Resources Related to 1 Timothy
The Gospel AS FRamed IN PAUL’S LETTER TO Timothy
A gospel fly-through
Below is a summarised sketch of the way Paul speaks about the GOSPEL throughout his first letter to Timothy.
1 Tim. 1:1
God is spoken of as “saviour”. While salvation is grounded in the forgiveness of sin and release from God’s word of judgement (Gen 2:17) it’s not limited to forgiveness or justification. Salvation is a term that typically includes redemption, ransom, justification, being set apart (sanctified) for God’s service, glorification, and resurrection. While our Justification is already locked in and experienced, our Resurrection and Glorification is yet to be delivered to us in the future. This is why Jesus Christ is spoken of as our “hope”; He will certainly bring our salvation to completion by sharing his resurrected life and glory with us.
1 Tim. 1:4-5
The gospel is the news of God’s work in the world through Christ Jesus. Our response to the Gospel of God’s work is faith/trust. The ultimate goal of trusting God’s work is love (see also 1:14).
1 Tim. 1:11
The Gospel message is concerned with the glory of God being displayed.
1 Tim. 1:15
While salvation includes more than the forgiveness of sins, it is sinners who need saving through Christ.
1 Tim. 1:16
God’s glory is displayed most clearly in his mercy towards people through Jesus; his “immense patience” towards sinners. Trusting in this mercy results not in tasting God’s word of judgement in Gen 2:17, but in eternal life (see also Gen 3:22).
1 Tim. 2:1-5
God’s will for believers is that we seek quiet lives (lives free from external chaos - political, social, church division & strife) so that all people have the space to come to a knowledge of the truth about salvation through Jesus; Jesus mediates between sinners and God, and ransoms us, baring all costs involved in freeing us from guilt and shame.
The truth about Jesus is also what continues to nourish faith (4:6). The Church is the pillar-foundation, the concrete embodiment of the truth about Jesus in the world (3:15). As an overseer Timothy is charged with the responsibility to guard the truth; make sure the church is not robbed of it (6:5, 20).
1 Tim. 2:8 & 11
Just as Paul wishes for political quietness in society so that people can come to a knowledge of the truth of Jesus, so he calls for quietness in the church for the same reason.
1 Tim. 2:15
Women found freedoms in church life that they were not afforded in most of ancient society; freedom to both speak and learn on their own terms (see sermons on 1 Cor 11:2-16 and 1 Peter 3:1-7 in the right-most column). However, as with men, church services were not the place to pursue one’s own political/social salvation. While childbirth was associated (in it’s pain) with the curse of God’s judgement (Gen 3:16), marriage, sex, and childbirth themselves were not vehicles of spiritual oppression that needed to be thrown off, even when one’s spouse is an unbeliever (see also 1Tim. 4:3, 1 Cor 7:5, 12-16). Paul assures women that they will be saved, escaping through God’s judgement upon the world (symbolised for Eve in childbirth’s pain) if they continue in faith in Jesus (see 1 Tim. 1:15-16).
Note: it is not (!) only women who are vulnerable to falling into satan/devil’s trap - see 1 Tim 1:20, 3:6, 3:7, 5:15
1 Tim. 3:16
While we often think of “godliness” in moral terms, Paul speaks of godliness as character AND conviction that conforms to the gospel. The gospel is described in 3:16 in terms of the incarnation of God the Son, his resurrection by the Spirit’s power (which was witnessed by and attested to by angels), his being preached to and believed on in the world, and his glorification to sit at God’s right hand in authority over all creation.
1 Tim. 4:8
Godliness, conforming our lives to the gospel (1 Tim. 1:16), is beneficial for both this life and into eternal life.
1 Tim. 4:10
Paul returns to the theme his letter opened with (1:1) - the God in whom is our salvation and hope. Paul’s point is that there is only one saviour for all people, and he is the saviour of those who believe/trust in him.
The phrase “especially” = namely. Paul is qualifying the first statement with the greater specificity of the second (see also 1 Tim 5:8, 17, 2 Tim 4:13, and Titus 1:10)
1 Tim. 4:13-16
Timothy will save his hearers if he devotes himself to reading, preaching, and teaching that which conforms to the gospel.
1 Tim. 6:14-16
In addition to Jesus’ glorification (3:16) Jesus will also return with the power/authority to rule & judge.
1 Tim. 6:19
Paul calls Timothy to warn the wealthy that grasping after financial security in this life (see also 3:3, 8, 6:9-10) can distract us from receiving and taking hold of the real life, eternal life, of the coming age.
Overseers, Deacons AND SHC Ministry Practice
1. 1 Timothy 3:1-15 Overseers & Deacons in the Church (*sHC)
A Sermon preached at Summer Hill Church exploring the character & faith requirements for those appointed to the formal offices of Overseer & Deacon.
2. Overseers, Deacons, elders, & Widows (*sHC)
The paper (PDF) attached below summarises the relationship between some of the key leadership terms that are used in the New Testament. Using a Venn diagram and bible references the paper explains how each of these terms overlap, and where each is distinct from the others.
3. Prophecy, Teaching, and the Preaching of Sermons (*sHC)
Sometimes church practice can communicate that the “Teaching” of a church Overseer is the only ministry of God’s word that really counts. While an Overseer’s Teaching is indispensable for the spiritual health of God’s people, it certainly isn’t sufficient. This paper summarises how Prophecy, Exhortations, Teaching, and the Preaching of Sermons are related to one another in our church practice.
PROPHECY, TEACHING, AND THE PREACHING OF SERMONS (PDF)
4. PUBLIC Prophecy & EXHORTATIONS (*sHC)
At Summer Hill Church (*SHC) we are keen to increasingly have men and women (other than a Teaching Overseer) contribute to the building of God’s church through the public ministry of his word. One of the ways we do this is through Prophecy/Exhortation lunches and dinners. The attached PDF (see below) gives an idea of the thinking behind these public opportunities for women and men to minister God’s word to the Summer Hill Church community.
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT (PDF)
If you’d like to get an idea about the shape these public exhortations typically take, you can see some past examples on our YouTube channel, linked below:
Ephesians Exhortations
OTHER RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FROM OUTSIDE SUMMER HILL CHURCH
Below are a collection of other resources from outside Summer Hill Church that may be of help exploring matters of Church Leadership and Govenance
i. PREACHING AND CHURCH LEADERSHIP: A talk from the Priscilla & Aquila Centre exploring the link between Preaching and Congregational Leadership
VIDEO: PREACHING and CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP
ii. WOMEN AND MEN LEADING BIBLE STUDY GROUPS: A seminar from the Priscilla & Aquila Centre
Relationships & “the Quiet Life” in God’s Household
1. 1 Timothy 2:8-15 SERMON QUIETNESS IN SERVICES?(*sHC)
A Sermon preached at Summer Hill Church on 1 Timothy 2:8-15 reflecting on Paul’s directions concerning self-promoting men & women in worship
2. HEADSHIP DIAGRAM & NOTES (*sHC)
The PDF booklet linked below is from the seminar Connecting 1 Timothy and the Rest of Scripture. The booklet takes the form of a diagram (with corresponding typed notes on the facing page). The Diagram draws together the metaphor of Headship, Body, and Feet used by Paul in 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, & 1 Timothy, along with Genesis, Psalm 8, & Hebrews
3.HEADSHIP-BODY SEMINAR HANDOUT (*sHC)
The PDF sheet linked below was the outline from the seminar Conecting 1 Timothy and the Rest of Scripture. The seminar was not recorded
4.EPHESIANS 5 (*sHC)
A sermon preached at Summer Hill Church on Ephesians 5 in 2020. The sermon focussed upon what it means for the Church to share in Christ’s headship over all things, in the same way that Eve shared in Adam’s headship
5. 1 Corinthians 11 (*sHC)
A sermon preached at Summer Hill Church on 1 Corinthians 11 in 2021. The sermon focusses upon the concepts of headship, glory, and the honourable way for women and men to speak words of encouragement for the edification of all.
6. MODESTY? (*sHC)
In our sermon on 1 Timothy 2 (at v9) Paul mentions the modesty of women’s dress. Below is a Q&A response to a similar question in which Steve mentions 1 Timothy 2:9 (the question arose during our time in 1 Corinthians).
6. 1 Peter 3:1-7
vulnerable and fearless christian wives
A sermon preached at St Andrew’s Cathedral on 1 Peter 3:1-7. The sermon reflects on what it means for the vulnerable (particularly wives of unbelievers) to not give way to fear
7. 1 Peter 2:18-25
vulnerable and fearless christian SLAVES
Unfortunately for the sake of time Steve had to pass over 1Tim 6:1-2 on slaves. Below is a sermon on the issue of believers as slaves Steve gave on another occasion from 1 Peter.
OTHER RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FROM OUTSIDE SUMMER HILL CHURCH
Below are a collection of other resources from outside Summer Hill Church that may be of help exploring matters of how women and men relate in the church
i. WHAT IS SUBMISSION ANYWAY : A talk from the Priscilla & Aquila Centre that questions some common assumptions about, and applications of, the link between Headship & Authority