A Treasure Entrusted

This is the first letter Paul writes to Timothy. This letter along with 2 Timothy and Titus form what is often called the Pastoral Epistles. They are letters written by Paul, the apostle, to two young pastors giving them instructions on how to lead the church. While seen as a kind of pastors' church manual, it is profitable for all Christians to understand how the church is to be centered and structured and how it ought to function. We see the purpose of the letter in chapter 3:14-15 "I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth." Paul is giving his son in the faith instruction for how the people of God ought to behave in the church. In this letter, we will look at the doctrine of the church, the worship of the church, the leadership of the church, how to care for the aged and the young, and many other wonderful truths. Yet the letter begins and ends with the apostle Paul charging Timothy to promote and protect sound doctrine, because sound doctrine promotes healthy churches who can wisely navigate life in a fallen world.