提摩太前書可能是保羅寫給「因信主作我真兒子的提摩太」的個人書信，不過，它對我們今天卻有重大的價值。隨著初期教會的數目逐漸增多，許多教會紀律、聚會秩序和教義上的問題便隨之而起。使徒時代快將完結之際，保羅在聖靈的默示下，為教會定下很多準則。它們不單對應當時的需要，對我們今天的教會亦一樣適用。因此，我們必須用心研讀這些書信。

保羅在書信的開始便告訴我們，他是「作基督耶穌的使徒」，他擁有權威。保羅的使徒權威，是來自教會的頭──耶穌基督；他也是受神的差派，代表神去傳達信息。保羅更用三個稱號來稱呼基督。祂是耶穌，我們的救主。祂是基督，是神所立的受膏者。祂是主，是統治者，有權管治祂的百姓。保羅更補充說，基督是我們的盼望──我們藉著祂給予的榮耀盼望，來看此時此地的處境。

提摩太比保羅年輕很多，但兩人之間有著深厚的情誼。保羅曾經在幾封書信提及提摩太。他在腓立比書二章19至23節指出，提摩太「與他同心」。保羅有好幾次遭遇患難的時候，提摩太也跟他一同受苦；而且，他似乎一直陪伴保羅，直至他被行刑處死。在保羅的書信中，其中一段最叫人感動的話，就是在提摩太後書四章6節至結尾的一段話。當時已年紀老邁的保羅，只渴望提摩太這位年輕人陪伴他走完人生的路程。

保羅叫提摩太留在以弗所教會，為的是確保他們能持定保羅教導的真理，不要被一些次要的問題所糾纏（4節）。保羅明確地指出，信徒面對四大試煉，首先是愛心，繼而是清潔的心、無虧的良心和無偽的信心。我們的生命，是否具備這四大素質呢？請將他作為我們現今自我省查的項目。提摩太前、後書給我們很多寶貴的教訓，讓我們帶著一顆禱告的心，用心研讀後面選讀的經文。

This may have been a personal letter from Paul to his “true son in the faith”, but it has tremendous value for us today. As the number of the early churches increased so did the question of doctrine, discipline and church order. The end of the apostolic period was approaching and God the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to set down standards which were not only needed then but are very relevant to our churches today. It is important that we study these epistles in detail.

The first few words in our reading tell us so much –“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ”. Here was a man of authority. He had been sent and authorized to speak, by God and by Christ, the head of the church.

Three names of Christ are given. He is Jesus, our Saviour. He is Christ, anointed and recognised by God and He is Lord, the sovereign who reigns over His people. Paul adds that Christ is our hope - we can look at the present in the light of our great future.

Timothy was obviously much younger than Paul but there was a wonderful relationship between them. Paul referred to Timothy in several epistles. In Philippians 2:19-23 he wrote that Timothy was “likeminded to himself.” Timothy also must have suffered with Paul on various occasions and it seems he was with Paul right up to Paul’s execution. Among the most moving words Paul ever wrote are his final lines to Timothy in the second epistle chapter four, from verse 6 to the end of the letter. The older man was longing for the company of his young friend as the end drew near.

Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to make sure the church stayed true to the doctrines Paul had taught and not be taken up with side issues (v.4). Paul stated very plainly that the real test for believers is seen first in our love, then in a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith. Can we take those four points and make them a check list on our own lives today? 1st and 2nd Timothy have much to say to us. Read each selection carefully and prayerfully.