Study of First and Second Timothy

Introduction to 1st and 2nd Timothy

The two letters to Timothy deal with special instructions given for the Church to chose leaders. It is believed they were written around 66 BC a little before Paul was executed. Each letter feels like Paul is preparing for others to take over his ministry as he awaits the day he will be reunited with his Lord Jesus.

Timothy was very special to Paul, almost like a son. He was a native to Lystra, a Roman colony, that served as a market town of Lycaonia in south central modern-day Turkey.  Paul preached here on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:6-22). Interestingly, Timothy’s mother was a Jewess and his father was a Greek. Timothy, more than likely, became a believer of Jesus during one of Paul’s missionary trips there. He had been instructed in the Scriptures (The Old Testament) by his Mother and Grandmother.

Paul took Timothy with him after his second mission trip to Lystra. Wanting to avoid criticism from other Jews, Paul circumcised Timothy. Timothy grew in his faith and Paul trusted him and sent him out as his representative to various places when Paul couldn’t go himself. Timothy was also with Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome. After Paul was released, he went on to further the Gospel in the East and left Timothy to deal with false teachers, watch over public worship, and assist the church in appointment of their leaders. It was Paul’s hope to reunite with Timothy there, but wrote a letter to him just in case he was delayed. Paul sent a second letter to Timothy after he was re-arrested and put on trial for his life.

Timothy faced arrest himself later on, but not much is known about him after these letters were written. Paul wrote to instruct Timothy on how to deal with false teachers who were infiltrating the Ephesian Church. Paul had warned this would happen five years prior. He encouraged Timothy, though young, to be bold and withstand these evil men by upholding the Truth of God’s Word and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus.

Read 1 Timothy 1: 1-3. How does Paul describe himself? Who’s authority does he say he is under?

How does Paul describe Timothy? What words does he use to bless Timothy with?

Paul greets Timothy by stating who he is and who’s authority he is under. Notice how the salutation includes this? Paul knew the importance of Christ’s authority in his life. He also tells Timothy how precious he is to him. Most importantly, Paul blesses him with the wonderful truth of Christ’s grace, mercy and peace. Now that’s a great intro to any letter isn’t it?

Take the time to define each of the following words, first with your own definition and then second by looking each word up in a bible dictionary. You can use biblegateway.com if you would like:


Grace: Your definition:




Bible dictionary definition:




Mercy: Your definition:




Bible dictionary definition:




Peace: Your definition:




Bible dictionary definition:




Did your first definition match the bible dictionary definition? If so, how was it different?


Sometimes we have a different understanding of what something means. That’s ok, but, as you are studying the Bible is it good to look at what things may mean from a trustworthy source such as a dictionary, to see if you are on the right track. I often look at the Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) definitions to go even deeper. Below are the Greek translations of the three words we are looking at:

Grace: (charis-pronounced khar-is) That which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech.


Mercy: (eleemosyne-pronounced el-eh-ay-mos-oo'-nay) Compassion, pity.


Peace: (eirene-pronounced i-ray'-nay) It denotes a state of untroubled, undisturbed, well-being.

Grace, mercy and peace - these three words should be common words to believers. I contend they are words which go deeper and mean more than we afford them. God’s grace is an invitation to delight in Him, to find pleasure in our relationship with Him through Jesus. It is a lovely, sweet, charimg, yet powerful place to be. In His grace we are thoroughly filled by Him. God’s mercy affords us this grace. He doesn’t have to give anything to us or forgive us. But, God in His unexplainable mercy, His compassion, took pity on us and invites us to Him. In the arena of His grace and mercy, He gives us His perfect peace. God’s peace is untroubled, undisturbed and we have a sense of well-being as our lives encounter rocky areas. This isn’t like the peace of this world. It is a peace, despite the troubles we face, allows us to live our lives knowing God is in control of all things good or bad.

Read Ephesians 1:5-7. How are we “adopted” into the family of God?




What does “pleasure” mean in verse 5?




Who is God’s grace poured out on? Why?




How do we afford God’s grace? In other words, how do we experience this wonderful gift from God?


The Most Holy One, God Himself, decided long ago He would extend His grace to people even though sin had marred us beyond recognition. He found, and still finds, pleasure in extending this grace to us through His Son Jesus. Those who accept His Son as God and Savior, experience this unfathomable grace. If you are a believer, you have been given this wonderful gift. We enter into the delight of God. We should immerse ourselves in this delight. This isn’t the giddy emotion of the world. It is the confidence in knowing we have a relationship with the Creator of the Universe through Jesus. It is knowing we have a place in eternity with Him. It is knowing Jesus will return and set up His perfect Kingdom on this earth. It is knowing this life is but a puff of smoke leading to the next life, more real and vibrant than where we live now.

Read Ephesians 2:4. What is God “rich” in? And what does this lead to?


What does it mean to be “dead in our transgressions”?


How are we “made alive”?

I’ve never really thought much about God pitying me. He felt for me. He knew I was doomed to eternal death without His great compassion and pity. Sometimes I just take the eternal life I have through Jesus for granted. His passion and pity is given beyond all reason. It is important to know, when we accept God’s forgiveness, because of what Jesus sacrificed for us, it is because of God’s mercy, His pity, His compassion for us, we can have a relationship with Him which leads us to eternity with Him. I praise Him for this wonderful life and relationship with and through Jesus.

Read John 16:33. In Whom do we find peace? Why?


What does Jesus mean by “I have overcome the world”?

Christ’s peace is nothing like the peace this world affords. The world’s peace, the view of mankind’s peace, has to do with pseudo calmness and security. It lulls us into thinking we will never face trouble and have our feathers ruffled. Christ’s peace tells us He will get us through the inevitable tough times we will experience in our lives on this fallen world.

An example of the world’s peace would be like a glassy lake in the mountains, with nothing disturbing it except an occasional deer getting a sip of water or trout jumping out of it. It’s not a bad picture at all. I am attracted to this kind of peace. The problem with it is, it is not an attainable picture in this fallen world.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:31

Jesus spoke the truth when He said we would have trials and sorrows while we live on this sin-ridden soil. He didn’t leave us alone but came here to make things right for those who choose Him. Christ’s peace is more like a mountain river. It takes us over the boulders we encounter. We never stop flowing, but continue on with our journey in this life toward the end of our river when we flow out into His perfect eternity.

Christ’s peace is perfect, lifting us, moving us, flowing with us as we abide in Him. When we aren’t in His will we get stagnant because we are hung up on a problem we won’t allow Him to solve or we are disobedient to His perfect will and don’t flow with His life-giving Spirit.

Read Isaiah 48:17-18. What does the Holy One do for us? (Verse 17)


How can we have “peace like a river”? (Verse 18)


How does He describe righteousness?

Did you notice the powerful picture we get of peace and righteousness? They are active words, moving towards something, not placid. The vision we see is of God’s mighty power moving in our lives as we remain in constant obedience to Him. Faith is an active word. Our faith doesn’t remain still, it moves us down on our knees in prayer and up in active obedience to our God.

Where are you in your pursuit of God’s peace through Christ Jesus? Has your view of peace changed since studying this lesson? Explain.

Like Timothy, we too have a mission in this life and it is only by remembering and actively believing in God’s grace, mercy and peace, we can get through this our time on earth and glorify Him. It is a humble person who can lay down their view of these three words ... mercy, grace and peace...and take up the supernatural definitions of God. Let’s take hold of His truth and live a life focused on Jesus and live according to His perfect plan and purpose for our lives. His mercy... His grace...His peace.