The Book of 1st Timothy - Connected to the World

“Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  In the presence of God, who gives life to all things…”
- 1 Timothy 6:12-13a

The book of First Timothy is actually a letter, addressed to Timothy of Ephesus and written by his mentor, the Apostle Paul.  Paul has departed from Timothy but sent this letter in order to offer support and guidance for Timothy as he leads the church in Paul’s absence.
 
While the letter contains some practical instructions about elders and bishops (instructions that have greatly influenced church history) First Timothy also contains a strong focus on the goodness of God and God’s creation.  Part of Paul’s focus in this letter was to insist that Timothy and the community he was leading NOT flee from the world that God had made.  At the time this letter was written, some Christian groups who electing to isolate themselves.  In contrast, Paul writes about God as the one who creates all things and calls them good.

These themes in First Timothy, remind us today that our world is a place of God’s blessing and majesty.  While much in this world can seem corrupted and evil, it is still God’s world; a world that God created and said “it is good”; a world that Jesus loved and died to redeem.  As people of faith, our call is not to flee this world, but to call forth and affirm the goodness of creation and to take part in Jesus’ ongoing redemption project.