I Timothy 1:14 — “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” Paul went from blaspheming the name of Jesus to believing in the name of Jesus. He went from hating the followers of Jesus to loving them. How did this happen? It was because he…

I Timothy 1:12-13 — “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious…” The elders in the church at Ephesus had lost their focus on the Gospel. They’d become enamoured with other subjects that were not…

I Timothy 1:10b-11 — “…And if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” How should we think about the moral Law given in the Old Testament and the teaching of the Apostles? How do we judge if the…

I Timothy 1:9-10 — Critics of the traditional Christian view of homosexuality will sometimes raise the issue of slavery. They will endeavour to highlight the inconsistency of rejecting what the Bible says about slavery while affirming what it says about homosexuality. How do we deal with this objection? Is it valid? What does the Bible…

I Timothy 1:8-11 — “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully…” What is the Christian’s relationship to the Old Testament Law? What is the proper use of the Law in our proclamation of the Gospel? What role does it play in our growth and progress in the Christian life?…

I Timothy 1:6-7 — “From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling…” This was Paul’s blunt assessment of what certain leaders in the church at Ephesus had done. They’d turned away from sounds words and chosen empty words. Why did they do this? And what was really happening when they stood up…

I Timothy 1:5 — “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned…” One of the major pastoral concerns that animated the Apostle Paul was the impact of false teaching among the Christians at Ephesus. It was a serious threat to their love…

I Timothy 1:5a — “Now the end of the commandment is charity…” Timothy had to deliver a difficult message to the church at Ephesus. In this verse, the Apostle Paul tells him why. The goal was love — the Ephesians’ love for God and for each other. False teaching was hindering that love and it needed…

I Timothy 1:3-4 — “I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus… that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine…” What was this “other doctrine” that some were teaching in the church at Ephesus? Where did it come from? And what exactly was Timothy supposed to do about it? As we consider these…

I Timothy 1:1-2 — “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour…” The opening lines of Paul’s letter are always theologically rich and the opening to I Timothy is an excellent example! Paul comments on his apostleship, his high Christology is evident, and his love and concern for Timothy shines through.…