Thoughts on 1 Timothy: God with us

In the last post about 1 Timothy, I suggested, for the reasons I stated, that the letter could just as easily have been entitled, “2 Ephesians.” And, I also suggested reading everything referencing Ephesians from Acts to Revelation to appreciate the context in which Paul’s letter to Timothy was written.

I made these two suggestions in response to the lullaby effect we often fall prey to when we read the New Testament.

Here is another. When we read 1 Timothy, filled as it is with particular instructions, we miss some very interesting doctrine. The letter is not all about orthopraxy; it includes some orthodoxy worth meditating on.

1 Timothy gives us a wonderful picture of what God is like:

1:1 He is a Savior, our Savior. He is our hope. He is the Messiah, the Christ. He is a master (at least Paul’s). He has messengers. He sends.

1:2 He is the Father and our Lord. He is gracious, merciful, a peacemaker.

1.4 He has an economy, a household, which he delegates or involves us in.

1.11 He is blessed.

1:17 He is the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God. He is worthy of glory and honor, forever and ever.

2:3 God sees; he has sight (see also, 5:4)

2:5 He is one God.

2:6 He is the man Jesus Christ. He is the one mediator between God and men; he has mediated. He is a ransom for all. He has proper and appointed times (see also, 6:15)

2:7 He has a message to be preached or an announcement to be heralded.

3:5, 15 He has a household, which is the church.

3:15 He is the living God (see also, 4:10)

3:16 He is Spirit (see also, 4:1). He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

4:3-4 He is the Creator.

4:5 He has a word.

4:6 He has servants.

4:10 He is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

5:21 He has a presence (see also, 6:13). In his presence are himself, the Christ, and the elect angels.

6:1 He has a name.

6:11 He has men.

6:13 He is the Giver of life to all things.

6:15 He is the blessed and only Sovereign.

6:16 He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality. He dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. He is worthy of honor and eternal dominion.

6:17 He richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

The point here is that 1 Timothy offers us more than meets the eye. I hope this little exercise induces you to look for more surprises in Paul’s first letter to Timothy.