I Timothy

LeRoy Eims

It is always interesting to read other people's mail. In this book you and I have the privilege of opening a letter written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy, his own beloved son in the faith. The love that Paul had for this young man shines through every page. And not only his love, but his hopes and aspirations for him as a young and trusted leader in the Christian movement.

Paul had sent him to Ephesus where God had mightily blessed Paul's ministry. On the occasion when he said farewell to them, he shared the concerns of his heart with them regarding the future of the work in that church. "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:29,30)

These false teachers had now appeared in full force. Timothy was in Ephesus to deal with the problem. “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightiest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith, so do." (I Timothy 1:3,4)

After Paul had left the Ephesian church, it had continued to grow and multiply. Within the following 50 years, Christians in Asia Minor had become so numerous that the heathen temples were almost out of business. Ephesus became the numerical, as well as the geographical, center of Christendom.

There were no church buildings. Houses for Christian worship were not built until much later. In Paul's day churches met in homes. Thus the thousands of Christians in and around Ephesus met not in one or a few great central congregations, but in hundreds of small groups, each congregation with its own pastor. Timothy's work was primarily with these pastors. There were no seminaries to supply Paul with men so he had to develop these men from his own converts.

Although Timothy was young, he was well trained and Paul urged him to do what he could to help the situation. "Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (I Timothy 4:12)

The pastors and people needed a good example to follow and Timothy was to be that example. It is interesting to note that Paul does not teach doctrine as he does in the letter to the Romans, but gives direction for the training and governing of the church. The practical wisdom of this letter has been of untold value to Christians over the centuries. After he gives some pointed and practical instruction regarding worship and prayer, he shares with Timothy some guidelines regarding the selection of leadership.

His injunctions to Timothy at this point did not stop with soundness of doctrine. There must be that, but he stresses soundness of life. It is possible to be doctrinally correct, and yet live a life that is not consistent with these truths.

In this letter the Apostle Paul does a remarkable thing. He emphasizes the need to combat error with a life that is the expression of the truth revealed in the Bible. The need exists today. The only Bible many people will read is what shines through your life and mine.

Study this book to learn how to live the Christian life.