Opening Up 1 Timothy
Overview
1 Timothy is an urgent letter to a Christian in the thick of a crisis and a call to the local church to get on with the job God has called it to do—spreading the good news! Simon Robinson applies this message incisively to modern readers.
Top Highlights
“In their misuse of the law, the new teachers put the emphasis on what people could do, while Paul emphasized what God had done. They drew people away from God’s offer of forgiveness, while Paul led people to it.” (Page 23)
“The law shows us where we stand before God, but it cannot bring us forgiveness and change our lives. Only the good news can do that.” (Page 22)
“In the New Testament the word ‘overseer’ is interchangeable with the word ‘elder’. The distinction between them is best understood as follows: ‘elder’ describes the man for who he is—a mature Christian who is in a position of leadership in a local church—and ‘overseer’ describes what he does—the Greek word means that he ‘watches over’ God’s people.” (Page 54)
“Paul cannot be saying that every kind of teaching is forbidden to women. Rather, he is saying that women should not be allowed to teach God’s Word in the public worship of the local church.” (Pages 48–49)
“Kent Hughes said, ‘Christian ministry is all about character. Lose your character and you lose your ministry.” (Page 58)
- Title: Opening Up 1 Timothy
- Author: Simon Robinson
- Publisher: Day One
- Publication Date: 2004
- Pages: 128
Simon Robinson has been in pastoral ministry since 1988 and is currently minister of the Walton Evangelical Church, Chesterfield. He is author of Improving Your Quiet Time, Growing for God, and Jesus: The Life-Changer. He and his wife, Hazel, have two sons, Andrew and Matthew.