I. Church Leadership and Order:;xNLx;;xNLx;Overseer / Bishop (Greek: episkopos) (1 Timothy 3:1-2): A key leadership office in the early church. The term literally means "one who watches over" or "superintendent." This person was responsible for teaching, spiritual guidance, and the general oversight and care of the congregation. In the New Testament, the terms "overseer" and "elder" (presbyteros) often appear to refer to the same office or group of leaders.;xNLx;Elder (Greek: presbyteros) (1 Timothy 4:14; 5:1, 17, 19): Literally "an older man," but used in the early church as a title for a leader responsible for governing, teaching, and providing spiritual care for the congregation. Paul instructs that elders who rule well and labor in preaching and teaching should be considered worthy of "double honor.";xNLx;Deacons (Greek: diakonoi) (1 Timothy 3:8, 10, 12-13): Literally "servants" or "ministers." Deacons were recognized officials in the early church who served the practical needs of the congregation, likely assisting the overseers/elders in various administrative and benevolent tasks. The qualifications listed for them emphasize their character and household management.;xNLx;Laying on of hands (1 Timothy 4:14; 5:22): A symbolic act used for various purposes in the early church:;xNLx;Ordination/Commissioning (4:14): Setting apart an individual for a particular ministry or office, often accompanied by prophecy and the recognition of the eldership. Timothy received a gift through the laying on of hands by the council of elders.;xNLx;Identification or blessing (5:22): Paul warns Timothy not to be hasty in the laying on of hands, which in this context might refer to restoring someone to fellowship or appointing them to leadership, implying careful discernment is needed.;xNLx;Widows (enrolled widows / true widows) (1 Timothy 5:3-16): Paul provides detailed instructions concerning the church's care for widows. "True widows" (5:3, 5) were those who were genuinely alone, godly, and dependent, and thus eligible for church support. "Enrolled widows" (5:9) likely refers to a specific group, possibly older widows (at least sixty) with a proven record of good deeds, who may have had specific responsibilities within the church in exchange for support, or were simply those formally recognized as needing ongoing care.;xNLx;Household of God / Church of the living God (1 Timothy 3:15): Metaphors for the church, emphasizing it as God's family and the dwelling place of the living God, where proper conduct and order are essential.;xNLx;II. Doctrine, Teaching, and False Teachers:;xNLx;;xNLx;Doctrine / Teaching (e.g., 1 Timothy 1:3, 10; 4:1, 6, 13, 16; 5:17; 6:1, 3): The body of instruction and beliefs that constitute the Christian faith, derived from apostolic teaching and the Scriptures. Paul emphasizes the importance of "sound doctrine" (healthy, true teaching) in contrast to false teachings.;xNLx;Sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:10; cf. 2 Timothy 4:3, Titus 1:9, 2:1): Healthy, true, and orthodox Christian teaching that aligns with the gospel and promotes spiritual well-being.;xNLx;False teachers / Different doctrine (e.g., 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 4:1-3; 6:3-5, 20-21): Individuals who promote teachings contrary to the apostolic gospel, often characterized by myths, genealogies, ascetic practices (forbidding marriage, requiring abstinence from foods), quarrels about words, and a desire for financial gain. Paul warns Timothy to guard against them.;xNLx;Myths and endless genealogies (1 Timothy 1:4; cf. Titus 3:9): Speculative and fruitless discussions or teachings promoted by false teachers, which led to controversies rather than furthering God's plan or godly edifying. Their exact nature is debated but likely involved esoteric or Gnostic-like speculations.;xNLx;The Law (Torah) (e.g., 1 Timothy 1:7-9): The Law of Moses. Paul affirms that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, understanding its purpose is not primarily for the righteous but to convict and restrain sinners. False teachers desired to be teachers of the law but did not understand it properly.;xNLx;Conscience (e.g., 1 Timothy 1:5, 19; 3:9; 4:2): An individual's inner moral awareness and sense of right and wrong. Paul speaks of a "good conscience," a "clear conscience," and a "seared conscience" (of false teachers who have become insensitive to moral truth).;xNLx;Mystery of the faith / Mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 3:9, 16):;xNLx;Mystery of the faith: The profound, divinely revealed truths of the Christian gospel that deacons must hold with a clear conscience.;xNLx;Mystery of godliness: The profound truth of Christian devotion and the revelation of God in Christ, summarized in what might be an early Christian hymn or creed (1 Timothy 3:16), centered on Christ's incarnation, vindication, appearance to angels, proclamation among nations, belief in the world, and ascension in glory.;xNLx;Deposit / What has been entrusted (Greek: paratheke) (1 Timothy 6:20; cf. 2 Timothy 1:12, 14): Refers to the body of sound doctrine, the truth of the gospel, which Timothy was entrusted with and was to guard faithfully against false teachings and "irreverent babble.";xNLx;Knowledge (falsely so called) (Greek: gnosis) (1 Timothy 6:20): Paul warns against "what is falsely called 'knowledge'," which may allude to early forms of Gnosticism or other speculative philosophies that boasted of superior, esoteric knowledge but contradicted the true gospel.;xNLx;III. Christian Conduct and Character:;xNLx;;xNLx;Godliness / Godly (e.g., 1 Timothy 2:2, 10; 3:16; 4:7-8; 5:4 [godly]; 6:3, 5-6, 11): Reverence for God expressed in a life of piety, devotion, and moral uprightness; practical Christian living that reflects one's faith. Paul emphasizes that godliness has value for both the present life and the life to come.;xNLx;Sober-minded / Self-controlled / Dignified / Respectable (e.g., 1 Timothy 2:2, 9, 15; 3:2, 4, 8, 11): Qualities of character emphasized for believers, especially leaders, involving seriousness of purpose, self-restraint, sound judgment, and behavior that commands respect.;xNLx;Hospitable (1 Timothy 3:2; 5:10): A willingness to welcome and show kindness to guests and strangers, an important virtue in the early church, especially for leaders.;xNLx;Greed / Love of money (1 Timothy 3:3, 8; 6:5, 9-10): An excessive desire for material wealth, which Paul identifies as a root of all kinds of evil and a danger to faith. Leaders were to be free from the love of money.;xNLx;Contentment (1 Timothy 6:6, 8): A state of satisfaction with what one has, particularly when accompanied by godliness.;xNLx;The good fight (of the faith) (1 Timothy 1:18; 6:12): A metaphor for the Christian life and ministry, portraying it as a struggle or contest requiring effort, perseverance, and faithfulness.;xNLx;Eternal life (1 Timothy 1:16; 4:8; 6:12, 19): The life of God, characterized by a right relationship with Him through Christ, which begins now and continues into eternity. Timothy is urged to "take hold of the eternal life.";xNLx;IV. Worship and Prayer:;xNLx;;xNLx;Supplications / Prayers / Intercessions / Thanksgivings (1 Timothy 2:1): Various forms of prayer that Paul urges to be made for all people, including kings and those in high positions.;xNLx;Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5): One who stands between two parties to reconcile them or bring them together. Paul declares that "there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.";xNLx;Ransom (1 Timothy 2:6): The price paid to redeem or liberate someone. Christ Jesus gave himself as a "ransom for all.";xNLx;Lifting holy hands (1 Timothy 2:8): A posture of prayer in the ancient world, symbolizing purity and devotion.;xNLx;V. Other Notable Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Blaspheme / Slander (1 Timothy 1:13, 20; 6:1, 4): To speak irreverently or contemptuously against God or sacred things; or to speak evil of, defame, or falsely accuse others.;xNLx;Savior (of all people, especially of those who believe) (1 Timothy 1:1; 2:3; 4:10): God is described as Savior, and this salvation is available to all, but is effectively received by those who believe. Jesus Christ is also the Savior.;xNLx;"The saying is trustworthy" (1 Timothy 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 3:8): A formula Paul uses to introduce a statement or teaching that is particularly reliable, well-known, or foundational in Christian belief.;xNLx;Wine (use of) (1 Timothy 3:3, 8; 5:23): Paul instructs that overseers and deacons should not be "drunkards." He also advises Timothy to "use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments," indicating a medicinal or moderate use was acceptable.;xNLx;This list provides definitions for many of the key terms found in Paul's First Letter to Timothy (ESV). Understanding these within their original context of addressing specific issues in the Ephesian church is crucial for applying Paul's instructions on church leadership, sound doctrine, and godly living today.