First Epistle to Timothy

== Content ==

=== Summary ===

The epistle opens by stating that it was written by Paul, to Timothy. Paul reminds Timothy that he has asked Timothy to stay in Ephesus and prevent false teaching of the law by others. Paul says that law is to be applied to sinners like rebels, murderers, and the sexually immoral.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Timothy|1}}</ref> The list of lawbreakers includes the Greek word {{lang|grc|ἀρσενοκοίτης}}, which is sometimes [[Homosexuality in the New Testament#1 Timothy 1:9-10|translated to mean "homosexual men"]]<ref>{{cite book |first=Ken |last=Magnuson |year=2020 |title=Invitation to Christian Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues |page=243 |publisher=Kregel Publications |isbn=9780825434457 |oclc=1202739047 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vKX7DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA243 }}</ref> although there is some debate on the topic.

The epistle details the roles of men and women in its [[1 Timothy 2|second chapter]], particularly the verse [[1 Timothy 2:12]]. In the [[New International Version|NIV]] translation this verse reads:
{{quote|I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Timothy|2:12|NIV}}</ref>}}The epistle justifies this by saying that [[Adam]] was formed before [[Eve]], and that Eve was tricked by the [[Serpents in the Bible#Eden|serpent]].<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Timothy|2:13–14}}</ref>

Leaders of the church are to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of respect, avoiding overindulgence in wine and managing their affairs well.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Timothy|3}}</ref> Timothy is advised to avoid false teachings and focus on the truth.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Timothy|4}}</ref>

The author discusses a list of widows to be supported by the church, setting restrictions on the types of women to help: only old widows who never remarry and who prioritize their family are to receive help. Widows younger than sixty have sensual desires that may cause them to remarry.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Timothy|5}}</ref>

[[Slavery in the New Testament|Slave]]s should respect their masters, especially if their masters are believers.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Timothy|6:1–2}}</ref> People should avoid envy and avoid the temptation to focus on becoming rich because "the [[love of money]] is the root of all kinds of evil."<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Timothy|6:10}}</ref>

In closing, Timothy is told he should continue to "fight the good fight of the faith" by helping others to be virtuous and by running his church well.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Timothy|6:11–20}}</ref>

===Outline===
[[File:Cod._Sinaiticus_1_Tim_3,16.jpg|thumb|Extract from 1 Timothy 3:16 in the 4th-century [[Codex Sinaiticus]]: "Beyond all question, the [[Sacred_mysteries#Christianity|mystery]] from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated..."]]
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2021}}
{{ordered list|list_style_type=upper-roman
| Salutation (1:1–2)
| Negative Instructions: Stop the False Teachers (1:3–20)
{{ordered list|list_style_type=upper-alpha 
|Warning against False Teachers (1:3–11)
{{ordered list
| The Charge to Timothy Stated (1:3)
| Their Wrong Use of the Law (1:4–7)
| The Right Use of the Law (1:8–11)}}
| Paul's Experience of Grace (1:12–17)
| The Charge to Timothy Repeated (1:18–20)}}
| Positive Instructions: Repair the Church (2:1–6:10)
{{ordered list|list_style_type=upper-alpha
|Restoring the Conduct of the Church (2:1–3:16)
{{ordered list
| Instructions on Public Worship (2:1–15)
{{ordered list|list_style_type=lower-alpha
| Concerning Prayer (2:1–7)
| Concerning the Role of Men and Women (2:8–15)
{{ordered list
| Men: Pray in a Holy Manner (2:8)
| Women: Quiet Conduct (2:9–15)}}}}
| Instructions on Church Leadership (3:1–13)
{{ordered list|list_style_type= lower-alpha
| Qualifications of [[Elder (Christianity)|Overseers (Elders)]] (3:1–7)
| Qualifications of [[Deacon]]s (3:8–13)}}
| Summary (3:14–16)
{{ordered list|list_style_type=lower-alpha
| Conduct of the Church (3:14–15)
| Hymn to Christ (3:16)}}}}
| Guarding the Truth in the Church (4:1–16)
{{ordered list
| In the Face of Apostasy (4:1–5)
| Timothy's Personal Responsibilities (4:6–16)
| Spiritual Exercises (4:7–9)}}
| Dealing with Groups in the Church (5:1–6:10)
{{ordered list
| Men and Women, Young and Old (5:1–2)
| Widows (5:3–16)
{{ordered list|list_style_type=lower-alpha
| Older Widows (5:3–10)
| Younger Widows (5:11–16)}}
| Elders (5:17–25)
{{ordered list|list_style_type=lower-alpha
| The Reward of Elders (5:17–18)
| The Reputation of Elders (5:19–20)
{{ordered list
| The Reputation of Elders Protected (5:19)
| The Sins of Elders Publicly Rebuked (5:20)}}
| The Recognition of Prospective Elders (5:21–25)}}
| Slaves (6:1–2)
| False Teachers (6:3–10)}}}}
|Personal Instructions: Pursue Godliness (6:11–21)
{{ordered list|list_style_type= upper-alpha
| Fight the Good Fight (6:11–16)
| A Final Word to the Wealthy (6:17–19)
| Guard What has been Entrusted (6:20–21)}}}}