Read 1 Timothy at Bible Gateway.
Before we go on to Titus, the entire books of 1 and 2 Timothy form amazing chiastic structures (the teaching tools of scripture explains chiastic structures for those who are unfamiliar with them):
1 Tim 1:1-6:21
1a) 1 Tim 1:1-2, Paul to Timothy, a true son: Grace, mercy, peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ;
1b) 1 Tim 1:2-20, Timothy’s charge: guard sound doctrine from which some have strayed:
— 1a) 1 Tim 1:2-6, To Timothy:
—- 1a.1) 1 Tim 1:2-3, To Timothy, a true son: charge some that they teach no other doctrine;
—- 1a.2) 1 Tim 1:4, Fables + endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification;
—- 1a.3) 1 Tim 1:5-6, Purpose of Law: pure love + good conscience + sincere faith, some having strayed;
— 1b) 1 Tim 1:7-9, The excellence of the Law toward the unrepentant;
— 1c) 1 Tim 1:9-10, Meant for the lawless, unrighteous, those things contrary to sound doctrine;
— 1d) 1 Tim 1:11, According to the gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust;
— central axis) 1 Tim 1:12, I thank Christ Jesus;
— 2d) 1 Tim 1:12, He enabled me, counted me faithful, put me into the ministry;
— 2c) 1 Tim 1:13, Although formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man;
— 2b) 1 Tim 1:13-17, The excellence of the King and His mercy toward the repentant;
— 2a) 1 Tim 1:18-20, To Timothy:
—- 2a.1) 1 Tim 1:18, This charge I commit to you, my son Timothy;
—- 2a.2) 1 Tim 1:18, Prophecies concerning you, which cause you to wage the good warfare;
—- 2a.3) 1 Tim 1:19-20, Having faith + good conscience, which some rejected + shipwrecked their faith;
1c) 1 Tim 2:1-8, Prayers + intercession for those in authority (exercise of authority):
— 1a) 1 Tim 2:1, Let supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men;
— 1b) 1 Tim 2:2-3, For kings + all in authority, that we may lead quiet lives in godliness (civil authority);
— 1c) 1 Tim 2:4, God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth;
— central axis) 1 Tim 2:5, There is one God + one Mediator between God + men, the Man Christ Jesus;
— 2c) 1 Tim 2:6, Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time;
— 2b) 1 Tim 2:7, Paul, appointed preacher, apostle, teacher in faith and truth (church authority);
— 2a) 1 Tim 2:8, Therefore, men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
1d) 1 Tim 2:9-15, Proper exercise/ care of church authority:
— 1a) 1 Tim 2:9-10, Proper adornment for women (modesty and good works);
— 1b) 1 Tim 2:11, Let a woman learn in silence with all submission;
— central axis) 1 Tim 2:12a, I do not permit women to teach or have authority over men;
— 2b) 1 Tim 2:12, Let a woman be in silence;
— 2a) 1 Tim 2:13-15, Proper order for women (men in authority over women).
1e) 1 Tim 3:1-13, Qualification of bishops + deacons:
— 1a) 1 Tim 3:1, If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work;
— 1b) 1 Tim 3:2-5, Qualifications of a bishop;
— 1c) 1 Tim 3:6, Not a novice, lest he be prideful/ fall into the same condemnation as the devil;
— central axis) 1 Tim 3:7, Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside;
— 2c) 1 Tim 3:7, Lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil;
— 2b) 1 Tim 3:8-12, Qualifications of a deacon;
— 2a) 1 Tim 3:13, Those who have served as deacons obtain good standing + great boldness in the faith.
1f) 1 Tim 3:14-15, I write that you may know how to conduct yourself in the house of God;
central axis of the book) 1 Tim 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels; Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory;”
2f) 1 Tim 4:1-16, Instruction for Timothy as church pastor:
— 1a) 1 Tim 4:1-5, Some will depart from the faith, heeding deceiving spirits + doctrines of demons;
— 1b) 1 Tim 4:6-8a, Instruct + good minister + word and doctrine + exercise godliness:
—- 1b.1) 1 Tim 4:6a, Instruct the brethren in these things,
—- 1b.2) 1 Tim 4:6b, And you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ;
—- 1b.3) 1 Tim 4:6c-7a, Nourished in the Word + good doctrine which you have carefully followed;
—- 1b.4) 1 Tim 1:7b-8a, Exercise yourself toward godliness which is profitable;
— 1c) 1 Tim 4:8b, The promise of eternal life;
— 1d) 1 Tim 4:9, This word is faithful and true;
— central axis) 1 Tim 4:10a, For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach;
— 2d) 1 Tim 4:10b, We trust in the living God;
— 2c) 1 Tim 4:10c, The Savior of all men, especially those who believe;
— 2b) 1 Tim 4:11-15, Command and teach + good example + word and doctrine + exercise gift:
—- 2b.1) 1 Tim 4:11, These things command and teach;
—- 2b.2) 1 Tim 4:12, Be an example to the believers in word and conduct;
—- 2b.3) 1 Tim 4:13, Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine;
—- 2b.4) 1 Tim 4:14-15, Exercise the gift in you … that all may see your progress;
— 2a) 1 Tim 4:16, Take heed to yourself + doctrine, so you will save yourself + those who hear you.
2e) 1 Tim 5:1-19, Qualifications of true widows/ treatment of elderly + elders:
— 1a) 1 Tim 5:1a, Do not rebuke an older man;
— 1b) 1 Tim 5:1b-2, Exhort older men as fathers, women as mothers (younger as brothers/ sisters);
— 1c) 1 Tim 5:3-10, Care of real widows + family to provide for their own widows:
—- 1a) 1 Tim 5:3, Honor widows who are really widows;
—- 1b) 1 Tim 5:4, But widows with children, let them repay their parents; as is good + acceptable;
—- 1c) 1 Tim 5:5, She is really a widow who is left alone, trusting in God + continuing in prayers;
—- central axis) 1 Tim 5:6, But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives;
—- 2c) 1 Tim 5:7, These things command, that they may be blameless;
—- 2b) 1 Tim 5:8, Anyone not providing for his household has denied faith + worse than unbeliever;
—- 2a) 1 Tim 5:9-10, Real widows: 60+, been wife of one man, known for good works;
— 1d) 1 Tim 5:11-12, Refuse younger widows as they desire to remarry + cast off their first faith;
— central axis) 1 Tim 5:13, “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not;”
— 2d) 1 Tim 5:14-15, Charge younger widows to marry + some already turned aside;
— 2c) 1 Tim 5:16, Let believers relieve their own widows + that the church may relieve real widows;
— 2b) 1 Tim 5:17-18, Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor;
— 2a) 1 Tim 5:19, Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.
2d) 1 Tim 5:20-25, Proper exercise/ care of church authority;
2c) 1 Tim 6:1-2a, Proper honor between bondservants and masters (exercise of authority);
2b) 1 Tim 6:2b-21a, Timothy’s charge: teach sound doctrine from which some have strayed:
— 1a) 1 Tim 6:2b-5a, Teach + exhort; those obsessed with disputes over words, destitute of the truth;
— 1b) 1 Tim 6:5b-14, Flee the desire to be rich:
—- 1b.1) 1 Tim 6:5b-10, Warning to flee the desire to be rich;
—- 1b.2) 1 Tim 6:11, Flee these/ pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness;
—- 1b.3) 1 Tim 6:12, Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life;
—- 1b.4) 1 Tim 6:13-14, I urge you in the sight of God that you keep this commandment without spot;
— central axis) 1 Tim 6:15-16, Jesus Christ, King of kings + Lord of lords, to whom be honor Amen;
— 2b) 1 Tim 6:17-20a, To those who are rich in this present age:
—- 2b.1) 1 Tim 6:17, Commandment to those who are rich in this present age;
—- 2b.2) 1 Tim 6:18-19a, Let them be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share;
—- 2b.3) 1 Tim 6:19b, That they may lay hold on eternal life;
—- 2b.4) 1 Tim 6:20a, O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust;
— 2a) 1 Tim 6:20b-21a, Avoid profane + idle babblings of what is falsely called knowledge;
2a) 1 Tim 6:21b, Grace be with you. Amen.
To be continued …
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