Timothy was a close associate of Paul who was facing problems within the church that he was leading in Ephesus. In these personal letters, Paul gives practical pastoral instruction to his protégé, highlighting godliness and holy living to help Timothy fulfill his calling and effectively carry out his important tasks in the church. “Let no one despise your youth,” Paul encouraged, “but be an example to believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Paul’s gentle encouragement in these letters challenges Timothy to persevere in his faith—a faith that might have been weakening under the pressure of the church and the persecution of the world. Paul’s godly counsel was helpful not only to Timothy, a first-century Christian leader, but is also helpful to each of us as believers today.

The MacArthur Bible Studies provide intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture. Each guide incorporates extensive commentary, detailed observations on overriding themes, and probing questions to help you study the Word of God with guidance from John MacArthur.

This volume is available for purchase individually, or as part of the MacArthur Bible Studies Collection.

John MacArthur is the pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author and conference speaker. John graduated from Talbot Theological Seminar and came to Grace Community Church in 1969. In 1985, John became president of The Master’s University. In 1986, John founded The Master’s Seminary, a graduate school dedicated to training men for full-time pastoral and missionary work. John has written hundreds of study guides and books, including the MacArthur Study Bible and MacArthur New Testament Commentary. John and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four married children and fifteen grandchildren.