Shepherds after God's Heart

A major theme of 1 Timothy is church leadership. Paul’s imprisonment on account of the gospel seemed to involve far more than the apostle. For while Paul was in bonds, many of the churches which he planted also became enslaved to false leaders!

The church in Ephesus was one of them. Though Paul was perhaps closest to this church and enjoyed a deep, loving relationship, nevertheless in the time he was imprisoned false leaders took hold of the church. So, upon his release from Rome, Paul took Timothy and together they went to Ephesus. Far from the warm reception he had enjoyed just a couple of years before (Acts 20), this time his presence brought conflict and trial. In order to stop the false teachers from totally undermining the church’s life and doctrine, Paul excommunicated two of the leading perpetrators, Hymenaeus and Alexander (cf. 1 Timothy 1:19-20).

Now at this point and for unknown reasons, Paul then left Ephesus in order to minister in Macedonia. However, he left Timothy behind to continue the work.