Thursday, September 22, 2011

Synopsis of 1 Timothy

Over the past couple of months we’ve covered the books of 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus and Philemon. They have been very encouraging books to go through as their practical, day to day issues were applicable and relevant.

1st Timothy gave encouragement & instruction to Timothy, a young leader who was one of Paul’s closest companions. Paul sent Timothy to the Church at Ephesus to counter the false teaching that had arisen there. Timothy probably served for a time as a leader in the church at Ephesus..
Paul hopes to visit Timothy but in the meantime, he wrote this letter to give Timothy practical advice about the ministry. Key verse: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

1 Timothy is a personal letter and a handbook of church administration and discipline. Paul advised Timothy on such practical topics as qualifications for church leaders, public worship, confronting false teaching, and how to treat various groups of people within the church. Right belief and right behaviour are critical for anyone who desires to lead or serve effectively in the church. We should all believe rightly, participate in church actively and minister to one another lovingly.

Summary:
1. Warning against false teaching in the church.
2. Instructions about church administration and worship, with the description of the kind of character that church leaders and helpers should have.
3. Timothy is advised on how to be a good servant of Jesus Christ and about the responsibility that he has towards various groups of believers.

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