January 28 - 1 Timothy

January 28 - 1 Timothy

We met Timothy in Acts 16:1-3, where we find that he comes from a mixed heritage. His father was a Greek and his mother was Jewish. In 2 Timothy 3:15, we are told that he learned the scriptures from infancy. Paul had left him in Ephesus to continue his work there.

The last three letters (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus) are called Paul's Pastoral Epistles. He knows that he doesn't have a lot of time left on earth and he needs to let the churches know how they are to act. Paul fully expected to return to Ephesus, but just in case he was delayed, this letter was written so that Timothy would know of his expectations for the church (1 Timothy 3:14-15).

It is obvious that Paul loved Timothy dearly, but he had placed Timothy in a well-established church and in a church that was dealing with false teacher. When he opened the letter by calling Timothy his 'true son in the faith' (1 Tim. 1:2), he was giving this young man the authority that came from the one who established the church in Ephesus. Though the letter was written to Timothy, it would have been read to the church at large.

Much of this letter consists of instructions on what the church should look like and how the people within the structure of the church should behave. From instructions for worship to advice on caring for widows, Paul laid it all out for them.

Paul's words are better than mine - take the time to read this letter today.

1 Timothy 1:1-20
1 Timothy 2:1-15
1 Timothy 3:1-16
1 Timothy 4:1-16
1 Timothy 5:1-25
1 Timothy 6:1-21