Introduction

Timothy was an itinerant minister whose work was “to plant churches and to water the churches that were planted.”  This letter which Paul wrote to him was to instruct him “how to fulfil his duty” and “to complete the good work he had begun there.”

1 Timothy 1:1-11

v1-2: “Jesus Christ is a Christian’s hope.”  All our hope is found in Him because “all our hope of eternal life rests on him.”

v3-4: Local churches need leaders who not only “preach the true doctrine of the Gospel” but who also make sure that others in the church do not “add anything of their own to the Gospel or take anything away from it.” This is “so that Christians… grow in godliness and maturity to become more like God himself.” As far as it is possible, those who preach and teach should avoid what “promotes controversies” or “gives rise to differences of opinion” because this “pulls down the church rather than builds it up.”

v5-7: God’s Word commands us to love God and one another.  If the teaching we receive in church weakens “either our love for God or our love for our brothers and sisters” it is meaningless talk.  We need to be taught the truth of God’s Word because by believing this, we “keep a good conscience,” and our hearts are “cleansed from sinful love.”

v8-10: “The law is still very useful as a rule of life… it is good for teaching us what is sin and what is duty.” Though the law cannot make a sinner righteous, it can “restrain them” and limit their corruption and sin.

v11: God's glory is seen in His works of creation and providence "but much more in the Gospel, where it shines in the face of Jesus Christ."  It is a privilege and a trust to declare this good news by which people may be saved from the wrath to come.  "How much grace we need... to be faithful" in doing this.