◄ 1 Timothy Devotional Commentary ►
1 Timothy 1:1
An apostle is one who is sent; and in almost all of his epistles, Paul is very clear about the legitimacy of his calling, identifying himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul was personally called and commissioned by the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus, while journeying to Damascus.
Paul, like the other apostles of Christ, was divinely appointed by God, and many like Paul were also commissioned to write certain read more...
1 Timothy 1:2
This letter is written personally to Timothy, whom Paul addressed as 'my true son in the faith'. Timothy was not Paul's physical offspring, but was either led to faith in Christ Jesus by Paul personally when he visited Lystra, or had been nurtured and discipled by the older apostle. Timothy was a man who knew the Scriptures well, having been taught them from infancy by his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, as well as accompanying Paul on some of his read more...
1 Timothy 1:3
After his short introductory remarks to Timothy, Paul reminded his 'son in the faith' of some earlier advice he gave him on carrying out his pastoral duties in Ephesus, and the importance of addressing any strange doctrines that had been brought into the congregation.
Not only is Paul's epistle a personal letter to a spiritual son, encouraging Timothy to be faithful, to stand firm in the faith, to communicate the truth of the read more...
1 Timothy 1:4
When Paul bid Timothy farewell and departed to Macedonia, he urged his beloved 'child-in-the-faith' to remain in Ephesus. He charged him to correct the various false teachings and strange doctrines that were springing up and infiltrating the Church, because of their detrimental effect on the spiritual growth of believers.
This letter to Timothy was written to reinforce the instructions he had received earlier, and this verse read more...
1 Timothy 1:8
It must have been encouraging for Paul to see Timothy, his young 'son-in-the-faith' being sufficiently established in his Christian life to be entrusted with pastoring the recently established Church in Ephesus. In this first epistle to Timothy, Paul balances the encouragement and edification he gives, with some necessary warnings about teachers of the Law, who have deviated from the truth, while setting him the task to correct any erroneous doctrine.
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1 Timothy 1:10
As an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God, Paul set out the pure doctrine of Christianity in both his 'church' epistles, and the letters he sent personally to Timothy and Titus who were his true 'children in the faith'.
Doctrinal purity was of vital importance in those early days of Christendom, and remains of great read more...
1 Timothy 1:15
A faithful and trustworthy saying in the Word of God, is a faithful FACT. It is a trustworthy TRUTH, upon which we can build our life. It is a factual saying that will stand the test of time, a reality given to us by God Himself. A faithful and trustworthy saying is a dependable doctrine and a certain creed upon which to rest.
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners," is a faithful and trustworthy read more...
1 Timothy 1:17
What a beautiful and comforting description of our God and Father. He is the eternal, immortal, invisible King of the ages, the Ruler of time, the Sovereign of eternity, the Governor of the earth, and the Creator of the universe. He neither sleeps nor grows weary, upholding all with the might of His power. He is in full control of all that was, and is, and is to come, for He knows the end from the beginning and has scheduled every day of our lives.
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1 Timothy 1:19
God is gracious and does not force His love on unbelievers. He gave His only begotten Son to die for them, and those who believe (those who exercise faith) are not condemned. Those who do not believe (those who do not exercise faith) are condemned because of their unbelief. It is ONLY the believer who is instructed to "cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear." Those who have never trusted Christ as Saviour are unbelievers - read more...
1 Timothy 2:1
In this section of his letter to Timothy, Paul gives vital instruction concerning the normal Christian life and maturing in the faith. His teaching touches on the role of men and women, the qualifications necessary for elders and deacons, and the desired conduct of people within the church... but first of all, Paul touches on the important issue of prayer.
We saw in the Gospels, the necessity of prayer in the life of the Lord read more...
1 Timothy 2:2
Prayer is a precious privilege that all who are born from above have received from Almighty God. We have been given access to the Lord's heavenly throne-room... for mercy to find help in time of need.
Prayer can be powerful - but prayer is simply the means we have been given to approach our Heavenly Father, in faith... for God alone is the power behind our prayer. It is not the flowery language we use that is important to the read more...
1 Timothy 2:4
After his customary introduction to Timothy and his charge to identify and deal with distorted doctrine and silence false teachers, Paul continues his letter to this trusted, young pastor, with important instructions concerning Christian conduct and Church life.
The first few verses in chapter 2 deal with the power and effectiveness of read more...
1 Timothy 2:5
At the beginning of Genesis, we read how God created the heavens and the earth. Later, in the Psalms, we read that the heavens and earth declare His glory and to Him, all prayer and praise should be offered. But none can approach that awesome heavenly throne, for God is pure and righteousness, while man is intrinsically evil and permanently estranged from His presence, for all have sinned and fallen short of His glory, and all are condemned to eternal read more...
1 Timothy 2:5
We live in a pluralistic, pagan society, where all roads lead to God! All truth has become relative, and every tree is hailed as a god to be hugged! We live in a world that has turned its back on the One True Creator God; a world that is embracing any foolish philosophy of man that takes their fancy; a world that has succumbed to the spiritual deception of satanic forces in high places.
We have become a race that has twisted every truth in the Word of read more...
1 Timothy 2:8
We are called to pray without ceasing, but we are also called to pray in every place. No matter where we are, what situation we are in, who we are with, or what time it is, the Lord desires that we are in an attitude of prayer. It is so beneficial to shut ourselves away in our prayer closet for intimate communion and deep fellowship with the Lord, but it is equally profitable to be in constant touch with the Lord in every place in which we find ourselves, no read more...
1 Timothy 2:9
Christian conduct in the Church is a frequent topic in the epistles of Paul. Here in the second chapter of 1st Timothy, we receive instruction on inner purity and outer adornments.
Paul opens the chapter with instructions on prayer and supplication for all people - including kings and those in authority. When men and women maintain a close relationship with their Heavenly Father through intercession and prayer for others, it read more...
1 Timothy 2:11
There is much in the Bible that gives clear teaching on the different roles of men and women in the Body of Christ... and we should pay heed to what the Bible says on certain issues, even if it is not something that we want to hear! And this verse in 1 Timothy which says that a woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness, is one such controversial verse!
Many choose to ignore parts of the Bible that they do read more...
1 Timothy 2:12
'Let everything be done decently and in order', is a fundamental principle which was implemented by God when He created the world and made everything after its own kind. The same maxim is clearly displayed in the call of Abraham, the giving of the Law, the responsibilities of the Aaronic priesthood, the design of the sacrificial feasts, the construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, and the building of Solomon's read more...
1 Timothy 3:2
Being an 'elder' or an 'overseer' in the Church is an honourable position, and those discharging this duty have to be men of integrity who demonstrate certain attributes, skills, gifts, and graces, together with a character in line with Paul's instructions in this letter to Timothy.
Paul places much emphasis on the quality of leaders in the Church and begins to list the character traits that should be evident in the life of every read more...
1 Timothy 3:5
Some of Paul's important teachings to the Christian Church regarding elders, deacons, and those that are called to oversee church congregations and Christian fellowships, are recorded in this little book of First Timothy.
Paul writes an extended discourse on the character and constitution of those who desire to become elders in the local church of God. Such a man should be humble in their service and blameless in their lives. read more...
1 Timothy 3:15
Paul was a man who lived by FAITH and not by SIGHT. He was a person who desired to remain in the centre of God's will, and although he was a prophet of God and apostle of Christ, who was commissioned to write a considerable number of New Testament books, Paul did not always know what God had planned for him.
Sometimes he discovered that his own, legitimate desires did not always line up with those of the Lord. For instance.. read more...
1 Timothy 3:16
There are many hidden truths that were revealed to Paul by the Lord Jesus which had been concealed for ages and generations, but which have been revealed to us through the anointed ministry of Christ's appointed apostle. In this passage, which was written to instruct Church leaders on godly conduct, we discover that the mystery of godliness is connected with 1) faith in Christ and 2) a spiritual walk. The mystery of godliness is rooted in believing important read more...
1 Timothy 4:1
Throughout the New Testament, we are urgently warned of false teachers, deceitful spirits, and doctrines of demons. Indeed, satanic attacks on the people of God are evident throughout the entire Word of God.
Hebrews 11 lists numerous people of faith and the terrible way that many were treated in Old Testament times. And here in Paul's letter to Timothy, we are similarly warned by the Spirit of God that in the last days, some will read more...
1 Timothy 4:2
In his first letter to Timothy, Paul reveals that the Holy Spirit expressly warned us that in latter times, there would be a flood of false teachers who would feed the flock of God with their satanically inspired doctrines. Paul warned that this impending danger would cause many to fall away from the Christian faith because they foolishly paid attention to these deceitful spirits and their doctrines of demons.
Although many read more...
1 Timothy 4:4
The philosophies of the world are too often directly opposed to the truth of Scripture. The world says that man is good, but the Bible tells us that the heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.
The world blames God when bad things happen to good people and accuse Him of being impotent and uncaring. They accuse God when disaster strikes the read more...
1 Timothy 4:6
God has spoken to man through His Word, which was delivered to us through the holy apostles and prophets of both the Old and New Testaments. We do not have to visualise how to be saved or second-guess what God wants to teach us, nor do we have to try to imagine how God expects us to live, for it is clearly laid out for our learning in a logical and systematic way within the Holy Scriptures.
The Word of God gives us clear teachings read more...
1 Timothy 4:8
Timothy was Paul's 'son in the faith' and the older apostle wrote his first epistle to this young pastor, who was ministering in Ephesus. Knowing that many strange doctrines had begun to infiltrate the Body of Christ, Paul wrote to warn Timothy that heretical teachings together with fleshly diversions had already been planted within the Church. He warned this young man that the 'end times' would be marked by apostasy, deception, fables, and false teaching, and that read more...
1 Timothy 4:10
Although Christ is the potential Saviour of all men, He is the actual Saviour of those who truly trust in Him alone, by grace through faith. Paul knew that sound doctrine is crucial and emphasised the importance of preaching the Word in sprit and in truth. He knew that a good minister of the Word would keep this as a priority in his life and ministry, but he also gave stark warning of an infestation of false teachers and doctrines of demons, energised by read more...
1 Timothy 4:12
Timothy was a young man who came to faith through the ministry of Paul. Paul often referred to him as his 'son in the Lord' and Timothy seemed to be an inoffensive young person who was gentle and peaceable. There is even some suggestion that he may have had some bodily weakness or physical ailment.
However, young Timothy was obviously robust in the faith and of such a spiritual stature that he not only accompanied Paul on his read more...
1 Timothy 4:13
Although he was sending written directives to the young pastor Timothy on how to shepherd the flock of God that was under his care, we can all take to heart the wise instruction on how to become a man or woman of God, so that we conduct ourselves in a manner that is honouring to the Lord and faithful to our position in Christ.
Throughout Paul's epistles we discover an emphasis on God's Word and a devotion to it: reading it, read more...
1 Timothy 4:15
Wise words with regard to his pastoral duties were given by the apostle Paul to his spiritual son, Timothy. Instructions that, if we were to take heed, would be a blessing to our Christian witness and our daily walk with the Lord.
Timothy was instructed by Paul to read, mark, learn, and meditate upon the list of instructions that had filled this letter to his younger convert, and to diligently think over and apply the truths read more...
1 Timothy 5:3
It is important that pastors and elders are properly equipped for the task ahead. Paul gives sound advice to Timothy on the necessary qualities and characteristics that should be present when a man takes on such an important responsibility within the Church. In chapter 3, he gives a comprehensive list of the attributes and characteristics required for those aspiring to be overseers in the Church and also instructs Timothy on his own roles and responsibilities read more...
1 Timothy 5:5
Throughout Scripture, we catch glimpses of God's great compassion for the plight of widows and older women, who are alone in the world. We see examples of His gracious sensitivity towards those that are poor, advancing in years, and bereft of any comfort or support from their menfolk.
The Bible insists that they are to be treated with respect and kind compassion. They should be cared read more...
1 Timothy 5:17
As believers in the Lord Jesus, we are now children of God, members of the Christian Church, and part of the Body of Christ. Although we are living in the world and are called to be witnesses of the goodness and grace of God, we must never forget that we are not part of this fallen world system. We are no longer part of the old creation in Adam. By grace through faith, we are a part of the new creation in Christ and members of His mystical Body.
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1 Timothy 6:3
There seems to be an increasing number of Christians in this Church dispensation who find part of the gospel of Christ unpalatable... refusing to use words like 'sin' and 'hell', 'repentance' and 'sacrifice' - for fear of offending anyone. Many like to speak forth their own supernaturally imparted 'wisdom' while denouncing the Word of God as an outdated historical document that is better left on the shelf for posterity.
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1 Timothy 6:4
Paul insists that we teach what is in accord with sound doctrine, and throughout the Word of God we are alerted to the importance of correct, biblical teaching. Indeed, we are warned of the consequences of being swayed by a different doctrine, which does not agree with the unchangeable truth that is written in the Word of God for our learning.
There are those that deliberately distort God's Word and teach a false gospel for their read more...
1 Timothy 6:6
Disunity within the Church generally emanates from a disagreement of doctrine. Too often when there is discord among believers, it is connected with an alternative interpretation of the Scriptures.
Throughout his writings, we recognise that many of the false doctrines that Paul needed to correct, stemmed from proud people reading into God's Word what they wanted it to say. Instead of interpreting the Word of God literally and in context (exegesis), they read more...
1 Timothy 6:7
The passing and transient nature of fallen humanity, on a cursed earth, is restated in many passages in the Bible. The grass withers in the field, and is soon cast into the furnace, while the beauty of a flower quickly fades away. The present heaven and earth are also transient and will one day pass away, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are lasting and eternal.
Wealth and riches are read more...
1 Timothy 6:10
Too often, Bible verses or passages of Scripture are taken out of context or misquoted, which distorts the meaning and can cause confusion to believers and unbelievers alike.
This verse in Timothy is one such example, which is both misquoted and altered. Indeed, songs have been written with the unbiblical words, 'money is the root of all evil' rather than the truth: "The LOVE of money is A root of all sorts of evil."
Money read more...
1 Timothy 6:12
Timothy was entrusted, by Paul, to be pastor of the church at Ephesus, but being the leader of a Christian community in the first century under Roman rule was no easy task, and Paul's letter to this 'son in the faith' contained personal encouragement, many warnings, and a lot of wise instruction on how to deal with a myriad of theological and practical issues that Timothy was likely to meet as he shepherded the little flock of believers in their spiritual journey read more...
1 Timothy 6:16
Men and women of God are given an abundance of wise instruction on how to live godly lives throughout the New Testament Scriptures, and in the final part of his first epistle to Timothy, Paul sums up many of these important instructions and wise exhortations on godliness.
We are to shun false teachers and flee from the proud arguments and empty philosophies of this world system. We are to flee from worldly pursuits and pursue read more...
1 Timothy 6:17
All wisdom is from God, and all that we need for our learning is given in His Word. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and a knowledge of the holy One gives understanding – but godly wisdom is rooted in faith and faith always comes back to trusting the Lord at all times and for all things. It is when we stray from the path of trusting God by putting our hope in an alternative provision like our own flawed, human wisdom or our own accumulated read more...