The Purpose of this Letter

In this letter that Paul wrote to Timothy, Paul wrote about the
problems that were happening inside the church community and not the
problems that were related to persecution. Because when he wrote it,
the false teaching like myths and endless genealogies were spreading
among the church (1:4, 5:7). So Paul taught Timothy and his church to
be aware of the false doctrine. And he also taught them what is the
"right teaching" which is the words of faith. Than what is the "right
teaching" that Paul taught Timothy and the church through this letter?
What should we learn from it?

"nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which
promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by
faith."
- 1 Timothy 1:4

The Problem in the Church

The fact that the false teachings were causing problems in the church
means that Timothy and other Christians were in the fight of faith
(6:12). And at least Timothy was fighting this battle with the firm
faith as Paul mentioned in this letter. But there were people like
Hymenaeus and Alexander that comes out in 1 Timothy 1:20 who turned
away from faith by temptation. The fact that this letter ends with the
verse about those who swerved from the faith, reminds us the
consequence of this problem in the church. We also can tell that those
problem did not came out of no where, but they were already warned by
Paul "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will
depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and
teachings of demons, (1 Timothy 4:1)".

"Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as
worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not
be reviled."
- 1 Timothy 1:6

The Right Teaching that Paul Taught

What did Paul wrote to Timothy and the church who were currently
dealing with the problem of false teaching? It is obvious that he
wrote about what exactly the false doctrine is but he also taught the
overseers, deacons, women, young men and the widows specifically how
to live their daily life faithfully. So not only that Paul taught them
how to be aware of the doctrine of devils but he also taught them the
"right teaching" about their life as Christians. Because as Paul wrote
in 1 Timothy 1:3, one of the purpose that Timothy stayed in Ephesus
was to protect the church from false teachings.

"As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so
that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different
doctrine..."
- 1 Timothy 1:3

What Did the Hypocrites Teach?

So what exactly the hypocrites taught to people? Their false teachings
are written in chapter 6 with the details. According to Paul, the
reason that they taught the false teaching was their pride. Those who
were against the right teachings conceited and caused problems and
conflict in the church. And they also tempted others to draw them far
from the faith (6:10). The false teachings that they spread among the
church was human lust. And we can guess that the human lust that they
were spreading was the temptation of earthly riches. As Paul wrote in
1 Timothy 6:9-10 "... those who desire to be rich fall into
temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires..."

"If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the
sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords
with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.
He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about
words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions..."
- 1 Timothy 6:3-4

The Warning to the Rich

So Paul taught Timothy what to teach those who were rich already. He
warned them not to boast or to set their hopes on earthly riches but
to on God who provides. And he also taught them to be generous so that
they can share with their brothers and sisters in Christ in need
(6:18). Because following the riches of the world may draw them far
from faith (6:10). So the true knowledge of what is important in our
lives will protect us from the vanity that belongs to the world.

"They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and
ready to share..."
- 1 Timothy 6:18

The Fight Against the False Doctrine

So what Paul taught Timothy and the churches in this letter is how to
fight the fight of faith against the doctrine of devils. Specifically
how to fight against the temptation of worldly riches and power
(6:11-12). Paul encouraged them to keep themselves away from the
temptation of earthly lust but to seek for "righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness (6:11)" in the battle of faith.
It might seem that those who seek for earthly riches will flourish
temporally but those who believe in true God were promised that they
will receive the true blessings by keeping the right teaching and
fighting the good fight of faith (6:12). And the blessings that God
promised us is the eternal life (6:15-16).

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to
which you were called and about which you made the good confession in
the presence of many witnesses.
- 1Timothy 6:12