Contextual Discussion of 1 Timothy 2
Contextual Discussion of 1 Timothy 2 I. The Context of 1 Timothy One of the key themes in 1 Timothy 1 is false teaching…the church In Ephesus was being attacked. This is evident when you consider the number of times words pertaining to “teaching” occur in the text (remember that exegesis – interpreting the text using sound historical and grammatical controls) is like listening into one side of a telephone conversation. If terms or themes occur repeatedly, they give the read clues as to the point or subject matter of the letter). Paul uses words that refer to “teaching,” “teacher,” “teach,” “teach otherwise,” “able to teach” 17 times in this little letter, (1:3, 7, 10; 2:7, 12; 3:2; 4:1, 6, 11, 13, 16; 5:17; 6:1, 2, 3 [2x]). This theme is especially prevalent in 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 4:1-4, 7; 6:3-5, 20-21. For example: 1 Timothy 1:3-7 – “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.” Another key theme in 1 Timothy is that the home was apparently also under attack.
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