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    Thirty years of labor for the gospel had taken its toll on Paul. His body bore the marks for a servant of Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:17). Yet the intensity of this suffering was minor compared to the intensity of his love and concern fro the churches.

    Undaunted by two years of house arrest in Rome, Paul pressed on toward the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. He intended to visit Asia, Macedonia, and possibly Spain. Spain had been on his heart before he become a prisoner of Rome. 

    Paul also was concerned about the church at Ephesus. Timothy, his faithful co-labored, was pastoring that strategically important church. Possibly concerned that he might be delayed and that Timothy might need instructions to set before others as an ever-present reminder, Paul wrote to his beloved son in the faith an epistle that would become a legacy for the church and a pillar and support of the truth. It was around A.D. 62.

How to Study 1 Timothy (NASB)

1. Read 1 Timothy. Mark every reference to Paul in one color and every reference to Timothy in another. Include synonyms and pronouns. Note 1:3 and 3:14-15 to see why Paul wrote this epistle. On the Structure of 1 Timothy chart, record Paul's purpose for writing.  

2. Read 1 Timothy again, one chapter at a time. On the Observations Chart:

   1.  List what you earn from marking the references to Paul. Observe how he refers to himself, stating his position of authority, which qualifies him to instruct Timothy in the matters described in his letter.

   2. List what you observe from marking references to Timothy. Note where Timothy is and what his relationship is to Paul.

   3. List the commands and instructions Paul gives about specific groups of people or practices. Record what you learn about overseers (elders) and deacons. Also record what you see about general groups of believers in the church. there is a designated space for each of these groups on the Observations Chart.

   4. Record the specific charges Paul gives Timothy as his representative in Ephesus and as the one who is organizing and instructing the church there.

3. As you read, mark in the text the key words (with their synonyms and pronouns): teach, faith, doctrine, godliness, money (rich, riches), any reference to the devil, all references to prayer. These key words give clues about the most important and most often-mentioned instructions.

4. Unless you already recorded this on your Observations Chart, make a list of what you learn from the text about these key words. You'll see what is important to the health of the church.

5. What do you think is the theme of 1 Timothy? Are there any problems or concerns the author must address?  How does the theme relate to these concerns? Record the theme of the book on Structure of 1 Timothy and the list the theme of each chapter on the char. Finally, fill in any additional information under author, propose, and so on. 

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 Application of 1 Timothy

1. Do I operate in my own church according to these principles?
2. How do I esteem my local church leadership?
3. Do I pray on behalf of all men, including those in authority?

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