1 Timothy 1-6

Timothy was Paul's "true son of the faith." He was introduced in Acts and they traveled together on many occasions. In servitude, Timothy also stayed along-side congregations when Paul had to leave.

Paul writes to encourage Timothy and help to teach him on how to become a worthy man of God. In Chapter 1, Paul "warns against false teachers of the law", exclaiming that whatever contradicts the teachings of God is false. He also reminds Timothy:

"13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a prosecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out onto me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."

These verses are supposed to help Timothy to "keep with the prophecies once made" and not to listen to anything else.

Chapter 2 is entitled: "Instructions on Worship." It tells him to remind the congregations Timothy is visiting to "live peaceful and quiet lives", to "lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger", for "women to dress modestly", and for "women to learn in quietness and full submission." Now, the last part of that chapter explains why women shouldn't be an authority figure. Paul says:

"12I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15But women will be saved through childbearing -- if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety."

Is this as confusing to you as it is to me? Yes, we all know that "women's rights" were not observed until the 1800's. But why would this be such a big deal? If we do not agree with this today, are we refuting God's Word? Let's take a look in Titus, Chapter2:

"3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."

So, there is proof that women were aloud to at least teach younger women. Let's keep going, focusing more on why Paul says women cannot be in authority roles, back in his time.

We can constantly see that Paul focuses on churches and how they can become better as Christians. He says that we are all, equally one in Christ. He doesn't ever suggest they go join the Roman Senate to inject Christianity, he doesn't ever tell them to invade Rome to spread Christianity as Templar Knights, and he doesn't ever tell them to promote equal rights for women. All of these are appropriate responses in some instances, but Paul knows the way to heaven. And around 59 A.D., people are not going to listen to women preachers. That was the way it was back then -- period, the end, that's it. My belief is that women, today, are fit to teach the word of God in churches to men and other women. Please comment!

Continuing on, Paul talks about the responsibilities of authority figures in Chapter 3:

"1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap."

These are very useful verses explaining not only how leader's should be, but also what people are to strive for. This is such good information!

Paul gives instructions directly to Timothy saying not to listen to hypocrites and also, in Chapter 4:

"12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

He goes on to talk about "widows, elders and slaves" and the "love of money." Chapter 6:

"7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it."

But I find that the last, most important verse in 1Timothy is in Chapter 6:

"11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith."

These are great qualities to strive for that i normally forget about!

Theme: These are the directions on how to be a leader in the Church.