A. Doctrine is of Utmost PriorityBefore going to Macedonia, Paul already urged Timothy to remove false teachers from the church of Ephesus. But once again Paul reminded him in this letter right after the greeting. (1 Tim. 1:3) "Doctrine" (Gk. "didaskalia") appeared 21x in NT, 15x in the Pastoral Epistles, 8x in this epistle. Instructions that pervade this issue were rampant (1 Tim. 1:3-11; 2:11-15; 3:2;9; 4:1-16; 6:3-5; 6:20-21).
B. Leadership is a Crucial Issue
B. Leadership is a Crucial Issue
Closely related to the significance of doctrine is that of leadership. Actually, the whole epistle was for an ecclesiastical "leader" (Timothy) in Ephesus (1 Tim. 3:14-15; 4:11-16). Pastoral ministry is crucial from doctrinal and moral standards (1 Tim. 3) to gender issues (1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:2). That pastors should be "above reproach" (1 Tim. 3:2, ESV) or "blameless" (NKJV) is a high qualification. Selection is also crucial (1 Tim. 5:22). Even deacons must have difficult qualifications (1 Tim. 3:8-13).
C. Godliness Involves All Areas of Life
"Godlness" (Gk. "eusebia") appeared 15x in NT, 10x in the Pastoral Epistles, 8x in this epistle. The epistle was written for ecclesiastical concerns yet it addresses personal issues like clothing (2:9-10), managing house, growing children, marriage (1 Tim. 3:4-5; 5:14), supporting needy relatives (1 Tim. 5:4; 5:8) and even personal money (1 Tim. 6:17-18). The church must concern itself with promoting godliness in any aspect of life of any so-called church member so as to make him "godly and dignified in every way." (1 Tim. 2:2)
D. Indispensability of Godly Testimony for Mission
Church order (1 Tim. 2:8ff) always affects evangelism (2:3) because it's part of "godliness" (1 Tim. 2:10). Leaders should be "well thought of by outsiders" (1 Tim. 3:5) and "dignified... [with] good standing" (1 Tim. 3:10,13). Pursuing godliness determines our faith in the Savior which, consequently, affects how we present him to the world (1 Tim. 4:7-10). Godly submission of slaves impacts the church's Master's testimony and the church's teachings (1 Tim. 6:1).
These things are obvious not only in 1 Timothy but also in other NT books. But so often the modern church neglects them resulting to various maladies.
Few Practical evaluations:
1. What programs does your church implement to promote and safeguard biblical theology among all its members? (sermon series? Bible-reading plans? Christian libraries? catechisms? doctrinal conferences?)
2. In what ways does your church check every biblical qualification for a pastor, elder or a deacon? Or is it too hasty to appoint leaders as long as they're willing?
3. Does the pastor try to check up every member's aspects of life through visitation, counseling, catechism, etc? What does your church do with the often ill-fated premature relationships of the youth? How about the very busy "businessmen"? Their families? Heretics?
4. Does your church emphasize the importance of godly living in evangelistic campaigns? Is it conscious of its testimony to the society? Does it worry over church members who continuously live in sin because that could blaspheme the Lord's name and the church's teaching?
Church order (1 Tim. 2:8ff) always affects evangelism (2:3) because it's part of "godliness" (1 Tim. 2:10). Leaders should be "well thought of by outsiders" (1 Tim. 3:5) and "dignified... [with] good standing" (1 Tim. 3:10,13). Pursuing godliness determines our faith in the Savior which, consequently, affects how we present him to the world (1 Tim. 4:7-10). Godly submission of slaves impacts the church's Master's testimony and the church's teachings (1 Tim. 6:1).
These things are obvious not only in 1 Timothy but also in other NT books. But so often the modern church neglects them resulting to various maladies.
Few Practical evaluations:
1. What programs does your church implement to promote and safeguard biblical theology among all its members? (sermon series? Bible-reading plans? Christian libraries? catechisms? doctrinal conferences?)
2. In what ways does your church check every biblical qualification for a pastor, elder or a deacon? Or is it too hasty to appoint leaders as long as they're willing?
3. Does the pastor try to check up every member's aspects of life through visitation, counseling, catechism, etc? What does your church do with the often ill-fated premature relationships of the youth? How about the very busy "businessmen"? Their families? Heretics?
4. Does your church emphasize the importance of godly living in evangelistic campaigns? Is it conscious of its testimony to the society? Does it worry over church members who continuously live in sin because that could blaspheme the Lord's name and the church's teaching?
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