the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Commentaries
F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary Meyer's Commentary
Paul's Charge; Warning Against False Teaching.Chapter 2
Instructions on Worship; Roles of Men and Women.Chapter 3
Qualifications for Church Leaders; Mystery of Godliness.Chapter 4
Instructions on Godliness; Warnings Against False Teaching.Chapter 5
Instructions on Care for Widows; Elders.Chapter 6
Teachings on Contentment; Instructions for Wealthy.
- 1 Timothy
by Frederick Brotherton Meyer
Outline of the First Epistle to Timothy
The Church and Its Ministry
Salutation, 1 Timothy 1:1-2
I. the Charge Concerning the Church, 1 Timothy 1:3-16
1. The Need of Love, Faith and a Good Conscience, 1 Timothy 1:3-20
2. The Conduct of Public Prayer, 1 Timothy 2:1-8
3. The Place of Women in the Church, 1 Timothy 2:9-15
4. The Appointment of Bishops,1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:1-7
5. The Appointment of Deacons,1 Timothy 3:8-13; 1 Timothy 3:8-13
Exhortation, 1 Timothy 3:14-16
II. “A Good Minister of Jesus Christ,” I Timothy 4-6
1. His Ministry and Teaching,1 Timothy 4:1-16; 1 Timothy 4:1-16
2. His Bearing toward Elders and Widows,1 Timothy 5:1-25; 1 Timothy 5:1-25
3. His Attitude toward Slavery,1 Timothy 6:1-2; 1 Timothy 6:1-2
4. Characteristics of False Teachers,1 Timothy 6:3-10; 1 Timothy 6:3-10
5. The Minister’s Personal Life, 1 Timothy 6:11-16
6. His Charge to the Rich, 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Conclusion, 1 Timothy 6:20-21
Introduction
This Epistle was written not long after Paul had left Ephesus for Macedonia; but it is a matter of debate as to when this was, some holding that it must have been about the time of the great riot which drove the Apostle from the city; others that it was nearer the time of his second and last imprisonment at Rome.
Timothy is first mentioned as living at Lystra, Acts 16:1 . His mother, Eunice, was a Jewess, 2 Timothy 1:5 ; his father was a Greek. He was early the subject of pious influence, 2 Timothy 3:14-15 . He was well spoken of by his fellow-believers, and became the intimate friend and companion of the Apostle.
The Epistle was designed to instruct him how to deal with false teachers, how to conduct public worship, and to urge him to cultivate all those qualities which would better equip him for the discharge of his important duties.
e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end of 1 Timothy in the printed edition
Review Questions on the First Epistle to Timothy
Outline
( a ) What matters of church order does the Epistle treat?
( b ) What does it set forth as guides for the conduct of a Christian minister?
Introduction
( c ) What information about Timothy may be gleaned from the book of Acts and the Epistles?
( d ) When was this Epistle written?
( e ) What was it designed to teach?
I Timothy 1-6
Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments .
1. Why had Paul exhorted Timothy to tarry at Ephesus? What is the “end of the charge”? What words are peculiar to the Pastoral Epistles?
2. What saying is “worthy of all acceptation”?
3. After what manner should public worship be conducted?
4. What are the qualifications of a bishop?
5. How is the fitness of deacons and deaconesses to be determined?
6. What does the Spirit testify regarding later times?
7. Why was Timothy’s authority likely to be discounted? How was he to guard against this?
8. What is said of those who provide not for their own households?
9. What instructions are given regarding widows in the early Church?
10. When are elders to be accounted worthy of double honor?
11. What is named as a root of all kinds of evil?
12. Why need the poor not envy the rich? What earnest plea concludes the Epistle?
