1 &

1 & 2 Timothy, Titus

The purpose of this lesson is to call attention to the similar themes in these three letters. The hope is that you will not only have further reason to understand that they were written in the same period of time, but also that you will be better equipped to profit from the instruction given by Paul.

Part 1: Gnosticism

We have talked about the characteristics of Gnosticism. (1) Explain how each passage below might be addressing Gnosticism, and (2) indicate which of these passages you believe were actually intended to address Gnositicm.

1 Tim. 1:3-4

As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine, neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith;

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1 Tim. 1:5-11

But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned: from which things some having swerved have turned aside unto vain talking; desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they confidently affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully, as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine; according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

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1 Tim. 2:5

For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, [himself] man, Christ Jesus

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1 Tim. 4:1-5

But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.

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1 Tim. 4:7-8

but refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.

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1 Tim. 6:3-5

If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.

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1 Tim. 6:16

who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honor and power eternal. (compare also chapter 1)

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1 Tim. 6:20-21

O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto [thee], turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you.

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Titus 1:14

not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.

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Titus 1:15

To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

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Titus 1:16

They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

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Titus 3:9

but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about law; for they are unprofitable and vain

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2 Tim. 2:14

Of these things put them in remembrance, charging [them] in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.

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2 Tim. 2:16-18

But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness, and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: or whom is Hymenaeus an Philetus; men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.

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2 Tim. 2:23-26

But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes. And the Lord's servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.

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2 Tim. 3:5

holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore.

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2 Tim. 3:6-9

For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth. Men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further. For their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.

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2 Tim. 3:14-17

But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Every scripture inspired of God [is] also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

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2 Tim. 4:3-4

For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.

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Part 2: Similarities between Paul's letters to Timothy and his letter to Titus

For each of the following, cite a passage or passages from 1 & 2 Timothy that are similar.

Titus 1:4 "to Titus, my true child after a common faith"

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Titus 1:5 "For this cause left I thee in Crete..."

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Titus 1:5-9 qualifications of overseers

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Titus 1:11 "teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake."

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Titus 1:14 " not giving heed to Jewish fables"

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Titus 2:2-6 mention of older men, older women, younger women and younger men

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Titus 2:5 "that the word of God be not blasphemed"

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Titus 2:7 "showing thyself an ensample of good works"

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Titus 2:9 "Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters"

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Titus 3:8 "Faithful is the saying"

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Titus 3:9 "but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about law; for they are unprofitable and vain."

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Part 3: Elders

It is sometimes assumed that the list of qualifications in Timothy (1 Tim. 3:1-7) must be identical to the one in Titus (Tit. 1:5-9). The reasoning is that Paul would not have told Timothy one thing and Titus a different thing. Certainly the lists are similar, but must we assume they are identical? If they are different, could either Timothy and/or Titus have had additional instruction that would have completed his understanding?

What evidence is there that Timothy already had some understanding of the qualifications of elders apart from Paul's letter to him? (See Acts 20:4-5, 17)

What evidence is there that Titus already had some understanding of the qualifications of elders apart from Paul's letter to him? (See Titus 1:5)