Biblical Theology L: 1 Timothy

The First Letter to Timothy is the first of a series of letters designated often as “The Pastorals.” A better designation for them might be the “Ecclesiological Epistles,” since they seek to set the church in order in terms of its positions and practices. The purpose is stated in 3:14–15: “I write these things to you in case I am delayed, to let you know how everyone must live in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” Chapters 1–3 lay out a right theology of ordering the church and Chapters 4-6 lay out a right practice in ordering the church.

Theology: Paul presents the church as a household, specifically the household of God (3:15). It is “a pillar and stay for the truth.” The household is the place of nurture for the children that trains them up to adulthood and provides sanctuary from destructive forces outside. In this regard, rightly ordering the household of God is an act of love and care for the people of God (1:5). It protects them from heretics who, like the serpent of old, attempt to penetrate the sanctuary/household and destroy the people of God inside (1:3–10, 18–20; 6:20–21). Rightly ordering and honoring the household and those who head it up through position and example will allow it to function in the role of a healthy household that grows its children in the truth and goodness of Christianity, which is the purpose for which God created the church.   

If it is to function this way, however, it must be ordered according to God’s creative purposes. This means that men must take upon themselves the position of leadership and not abandon the women, who are created not for fatherhood, but for motherhood, to take the responsibility for which God has made the men. They are to lead as fathers lead their households in prayer (2:1–8) and the instruction of godliness (2:11–15). 

Women are to be examples of faithful mothers who are committed to godliness rather than being flirtatious, inviting vanity, as well as sexual corruption and inappropriateness into the household (2:9–10; 5:). Nor are they to disorder the household by seeking roles of teaching and authority over other men, since they have not been made to be the leaders in the household from the beginning of creation. Disorder invites the devil into the household as it did in the garden. Hence, men are to become mature in their faith and alone are allowed to seek the role of the elders, who function as spiritual fathers, over the church (3:1–7). The deacons and women who serve function as older brothers and sisters who aid the elders in carrying out physical responsibilities within the church over the other children (3:8–13).

Ethics: The tendency is for people to fall into apostasy by believing false teaching, lies, myths, etc. in order to justify wayward living, and many will do so (4:1–10). The remedy for this is for leaders to live in a manner worthy of Christ and to publically read Scripture, teach it and exhort believers with it (vv. 11–16).

As a right ordered household (5:1–2), fathers and mothers must be honored through financial support when they are in need (5:3–21). People who qualify are only those who have no other support and are serving, or have served, the church faithfully. Widows receive “honor” (v. 3), which refers to that which takes care of all of their financial needs. Elders are to receive “double honor” (v. 17), which refers to a financial amount that totals to twice the amount of their needs. Financial blessing is not to be given to anyone in sin, lest whoever gives it partake in their sin (v. 20–22).

He warns Timothy that if leaders care more about getting more money, they will bring in false teaching that flatters rather than that which nurtures and protects believers. This will destroy them. Timothy, therefore, is to exhort everyone to be content with what they have and not to desire riches which is the root of all sorts of evil, and leads to the destruction of the faith (6:2–10). 

He ends by exhorting all believers who are well-off to share with those who are not, so that all of the Christians in the church grow together as a caring family. In this way, their savings account will be eternal life (11–19).