INTRODUCTION

In this paper we are going to look at directions given by Apostle Paul to Timothy who
he considers to be like his own son, on how to conduct the different aspect of the church
smoothly. These are key areas in which pastors of this day face various issues on. Through
this reading we will gain insight on dealing with these present-day issues, which were not so
new after all.

RIGHT ATTITUDE IN WORSHIP

During the different forms of worship, be it Prayer, Intercession, Thanksgiving,

Petitions, Paul asks Timothy to ask the men and women of the church to come with the right
attitude, meaning not to give importance to things that does not help in the edification of the
church and the building of faith of people within the church and outside of the church. He
gives instructions to women to dress modestly and in a way that it will not divert the attention
of people from worship. He also asks the women to refrain from elaborate hairstyles, gold,
pearls, expensive clothing and other such things that could divert the attention of people in
the place of worship. Instead he asks them to devote themselves to good deeds which will
complement their faith and be a mode of worship which will be pleasing to God and
acceptable by the people. He goes on to tell the women to be fully submissive and not have
assuming authority over men. By this Paul asks Timothy to instruct and lead the men and
women to rightful worship

CHOOSING OVERSEERS AND DEACONS

Paul instructs Timothy to choose overseers and deacons who meet certain criteria and
qualifications so that they will not be put to disgrace in any situation. He says that the
oversees and deacons should be above reproach and perfect in their ways that no man can
accuse them of any bad. He must be a man who is faithful to his wife, not short-tempered, he
must have good self-control, he must be respected by all, he must be able to teach, he must be
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hospitable, he must not give into drunkenness, he must be gentle, must not love money, must
not be a recent convert, must not be a quarrelsome person, he must be able to manage his
family well and see that his children obey him and he must have a good reputation with the
outsiders so he can be blameless and stay away from disgrace.

TO STAND AGAINST FALSE TEACHINGS

Paul asks Timothy to command people to teach false teachings and doctrines which
will mutate the body of Christ, he urges Timothy to stand against those endless genealogies
and myths which only lead to wicked speculation, which does not help the people to live a
life of faith in God.

Paul asks Timothy to stand against people using Godliness for selfish and financial
gains, saying that money is the root cause of many evils and people who give themselves into
such evils will wander away from their faith and will put themselves into many griefs

Paul also talks about how people are talking about the law of Moses without having
any knowledge of it. He says that the law is good when used in the correct manner for the
right people; people who are rebellious, sinful, ungodly, sexually immoral, slave traders and
murderers. The reason Paul instructs them in this manner is so that, people will be able to
love with a pure heart and conscience and live in true faith in God, and the goal being to do
everything in the absolute love of Christ.

DEALING WITH WIDOWS, ELDERS ANS SLAVES IN THE CHURCH

Paul asks Timothy to treat the widows in a specific manner, Paul gives certain criteria
to which a widow must fit into in order to receive help. They must be people trusting God in
all that they do, they must not give into the lust of the flesh. They should not have deserted
their households for this is a straight denial of their faith. He says don’t consider supporting
them unless they are above the age of sixty and have been faithful to their husband and are
well known for their good deeds. He asks young widows to remarry, have children and have a
family of their own, so that they will not fall prey to the trap of the enemy. He also instructs
saying if there are people taking care of widows, let them continue to do so, so that the
church will not be burdened.

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 Paul asks Timothy to take care of the old people in the church like he’d take care of
his own mother or father, but if they have their children and grandchildren let them put their
faith to actions by taking care of them. Concerning the elders, he says, let those elders who
direct things well be due of double honor, especially those who are involved in the ministry
of teaching and preaching. Paul asks Timothy not to entertain any accusations which come
against the elders, until and unless those accusations are supported by two or three witnesses,
he says that the elders who sin must be reprimanded before the entire church so that it will
serve as an example to all the other elders and the church.

Paul asks Timothy to be unbiased in all the decisions that he takes in his church, and
not to entertain any sort of favoritism to anyone under any circumstance. He asks Timothy to
not be hasty while appointing a church leader and to keep himself pure in all his decisions.
He instructs him to take care of himself and have some wine for the sake of his stomach, and
not just have water all the time, because he fell sick quite often.

Instructing the slaves Paul asks them to give full respect to their masters just so that
Gods name and the teachings of the church may not be slandered, and those slaves having
masters who are believers, must serve those masters better because they are fellow believers
and not show any kind of disrespect because of the same.

DEALING WITH FALSE TEACHERS

Paul asks Timothy to stay away from quarreling because of words, and he asks
Timothy to teach this also to the church, that this quarreling is of no value and it won’t take
them anywhere as it only ruins those who listen to it. Paul asks him to stay away from
godless talks as it would only make him and everyone involved more ungodly. Paul gives the
example of Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have strayed away from the truth by saying that the
resurrection has already taken place, and this had destroyed the faith of some (2 Timothy
2:18).

APOSTLE PAULS ENCOURAGEMENT TO TIMOTHY

Paul encourages Timothy to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace and those
who have a true heart for the Lord, he asks him to stay away from the fleshly desires of his

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youth and pursue a pure heart. Paul also asks Timothy to stay away from quarrels which is a
result of foolish and stupid arguments, he says as servants of God we have to stay away from
quarrels but on the other hand be kind to everyone, not resentful in any way and must be able
to teach. He instructs Timothy to gently teach his opponents, hoping that this will help them
come to their senses and that they will be able to see the truth and thus can escape the trap of
the enemy, who has held them captive to do his will.

Paul warns Timothy of the kind of people he will have to deal with in the last days,
saying they will be people who are lovers of themselves, unforgiving, disobedient, not lovers
of good, rash, conceited and so on, Paul asks Timothy have nothing to do with this kind of
people, and that these people are just trying to squeeze themselves into the house of gullible
women who are loaded down with sins and are swayed with all kinds of fleshly desires (2
Timothy 3:6).

Paul also encourages Timothy to fan the flame as God has not given us a spirit of fear
or timidity rather, he has given us a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. Paul asks
Timothy to remember the call the God has kept on his life and to keep in mind that whatever
happens in his life God will be his strength and there is no cause for shame in any
circumstance, as we know who we believe in and he will take care of us until the end, so he
asks Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Paul asks Timothy to identify
suitable people who are well qualified and reliable so they can be entrusted with the teachings
and at the same time they will also be able to teach others.

Finally, Paul charges Timothy and asks him to continue his good work in the church,
and to speak the truth at all times, to teach, rebuke, correct and encourage the people in the
church with absolute patience, love and careful instruction. He encourages him to endure
hardships, fight the good fight and to finish the race successfully just like he himself has
done.

CONCLUSION

Right from the early church to the current church the problems faced by the Pastors is
quite similar. Apostle Paul clearly deals with majority of the problems and gives clear
solutions, solutions which can easily be implemented in the current day and age with the
same attitude of love, care and concern. As Apostle Paul says, let us fight the good fight and
finish the good race with the strength through the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.