neither spoke to me of the Savior - both assumed that the church had done its work and taught me what I needed to know.

Paul mentions that he had laid hands on Timothy (II Tim 1:6). This may indicate a setting apart as we see in Acts 13:1ff when it speaks of the setting apart of the first missionaries. It was not an inspection of the man's credentials, but a recognition of the Spirit's work in their life as well as their call to the ministry.

Paul also indicates that Timothy was relatively young, for in I Tim 4:12 he mentions, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." Quite a grocery list for so young a man to live up to!

PLACE OF WRITING: Paul wrote this letter from somewhere. Now, with the brilliant remarks out of the way! We don't know for sure where it was written except that it was probably from the Macedonian or Grecian area.

I have never read any authors that said they knew for positive where the book was written. Many suggest the normal Macedonia or Greece thought, but none have proof either way.

It was very interesting the other night I was waiting for Faith to get off work and couldn't get anything on the radio except one of the evangelical preachers. I was so pleased that I had tuned in because he related just exactly when and were the book was written. He stated boldly as fact that Paul had been in prison in Rome, released and he went to Spain. After Spain he was heading back and was again arrested and imprisoned where he wrote first and second Timothy. No basis, no facts other than what he said. So I guess you can agree with him or most commentators.

TIME OF WRITING: 63 A. D. Most feel after Paul was imprisoned and released from Rome, he went to Ephesus and then left Timothy there, while he himself went to Macedonia.

OCCASION OF WRITING: To encourage and instruct Timothy in the task of setting the church at Ephesus straight.

Timothy was Paul's representative and was trying to work out problems.

Now, this should be a great encouragement for the pastor today. Paul put three years into the church at Ephesus and had worked hard at training these folks, yet he leaves Timothy to straighten out problems!

If the apostle Paul couldn't plant a church, educate the church and leave it without problems, how in the world should any pastor think he can right all that is wrong in a couple years?

Paul had dealt with some of the people it would seem from what is mentioned in 1:19, 20. "19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."

Timothy was to care for the rest of the problems. Jeremiah, when God called him told him that the people wouldn't listen. Go preach even though they won't listen. Now, we see Paul telling Timothy to take care of the problems. Paul gets to travel and Timothy works through the headaches! It would seem that management has its benefits.

Ministry isn't always just fun. There were times when I was teaching that I would think if I didn't have to go to faculty meetings and help with all that junk, teaching would be great. I suspect that pastors now and then think "Man this job would be great if it weren't for the people!"

PURPOSE OF WRITING: A personal letter primarily to help Timothy to know what to do. Paul instructs Timothy in the area of attitudes toward work, then instructs him to drive out false teachers, and encourages him to select proper and worthy leaders.

THEME: Strong church government is put forth in the book while the gospel and faithful ministry are also main thoughts within the letter.

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED: False Doctrine. The people and their acceptance of Timothy 4:12. What a problem to have! They didn't like it because he was too young!

KEY VERSE: I Timothy 3:15 "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar ground of the truth."

Take time to read the first chapter before we get into the text.

Let's begin with verse one.

1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, [which is] our hope;

WHAT DO WE SEE HERE?

Paul wrote the book.
Paul is an apostle.
He is an apostle of Christ.
He is an apostle by commandment of God.

THE WHEN AND WHERE OF THE COMMANDMENT?

The plan for the ages was set before the foundation of the World. The commandment was delivered on the road to Damascus. The account of Saul's conversion is found in Acts 9:1-10 and his commission is found in Acts 26:13-16.

Acts 26.16-18 "But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and [from] the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."

The term "commandment" is used of army commands that are given and are to be obeyed - no choice!

The natural application of this thought is that men that enter into the ministry should do so for the express purpose of following their Lord's direction, and not view their labor as an occupation or career. Status, place in life, financial gain and position should be completely foreign to the minister’s mind. God may give these things to the man of God but they should be of little value to him. He is a minister of the Lord and at His disposal.

1:12 mentions that Paul was placed into the ministry. That should be the thought. II Tim 1:11 tells us that Paul considered himself "placed" in the positions that he held.

Let me just mention a little theology at this point. This commandment is issued by two people - God the Father and God the Son. This is a good proof text for the trinity. It shows two persons of the Godhead in equal positions. It would also be indicative of the Deity of Christ. Paul, by his construction, shows his belief that Christ was God. One further observation is the complete agreement of the Father and the Son.

"God our Savior", the originator of our salvation! This is God the Father that set into place the plan of the ages that allowed for the fall and set salvation for man in case the fall occurred. "Jesus Christ" the accomplisher of our salvation. It was through His work on the cross that man might see eternity with God.

Christ is our "hope". The term hope is a word that is in contrast to another Greek word that is translated hope. This term is the Greek word "elpis" which means to anticipate. The other term is the Greek word "elpizo" which means to expect. Do you notice the difference?

We might illustrate this by saying the term Paul is using here is like a poor man saying I hope I become a millionaire. While the other term would apply to the rich kid whose loving father is a millionaire. I hope I become a millionaire. He has the expectation of doing so.

Christ is the hope that we anticipate. Our anticipation of life should be fully centered on Christ and not on the things of this life or world! It is a hope promised, so we anticipate it, but we don't expect it because we deserve it or have a right to it.

2 Unto Timothy, [my] own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, [and] peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

What a greeting! How do we greet one another today? "Ya havin a good one?" "Hey, how's it goin?" Grace Mercy and peace is Paul's greeting!

Maybe we should think about how we greet one another. Paul wanted Timothy to know the grace of God, he wanted Timothy to know the mercy of God, he wanted Timothy to know the peace of God as he goes into this situation with the church at Ephesus.

Again we see God the Father and Jesus Christ placed on the same level and accomplishing the same things.

Timothy is named as the one receiving the letter from Paul.

Paul mentions, "my own son in the faith". The term "own" indicates something lawfully begotten, true, or genuine. Most commentators suggest based on this definition that Timothy was Paul's "own" spiritual offspring. "in the faith" is the qualifier that is used to prove their point.

Some might suggest that II Tim 1.5 indicates that Timothy came from a Christian family - that he was saved before he met Paul. "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."

II Tim 3.14-15 also mentions that Timothy had been taught from a child. I suspect that mom and grand-mom raised him on the Word, but that they were not Christians until Paul arrived in Ephesus.

It is probable that Paul led all three to the Lord. We have no indication of when the three became believers, only that they were and that they had great faith. Remember that Paul planted the church at Ephesus and had ministered there for three years - he had great knowledge of Timothy and his family. This verse does not disprove the possibility of Timothy being Paul's spiritual son.

There seems to be a special bond between Paul and Timothy that is something that I have observed many times in real life. The spiritual father/mother and son/daughter are usually very close. We had a friend in Denver that had a spiritual daughter that drove half way across the US to see them for a few days.

The chances are good that Timothy was saved on Paul's first missionary journey because on the second journey Timothy is already saved. (Acts 16:1-3 mentions that Paul circumcised Timothy).

It is also noteworthy in Acts 16 that Paul had been discipling Timothy as well. Paul took Timothy with him on some of his journeys.

Discipleship is of great importance after salvation. The concept is similar to giving natural birth to a baby and leaving the infant to fend for itself in the world. Today when a mother abandons a newborn the world is horrified - even in our callous society. Impossible! When you assist in the spiritual birth of a believer, it should be your first priority to assure their discipleship. Either do it yourself, or assure that they are founded in a good local church where they will receive the training they need.

Items from God and Christ: Grace, Mercy, Peace.

These seem to be items that Paul was hoping that God would give to Timothy. Paul would know that these see their source in God, and may have been praying for the trio for Timothy.

When is the last time that you asked God to give someone else grace, mercy and peace?

When we pray for missionaries, these are certainly some items that they could use. We should ask God to give these things not only to the missionaries but also to our pastors, teachers and fellow believers. We all need to have more grace in our dealings with others. We all need more mercy in our dealings with others. We all need more peace in our dealings with others.

I see also in those three words the Gospel. God in His Grace showed us mercy that we did not desire and that grace and mercy were translated into peace for us in the form of salvation.

The phrase "our Lord" bears some consideration as well. Just how do you view Christ? Is He Lord of your life? Is He Lord of every area of your life?

He is Lord - fact. He bought and paid for you - you belong to Him! You must, however in your walk make Him Lord of your life and allow Him to have that position in your life. Hiebert in his commentary on this verse mentions, "If you do not crown Him Lord of all, You do not really crown Him Lord at all." (P 26)

He is Lord of your life
He is Lord of your mind
He is Lord of your body
He is Lord of your soul
He is Lord of your work
He is Lord of your pocket book
He is Lord of your home
He is Lord of your family

He is Lord in EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE. He is Lord of every large area of life and He is Lord of every small area of life.

One final application of His Lordship might well be in the area of our local churches. We give lip service to the thought of Christ being the Head of the church, but do we really go to Him in prayer for the leading that He can give?

Do we go to Him in prayer for the wisdom to make decisions for the church?

Do we go to Him in prayer to make those financial decisions for the church? The building programs? The missionaries we support? The pastors we support? The evangelistic efforts we make?

Do we go to Him in prayer to plead for His work in the lives of our church children and youth and adults?

Might we commit ourselves to making Him Lord of our churches as well as of our lives?

Our prayer as individuals must be something that flows out of a truly committed heart. It ought to be a definition of our spirit, our attitude toward God, what is inside us. An unknown author put it this way:

I cannot say "our" if I live only for myself.
I cannot say "Father" if I do not endeavor each day to act like His child.
I cannot say "who art in heaven" if I am laying up no treasure there.
I cannot say "hallowed be Thy name" if I am not striving for holiness.
I cannot say "Thy kingdom come" if I am not doing all in my power to hasten that wonderful event.
I cannot say "Thy will be done" if I am disobedient to His Word.
I cannot say "in earth as it is in heaven" if I'll not serve Him here and now.
I cannot say "give us this day our daily bread" if I am dishonest or seeking things by subterfuge.
I cannot say "forgive us our debts" if I harbor a grudge against anyone.
I cannot say "lead us not into temptation" if I deliberately place myself in its path.
I cannot say "deliver us from evil" if I do not put on the whole armor of God.
I cannot say "Thine is the kingdom" if I do not give the King the loyalty due Him from a faithful subject.
I cannot attribute to Him "the power" if I fear what men may do.
I cannot ascribe to Him "the glory" if I'm seeking honor only for myself, and I cannot say "forever" if the horizon of my life is bounded completely by time.

If we assure the above to be true, then we should start considering our church with a similar detailed inspection. When we have done this Christ will have Headship and be able to lead us as a church and as individuals.