Read I Timothy 1:3-6

• What can we find out about the men who troubled the Ephesian Church? What were some of the issues that Paul asks Timothy to address?
• Strange Doctrines (1:3-4)
• Men wanting to be teachers who do not have understanding (1:6-7)
• They were obsessing over parts of the Law (torah) without understanding its meaning.
• Myths
• Endless Genealogies
• Possibly Judaizers (reference Acts 15:1-35) or drawing from that sect; possibly proto-gnostics
• What was the primary sin of these men? Where do we see this repeated today?

Read I Timothy 1: 8-11

• Who is the law for?
• Recognize parallel with Luke 5:31-32
• Paul then sets up another parallel to the 10 commandments to describe those who the law is for
• Ungodly (Exodus 20:3)
• Profane (Exodus 20:7-8)
• Kill fathers and mothers (Exodus 20:12)
• Immoral men and homosexuals (Exodus 20:14)
• Kidnappers (Exodus 20:15)
• Perjurers and Liars (Exodus 20:16)

Read I Timothy 1: 12-20

• What was it that Paul wanted to show about his experience of the law?
• Christ had strengthened him and put him in His service (1:12)
• He was formerly a blasphemer, persecutor and violent aggressor (1:13)
• He had found mercy so that Christ could demonstrate his perfect patience (1:16)
• Therefore:
• Fight the good fight (1:18)
• Keep faith and a good conscience (1:19)

Read I Timothy 2: 1-8

Where does the Church find the power to combat strange doctrines and evil men?

1) a need, indigence, want, privation, penury
2) a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God or to man

Who is the Church to pray for? Why?

for everyone --

²for kings and all those in authority,

that we may live peaceful and quiet lives

in all godliness and holiness.

 ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴

who wants all men

to be saved

and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Why would Paul’s statement in I Timothy 2:5 be important for the Ephesian Church?

• Reference Deuteronomy 6:4-9

⁵For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶

who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. ⁷

And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles

Therefore:

  ⁸I want men everywhere

to lift up holy hands in prayer,

without anger or disputing.

Reflecting back on this passage, what else can we surmise about the troubles in the Ephesian Church?

Read I Timothy 1:9-10

What does Paul’s admonition suggest about the attitudes of some of the women in the Ephesian Church? (Reference Roman sumptuary laws)

  ⁹I also want women

to dress modestly,

with decency and propriety,

not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, ¹⁰

but with good deeds,

appropriate for women

who profess to worship God.

What are the good works that a women should adorn herself with?

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