As a writer, I read with curiosity and caution. I look at the structure, but I also read between the lines. I listen for tone. I pay attention to what is emphasized, what is repeated, and what might be culturally grounded. When I read 1 Timothy, I could immediately tell—this was a letter for the church.
But this was not just a letter to a congregation. It was
written to a young leader—Timothy. This gave the book a different feel. It was
more like mentorship on paper. It was personal. Instructional. Intentional.
And it was clear: Paul cared about how church should be
led.
From a literary point of view, this book read like a
pastoral manual. Paul was guiding Timothy on how to shepherd well, how to
recognize false teaching, how to train leaders, and how to carry himself with
integrity. It was layered with doctrine, but also very practical. He was not
writing from theory—he was writing from experience.
The structure was solid. Paul laid the foundation first:
confront false teaching. Protect the gospel. Preach truth. Then he moved into
character and conduct: how to lead, who should lead, and what spiritual
leadership should look like.
And this is where I had to pause.
Because as an African American woman reading this text, I
hit a point of tension.
Chapter 2.
“I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man…”
This line stopped me. Not because it was unfamiliar—but
because it is still used today to exclude women from pulpits, platforms, and
positions. And honestly? I always wrestle with it.
Because I do not believe Paul was against women preaching. I
do not believe he was anti-woman. I believe Paul had many women who were vital
to his ministry—Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia, Lydia, just to name a few. He
acknowledged their work. He celebrated their faith. He called them co-laborers
in the gospel.
So I wish he had been clearer here.
Was this a cultural issue in Ephesus? Was this instruction
for a specific moment in that specific church? Or was it a universal principle?
Paul does not clarify. And as a writer, I notice that. I wish he had said more.
I wish he had given more context.
Because the lack of clarity leaves space for interpretation.
And sometimes, interpretation leads to exclusion.
Still—Paul’s overall message in this letter was not about
control. It was about care. He was telling Timothy how to preserve the
purity of the gospel. He was guiding him through conflict. He was shaping the
posture of spiritual leadership.
And that part? I loved.
Paul emphasized character over charisma. Integrity over
image. He described leaders who were faithful, sober-minded, gentle, generous,
tested. He was not building a celebrity culture. He was building servants.
He reminded Timothy that ministry was spiritual work, not personal
ambition.
From a writer’s perspective, Paul’s voice was firm but
tender. He did not just tell Timothy what to do—he reminded him of who he was.
“Let no one despise your youth.” “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” “Fan
into flame the gift of God.” Those words were pastoral. Protective. They
reminded me of the kind of mentor who speaks with both wisdom and warmth.
One of my favorite moments came in chapter 3, where Paul
said, “I am writing these things to you so that… you will know how people ought
to conduct themselves in God’s household.” That line was central. That was the
thesis. The church is not just an organization—it is a family. And family needs
structure.
Reading 1 Timothy reminded me that leadership in the church
is sacred. It is not about power—it is about responsibility. It is not about
being seen—it is about being set apart.
And yes—I still have questions. I still wish Paul had gone a
little further in naming the value of women clearly in this particular
letter. But I also recognize his consistent pattern across the New Testament:
women were there. Women were leading. Women were prophesying. Women were
included.
So maybe this was not the final word.
Maybe it was a word for that moment.
And maybe we, as Spirit-filled readers, are called to read faithfully and
wisely—seeing the heart behind the words without making absolutes out of
ambiguity.
This was a letter of leadership.
A letter of order.
A letter about what it means to carry the gospel well—inside the church and
out.
Paul took the time to guide Timothy not just in what to say, but in how to live. And that kind of leadership still matters today.