Rich in doctrine, the two epistles of Paul to Timothy contain instructions to one in a position of leadership as he ministers to the needs of church members in his charge. As such it might be considered a parallel to the instruction given by general Church leaders in modern times at regional representatives seminars, area training meetings and regional council meetings.

For example, the qualifications for bishops and deacons are clearly set forth in 1 Tim. 3:1-13.Paul's counsel in the two epistles is strikingly relevant to modern times. Indeed, some of it is prophetic. Two admonitions that are particularly timeless are to beware of false doctrine and to be an example of the believers.

He warned that some had swerved from the doctrine of charity, purity of heart and faith unfeigned, and had "turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm." (1 Tim. 1:6-7.)

Prophecies about false doctrine and apostasy in the latter days are also given: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." (1 Tim. 4:1.)

Also, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim. 4:3-4.)

President Joseph F. Smith wrote: "Among the Latter-day Saints, the preaching of false doctrine disguised as truths of the gospel may be expected from people of two classes, and practically from these only; they are:

"First - The hopelessly ignorant, whose lack of intelligence is due to their indolence and sloth, who make but feeble effort, if indeed any at all, to better themselves by reading and study; those who are afflicted with a dread disease that may develop into an incurable malady - laziness.

"Second - The proud and self-vaunting ones, who read by the lamp of their own conceit; who interpret by rules of their own contriving; who have become a law unto themselves, and so pose as the sole judges of their own doings. More dangerously ignorant than the first."

Regarding being an example, Paul's charge to Timothy in 1 Tim. 4:12 was "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

President Joseph F. Smith in April 1916 general conference gave a similar exhortation to Latter-day Saints:

" . . . Each man, each woman, each child who has grown to understanding or to the years of accountability, ought to be an example to the world. They ought not only to be qualified to preach the truth, to bear testimony of the truth, but ought to live so that the very life they live, the very words they speak, their every action in life will be a sermon to the unwary and to the ignorant, teaching them goodness, purity, uprightness, faith in God and love for the human family."

*****

(Additional information)

Christ is mediator between God, men

True to his apostolic charge, Paul in 1 Tim. 2:3-7 testifies of Christ as being the "mediator between God and men."

In Lectures on Faith, the Prophet Joseph Smith explained the Savior's role as mediator:

"The saints have a sure foundation laid for the exercise of faith unto life and salvation, through the atonement and mediation of Jesus Christ; by whose blood they have a forgiveness of sins, and also a sure reward laid up for them in heaven, even that of partaking of the fullness of the Father and the Son through the Spirit. As the Son partakes of the fullness of the Father through the Spirit, so the saints are, by the same Spirit, to be partakers of the same fullness, to enjoy the same glory; for as the Father and the Son are one, so, in like manner, the saints are to be one in them. Through the love of the Father, the mediation of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, they are to be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ."

*****

(Additional information)

Timothy: Paul's `son in the faith'

It is obvious from the tender and affectionate greeting in Paul's espistles to Timothy that the apostle held him in high regard.

Paul refers to Timothy as "my own son in the faith" in 1 Tim. 1:2. Again in 2 Tim. 1:2, he addresses his epistle to Timothy, "my dearly beloved son."

Regarding Timothy's calling in the ministry, Elder James E. Talmage wrote in Articles of Faith: "In the days of the apostles circumstances rendered it expedient to appoint special officers in the Church, to care for the poor and attend to the distribution of supplies; these were selected with care and were set apart through prayer and laying on of hands. Timothy was similarly ordained, as witness the admonitions given him by Paul: `Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery,' (1 Tim. 4:14) and again, `Stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.' "

Acts 16:1-4 provides brief biographical information about Timothy. He was of mixed parentage, his father being a Greek and his mother a Jew. Apparently, Paul was acquainted with Timothy's mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, as shown in 2 Tim. 1:5, where he praises their "unfeigned faith."

"Probably both [TimothyT and his mother were converted during Paul's first sojourn at Lystra," Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible states, "for on the Apostle's second visit he was already `a disciple' of some standing, `well reported of by the brethren' (Acts 16:1-2). Indeed, Paul seems to claim him as a personal convert in 1 Cor. 4:17, describing him as his `beloved and faithful child in the Lord.' "

The setting for 1 and 2 Timothy, as described in Hastings' Dictionary is this: "Paul, having to go into Macedonia, left Timothy in charge of the Church at Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3); and fearing he might be detained longer than he anticipated, he wrote telling him how to act during his absence (1 Tim. 3:14-15)."

*****

(Additional information)

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.

Information compiled by R. Scott Lloyd

Sources: James E. Talmage, Articles of Faith; James Hastings, editor, Dictionary of the Bible; Lectures on Faith from the School of the Prophets at Kirtland, Ohio, published by Deseret Book Co.; Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine.