1 Timothy 5 teaches us about considering various members of the church as family. Older men and women should be treated respectfully, treating them as you would your father or mother. Widows should be taken care of, especially those who are truly alone. Paul says those who won't care for their relatives in their own household have denied the faith and are "worse than unbelievers". He next addresses elders and overseers, who work hard in preaching and/or teaching. Paul says leaders who do their work well should be respected and paid well. Any accusations against an elder should be confirmed by two or three witnesses before they are considered, but they should be reprimanded in front of the whole church if verified to be true. Finally, Paul warns to be careful to keep yourselves pure, not to share in the sins of others, and not to rush into appointing church leaders.

In 1 Timothy 4, Paul gives further instructions about the coming days when many will be deceived into abandoning the faith by "hypocritical liars". He says to have nothing to do with "godless myths and old wives' tales", but instead train yourselves to be godly. Paul says to be devoted to reading, teaching and preaching scripture, giving yourselves wholly to them, setting an example for other believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.

In 1 Timothy 3, Paul provides guidelines for "how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God", specifically qualifications for church leadership ( elders, deacons, overseers, etc.). He says leaders must be sincere, above reproach, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, the husband of one wife, have a well-managed family with obedient and respectful children, must not be a recent convert, must have a good reputation with outsiders, worthy of respect, not indulging in much wine, not pursuing dishonest gain, must hold the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience, their wife also must be temperate,trustworthy and worthy of respect, and leaders must be tested beforehand in order to ensure there is nothing against them.

In 1 Timothy 2, Paul teaches about proper worship. He urges the brethren to pray for everyone, "that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness", since there is one mediator between God and all men--Christ Jesus. In addition to his warnings about false teachers, Paul here also warns that anyone without adequate knowledge or training should not be instructing others in discipleship or God's word.

1 Timothy 1 is written by Paul to his young protege minister, Timothy. He gives careful counsel and guidance, warning Timothy of false teachers and encouraging him to hold on to his faith in Christ. Timothy is instructed to lovingly command these false teachers to no longer distract from God's work with meaningless talk, myths, and endless genealogies, which promote controversies. Paul next reminds Timothy of the truth about Christ--- that He "came into the world to save sinners", so that His chosen "would believe on Him and receive eternal life". He encourages Timothy to continue to follow his instruction and "fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience". As Paul says, "now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever". Amen.

2 Thes 3 is an exhortation to the faithful brethren of Thessalonica. Paul says the Lord continues to direct their hearts in the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. He directs them to "keep away from those who lead an unruly life " and not to associate with those who do not obey Paul's instruction. He exhorts such persons in the Lord Jesus and encourages the brethren to admonish them as brothers.

2 Thes 2 is about the coming of the Lord Jesus and how we will be gathered to Him. Paul warns of the preceding days of deception that will occur, when the "man of lawlessness" is revealed. This man will claim to be God and exalt himself and even sit in the temple of God. But the Lord Jesus will destroy him "by the splendor of His coming". All those who have refused to accept the gospel truth that would save them, will be greatly deceived into believing the lies of the "man of lawlessness". He will use every kind of evil deception to fool them and they will be condemned for enjoying evil, rather than believing the truth.
Paul , then gives thanks for the brethren chosen by God to experience salvation. He explains that they were called to salvation through the Spirit who makes them holy and through their belief in the truth, and by His grace they were given eternal comfort, a wonderful hope, and a future share in the glory of Jesus. What an encouragement that we, too, can share this same eternal comfort and hope in our future with Christ. Amen.