Overview of 1 Timothy

A. INTRODUCTORY GREETING (1:1, 2)

B. TIMOTHY APPOINTED TO FIGHT AGAINST FALSE TEACHINGS IN THE EPHESUS CONGREGATION (1:3-20)

• Timothy encouraged “to command certain ones not to teach different doctrine” (1:3-7)

• The Law is fine when applied properly (1:8-11)

• Paul is grateful for the undeserved kindness shown to him (1:12-16)

• Praise to “the King of eternity” (1:17)

• Paul encourages Timothy to “go on waging the fine warfare” with faith and a good conscience (1:18-20)

C. INSTRUCTION REGARDING PRAYER AND CONDUCT IN THE CONGREGATION (2:1-15)

• Prayers to be made concerning all sorts of men; God wants all sorts of people to be saved (2:1-7)

• Instructions on prayer, proper conduct, and dress when coming together for worship (2:8-10)

• Women not “to teach or to exercise authority over a man” in the congregation (2:11-15)

D. QUALIFIED MEN TO KEEP THE CONGREGATION STRONG (3:1-16)

• Qualifications for overseers (3:1-7)

• Qualifications for ministerial servants; counsel to Christian women (3:8-13)

• The congregation to be “a pillar and support of the truth” (3:14, 15)

• “The sacred secret of this godly devotion” (3:16)

E. APOSTASY FORETOLD; TIMOTHY’S PART IN RESTRAINING IT (4:1-16)

• Warnings against various false teachings (4:1-5)

• Timothy to be a fine minister of Christ, developing true godly devotion (4:6-11)

• Personal instructions for Timothy to “become an example to the faithful ones” (4:12-16)

F. PROPER CONDUCT TOWARD ALL IN THE CONGREGATION (5:1–6:2a)

• How to treat young and old (5:1, 2)

• Guidelines for proper support of widows (5:3-16)

• Hardworking elders to be honored; practicers of sin to be reproved (5:17-21)

• No man to be appointed hastily (5:22)

• “Take a little wine for the sake of your stomach” (5:23)

• Wrongdoing eventually becomes manifest; so do fine works (5:24, 25)

• Slaves to honor their masters (6:1, 2a)

G. CLOSING WORDS TO TIMOTHY (6:2b-21)

• Characteristics of false teachers (6:2b-5)

• Being content with food and clothing (6:6-8)

• Warning against “the love of money” (6:9, 10)

• Instructions for a man of God (6:11-16)

• Exhortation to the rich to be “rich in fine works” (6:17-19)

• Concluding encouragement: “Guard what has been entrusted to you” (6:20, 21)