Outline of 1 Timothy: Conduct in God's household
Paul charges Timothy at Ephesus to guard sound doctrine and order God's household in prayer, worship and leadership, for godliness in Christ.
Part 1 · The charge: guard the gospel 1:1–20
Timothy must stop the teachers of a different doctrine; the law is good, the gospel saved Paul, and Timothy must fight the good fight.
- 11 Timothy 1: Christ Jesus came to save sinners
Stop the false teachers at Ephesus: the goal is love, the law is good, and the gospel saved even Paul.
Christ Jesus our hope 1:1–2 · Not to teach false doctrines 1:3–7 · The law is good 1:8–11 · Of whom I am the worst 1:12–17 · Fight the good fight 1:18–20
Stop the false teachers 1:1–11
The goal is love from a pure heart; the law is good when used against sin, as the gospel teaches.
Mercy to the worst of sinners 1:12–17
Christ came to save sinners, and made Paul the pattern of His patience; praise to the King eternal.
Fight the good fight 1:18–20
Keep faith and a good conscience, which some have wrecked.
Part 2 · Order in God's household 2:1–3:16
Prayer for all, men and women in worship, overseers and deacons, and the purpose: to know how to behave in God's household.
- 21 Timothy 2: One mediator between God and men
Pray for all people, for there is one God and one Mediator; let men pray and women adorn themselves with good works.
For kings and all those in authority 2:1–2 · One mediator between God and men 2:3–7 · Lifting up holy hands 2:8–10 · Adam was formed first 2:11–15
- 31 Timothy 3: The pillar and foundation of the truth
Overseers and deacons must be of proven character; the church is God's household, upholding the mystery of godliness.
If anyone aspires to be an overseer 3:1–7 · Deacons likewise 3:8–13 · God's household 3:14–15 · The mystery of godliness 3:16
Prayer for all people 2:1–7
Pray for all, rulers included, for there is one God and one Mediator who gave Himself as a ransom.
Men and women in worship 2:8–15
Men pray without anger; women adorn themselves with good works and do not teach or rule over men.
Overseers 3:1–7
An overseer must be above reproach, able to teach, ruling his home well, mature and well thought of.
Deacons 3:8–13
Deacons must be dignified, sound in faith, tested and faithful at home; the women likewise.
The mystery of godliness 3:14–16
The purpose of the letter and the confession of Christ that the church upholds.
Part 3 · A good servant of Christ Jesus 4:1–16
Against teachings that forbid God's good gifts, Timothy must train for godliness, devote himself to Scripture and watch his life and teaching.
- 41 Timothy 4: Train yourself for godliness
Some will fall for teachings that forbid God's good gifts; Timothy must train for godliness and keep to the word.
Every creation of God is good 4:1–5 · Train yourself for godliness 4:6–10 · Set an example for the believers 4:11–16
Teachings of demons 4:1–5
Some will forbid marriage and foods, but all God created is good, received with thanksgiving.
Train yourself for godliness 4:6–16
Reject myths, train for godliness, set an example, read Scripture publicly, teach, and persevere.
Part 4 · The church as a family 5:1–6:2
Treat members as family, care for true widows, honor and discipline elders justly, and let slaves serve with honor.
- 51 Timothy 5: Honor the widows; honor the elders
Treat the church as family: care for true widows, honor and pay faithful elders, and deal justly with sin.
As to a father 5:1–2 · Widows who are truly widows 5:3–8 · A widow should be enrolled 5:9–16 · Worthy of double honor 5:17–20 · Without bias 5:21–25
Fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters 5:1–2
Treat each age and sex as family, in all purity.
True widows 5:3–16
Families care for their own; the church enrolls older widows known for good works.
Elders 5:17–25
Honor and support elders who rule well; receive charges fairly; rebuke sin; lay on hands with care.
Slaves and masters 6:1–2
Believing slaves honor their masters so that God's name is not slandered.
Part 5 · Godliness, not gain 6:3–21
False teachers seek gain; the man of God pursues godliness, keeps the charge until Christ appears, and guards the deposit.
- 61 Timothy 6: Godliness with contentment is great gain
False teachers trade godliness for gain; the man of God pursues godliness, fights the good fight and guards the deposit.
Under the yoke of slavery 6:1–2 · If anyone teaches another doctrine 6:3–5 · Godliness with contentment 6:6–10 · But you, O man of God 6:11–16 · Rich in good works 6:17–19 · Guard what has been entrusted to you 6:20–21
Godliness as gain 6:3–10
Proud teachers treat godliness as profit; but godliness with contentment is great gain.
But you, O man of God 6:11–16
Flee greed, pursue godliness, fight the good fight, keep the charge till Christ appears; praise the King.
The rich 6:17–19
Hope in God, not riches; be rich in good works and generous.
Guard the deposit 6:20–21
The last charge: guard what was entrusted, and turn from what is falsely called knowledge.
Plus What TheoMaps holds for the outline of 1 Timothy
- The 27 section notes, one for every section of 1 Timothy
- How each of its 18 movements leads into the next, in its own words
- The shape of 1 Timothy: 6 repeated words and phrases and 4 literary patterns
TheoMaps Plus opens the Outline of every book the way Genesis is open, on the map.