After Paul’s release from house arrest in Rome, he probably spent some time in Spain. There is no doubt that he worked very hard to plant several churches in that country. His ministry brought him back to Ephesus where he would see his good friend and disciple, Timothy.
Paul and Timothy had been together since Paul’s second mission trip. While in Ephesus, Paul may have remembered that he promised to visit the church in Philippi (Philippians 2:24). Paul left Timothy at Ephesus while he went to Macedonia where Philippi was (I Timothy 1:3). While he was visiting that area, Paul heard that Timothy was having a lot of problems with some of the people teaching false doctrine. Paul wrote Timothy a letter to give him specific commandments from God how things should be organized in the congregations of the Lord’s church. We have a copy of that letter. We call it “I Timothy”.
Paul reminded Timothy that he should be confident standing up for what is right and not let anyone back him down (I Timothy 4:11-12). He told Timothy to practice what he preached and that would serve as a strong example to the folks he is leading. Paul gave basic instructions for the role of women in the church (I Timothy 2:11-12). He gave specific instructions concerning the office of the eldership (I Timothy 3:1-7). Paul also talked about the office of the deacon (I Timothy 3:8-13). The rest of his letter was dedicated to teaching the basic tenants of the Christian faith for folks to follow regardless of their social status. Paul encouraged Timothy to remain faithful and promised to come to see him soon (I Timothy 3:14), but if he stayed in Macedonia longer than he expected he trusted that Timothy could handle the work in Ephesus.
Paul and Timothy had been together since Paul’s second mission trip. While in Ephesus, Paul may have remembered that he promised to visit the church in Philippi (Philippians 2:24). Paul left Timothy at Ephesus while he went to Macedonia where Philippi was (I Timothy 1:3). While he was visiting that area, Paul heard that Timothy was having a lot of problems with some of the people teaching false doctrine. Paul wrote Timothy a letter to give him specific commandments from God how things should be organized in the congregations of the Lord’s church. We have a copy of that letter. We call it “I Timothy”.
Paul reminded Timothy that he should be confident standing up for what is right and not let anyone back him down (I Timothy 4:11-12). He told Timothy to practice what he preached and that would serve as a strong example to the folks he is leading. Paul gave basic instructions for the role of women in the church (I Timothy 2:11-12). He gave specific instructions concerning the office of the eldership (I Timothy 3:1-7). Paul also talked about the office of the deacon (I Timothy 3:8-13). The rest of his letter was dedicated to teaching the basic tenants of the Christian faith for folks to follow regardless of their social status. Paul encouraged Timothy to remain faithful and promised to come to see him soon (I Timothy 3:14), but if he stayed in Macedonia longer than he expected he trusted that Timothy could handle the work in Ephesus.