The First Epistle To Timothy - Executable Outlines

INTRODUCTION
Be An Example To The Believers
1 Timothy 4:12
1. Instructing Timothy as to his obligations, Paul charges him to “be an example to the believers...”
- 1 Ti 4:12
2. The word “example”...
a. Comes from the Greek word “tupos”
b. Used here in the sense of being a pattern, an example, for others to follow
[We shall examine what sort of example Paul has in mind, but let’s first stress that Timothy is not the
only person who ought to be an example...]
I. THOSE WHO OUGHT TO BE EXAMPLES
A. MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL...
1. Such as Timothy - 1 Ti 4:12
2. Such as Titus - Ti 2:7-8
-- Preachers and evangelists should certainly set a good example for others
B. SHEPHERDS OF THE FLOCK...
1. As Peter charged the elders - 1 Pe 5:1-3
2. As the Hebrew writer encouraged his readers to follow their faith - He 13:7
-- Elders (i.e., bishops and pastors) should provide an example worth following
C. FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS...
1. Certainly true of mature Christians - Ph 3:15-17
2. Can also be true of new Christians (e.g., the new church at Thessalonica) - 1 Th 1:6-8
3. And true of younger Christians (e.g., Timothy) - cf. 1 Ti 4:12a
-- All Christians, young and old, should strive to be examples to one another!
[Now let’s consider...]
II. THE KIND OF EXAMPLES WE SHOULD BE
A. AN EXAMPLE IN “WORD”...
1. Many understand Paul to refer to speech, personal conversation (cf. Barnes)
a. Certainly Christians are to be careful in their speech - cf. Ep 4:29,31; 5:4,12
b. Their speech should be with “grace” (remember Jesus?) - Co 4:6; cf. Lk 4:22
2. Others think Paul was referring to doctrine, what one taught (cf. Clarke)
a. That one teach nothing but the truth, that which accords to God’s Word
b. Timothy was to be careful regarding doctrine - cf. 1 Ti 4:6,13,16
Mark A. Copeland
Sermons From First Timothy 46