Timothy 1: 2 “To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The book of Timothy is of course written by Paul to Timothy. When I read 1 Timothy there is one verse alone that sticks out and commands my attention. The powerful verse I am referring to is just below.
Timothy 1: 13 “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.”
This one simple verse, to me anyway, sums up the entire message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In that simple short verse Paul admits to once having been a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man.
The temperament that most of us can relate most thoroughly with is that of being violent. Violence simply entails anger, rage, hostility, and a hundred other rotten dirty words that define our worst type of behavior.
Timothy 1: 5 “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
But this is the core and the power of the Gospel Message! That Christ does change lives regardless of how rotten the individual may be. You may be a blasphemer of God. You may persecute and murder other human beings. And your violent behavior may be known foremost in the land. Still, Christ can bring salvation to your soul. Still your heart may find peace via Christ’s Gospel message.
Timothy 1: 6 “Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.” 7 “They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.” 8 “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.”
“All that is essential, however, to a correct understanding of it is clear, namely, that it is a letter of instructions sent by Paul to Timothy at Ephesus, at a time when he had been left there in charge of the affairs of his ministry.” Click
Timothy 1: 9 “We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, “ 12 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.” 14 “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
“THE, account of Paul’s first connection with Timothy is contained in Acts 16:1,3. It is there stated that his mother was a Jewess, and her name, as well as that of his grandmother, is mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:5 where the apostle pays a respectful tribute to, the piety of both. After this period, Timothy was for a long time an attendant upon Paul, accompanying him in his travels, and sharing his labors and dangers; and, notwithstanding his youth, he was often intrusted with commissions of much importance, indicating, on the part of the apostle, great confidence in his abilities and in his piety.” Click
Timothy 1: 15 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” 16 “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
“Four of the epistles of Paul are addressed to persons…” “They deal more intimately with church organization and church culture, than any of the other epistles.” “If the generally accepted view of the date of these three epistles is received they have the common feature of belonging to the closing years of the apostle’s life.” “Conybeare and Howson assign First Timothy to the date of A. D. 67.” “Well aware of the difficulties he [Timothy] would meet at Ephesus, of the factious spirit of certain false teachers, the epistle is written not only to show him how he ought to act, but in order to support him by its authority. It was probably written a little more than a year before the apostle’s martyrdom at Rome.” “He was born in the Asiatic district of Lycaonia. His father was a Greek but his mother a Jewess. From his infancy he was instructed by his mother and grandmother, who names have been preserved…” “The genuineness of the Pastoral epistles was never questioned in the primitive church. They are the oldest translation of the New Testament…” “It only remains to be added that nothing has ever been written which contains, in the same space, so much that is indispensable to the preacher, the pastor, and to every church official. These classes may consider themselves especially addressed in the persons of Timothy and Titus, and they should study and reflect upon these letters until every charge, every truth and every admonition is written upon their hearts.” Click
“As the churches of Christ increased in number, the questions of church order, of soundness in the faith, and of discipline became important. At first the apostles regulated these things directly, but the approaching end of the apostolic period made it necessary that a clear revelation should be made for the guidance of the churches. Such a revelation is in First Timothy, and in Titus. The key-phrase of the Epistle is, “That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God.” Click
Timothy 1: 18 “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight,”
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