In verse one we read, "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior." The letter emphasizes the term "Savior."
Paul the Apostle sent Timothy, gifted of God and approved by the elders, to labor in the gospel and to assist him in the care of the churches.
Timothy was instructed by Paul to abide with the saints at Ephesus to whom Paul had given, by letter, the deepest truths in regard to the mystery, Christ and the Church.
One of the evils that had come to Ephesus was the Judaizing doctrine which tended to lead to the old Jewish system of law and to the raising of unprofitable questions. The law was made, not for a righteous man, but for the disobedient.
In 1 Timothy we see God as a Savior-God, a Savior for those who believe, but a Preserver (Savior) of all men. Christianity sets forth God as a God of love; Judaism sets Him forth as a lawgiver, yet He is the same God. Salvation is for all, for God is a Savior-God, but only those who believe will be saved.
The letter is to Timothy, an individual, so the assembly is not addressed in this letter, but there is much instruction for the assembly. Paul writes a personal note (of instruction and warning) to Timothy because of the tremendous responsibility laid on Timothy's shoulders, the care of the churches, during the apostle's absence.
At the end of this letter we see God, whom no eye can see or has seen, in His majesty and essential glory. What a great picture of God we see here. He created all things and is the Preserver of all men. "In Him we live, and move, and have our being." "We are also His offspring."
The most important message for us who believe is that God is the Savior of our souls. Paul preached it; it should be on the lips of all believers.
In his salutation Paul speaks of mercy, for he is addressing an individual, and the individual, like Timothy, needs mercy for his path. The apostle speaks of his own conversion and ministry. He was a blasphemer and a persecutor but obtained mercy because he did it in unbelief, ignorantly.
Paul spoke of himself as the chief of sinners, probably because of the character of his sin. He persecuted the Church of God which was dear to Christ. God's grace was manifested to Paul, in that he was to show forth all long-suffering in his life, which would be a delineation to them who should hereafter believe on Christ to life everlasting.
Paul instructed Timothy that his service was to be with a pure heart and unfeigned faith. He gave glory to "the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God." Such praise flows from Paul's heart in response to the mighty grace shown to him, the chief of sinners.
Paul recalled prophecies about Timothy and his service, made before his service began, about which Paul instructed him, that he might war a good warfare. He exhorted him to maintain faith and a good conscience of which others such as Alexander and Hymenaeus had made shipwreck. These he delivered unto Satan that they would learn not to blaspheme.
To be in the bosom of the assembly is safety; to be outside, delivered unto Satan, is for the destruction of the flesh.