WRITER, The Apostle Paul.
DATE, uncertain.
MAIN THEMES. Counsels and Exhortations to a Young Pastor respecting his Personal Conduct and Ministerial Work.
KEY TEXT
# 1Ti 3:15
SYNOPSIS.
PART I. Mainly Doctrinal Counsels and Personal Experiences.
Ch. 1.
(1) Salutation # 1Ti 1:1,2
(2) Counsels concerning dealing with legalistic teachers
(a) Who emphasize non-essentials rather than real godliness; which, instead of building up character, stir up strife # 1Ti 3-6
(b) Who desire to be teachers of the law without understanding its significance # 1Ti 7-11
(3) Paul’s experience.
(a) His call to the ministry while in active opposition to the gospel # 1Ti 1:12,13
(b) His acknowledgment of divine grace and confession of unworthiness # 1Ti 1:14,15
(c) Christ’s purpose in using him as a pattern of longsuffering # 1Ti 1:16
(4) The first solemn charge to Timothy # 1Ti 1:18-20
PART II. Prayer and Counsels to Men and Women.
Ch. 2.
(1) Intercessory prayer for all men # 1Ti 2:1-4
(2) Christ the mediator # 1Ti 2:5,6
(3) Paul the apostle to the Gentiles # 1Ti 2:7
(4) The duties of men and women # 1Ti 2:8-15
PART III. Spiritual Oversight. The qualifications of bishops and deacons.
Ch. 3.
(1) The qualifications of a bishop:
(a) Personal character and habits # 1Ti 3:2,3
(b) Attitude toward his family # 1Ti 3:4,5
(c) Experience and good reputation # 1Ti 3:6,7
(2) The qualifications of deacons:
(a) Character, habits and Christian experience # 1Ti 3:8,9
(b) Tested for a period # 1Ti 3:10
(c) Having faithful wives, and proper authority in their own homes # 1Ti 3:11,12
(d) The advantages of the diaconate # 1Ti 3:13
(3) The purpose of the epistle # 1Ti 3:15
(4) The mystery of the incarnation of Christ # 1Ti 3:16
PART IV. Predictions and Counsels.
Ch. 4.
(1) Predictions of future apostasy and the prevalence of satanic doctrines which would undermine the home and result in a godless asceticism # 1Ti 4:1-4
(2) Counsels as to teaching, ministerial conduct, example, etc.
(a) The marks of a good minister of Christ # 1Ti 4:6
(b) The preëminence of godliness # 1Ti 4:7,8
(c) The importance of a godly example # 1Ti 4:12
(d) The duty of diligence in reading and teaching, and the exercise of personal gifts # 1Ti 4:13,14
(e) The importance of meditation and entire consecration, coupled with watchfulness over personal conduct, for the sake of a saving influence # 1Ti 4:15,16
PART V. Ministerial Administration, counsels concerning.
Ch. 5.
(1) Courtesy to old and young # 1Ti 5:1,2
(2) The attitude of the church toward widows # 1Ti 5:3-16
NOTE: This passage should be studied with a knowledge of the times and social conditions.
(3) The duty to the church elders # 1Ti 5:17-20
(4) The duty of impartial and deliberate action # 1Ti 5:21,22
(5) Parenthesis, advice relating to personal matters # 1Ti 5:23-25
Ch. 6.
(6) Duties of servants
# 1Ti 6:1,2
(7) Duty of separation from contentious teachers # 1Ti 6:3-5
(8) The blessings of contentment # 1Ti 6:6-8
(9) The peril of riches, and the duty of the minister to avoid covetousness; to seek Christian virtues, and “fight the good fight of faith” # 1Ti 6:9-12
(10) A solemn charge to the young pastor to keep his doctrine pure until the appearing of the King of kings # 1Ti 6:13-16
(11) An exhortation to warn the rich against pride and self-confidence, and to urge them to benevolence and heavenly investments # 1Ti 6:17-19
(12) Final charge to fidelity and avoidance of false doctrine # 1Ti 6:20,21