The book of 1st Timothy was written by Paul to Timothy, and also to all others who read the book, though Paul did not know that he was writing to Christians for all time. He wrote under the inspiration of God, and it was God’s word that he wrote.
In the book, he wrote a lot to instruct Timothy in how he was to live spiritually as a preacher. This also applies to preachers today. Timothy was to live so that he would be a positive example to other Christians, but he was to also realize that he wasn’t better than any other Christian just because he was a preacher. Preachers or pastors today should live so that they will be a positive example to other people and should never believe that they are spiritually superior to any other Christian.
Paul gave Timothy the requirements for those who would be pastors and teachers, but also for those who would be deacons. They were basically the same requirements. Paul spoke about those who aspired to be preachers, but I believe that he had to have meant those who felt called to be preachers. I also believe that deacons should feel called by God to serve, and that neither should believe themselves to be better than any other Christian. This will always be true.
Paul warned Timothy to beware of people who attempted to proclaim anything other than the gospel. There would be some who set themselves as religious authorities who would pervert the gospel, and there are still people do this today.
Paul warned Timothy not to get caught up in vain genealogies and old wives' tales. There are many people today who would love to have us believe that it is important who are ancestors were, but this has nothing to do with whether we are a follower of Christr or not. As Christians, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Some people believe in astrology, but as believers, we know that the stars have nothing to do with controlling our life, and we should be guided by God’s word under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Paul gave Timothy God’s requirement for how Christians should treat their masters, or bosses we would say today. They were to do their best in working for them so that God would be glorified. Of course, the opposite was also true. Masters, or bosses, were to treat those under them with fairness, again so that God might be glorified. We as followers of Christ should do the same today.
Paul also instructed Timothy in how Christians were to treat widows and made distinguishments between certain widows based on age and family circumstances. Those over sixty and those without family were to be cared for, and those under sixty and with family were to rely on family to help them. I believe that we are to help widows today, especially those who are older and without family to help them, even though women have more rights today than they did in Paul’s day. We should rely on the leadership of the Holy Spirit to guide us in helping them and how much help we offer.
Paul told Timothy of the danger of loving money and material things. If a person puts more faith in money or earthly riches instead of God, they will be led astray and never find true contentment. True contentment comes only from putting our faith in Jesus Christ and obeying the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Paul also had a warning to the rich to not put their faith in their riches, but to put their faith in God alone. He also said God expected them to use their riches to help others and not just for their own desires. This is still what God expects of people today.
I am sure there are more things we can learn from this book, but I will close with these, and next we will look at 2nd Timothy.
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