During his imprisonment Paul wrote what we know as “The Prison Epistles”: Eph-Phil-Col-Philemon.
1 Tim is one epistle of a set of three known as the “Pastoral Epistles.” The other two being II Tim and Titus.
These were letters written to men in charge of the flock, and have become the inspired textbook of the church through the centuries of church history.
Timothy
Was probably converted under Paul’s ministry at Lystra Acts 14. He had been taught well in the Old Testament scriptures. II Tim3:15.
He was a young man who made rapid spiritual progress and was “well reported” of by the brethren. Acts 16
A father and son relationship sprung up between them.
Timothy accompanied Paul on many of his mission journeys. Finally being entrusted with the difficult tasks of correcting error at Thessalonica-Corinth-Ephesus.
All this despite his comparative youth.
Purpose of writing
To guide and encourage Timothy in his Pastoral duties. Timothy was at Ephesus, v. 3, left by Paul to correct certain wrongs.
Paul had warned the church of this. Acts 20:28-32.
Jewish teachers were busy trying to subvert the faith of the believers.
The Gnostics were confusing the issue more by their “endless genealogies”.
The Theme
Ch 3:15.
That thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth.” R.V.
The epistle is divided into three parts:
Ch. 1 Errors exposed
Ch. 2-3 Conduct in the assembly
Ch. 4-6 Conduct of the shepherd or pastors.
Errors: Judaizing teachers. See foot of Biblo page
Gnostics … endless genealogies … vain jangling.
Resurrection was past. See 2 Tim 2:17-18
Gnosticism – Intellectual – mystical – knowledge was salvation, so Christ and his work was unnecessary.
They believed in an innumerable succession of intermediaries.
Why Paul wrote in Ch. 2-5 One mediator.
Gnostic theory in Colosse… they made Christ the end of a long chain of intermediatories.
To correct this Paul wrote an unparalleled, description of him in Ch. 4
In Ch 2-3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4-9 For in him dwelleth all the holiness of the God-head bodily.