Introduction to

1 Timothy

he book of 1 Timothy amounts to a leadership training manual. Written by the apostle Paul to his young
apprentice, Timothy, it contains not only good instruction for emerging leaders, but also lists the qualifications
of a leader.
Paul and Timothy provide the clearest mentoring
relationship in Scripture of any since Elijah and Elisha.
Their story begins in Acts 16:13, when Timothy joined
Paul in Lystra. Paul invested in him for a long time, taking him on short-term mission trips, letting him preach,
leaving him to pastor a young church, and writing
instructional letters to him while apart. Paul would do
anything for his young protg. Note how Paul developed
Timothy as a leader.
First, we spot the Principle of Purposeful Pursuit. Paul
proactively identified a young leader he could develop.
He had been to Lystra and seen Timothy. His antennas
were up. He insisted his team go back to challenge and
invite the young man to join them.
Second, we see the Principle of Proven Potential. Paul
did his homework on Timothy. He recognized him as a
diamond in the rough. He watched Timothy prove himself in his hometown while growing up, and he knew
Timothys family and the spiritual stock he came from.
Third, Paul demonstrated the Principle of Practical
Patience. Paul patiently selected and mentored Timothy.
He was careful not to act prematurely and even advised
his student not to hasty in the laying on of hands (5:22).
He believed his team had acted too quickly in letting John
Mark travel with them (Ac 12:25), and he didnt want to
pick fruit too early.

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1442

A Leadership
Training Manual
Gods Role in
1Timothy

God plays out his role in 1Tim

othy as the One who develops
leaders who develop other
leaders. Our Lord is the Master
Developer who raised up Paul
the apostle to equip Timothy
to equip his church in Ephesus.
God revealed to Timothy the
fundamental principles and
guidelines for church leadership,
and the qualifications for overseers and their code of conduct.
Through this book God speaks
very personally to Timothy and
every spiritual leader.

Leaders in 1Timothy
Paul, Timothy, elders

Other People of
Influence in 1Timothy

Hymenaeus, Alexander, deacons

Lessons in Leadership

Leaders must live by a higher

standard than followers.
Leaders are not mass produced, but must be mentored one at a time.
Leaders must celebrate diversity, but confront deviancy.
The greatest contribution a
leader can make is to develop
more leaders.
Young leaders can influence
by their example, if nothing
else.
A leaders integrity will
directly affect his/her
influence.

4/4/14 9:14 AM

1443

Introduction to 1 Timothy

Fourth, notice the Principle of the Participatory Process. Paul recognized that he
was but one participant in a long line of contributors in Timothys life. In his second
letter, Paul reminds Timothy of his other mentors, including his mother and grandmother. Timothy had a strong heritage before Paul came along; Paul simply played his
role in the process.
Finally, we see the Principle of Passion and Pricetags. Paul made clear the price of
leadership in both of his letters to Timothy. After Paul found Timothy in Lystra, a mob
dragged the apostle out of the city, stoned him, and left him for dead. When he recovered, he returned, grabbed Timothy, and finished his work there. This kind of passion
for leadership drove Paul to reproduce leaders like Timothy.

Leadership Highlights in 1Timothy

LEADERSHIP by Objective (1:12)

page 1444

QUALIFICATIONS of Spiritual Leaders (3:113)

page 1445

THE QUALITIES of a Spiritual Leader (3:213)

page 1446

TIMOTHY:  An Unlikely Leader (4:12)

page 1447

THE LAW OF THE PICTURE:  The Most Important Lesson About Influence (4:1216)

page 1448

THE LAW OF EMPOWERMENT:  Timothy Was to Equip Elders (5:1722)

page 1449

MOTIVE CHECK:  Why You Do Something Determines What You Do (6:310, 1719)

page 1450

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1443

4/4/14 9:14 AM

1444

1 Timothy 1:1

Paul, an apost le of Christ Jesus by the com

mand of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus
our hope,
2To

Timot hy my true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Fat her

and C
hrist Jesus our Lord.
Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers
3As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,
stay t here in Ephesus so that you may command
certain people not to teach false doctrines any
longer 4or to devote themselves to m
yths and
endless genealogies. Such things promote con
troversial speculations rather than advancing
Gods work which is by faith. 5The goal of this
command is love, which comes from a pure heart
and a good conscience and a sincere f aith. 6Some
have departed from these and have turned to
meaningless talk. 7They want to be teachers of
the law, but they do not know what they are talk
ing about or what they so conf idently aff irm.
8We know that the law is good if one uses it
properly. 9We also know that the law is made not
for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels,
the ungodly and sinf ul, the unholy and irreli
gious, for t hose who kill t heir fat hers or moth

ers, for murderers, 10 for the sexua lly immora l,

for t hose practicing homosexua lity, for slave
traders and liars and perjurersand for what
ever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11t hat
conforms to the gospel concerning the glor y of
the blessed God, w
hich he entrusted tome.
The Lords Grace to Paul
12I t hank C
hrist Jesus our Lord, who has given
me strength, that he considered me trustworthy,

Humility:
Paul Never Forgot
Where He Came From
1 Timothy 1:1217

hile we know Paul as the greatest evangelist in history, he knew that, left to himself,
he was the worst sinner (1Ti 1:15). God chose him
because of his weakness, so that the Lord could
display his great patience and grace in him. The
more leaders mature, the more humble they
become.

Leadership by Objective
1 Timothy 1:12

aul wrote this book as a training manual for young Timothy and sent it to the young leader as he
attempted to pastor an intimidating church in Ephesus. Paul issues five charges for Timothy:

1.
First charge: Wage the good warfare (1:1820).
2.
Second charge: Conduct yourself worthy of Gods house (3:1415).
3.
Third charge: Do not neglect your gift (4:1116).
4.
Fourth charge: Observe these things without prejudice (5:21).
5.
Fifth charge: Guard what is committed to you (6:2021).
Paul communicates his purpose on several occasions. He declares it in 1 Timothy 1:5. Paul believed in
management by objective. He was quick to share his bottom line goals with his team and encouraged
them to meet those objectives in the manner that suited them best. He considered the mission, not the
methods, sacred. He teaches us that:
1.
Leaders manage goals. They let people choose their own methods.
2.
Leaders create atmosphere. They let people own their style.
3.
Leaders determine budget. They give ownership of how money is spent.
4.
Leaders choose priorities. They share activities with gifted people.
5.
Leaders train the team. They freely give away the credit for victories.

1 Timothy

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1444

4/4/14 9:14 AM

1445

appointing me to his serv ice. 13Even though I

was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a
violent man, I was shown mercy because I act
ed in ignorance and unbelief. 14The g race of our
Lord was poured out on me abundantly, a long
with the f aith and love that are in C
hrist Jesus.
15Here is a trustwort hy saying that deserves
full ac
cep
tance:
Christ
Jesus came into the
world to save sinnersof whom I am the w
orst.
16But for that very rea
son I was shown merc y
so that in me, the w
orst of sinners, Christ Jesus
might display his immense patience as an ex
ample for t hose who would believe in him and
receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal,
immortal, inv isible, the only God, be honor and
glor y for ever and ever. Amen.
The Charge to Timothy Renewed
18Timot hy, my son, I am giving you this com
mand in keeping with the prophecies once made
about you, so that by recalling them you may
f ight the batt le well, 19holding on to faith and a
good conscience, which some have rejected and
so have suffered shipw reck with regard to the
faith. 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alex
ander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be
taught not to blaspheme.
Instructions on Worship
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,
intercession and thanksgiving be made for
all people 2for kings and all those in authori
ty, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all
godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleas
es God our Savior, 4who wants all people to be
saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:12

Leaders Need
Prayer Partners
1 Timothy 2:14

hen we pray for God to change leaders,

we affect them and everyone who follows them. Praying for our leaders results in
an atmosphere conducive to the spreading of
the gospel. Every leader ought to be proactive,
recruiting and equipping a team of prayer partners, who will pray for their protection, wisdom
and strength.

5For

there is one God and one mediator between

God and mankind, the man C
hrist Jesus, 6who
gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has
now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7And
for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an
apostleI am telling the truth, I am not lying
and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.
8
Therefore I want the men everywhere to
pray, lifting up holy h
ands without anger or dis
ress mod
puting. 9I also want the women to d
estly, with decenc y and propriety, adorning
themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold
or pearls or expensive clothes, 10but with good
deeds, appropriate for women who profess to
worship God.
11 A woma n a
should learn in quietness and
full submission. 12I do not permit a woman to
teach or to assume authority over a man;b she
a11Or wife; also in verse12 b12Or over her husband

Qualifications of Spiritual Leaders

1 Timothy 3:11 3

n Pauls list of qualifications for church leaders, 1 Timothy 3:10 is key: They must first be tested. Every
leader should be tested before given an official position. The preparation of a leader is crucial to their
success. Frank Damazio outlines Pauls logic concerning leadership:

Leaders Salvation
Leadership is planted

as a seed.

Leaders Call
Leadership begins
to sprout.

Leaders Preparation
Leadership is tested
as a plant.

Leaders Position
Leadership matures
and bears fruit.

Paul gave this list of qualifications for two reasons: first, to provide guidelines for churches to select
leaders; second, to give church leaders a checkpoint for their own spiritual lives. Paul reminds us that
if anyone aspires to be a leader, he aspires to a noble task. To have the gifts and qualities and not take
on leadership positions may be disobedience. The desire, however, must be accompanied by discipline.

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1445

4/4/14 9:14 AM

1446

1 Timothy 2:13

must be quiet. 13For Adam was formed first,

then Eve. 14And Adam was not the one deceived;
it was the woman who was deceived and became
a sinner. 15 But women a will be saved through
childbearing if they continue in faith, love
and holiness with propriety.
Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever as
pires to be an overseer desires a noble task.
2
Now the over
seer is to be
above re
proach,
faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled,
respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not giv
en to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not
quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must
manage his own family well and see that his
children obey him, and he must do so in a man
ner wort hy of fullb respect. 5(If anyone does not
know how to manage his own family, how can
he take care of G
ods church?) 6He must not be a
recent convert, or he may become conceited and
fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He
must also have a good reputation with outsiders,
so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the
devils trap.
8In the same way, deaconsc are to be wort hy
of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,

and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must

keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with
a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested;
and then if there is nothing against them, let
them s erve as deacons.
11In the same way, the womend are to be wor
thy of respect, not malicious talkers but temper
ate and trustworthy in everything.
12A deacon must be faithful to his wife and
must manage his children and his household
well. 13Those who have served well gain an ex
cellent standing and great assurance in t heir
faith in Christ Jesus.
Reasons for Pauls Instructions
14A lt hough I hope to come to you soon, I am
writing you these instructions so that, 15if I am
delayed, you will know how people ought to con
duct themselves in Gods household, which is the
church of the living God, the pillar and founda
tion of the truth. 16Beyond all question, the mys
tery from w
hich true godliness s prings is great:
a15Greek she b4Or him with proper c8

The word
deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the
overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in
verse12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1. d11Possibly
deacons wives or women who are deacons

The Qualities of a Spiritual Leader

1 Timothy 3:21 3

hat sort of qualifications must church leaders possess? Paul lists the following traits:

1.
Blameless (v. 2)Question: Am I quick to improve those areas that can damage my integrity?
2.
Husband of one wife (v. 2)Question: Am I loving my wife as Christ loved the church?
3.
Temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior (v. 2)Question: Am I master of myself, that I may be a
servant to many?
4.
Hospitable (v. 2)Question: Do I exhibit a warm and welcoming spirit?
5.
Able to teach (v. 2)Question: Do I consistently help others learn and become better disciples?
6.
Not given to wine (v. 3)Question: Am I sober, watchful, and diligent, so that I do not damage those
who watch me?
7.
Not violent, not quarrelsome (v. 3)Question: Do I have an approachable disposition that brings
peace and healing?
8.
Not greedy, not covetous (v. 3)Question: Am I allowing my leadership to be controlled by the rich?
9.
Rules his own house well (vv. 45)Question: Do I manage my own family before I try to manage the
church?
10.
Not a novice (v. 6)Question: Am I a seasoned, solid example for both insiders and outsiders?

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1446

4/4/14 9:14 AM

1447

He appeared in the flesh,

was vindicated by the Spirit,a
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.

The Spirit clearly says that in later times

some will abandon the faith and follow de
ceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
2 Such teachi ngs come t hrough hypocritical li
ars, whose consciences have been s eared as with
a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marr y and or
der them to abstain from certain foods, which

The Law of Solid Ground:

Timothy Must Earn Trust
1 Timothy 4:116

very spiritual leader faces at least two important duties. First, they must confront those
who fall away from the faith (1Ti 4:16). Second,
they must discipline themselves for godliness
(4:716). When leaders fulfill these two duties,
they practice the Law of Solid Ground and earn
the trust of others.

Profile
in leadership

TIMOTHY

1 Timothy 4:13

God created to be received with thanksgiving by

those who believe and who know the truth. 4For
everyt hing God created is good, and nothing is
to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5be
cause it is consecrated by the word of God
and prayer.
6If you p
oint these things out to the broth
ers and sisters,b you will be a good minister of
Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the f aith
and of the good teaching that you have followed.
7
Have nothing to do with godless myths and
old w ives tales; rather, train yourself to be god
ly. 8For physical training is of some value, but
godliness has value for all things, holding prom
ise for both the present life and the life to come.
9T his is a trustwort hy saying that deserves full
acceptance. 10That is why we labor and strive,
because we have put our hope in the living God,
who is the Savior of all people, and especially of
t hose who believe.
11 Command and teach t hese t hings. 12Dont
let anyone look down on you because you are
young, but set an example for the believers in
speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in pu
rit y. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the pub
lic reading of Scripture, to preaching and to
a16Or vindicated in spirit b6

The Greek word for brothers

and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and
women, as part of Gods family.

An Unlikely Leader
1 Timothy 4:12

othing can make someone more unlikelyeven unwillingto lead than feelings
of inadequacy.
Timothy, the young protg of the apostle Paul, must have felt much as Moses did
when God called him to lead Israel out of Egyptian captivity. Moses felt inadequate for
the task, and likely so did Timothy.
We can identify any number of reasons that Timothy might have felt unfit to accept his
assignment as pastor of the Ephesian church. He was too young and too inexperienced,
and the church seemed too large for a first pastoral assignment. Besides, how could he
take over for the churchs founder, Paul? Would anyone take him seriously?
Never mind all that, Paul tells him in his letter. If you follow my instructions, you will
be more than able to do the job. Dont let anyone look down on you because of your
relative youth and inexperience. Rather, be the kind of example of godliness that wont
allow anyone to treat you with anything but respect.
God doesnt necessarily choose leaders based on their natural talent or ability. Neither
does he always choose them based on their age and experience. As Paul tells Timothy,
God chooses leaders based on their availability, not their ability; on their willingness to
walk in obedience to him, not their experience.

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1447

4/4/14 9:14 AM

1 Timothy 4:14

1448

The Law of the Picture:

The Most Important Lesson
About Influence
1 Timothy 4:1216

ow could Timothy prevent anyone from

looking down on him because of his youth?
He could do it by being an example; this would
ensure his effectiveness (1Ti 4:1516). The more
you walk, the less you have to talk. Live the life
in front of the ones you seek to influence. Our
leadership is more caught than taught. People
would rather see a sermon than hear one.

teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was

given you t hrough prophecy when the body of
elders laid t heir h
ands on you.
15Be dil
igent in these matters; give yourself
wholly to them, so that everyone may see your
progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely.
Persevere in them, because if you do, you will
save both yourself and your hearers.
Widows, Elders andSlaves
Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but
exhort him as if he were your fat her. Treat
youn
ger men as broth
ers, 2 older women as
mothers, and younger women as sisters, with
absolute purit y.
3 Give proper recognit ion to t hose widows
who are really in need. 4But if a widow has chil
dren or grandchildren, t hese should learn f irst of
all to put their religion into practice by caring for
their own family and so repaying their parents
and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
5
The widow who is really in need and left all
alone puts her hope in God and continues n
ight
and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6But the
widow who lives for pleasure is dead even w
hile
she lives. 7Give the people these instructions, so
that no one may be open to b
lame. 8Anyone who
does not provide for t heir relatives, and especial
ly for their own household, has denied the faith
and is w
orse than an unbeliever.
9
No widow may be put on the list of wid
ows unless she is over sixt y, has been faithf ul to
her husband, 10and is well k nown for her good
deeds, such as bringing up children, showing
hospitalit y, washing the feet of the Lords peo
ple, helping t hose in trouble and devoting her
self to all k inds of good deeds.

11As

for younger widows, do not put them on

such a list. For when t heir sensua l desires over
come their dedication to C
hrist, they want to
marr y. 12Thus they bring judgment on them
selves, be
cause they have bro
ken their first
pledge. 13Besides, they get into the habit of being
idle and going about from house to house. And
not only do they become idlers, but also busy
bodies who talk nonsense, saying things they
ought not to. 14So I counsel younger widows to
marr y, to have children, to manage t heir homes
and to give the enemy no opportunit y for slan
der. 15Some have in fact already turned away to
follow Satan.
16If any woma n who is a bel iever has widows
in her care, she should continue to help them
and not let the church be burdened with them,
so that the church can help t hose widows who
are really in need.
17
The el
ders who di
rect the af
fairs of the
church well are worthy of double honor, especial
ly those whose work is preaching and teaching.
18For Scripture says, Do not muzzle an ox while

The Law of Priorities:

Leadership Begins at Home,
Then Goes Public

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1448

1 Timothy 5:8

n the midst of all his teaching about how

believers are to relate to one another in the
church, Paul prioritizes Timothys leadership as
a pastor. If anyone doesnt provide for his own
home, the apostle declares, he cannot expect
to provide for the church with any integrity
(1Ti5:8).
Leadership starts at home. If it doesnt work
at home, dont export it. Pastors, especially,
must heed this warning. Leadership works best
when it is prioritized as follows:

1. I am first a person. I must prioritize my own

relationship with God.

2. Second, I am a partner. I must prioritize my

relationship with my spouse.

3. Third, I am a parent. I must prioritize my

relationship with my children.

4. Fourth, I am a pastor. I must prioritize my

relationship with my ministry.

4/4/14 9:14 AM

1449

it is treading out the grain,a and The worker de

serves his wages.b 19Do not entertain an accusa
tion against an elder unless it is brought by two
or three witnesses. 20But those elders who are sin
ning you are to reprove before everyone, so that
the others may take warning. 21I charge you, in
the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the e lect
angels, to keep these instructions without par
tiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
22Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,
and do not s hare in the sins of others. Keep your
self pure.
23Stop drink
ing only water, and use a little
wine because of your stomach and your frequent
illnesses.
24T he sins of some are obv ious, reachi ng the
place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of oth
ers t rail behind them. 25In the same way, good
deeds are obv ious, and even t hose that are not
obv ious cannot remain hidden forever.
All who are under the yoke of slavery should
consider their masters worthy of full re
spect, so that Gods name and our teaching may

The Law of Empowerment:

Timothy Was to Equip Elders
1 Timothy 5:172 2

eaders are crucial to any organization. Mistakes made at the leadership level impact
everyone. As the senior pastor, Timothy was to
identify, prepare, and affirm his church leaders.
He was to honor those who served well (1Ti 5:17
18), correct those in error (5:1921), and prepare
those who were called, patiently and carefully
(5:22). Nothing should be done in haste.
Consider the steps Paul endorsed concerning
the establishment of leaders in the church:

1.
Identification: Identify those with character, gifts and influence.
2.
Separation: Set them apart for the work of
their calling.
3.
Preparation: Equip them with the tools and
experiences they need.
4.
Recognition: Allow the church to affirm
their calling.
5.
Ordination: Lay hands on them and ordain
them for the work.

1 Timothy 6:17

not be slandered. 2Those who have believing

masters should not show them disrespect just
because they are fellow believers. Instead, they
should serve them even better because their
masters are dear to them as fellow believers and
are devoted to the welfarec of t heir s laves.
False Teachers and the Love of Money
These are the t hings you are to teach and in
sist on. 3If anyone teaches otherw ise and does
not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord
Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4t hey are
conceited and understand nothing. They have
an unhealthy interest in controversies and quar
rels about w
ords that result in envy, strife, mali
cious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction
between people of corrupt mind, who have been
robbed of the truth and who think that godli
ness is a m
eans to financial gain.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7For we brought nothing into the world, and we
can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and
clothing, we will be content with that. 9Those who
want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and
into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge
people into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of
money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people,
eager for money, have wandered from the faith
and p
ierced themselves with many griefs.
Final Charge to Timothy
11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and
pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, en
durance and gent leness. 12Fight the good fight
of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which
you were c alled when you made your good con
fession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In
the sight of God, who gives life to everything,
and of C
hrist Jesus, who while testifying be
fore Pontius Pilate made the good confession,
I charge you 14to keep this command without
spot or b
lame until the appearing of our Lord
ring about in
Jesus Christ, 15which God will b
his own timeGod, the blessed and only Ruler,
the King of k ings and Lord of lords, 16 who a lone
is immortal and who lives in unapproachable
light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him
be honor and m
ight forever. Amen.
17Command t hose who are rich in this pres
ent world not to be arrogant nor to put their
hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put
t heir hope in God, who richly prov ides us with
a18Deut.25:4 b18Luke 10:7 c2Or and benefit from

the service

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1449

4/4/14 9:14 AM

1450

1 Timothy 6:18

everyt hing for our enjoyment. 18 Command

them to do good, to be rich in good d
eeds, and
to be generous and willing to share. 19In this
way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a
firm foundation for the coming age, so that they
may take hold of the life that is truly life.

20 Timot hy,

g uard what has been entrusted

to your care. Turn away from godless chatter
and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called
knowledge, 21which some have professed and in
so doing have departed from the faith.
Grace be with you all.

Motive Check: Why You Do Something

Determines What You Do
1 Timothy 6:310, 1719

ecause our motives eventually determine our direction, Paul taught that right motives were even
more important for the leader than right moves. Note Pauls teaching on motives:

1.
The evidence of wrong motives (v. 3)
The leaders doctrine drifts and the teaching does not produce godliness.
2.
The nature of wrong motives (vv. 45)
The proud leader stirs division and pursues personal gain.
3.
The results of wrong motives (vv. 910)
The leader falls into temptation, wanders from the faith, and destroys himself or herself.
So how are we to watch our motives? What key principles should we keep in mind?

1. Trouble comes when leadership performs for the wrong reasons.

2. Spiritual leadership brings rewards, so long as the rewards dont control us.

3. Prosperity is everything God gives you above food and covering.

4. We must be content with Gods provision and placement.

5. We must remain dissatisfied with our own fruitfulness and pursuit of God.

6. Wrong motives can lead to wrong moves, and even disqualify us for leadership.

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1450

4/4/14 9:14 AM

Introduction to

2 Timothy

ou can often tell what is important to a man by listening to his last words. Deathbed statements and
confessions have furnished the themes of movies and
books for decades. David Livingston uttered his last
words in prayer for the tribes he tried to reach in Africa.
Jesus last words make up the Great Commission. And we
read the apostle Pauls last words in 2 Timothy.
This epistle is the last extant book written by the
great first-century leader. In it he communicates several
crucial issues with his spiritual son Timothy, the young
pastor of the church in Ephesus. Paul had been his mentor and discipler. This letter contains the apostles final
lessons for his protg.
Paul exhorts Timothy to stir up his leadership gifts.
Timothy, young and timid, at times felt overwhelmed by
his leadership role. Paul reminds Timothy of the day he
laid his hands on him and commissioned him for ministry. Now Timothy needs to fan into flame those God-
given gifts and use them without fear or shame.
Paul also motivates Timothy with word pictures. In
chapter two alone the apostle uses seven leadership metaphors: teacher, soldier, athlete, farmer, worker, vessel and
servant. These pictures portray a leader who is generous,
disciplined, patient, rugged, tenacious, pure, hardworking, and sacrificial.
Paul also mentors his young leader in how to face
difficult times. He reviews with him the culture around
him and warns him of coming opposition. He describes
the gospel as a trust to be preserved, a tool to be proven,
and a treasure to be prized. Timothy is to advance this
gospel beyond where Paul has taken it.
Finally, Paul challenges Timothy to carry on his

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1451

Final Lessons
for a Protg
Gods Role in
2Timothy

God made sure that Paul spoke

to the heart of a leader, not
merely to the head. While
the book contains practical
instructions for the mind and
challenging exhortations for the
will, God delivers through Pauls
pen words that fly straight to
the heart and the emotions of
Timothy.
Any leader can receive valuable
encouragement from this letter.
It calls leaders to lead out of
their souls and their convictions,
to stand for what is right even
when no one else does, to finish
well, regardless of the moral
failure of the world. God speaks
very personally and mentors us
to be his kind of leadersgood
ones and not evil, great ones
instead of miserable.

Leaders in 2Timothy
Paul, Timothy

Other People of
Influence in 2Timothy
Demas, Crescens, Carpus, Titus,
Luke, John Mark, Alexander

Lessons in Leadership

We are most effective when

we lead in the area of our gifts.
Leaders are to equip and
develop other leaders who
will do the same.
Leaders set the standard
for excellence, morality,
productivity and atmosphere.

4/4/14 9:14 AM

Introduction to 2 Timothy

1452

legacy. He speaks as a mentor, particularly at the end of

his book, and charges him to lead with conviction, to
preach the gospel just as he had received it, and to reproduce other leaders to be as faithful as he has been. This
kind of labor will bring a heavenly crown of reward.

The pathway to effective

leadership is uphill with lots
of hurdles along the way.
Leaders must consciously
work to finish well.
Spiritual leaders who finish
well will be rewarded richly.

Leadership Highlights in 2Timothy

PAUL AND THE LAW OF EXPLOSIVE GROWTH:  To Add Growth,
Lead FollowersTo Multiply, Lead Leaders (2:1)

page 1454

THE LAW OF EMPOWERMENT:  God Gives Us What We Need to Lead (1:78)

page 1456

COURAGE:  The Process of Taking a Stand (2:223:17)

page 1457

THE LAW OF PRIORITIES:  Timothys Three Priorities (4:18)

page 1458

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1452

4/4/14 9:14 AM

1453

Paul, an apost le of Christ Jesus by the will of

God, in keeping with the promise of life that
is in C
hrist Jesus,
2To

Timothy, my dear son:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Fat her

and C
hrist Jesus our Lord.
Thanksgiving
3
I thank God, whom I serve, as my ances
tors did, with a clear conscience, as night and
day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that
I may be f illed with joy. 5I am reminded of your
sincere faith, w
hich first lived in your grand
mother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I
am persuaded, now l ives in you also.
Appeal for Loyalty to Paul andtheGospel
6
For this reason I remind you to fan into
f lame the gift of God, which is in you t hrough
the laying on of my hands. 7For the Spirit God
gave us does not make us timid, but gives us
power, love and self-discipline. 8So do not be
ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or
of me his prisoner. Rat her, join with me in suf

Gifts: We Are Most

Effective When We
Lead from Our Gifts
2 Timothy 1:57

ur leadership will always be most natural,

most effective and most influential when
we lead from our gifts and strengths. Then it
wont be forced, feel awkward, seem artificial,
or copy someone else. Effective leadership
occurs when we lead from our own identity.
Paul believed Timothys leadership would grow
strong when he remembered three truths:

1.
His secure heritage (v. 5)
Paul reminded Timothy of the spiritual
foundation his family gave him.
2.
His spiritual gift (v. 6)
Paul reminded Timothy to stir up the gifts
inside him and lead from those gifts.
3. His solid conviction (v. 7)
Paul reminded Timothy that God didnt
give him fear, but the tools to do the job.

2 Timothy

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1453

2 Timothy 2:10

fering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9He

has saved us and called us to a holy lifenot
because of anyt hing we have done but because
of his own purpose and g race. This grace was
given us in C
hrist Jesus before the beginning
of time, 10but it has now been revealed t hrough
the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who
has destroyed death and has brought life and
immortalit y to light t hrough the gospel. 11And
of this gospel I was appointed a hera ld and an
apostle and a teacher. 12That is why I am suf
fering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame,
because I know whom I have believed, and am
conv inced that he is able to g uard what I have
entrusted to him until that day.
13W hat you heard from me, keep as the pat
tern of sound teaching, with faith and love in
Christ Jesus. 14Guard the good deposit that was
entrusted to youguard it with the help of the
Holy Spirit who l ives inus.
Examples of Disloyalty andLoyalty
15You know that everyone in the provi nce of
Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and
Hermogenes.
16May the Lord show merc y to the household
of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me
and was not ashamed of my chains. 17On the
contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched
hard for me until he found me. 18May the Lord
grant that he will find merc y from the Lord on
that day! You know very well in how many ways
he h
elped me in Ephesus.
The Appeal Renewed
You then, my son, be s trong in the g race that
is in Christ Jesus. 2And the t hings you have
heard me say in the presence of many witnesses
entrust to reliable people who will also be qual
if ied to teach others. 3Join with me in suffering,
like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serv
ing as a soldier gets entangled in civ ilian affairs,
but rather tries to please his commanding off i
cer. 5Similarly, anyone who competes as an ath
lete does not receive the victors crown except by
competing according to the rules. 6The hard
working farmer s hould be the f irst to receive a
share of the crops. 7Ref lect on what I am saying,
for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the
dead, descended from Dav id. This is my gospel,
9for which I am suffering even to the point of
being chained like a criminal. But G
ods word
is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everyt hing
for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain

4/4/14 9:14 AM

21 LAWS
PAUL AND THE LAW OF EXPLOSIVE GROWTH
To Add Growth, Lead FollowersTo Multiply, Lead Leaders
2 Timothy 2:1
LEADERS WHO develop followers grow
their organization only one person at a
time. But leaders who develop leaders
multiply their growth, because for every
leader they develop, they also receive all of
that leaders followers. Add ten followers to
your organization, and you have the power
of ten people. Add ten leaders to your
organization, and you have the power of
ten leaders times all the followers and leaders they influence. Thats the difference
between addition and multiplication. Its
like growing your organization by teams
instead of by individuals.

Paul was a master of explosive growth.

He dedicated himself to people and activities that would impact the world. His strategy remains as effective today as it was two
thousand years ago. To promote explosive
growth...
1. Attract and equip people.
Everywhere Paul went, he gathered listeners and taught them. Paul would enter
a town and begin teachingfor days,
months, and sometimes years. No matter
where he went, he continually equipped as
many people as possible.
2. Find and mentor emerging leaders.
Paul mentored too many leaders to
count. Some of them, such as Silas, came to
him already possessing influence and leadership skills (Ac 15:22). Others were homegrown, such as Timothy (1Ti 1:2). But no

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1454

matter their background, Paul took them

with him as he worked, preached, and led.
Then he turned them loose, giving them
responsibility and authority.
3. Create new organizations.
Paul didnt hoard the leaders he developed. He raised up leaders to multiply and
extend his influence. And he did it with a
strategyhe planted churches. Wherever
he traveled, he left a church with leaders to
carry on the ministry.
4. Engage in the ongoing development
of leaders.
Paul visited the leaders in his churches
to follow up with them, encourage them,
and give them direction. Pauls second
missionary journey began with the following suggestion: Let us go back and visit
the believers in all the towns where we
preached the word of the Lord and see how
they are doing (Ac 15:36).
You can achieve a large vision only
through explosive growth. Anything less
will leave you far short of your dreams.
But becoming an explosive-growth leader
requires more than a change in the way
you work; it requires a change in the way
you think.

Leaders Who Gather Followers vs.

Leaders Who Develop Leaders
Consider seven major differences
between leaders who gather followers and
leaders who develop other leaders:

4/4/14 9:14 AM

1. Leaders who gather followers need to be

needed; leaders who develop leaders want
to be succeeded.
Many who desire to lead followers do so
because followers stroke their egos. They
feel indispensable. But leaders who develop
leaders work to make themselves dispensable. They dont want a following, but a
legacy.
2. Leaders who gather followers focus on
peoples weaknesses; leaders who develop
leaders focus on their strengths.
Ineffective leaders focus on their followers weaknesses, sometimes out of misunderstanding the way development and
encouragement work, other times because
of insecuritythey want to keep their followers off-balance. But strong leaders focus
on their peoples strengths because they
know that is the key to developing people.
3. Leaders who gather followers focus on the
bottom 20 percent; leaders who develop
leaders focus on the top 20 percent.
Explosive-growth leaders focus on the
best in their leaders; they also focus on the
best potential leaders. In contrast, leaders
of followers usually give their attention to
the loudest and most difficult people, the
ones who take and take, giving nothing in
return.
4. Leaders who gather followers treat everyone the same; leaders who develop leaders
treat people as individuals.
When Paul went on his missionary journeys, he didnt try to take everybody with
him. Nor did he give everyone an equal
chance to oversee the churches he started.
He treated each person he encountered
according to his gifts, calling, and willingness to grow.

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1455

5. Leaders who gather followers spend their

time; leaders who develop leaders invest
their time.
Everywhere Paul went, he took companions. He considered the time he spent with
them an investment. And if he didnt see
a returnas in the case of John Mark (Ac
13:13)Paul felt reluctant to keep investing in them (15:3740). Think of your work
with emerging leaders as an opportunity to
invest in them.
6. Leaders who gather followers ask for little
commitment; leaders who develop leaders
ask for great commitment.
Following a leader takes commitment.
But its nothing compared to the commitment of a follower who is asked to lead
others. As you ask people to step up to
leadership, dont treat your request lightly.
Let them know to what you are asking
them to commit. Acquaint them with the
sacrifice and the service that come with
leadership.
7. Leaders who gather followers impact this
generation; leaders who develop leaders
impact future generations.
People who lead followers impact only
the individuals whose lives they touch personally. But people who develop and lead
leaders extend their reach.
It takes a good leader to gather a group
of followers and lead them to achieve a
worthy goal. But it takes a great leader to
lead other leadersand thats the only
kind of leader who can take an organization to the highest level and achieve explosive growth.

4/4/14 9:14 AM

2 Timothy 2:11

1456

The Law of Empowerment:

God Gives Us What
We Need to Lead
2 Timothy 1:78

od always gives us what we need to lead.

Paul reminded Timothy that God didnt
give him the timidity he felt; that came either
from Timothys own baggage or from the pit of
hell itself. Instead, God equipped him with love,
power and a sound mind. All leaders need these
three fundamental tools:
Love: The relational ingredient that enables us to
attract and connect with others.
Power: The courage and competence to get the
job done.
Sound mind: The perspective and wisdom to
grasp a vision and take the right steps.
Because God has so equipped us, he instructs
us to not be ashamed... join with me in suffering (2Ti 1:8). God gave Timothy (and us!)
everything needed to accomplish the job. He
empowers us before he ever expects from us.
He gives before he demands. We receive his
competence before we receive his commands.

the salvation that is in C

hrist Jesus, with eternal
glor y.
11Here is a trustwort hy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
Dealing With False Teachers
14 Keep remindi ng Gods people of t hese
t hings. Warn them before God against quarrel
ing about words; it is of no value, and only ru
ins t hose who listen. 15Do your best to present
yourself to God as one approved, a worker who
does not need to be ashamed and who correctly
handles the word of t ruth. 16Avoid godless chat
ter, because t hose who indulge in it will become
more and more ungodly. 17Their teaching will

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1456

s pread like gangrene. Among them are Hyme

naeus and Philetus, 18who have departed from
the truth. They say that the resurrection has al
ready taken p
lace, and they destroy the faith of
some. 19 Nevert heless, Gods solid foundation
stands firm, s ealed with this inscription: The
Lord k nows t hose who are his, and, Everyone
who confesses the name of the Lord must turn
away from wickedness.
20In a large house t here are art icles not only of
gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some
are for special purposes and some for common
use. 21Those who cleanse themselves from the
latter will be instruments for special purposes,
made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to
do any good work.
22
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue
righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with
those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23Dont have anything to do with foolish and stu
pid arguments, because you know they produce
quarrels. 24And the Lords servant must not be
quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able
to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be
gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant

Portraits of a Leader
2 Timothy 2:22 6

aul was a master at using metaphors to illustrate what a leader should look like. Right
after he encourages Timothy to be strong (2Ti
2:1), he gives him seven snapshots of what he
meant:

1.
A teacher (v. 2)
A leader is to be reproductive.
2.
A soldier (vv. 34)
A leader is to be loyal.
3.
An athlete (v. 5)
A leader is to be disciplined.
4.
A farmer (vv. 67)
A leader is to be a hard worker.
5.
A worker (vv. 1519)
A leader is to be diligent.
6.
A vessel (vv. 2022)
A leader is to be pure.
7.
A servant (vv. 2326)
A leader is to be submissive.

4/4/14 9:14 AM

1457

2 Timothy 3:16

Courage: The Process of Taking a Stand

2 Timothy 2:223 :17

aul knew how important it was to encourage Timothy, for the young leader would have to take a
stand in many tough situations. So he charged him to take courage and do what was right in difficult
times.
Courage is the first essential quality for effective leadership. Leaders initiate and take a stand even
when no one else travels with them. Paul prepares Timothy for this act with his words:

1.
There is something to prevent (2:2223).
Leaders must flee temptations, such as pleasure and power, that ruin their personal lives.
2.
There are some things to pursue (2:22).
Leaders must chase after qualities that will build their character and integrity.
3.
There are some things to portray (2:2426).
Leaders must model right attitudes so that others will want to submit to God.
4.
There are some things to perceive (3:19).
Leaders must read the times and take responsibility to hold firm to what is right.
5.
There is something to pronounce (3:1017).
Leaders must hold forth Gods Word and use it as a standard for training.

them repentance leading them to a knowledge of

the truth, 26and that they will come to t heir sens
es and escape from the trap of the devil, who has
taken them captive to do his will.
But mark this: There will be terrible times in
the last days. 2People will be lovers of them
selves, lovers of money, boastful, p
roud, abusive,
disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 w ithout love, unforg ivi ng, slanderous, with
out self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
4 t reacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure
rather than lovers of God5having a form of
godliness but denying its power. Have nothing
to do with such people.
6T hey are the kind who worm t heir way into
homes and gain control over gullible women,
who are loaded down with sins and are swayed
by all k inds of evil desires, 7 a lways learning but
never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.
8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so
also these teachers oppose the truth. They are
men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith
is concerned, are rejected. 9But they will not get
very far because, as in the case of those men,
t heir folly will be c lear to everyone.

A Final Charge to Timothy

10You, however, know all a
bout my teaching,
my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love,
endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings what

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1457

k inds of things happened to me in Antioch, Ico

nium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet
the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12In fact,
everyone who wants to live a godly life in C
hrist
Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and
impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving
and being deceived. 14But as for you, continue
in what you have learned and have become con
vinced of, because you know t hose from whom
you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have
k nown the Holy Scriptures, which are able to
make you wise for salvation through faith in
Christ Jesus. 16A ll Scripture is God-breathed
and is usef ul for teaching, rebuking, correcting

The Law of Sacrifice:

Timothy Must
Give Up to Go Up
2 Timothy 3:1017

aul called Timothy to surrender many of the

comforts he could have enjoyed as a pastor. Paul teaches us how to handle sacrifices by
addressing our example as a leader (2Ti 3:10
13), our experience as a leader (3:1415), and our
equipping as a leader (3:1617).

4/4/14 9:14 AM

2 Timothy 3:17

1458

The Word of God:

An Equipping Tool
2 Timothy 3:1617

he Scripture is a thorough equipping tool,

providing doctrine, reproof, correction and
instruction, so that everyone may be equipped
for every good work (2Ti 3:1617). Using Scripture, the leader is to lay the foundation, provide
direction, confront others when they err, correct
their behavior, and help them progress again.

and training in righteousness, 17so that the ser

vant of Goda may be thoroughly equipped for
every good work.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead, and
in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give
you this charge: 2Preach the word; be prepared
in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and
encourage with great patience and caref ul in
struction. 3For the time will come when people
will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to
suit their own desires, they will gather around
them a g reat number of teachers to say what

The Law of Priorities:

Timothys Three Priorities
2 Timothy 4:18

auls last written communication reveals a

sense of urgency. He wastes no words; every
one of them counts. More than any other passage, this text tells us what is most important
to Paul, the leader. He challenges Timothy with
three priorities:

1.
Preach the Word (vv. 12).
Timothy must keep the message alive,
teaching urgently, persistently, and with
conviction.
2.
Do the work (vv. 35).
Timothy was to do the work of an evangelist, fulfilling his call, reaching his potential.
3.
Run the race (vv. 68).
Timothy was to emulate Paul, who finished his course and won the prize.

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1458

t heir itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn

their ears away from the truth and turn aside
to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situa
tions, endure hardship, do the work of an evan
gelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6
For I am already being poured out like a
drink offering, and the time for my departure
is near. 7I have f ought the good f ight, I have fin
ished the race, I have kept the f aith. 8 Now t here
is in store for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award
to me on that dayand not only to me, but also
to all who have longed for his appearing.
Personal Remarks
9Do your best to come to me quickly, 10for De
mas, because he loved this world, has deserted
me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has
gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only
Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with
you, because he is helpf ul to me in my ministry.
12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13W hen you come,
bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas,
and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14 A lexa nder the meta lworker did me a g reat
deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what
he has done. 15You too s hould be on your g uard
against him, because he strongly opposed our
message.
16At my f irst defense, no one came to my sup
port, but everyone deserted me. May it not be
held against them. 17But the Lord stood at my
side and gave me s trength, so that t hrough me
the message might be fully proclaimed and all
the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered
from the lions mouth. 18The Lord will rescue
me from every evil attack and will b
ring me
safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glor y
for ever and ever. Amen.
a17Or that you, a man of God,

The Law of Legacy

2 Timothy 4:68

auls deathbed was no place of sorrow. He

had planted churches, mentored leaders,
established doctrine, and written epistles. The
only thing left was his homecoming. Paul saw
life as a race to be won, a battle to be fought,
and a trust to be kept (2Ti 4:7). His crown
awaited him.

4/4/14 9:14 AM

1459

Mentoring: Paul and

Timothy Both Fulfill the Call
2 Timothy 4:921

rom many of the leaders in whom Paul

invested, he also needed an investment in
return. He acknowledges he needs Timothy (2Ti
4:9), Mark (4:11) and the books of Carpus (4:13).
Paul poured his life into every one of them and
received from every one of them.

9781401679781_int_06_rom_rev_niv_Maxwell_FINAL.indd 1459

2 Timothy 4:22

Final Greetings
19 Greet Priscilla a and Aqu ila and the house
hold of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus stayed in Cor
inth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21Do
your best to get here before winter. Eubulus
greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia
and all the brothers and sisters.b
22T he Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with
you all.
a19Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla b21

The Greek
word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers,
both men and women, as part of Gods family.

4/4/14 9:14 AM