Paul’s first epistle to Timothy was written from Macedonia to Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3). It contains instruction for Timothy himself and, more generally, for the conduct of the individual in the assembly. The second epistle was written at a later date from prison and would appear to be Paul’s final epistle (2 Tim. 1:8; 4:6).
First Timothy
Paul’s first epistle to Timothy is characterized by the word godliness to reverence. No other epistle contains as many references. It was the Apostle’s purpose in writing to Timothy that he might know how he ought to behave himself “in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:14-15). Here we have divine guidance for right conduct in the assembly, viewed here as the house of God. As such, it is to be the maintainer of the truth. In 1 Timothy the house is seen in order.
Nevertheless, there were some that had turned aside to vain discourse, desiring to be law-teachers (ch. 1:6-7). There is a right use for the law, but its application is not to the righteous person, but to the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners (vss. 8-9). It was Paul’s purpose in leaving Timothy at Ephesus that he might enjoin them not to teach other doctrines.
Paul had declared unto them all the counsel of God (Acts 20:27); there is no further truth. The church is to maintain and uphold the truth it has received. The end of Paul’s charge is the only right spiritual condition that will enable us to carry this out “love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith” (1 Tim. 1:5 JND).
Chapter 2. We have a Saviour God who “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (vs. 4). Our conduct within the assembly and before the world is to be characterized by godliness and honesty (vss. 23). Verses 9-15 give godly conduct for sisters.
Chapter 3. Instructions are given for brothers desiring to exercise oversight in the assembly, and likewise for those that would minister (serve) in the assembly (vss. 1,8).
Chapters 4-6. In latter times, there would be a departure from the faith; men would give heed to seducing spirits, “forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats” (ch. 4:3). This is the religious flesh and false godliness, against which the Apostle warns.
These chapters give instruction in godliness for temporal things. “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (ch. 4:12). Christianity was never a way of social advancement. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (ch. 6:6). We are to “keep the entrusted deposit” (vs. 20 JND)—the full truth of Christianity—in the face of man’s most advanced intellectual opposition.
Second Timothy
Though it was not the last days when Paul wrote this letter, the Apostle was nevertheless permitted to see the failure of man in his responsibility to maintain the order of the house of God. In the first epistle some had turned aside; now we find all those of Asia turned away (2 Tim. 1:15). Christendom had become a great house; things were in disorder (ch. 2:20). In this epistle, then, we have instruction for the godly in a day of ruin.
Chapter 1 gives us the encouragement we need in such a day. In the first epistle the church is the pillar and ground of the truth. In the second, the emphasis is on the individual and the word of truth (ch. 2:15). “Have an outline of sound words, which words thou hast heard of Me,” not merely as some doctrine, but “in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (ch. 1:13 JND). There is no suggestion of giving up the truth; rather, Paul’s doctrine is emphasized (ch. 2:2; 3:10). Clearly there is a cost the Apostle was in prison (ch. 2:9). “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (ch. 3:12).
In chapter 2 we have our path in a day of ruin, beginning with the right spiritual condition: “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (vs. 1). That path must involve separation from evil, which necessarily assumes spiritual discernment (ch. 3:19-21). “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (ch. 2:22).
Great indeed is the mystery of godliness. The mystery, or secret, of godliness lies in the knowledge of God manifested in and through the person of Christ (1 Tim. 3:16). In the second epistle the word “godliness” is only to be found in the verse, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” (2 Tim. 3:5). When the person of Christ is denied, godliness is merely a form. Professing Christendom is rapidly sinking into the dark depths of paganism (see 1 Tim. 3:15; Rom. 1:28-31). The Holy Scriptures are our sure resource (2 Tim. 3:14-17).
In chapter 4 we have our service in the day of ruin. How beautiful to see Mark restored amid the general departure from the truth (vs. 11).
N. Simon