Note 1 at 1 Tim. 1:3: The phrase "As I besought thee" refers to previous instructions Paul gave to Timothy. The Expositors Commentary states, "The motive of this letter is to provide Timothy with a written memorandum of previous verbal instructions....."

Note 2 at 1 Tim. 1:3: Paul ministered in Ephesus on his second and third missionary journeys (Acts 18-20). He spent three years ministering in Ephesus on his third missionary trip (see note 12 at Acts 20:31, p. 700) and as he left Ephesus for Macedonia, he put Timothy in charge of the work. The subscript at 2 Tim. 4:22 says that Timothy was ordained the first bishop of the church at Ephesus.

Note 3 at 1 Tim. 1:3: There are some people who say doctrine isn't important., but that is not what Paul said. Doctrine is important. Those who denounce doctrine, are promoting doctrine; i.e. the doctrine of the devil.

Doctrine is a belief. Without faith it's impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). Therefore, it's impossible to relate to and please God without doctrine or a system of belief.

There is a danger of being so focused on doctrine that we miss God, but you cannot relate to God apart from doctrine. We must have a scriptural doctrine or belief system.

Failure in relationship always starts with a failure in doctrine. Take Adam and Eve as an example. The devil didn't try to overpower them to get them to eat the forbidden fruit. No! He came against their doctrine. They had believed what God said was true. Satan countered that doctrine. If they had held true to that doctrine and not doubted God's word, Satan would not have been able to deceive them into committing sin (see Gen. 3:1-6).

It's the same with us. Correct doctrine isn't a curse, it's a blessing. It's a safeguard. The first responsibility that Paul gave Timothy over the Ephesian church was to make sure that there was no false doctrine being taught.