Bible 120 - New Testament
I Timothy
Writer disturbed about a certain teaching
1.
As is a lot of meaningless waste of time; futile; teachers are uniformed
2.
Something is fixed and is to be imposed for the writer the purpose or
criterion for meaningful doctrine is: a meaningful life that results.
1:2 letter addressed to Timothy, a genuine child in faith
1:3 urge Timothy to remain in Ephesus
1:4f do not teach spurious, allegorical stuff
1:7 learned religious talk that is nothing
1:8 law is good
1:9 it is not for the righteous
Sound doctrine is related to morals, orthopraxy, not orthodoxy (speculative
doctrine causes church fights, heresy hunts, etc). Doctrine is to produce a
quality of life, not material for debate.
1:12 autobiographical section; one blasphemed and persecuted
1:15 writer is chief of sinners
Chapter 2
2:2 pray for all men, including kings
2:5 the truth is: one God, one mediator of God and man (links God and man).
Between God and man would link and separate God and man. God and man
meet in him.
We came at God’s monotheism speculatively. Bible comes to
monotheism God’s prevailing over us and over other gods so that we may be
liberated to serve him. But many today are creedally monotheistic and
polytheistic in orthopraxy. I Timothy is talking about doctrine which issues in
moral and ethical living, not creedal orthodoxy.
2:8-15 Understanding of the proper role of women: adorn themselves modestly
and with good works. Woman shouldn’t make too much of wardrobe and
physical appearance. True adornment of woman is her quality of life.
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Bible 120 - New Testament
2:15 is problematic “she will be saved through her childbearing.” She is fulfilled
in bearing children.
Chapter 3
Bishops and deacons (bishops and elders seem synonymous); characters,
temperament, aptitude for teaching; deaconesses
Titus also speaks of this, calling bishops elders. Are bishops and elders the
same? It seems so. Plurality of elders seem to be true; therefore, a plurality of
bishops (no monarchial bishop in ecclesiastical structure) being bound by the
close ties of the family of God. With the delay of the parousia, the ecclesiastical
structure grew. Bishops and elders became different. The concept of bishop
evolves from the several bishops in a church to the monarchical bishop. But in
the first century, there is no one dominant type of church polity (congregational
Presbyterian, and Episcopal). In the second century – 4th century, there is a
development of the hierarchical patterns. Real governance of the church is of
Christ.
Pastorals sound as they are moving in the direction of Episcopal polity.
Yet appeal always has to be made to the local congregations. Bishop did not
have authority to pronounce. Church structure emerged to meet needs. They
were changed when there was a need to change. Ultimate polity is dominical.
Concern here is to preserve qualifications in moral character, ability,
disposition, and attitude. Titus includes qualifications of sound doctrine (which
issues in ethical life).
In Ch. 3, it is urged that bishops not be polygamous, have an aptitude for
teaching, not to be a fighter or wrangler, not have a love of money, a ruler of his
own house. These are not to be take legalistically or as more than guidelines.
3:8 deacons are to be sober, holders of the faith; serious, not double-tongued.
3:11 talks about women, maybe in the context of deaconesses or deacon’s wife.
Bishop has teaching functions that deacon doesn’t have.
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Bible 120 - New Testament
Chapter 4
“Latter times” are the writer’s own times. Christendom is the latter days.
Asceticism doesn’t solve moral problems. Give heed to reading to the
congregation.
Timothy is urged to give attention to reading scriptures and to teaching. II
Timothy 2:15 – let this be a deliberate matter, to become an approved worker.
Don’t leave it to chance.
Chapter 5
Different groups in the church who are to receive attention
5:14 younger widows should marry and bear children (different from Paul’s
earlier understanding of widows)
5:22 “lay hands hastily on no man” This reference is wider than just ordination.
It may have to do with restoration to one who was once out of the fellowship.
5:23 Timothy’s physical infirmity and his disposition toward asceticism
Timothy is urged to take some wine for his stomach ailment. Not be ascetic
about it.
5:24 Some people’s sins are obvious that they have an obvious destruction.
Other people’s sins are not so apparent, but their sins will surely come later.
5:25 who knows the true work of life? Who knows who is ultimately successful?
Chapter 6
6:10 Root of all evils is love of silver
6:1 Be a credit to the Christian calling whatever your estate or deportment. Paul
does not go so far as to speak out against slavery. But he was on pilgrimage
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