First and Second Timothy

Paul’s first epistle to Timothy was written from Macedonia to Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:33As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, (1 Timothy 1:3)). It contains instruction for Timothy himself and, more generally, for the conduct of the individual in the assembly. The second epistle was written at a later date from prison and would appear to be Paul’s final epistle (2 Tim. 1:8, 4:6).
Timothy was a young man of Greek and Jewish descent. Of his Greek father we read nothing (Acts 16:11Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: (Acts 16:1)), however, his grandmother and mother were both faithful women (2 Tim. 1:55When 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. (2 Timothy 1:5)). Timothy was much loved by the Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 4:1717For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. (1 Corinthians 4:17); 2 Tim. 1:22To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (2 Timothy 1:2)). Apparently timorous, Paul finds it needful to encourage him (1 Tim. 4:1212Let 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. (1 Timothy 4:12); 2 Tim. 1:6-76Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:6‑7)). Physically, he was afflicted by illness (1 Tim. 5:2323Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. (1 Timothy 5:23)). Though Timothy may have lacked earthly credentials, Paul could say of him, “I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state” (Phil. 2:2020For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. (Philippians 2:20)).
First Timothy
Paul’s first epistle to Timothy is characterized by the word godliness; no other epistle contains as many references (the Greek word for godliness derives from well and reverence). It was the Apostle’s purpose in writing to Timothy that he might know how he ought to behave himself “in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:1515But 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 and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)). Here we have divine guidance for right conduct in the assembly, viewed here as the house of God. As such, it is to be the maintainer of the truth. In First Timothy the house is seen in order.
Chapter 1. Some had turned aside to vain discourse, desiring to be law-teachers (1 Tim. 1:6, 76From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (1 Timothy 1:6‑7)). There is a right use for the law, however, its application is not to the righteous person, but to the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners (1 Tim. 1:8, 98But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, (1 Timothy 1:8‑9)). It was Paul’s purpose in leaving Timothy at Ephesus, that he might enjoin them not to teach other doctrines.
Paul had declared unto them all the counsel of God (Acts 20:2727For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)); there is no further revealed truth. The church is to maintain and uphold the truth it has received. The end of Paul’s charge is the only right spiritual condition that will enable us to carry this out—“love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith” (1 Tim. 1:55Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (1 Timothy 1:5) JND).
Chapter 2. We have a Saviour-God who “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:3, 43For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3‑4)). Our conduct within the assembly and before the world (the latter is especially the message in Paul’s epistle to Titus) is to be characterized by godliness and honesty (1 Tim. 2:2, 32For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (1 Timothy 2:2‑3)). Our conduct as men (1 Tim. 2:88I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1 Timothy 2:8)) and women is important (1 Tim. 2:9-159In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (1 Timothy 2:9‑15)).
Chapter 3. Instructions are given for brothers desiring to exercise oversight in the assembly, and likewise for those that would minister (serve) in the assembly (1 Tim. 3:1, 81This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (1 Timothy 3:1)
8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; (1 Timothy 3:8)).
Chapters 4-6. In latter times, there would be a departure from the faith; men would give heed to seducing spirits, “forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats” (1 Tim. 4:33Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:3)). This is the religious flesh and false godliness, against which the Apostle warns.
In these chapters we find instruction in godliness as to temporal things. “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:1212Let 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. (1 Timothy 4:12)). Christianity was never a means of social advancement. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:66But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)). Finally, we are to “keep the entrusted deposit” (1 Tim. 6:2020O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: (1 Timothy 6:20) JND)—the full truth of Christianity—in the face of man’s most advanced intellectual opposition.
Second Timothy
Though it was not the last days of the church’s history when Paul wrote this letter, the Apostle is nevertheless permitted to see the failure of man in his responsibility to maintain the order of the House of God. In the first epistle some had turned aside; now we find all those of Asia turned away (2 Tim. 1:1515This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy 1:15)). Christendom had become a great house; things were in disorder (2 Tim. 2:2020But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. (2 Timothy 2:20)). In this epistle, then, we have instruction for the godly in a day of ruin.
Chapter 1 gives us the encouragement we need in such a day. In the first epistle the church is the pillar and ground of the truth. In the second, the emphasis is on the individual and the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:1515Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)). “Have an outline of sound words, which [words] thou hast heard of me”, not merely as some doctrine, but “in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:11Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, (2 Timothy 1:1)3 JnD). There is no suggestion of giving up the truth; rather, Paul’s doctrine is emphasized (such as, 2 Tim. 2:22And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2) and 3:10). Clearly there is a cost—the Apostle was in prison (2 Tim. 2:99Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. (2 Timothy 2:9)). “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:1212Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)).
Great indeed is the mystery of godliness. The mystery, or secret, of godliness lies in the knowledge of God manifested in and through the person of Christ (1 Tim. 3:1616And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)). In the second epistle, the word “godliness” is only to be found in the verse, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” (2 Tim. 3:55Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:5)). When the person of Christ is denied, godliness is merely a form. Professing Christendom is rapidly sinking into the dark depths of paganism (see 2 Tim 3:1-5; Rom. 1:28-3128And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (Romans 1:28‑31)). The Holy Scriptures are our sure resource (2 Tim. 3:14-1714But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:14‑17)). In chapter 4 we have our service in the day of ruin. How beautiful to see Mark restored amidst such a general departure from the truth (2 Tim. 4:1111Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (2 Timothy 4:11)).